How Effective Is Free Antivirus And Spyware Software?
The free antivirus programs are most definitely not better than any other. They are passable and decent, but some paid antivirus programs are so much better. Kaspersky is great, as well as Nod32. Twice as good as the free anti-virus programs, but not without a nominal fee. Spyware programs are a different story. Ad Aware, AVG AntiSpyware, Spy ware Doctor, Spybot Search and Destroy, and SuperAntiSpyware are all great free spyware programs.
The most important thing, however, is your behavior. If you behave properly, you don\’t need any type of antispyware or antivirus programs. The problem is, almost no one on the internet behaves properly these days. In either case, if you aren\’t willing to pay, I recommend using one of the mentioned free antivirus programs (preferably AVG or Avast) and a couple of the antivirus programs (one of which will be actively blocking spyware, as well as to run full scans of your computer at least once a month. The second will be used for a secondary full spyware scan along with the first.
Also, you should watch your behavior. Do not click links in your email. If you want to go to a URL someone (even someone you know) has sent you, type the URL out in the address bar. Be very careful about downloading anything. You should make absolute sure that it is safe. Some websites can infect your computer by using Active X controls, so also be very careful about what Active X controls you allow when surfing.
Most of the computers are infected because of clicking on the links in popular social networking sites like facebook and myspace. Avoid watching pornography sites since most of the adult sites ask the user to download a codec to view the downloaded video file and spread spyware in the computer.
Most of the computers are also infected because of using P2P Software like Lime wire. Lime wire, infact most P2P software is plagued with spyware/malware, which in turn will mess your system up incredibly. There is an older version of Lime wire which contains no spyware.However, it’s the systems you download music from which will have the major source of Virus\’ and spyware to help mess up your system and time.
When you download a track from limewire,you do so by downloading it off someone else PC, in turn they could be infected, passing on the infection to you. Also with it being P2P, they will have access to your system and all of the music that you have, not very safe hey!
If you want to download music, I would suggest doing it off a legit music site, like I tunes or HM V for example, this way you’re getting music pretty cheap and staying safe in the process. There are even some sights that for a small sum, let you download as many songs as you want over 28days.
My advice is keeping it safe, even if it’s an old PC you don\’t really care about. Piracy laws have really been clamped down, and you never know, the officers could come knocking on your door.
Question…
antivirus ??
does any 1 know of a free antivirus program
i got norton but i just want another option that i dont have to pay for
Answers…
Answer by MLM
Here are some free antivirus programs.
AVG 7.5 AntiVirus (Vista Compatible)
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
Avast Home Antivirus (Vista Compatible)
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
AntiVir PE (Vista Compatible)
http://www.free-av.com/
( Note: Only use one anti-virus product. Running more than one can cause conflicts thus rendering each ineffective.
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/2000031316555206 )
Answer by tdppdttdppdt
Sure, check out ClamWin…
http://www.clamwin.com
Pretty easy to use, effective, and FREE!
Answer by Liam B
AVG free edition is good
Why don’t you tell us what you think about this antivirus blog post…
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Kaspersky or NOD32 are the best (recent tests at av-comparatives.org).
If you want a free anti-virus I recommend in order of popularity, but please choose the right one for you (install only one):
1. AVG Free
a. A simple interface (easier to use than Avast! and Avira)
b. Can detect about 82.82% of viruses
Cons: low virus detection
2. Avast!
a. Real-time protection
b. It has an option to delete a virus once found
c. Can detect about 87.46% of viruses.
Cons: Too many icons and confusing user interface
3. Avira AntiVir
a. It can detect malware better than Avast and AVG
b. It’s cute umbrella icon
c. Can detect about 94.26% of viruses
Cons: A very sluggish update
AVG Antivirus FREE is hands down the best out there.
You have to realize though, you can’t run two antivirus programs at the same time. They will normally conflict with one another.
You can however go in to options/setup in either program and stop it from running at boot up of your pc.
I use and recommend Avast 4 Home Edition:
http://avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
^ AVG Free ^ as mentioned by the above answerer is rated the *worst* of the top three free AVs in terms of detection rates.
“Hands down the best” … ha ha. He pulled that statement out of somewhere and it wasn’t his hat.)
I have used AVG Anti Virus, Zone Alarm Firewall, Spy-bot Search and Destroy and Ad Aware both spyware killers for years. They are all free for personal use and I have had no trouble with Viruses Trojans etc. AVG does not slow the system down as much as some other products and Zone Alarm allows a lot of personal configuration unlike the Windows Firewall. They can all be downloaded from the following linkhttp://www.computeractive.co.uk/. On the home page select downloads and then the appropriate category.I also use Windows Defender from the Microsoft site. It is safe to use two anti-spy products but never use more than one A/V as it can cause conflicts. You should run A/V and anti spy weekly. Hope this helps