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General discussion

What are some good free anti virus programs

Jan 5, 2005 4:43AM PST

Just bought a new PC and don't have a lot of money to pay a fee for an Anti Virus program, I have heard there are some good free ones. Could you please tell me where I can find them. I know about Spybot for spyware, but want something to protect me from virus' and files when I download them.

Discussion is locked

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My choice
Jan 5, 2005 5:13AM PST

Do you have a firewall installed on your computer? If not, I suggest you goto http://www.zonelabs.com and download and install their free ZoneAlarm firewall. This will help protect your computer from hackers.

Also, you need an antivirus program. I suggest AVG7, a free program from http://www.grisoft.com.

And an anti-adware program. Free program is Ad-Aware SE Personal from http://www.lavasoftusa.com

And 2 spyware programs, Spybot Search and Destroy from http://www.safer-networking.org/

and SpywareBlaster from http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Make sure your Windows Operating System, (OS), is up to date. To do this, goto Start, and click the ?Windows Update? link. Beware, if you have not been to Windows Update before, there may be a lot of critical and other updates your OS needs to download.

All of these anti-malware programs (except the firewall), need to have their virus/adware/spyware definitions updated as soon as they are installed, and then each one used to scan your computer.

Good luck

Mark

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thanks and a question in response to Mark
Jan 5, 2005 5:34AM PST

you said, "All of these anti-malware programs (except the firewall), need to have their virus/adware/spyware definitions updated as soon as they are installed, and then each one used to scan your computer."

What does it mean when you say their DEFINITIONS need updated? Can you explain that a little more to me. Thanks again these will be a great help.

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Phattferd, Not Mark But...Virus Definitions...
Jan 5, 2005 8:59AM PST

..refer to the code that the program uses to detect new viruses and malware. Whether it be an antivirus program or a spyware removal program, they all depend on some sort or renewable code which detects the current version of bugs.

This coding is referred to as "virus definitions" and each program updates these frequently so they can detect new malware. Some companies update as frequently as many times per day....others update once a week or less. Some do it automatically...Some require manual updates from the user. The spyware programs seem to update less often than antivirus program. Suffice it to say, you must update frequently to catch the newest "bad guys".

As soon as you install one of these types of programs, it's extremely important to contact the programs update site. Normally, that is done from within the program's user interface.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Rethink, please...
Jan 5, 2005 6:46AM PST

Don't be cheap, buy the AV pgm. that suits you. Its too darn important to let it go because you plead no money. Regardless, it pays for itself if you run into problems. Just about all the major vendors have demoware or trailware releases which should cover you for 15-30 days, tops, free. The others that are also shareware, trailware, or freeware to look are Avast, AVG, Nod32, and Fsecure. Google for more or details on these or check out CNet's "Security Forum" here for other leads. Let me repeat, you decide to get only a free version good as they are, they usually don't support you should you run into problems in thier use, but usually that's not a problem, they simply work. You can also use "online scans" should get into problems before installing AV pgm., major vendors support its use.

good luck Grin -----Willy

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good free anti virus programs
Jan 5, 2005 12:06PM PST

Going to www.computeractive.co.uk is probably the best start with zillions of downloads, ideas and 'free' anti virus progs. AGV 7 is just one free fav' at the moment but there are many others.
Also, look for free anti virus progs on google, but try looking from another comp' until you have set an anti virus prog up, as viruses will infect your comp in minutes without protection!