Self-Sustaining Antivirus Software for Computer illiterates

[Opticreep]

I'm setting up a computer for a friend who is completely computer
illiterate.

What I need is a self-sustaining anti-virus program that'll keep
itself updated, and then reliably detect (and remove) viral infections
with minimal input from the computer illiterate user.

This friend of mine is practically a magnet for all sorts of viruses.
I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that the computer will definitely
be infected on a regular basis due to his lack of basic understanding
of how computers and virii work. Therefore, I need an antivirus
program that is very reliable in detecting these infections ASAP, and
remove them promptly. If possible, I would like the program to be
scanning every potentially dangerous program being run by the user.

I would prefer it if the program were free, though I'm not sure if
there are any freeware out there that'll satisfy my requirements.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

It would be wise to become pro-active and install
a good internet security program that gives you the power
to prevent future security breeches:

Norton Internet Security 2004
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis_pe/

-- Includes Norton AntiVirus 2004
-- Includes Norton Personal Firewall
-- Includes prevention of annoying web pop-ups
-- Includes Parental Controls
-- All in one, easy-to-install package

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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| I'm setting up a computer for a friend who is completely computer
| illiterate.
|
| What I need is a self-sustaining anti-virus program that'll keep
| itself updated, and then reliably detect (and remove) viral infections
| with minimal input from the computer illiterate user.
|
| This friend of mine is practically a magnet for all sorts of viruses.
| I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that the computer will definitely
| be infected on a regular basis due to his lack of basic understanding
| of how computers and virii work. Therefore, I need an antivirus
| program that is very reliable in detecting these infections ASAP, and
| remove them promptly. If possible, I would like the program to be
| scanning every potentially dangerous program being run by the user.
|
| I would prefer it if the program were free, though I'm not sure if
| there are any freeware out there that'll satisfy my requirements.

 

[Patti MacLeod]

Hi Opticreep,

Check out the "free for home use" Avast Antivirus to see if it satisfies
your requirements:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html


Regards,

 

[Clinton Fitch III]

Most of the major brands of AntiVirus can be setup to do automatic updates
requiring no user input. Norton and McAfee both do this and I'm sure there
are others.

Thanks,

 

[Alex Nichol]

I'm setting up a computer for a friend who is completely computer
illiterate.

What I need is a self-sustaining anti-virus program that'll keep
itself updated, and then reliably detect (and remove) viral infections
with minimal input from the computer illiterate user.

While there are some good free ones - AVG is widely recommended - I
would suggest and use etrust. Currently there is a free years trial of
this, as EZArmor, that comes with a free firewall adapted from Zone
Alarm, which is as easy as a firewall can be (and one will also be
needed). etrust as a AV is very inconspicuous - until it finds
something, when it will for example put up a window as you download mail
to say virus found in such and such (and maybe removed); you then look
for the mail referred to and delete without opening. It updates
automatically and invisibly, provided there is a net connection. My
renewal sub for just the AV was $9.95

www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/