Internet virus protection

8 Feb 2007

Quote by Rampantbunny
I too use AVG and have had no problems with it but think it stop's being free later this month so not sure whether to pay for it or find something else - any suggestions?

just update it... 7.1 stops being free... but they have brought out a free version of AVG 7.5
all you need to do is download that...
sean xxx

8 Feb 2007

Like many I use AVG free version and had no problems other than it slows down my pc somewhat.
I did buy Norton but then ditched it because, whilst it worked fine, it seemed to scan everything in minute detail every time which meant that even opening a word document involved also making a cuppa it took so long.
Having said that, I spoke to an IT guy I know who buys and sets up new p/c's and laptops for his company, and he reckons you should not use anything but Norton. But, it should be set up as pretty well the first piece of software. This seems to mean it helps it run quicker (no idea why other than I assume as it has checked software as it is installed it has less need to keep an eye on things in the future).
I use a wireless router and use the firewall in the router.
So far so good, now where is the fingers crossed smiley biggrin

8 Feb 2007

we been using AVG for a couple of years now on 3 lots of PC's we've owned during that time and its always been top notch - tried norton etc and they are fine but then of course they're not FREE!!
so if your cheap and use the PC predominately for chatting and your own word stuff as we do - AVG it has to be.
however if you download a lot of other stuff - music movies etc from various sources perhaps you'd be better with a more robust type of AV software - like Norton - compared to replacing your PC or paying for repairs its cheap

8 Feb 2007

This has been a well timed thread as the free for so long Norton that came with my laptop had just expired. I've taken the advice and loaded AVG, Zonealarm et al but wondered if anyone can point me in the direction of uninstalling the norton pls? cool

8 Feb 2007

Quote by hornyinslough
This has been a well timed thread as the free for so long Norton that came with my laptop had just expired. I've taken the advice and loaded AVG, Zonealarm et al but wondered if anyone can point me in the direction of uninstalling the norton pls?

If your using xp go to control panel then add / remove softwear you will need to remove symantic live update as well as the norton softwear

9 Feb 2007

yep its easy to remove Norton but I did a search for folders and files including hidden for "symantic & Norton" as well and deleted manually. Even so there may be a couple of "Norton files" lurking someplace but no probs so far.

9 Feb 2007

thank you felix and peenut kiss

9 Feb 2007

I'd recommend using the Norton removal tool from the support section as it gets rid of all the files usually left behind by the normal uninstaller. You can get from

9 Feb 2007

Quote by sussexguy
I'd recommend using the Norton removal tool from the support section as it gets rid of all the files usually left behind by the normal uninstaller. You can get from here

Spot on Sussexguy, MS remove programs will not remove Norton completely and if not done properly can cause issues at a later date.
Personally I use Norton, always have, that and Sygate, for me a perfect combination, but only in a MS world.

9 Feb 2007

AVG is good but i find Avast Home Edition is better and its also free but best turn your speakers down though as it has a habbit of talking to you when it updates, and as for firewalls you won't get much better than sygate personal firewall and it also has a free version smile

11 Feb 2007

Quote by GnV
Sure, you can get freebies and there are lots of them out there but would you trust a bundle of condoms from an unknown source
We make (part) of our living out of sorting out the mess when clients have not had adequate AV software and have been attacked.
McAfee and F-Secure are good stable products worthy of recommendation. Both are used in a professional environment where it really DOES matter that you get it right.

Funny that, I could make part of my living, if I charged, sorting out the problems Norton and McAfee leave their valued customers with. Just because something is used in a professional environment doesn't mean it is any better than something else.
Equating potential life threatening illnesses with the condom comment, with losing files on a computer is rather over dramatising things, in my opinion. All the major free AV products are from reputable and long standing companies.
There is no one AV product that is the best. It comes down to how responsible the computer owner is, how easy the software is to understand and to use.
In eight years on the internet, not having paid a penny for AV software, I can say I have not had a problem with a virus. The only problems I have had, have been very minor and were adware/spyware related, and sorted quickly.
Go get ya free downloads...you'll luv 'em! cool

Oh..what I'm using...
AVG anti virus
AVG anti spyware
Zone Alarm firewall (Kerio on one of the others)
Spybot s&d
Adaware
Spyware blaster
Hijackthis
Total biggrin

22 Feb 2007

Have a look at this thread, it may help you. (4th comment down)

22 Feb 2007

Although some people love norton, in all the time working with pc's, i have had that many customers bring virus invected machines that are loaded up with the latest norton i wouldn't like to count.
I find, the best free one t the moment for ME is Avast, it updates often, quick to catch any nasty's and uses little system resources, and its this that i have loaded on all my customers machines for quite a while now without problem.
Firewall, i used to swear on Zone alarm ( not the newer version ) but version
Now though, i really have grown fond of Ashampoo Firewall, its quick, easy to set up and even newbies can use it without problem, it also has a few little tools built in like internet cleaner and more.
Tony wink

22 Feb 2007

we use avast for virus and also zonealarm biggrin