Suggestions about free anti-virus & anti-malware software.

  • Thread starter Thread starter monty1945
  • Start date Start date
M

monty1945

A relative of mine asked my opinion, and I'm curious about what those
who use XP more than I do consider to be the best free softare. I
found a bunch of software listed at:

http://www.freebyte.com/antivirus/

I've used Avast! and also Ad-Aware, and they seem to work well -
anything better or just as good and even simpler to use (I'm dealing
with an older relative who is barely computer literate).

Thanks.
 
Hi Monty,

I use Spybot Search & Destroy, Ad-aware, and Spywareblaster. I run them all
once a week (after updating them, of course), and I've never had a problem
with malware. It's best to run all three, as one can miss something that the
others catch.

My AV is Avast! I've had one or two viruses, but it's always caught them
instantly, before any damage is done.

HTH Tony.
 
Hi Monty,

I use Spybot Search & Destroy, Ad-aware, and Spywareblaster. I run them
all once a week (after updating them, of course), and I've never had a
problem with malware. It's best to run all three, as one can miss
something that the others catch.

My AV is Avast! I've had one or two viruses, but it's always caught them
instantly, before any damage is done.

HTH Tony.
Click to expand...

FYI SpywareBlaster is not a scanner. It provides passive protection by
adding sites to the restricted sites list. This is also what the SpyBot S&D
immunization feature does.
 
FYI, Spyware Blaster sets kill bits for ActiveX components or it blocks
cookies. It doesn't put sites in the Restricted zone, Rock.
Spybot can be configured to do so and thus, that's one of the causes of
issues with KB931768.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============
 
FYI, Spyware Blaster sets kill bits for ActiveX components or it blocks
cookies. It doesn't put sites in the Restricted zone, Rock.
Spybot can be configured to do so and thus, that's one of the causes of
issues with KB931768.
Click to expand...

Oops, ok I thought it did. I will have to relook at how I got that info.
Thanks.
 
Hi Monty,

I use Spybot Search & Destroy, Ad-aware, and Spywareblaster. I run them
all once a week (after updating them, of course), and I've never had a
problem with malware. It's best to run all three, as one can miss
something that the others catch.

My AV is Avast! I've had one or two viruses, but it's always caught them
instantly, before any damage is done.

HTH Tony.
Click to expand...


Tony, my apology some mis info on SpywareBlaster. See MowGreen's reply to
me about it.
 
Rock said:
Tony, my apology some mis info on SpywareBlaster. See MowGreen's reply to
me about it.
Click to expand...

No probs, Rock. I think the OP wanted something that's easy to use, and I
think it fits the bill on that count!

Tony.
 
"Powered by Kaspersky" does not necessarily mean its the equivalent of KAV.

Then, from the EULA, there's...

<QP>
1. LICENSE GRANT...This license does not entitle you to receive from us
hard-copy documentation, support, telephone assistance, or enhancements or
updates to the Software. [No support?!]

2. CHANGES TO THE SOFTWARE. We may change or discontinue, temporarily or
permanently, functions and features of the Software at any time and in our
sole discretion. [Lotsa loopholes there.]
</QP>
Source:
http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/terms_of_services.adp

I'm also adverse to just about everything in Section 5, INFORMATION
PRACTICES.
--
~PA Bear
Why not ActiveVirusShield ? It's free and it's Kaspersky under the hood,
BroRo.
http://www.activevirusshield.com/

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2007]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============


PA said:
The only free AV app I recommend is Avira AntiVir.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Suport exists, but it's hard to find -

As to Section 5, used a gmail account as the registration addy, and no
spam either slips through gmail's filters or, none is sent.

It scores as high as KAV6 in tests. Unfortunately, said test results are
not available at this mowment in time.

At least there's no popup to purchase the software when the AV checks
for updates, something that *really is annoying* with AntiVir

MG
 
From: "MowGreen [MVP]" <[email protected]>

| Suport exists, but it's hard to find -
|
| As to Section 5, used a gmail account as the registration addy, and no
| spam either slips through gmail's filters or, none is sent.
|
| It scores as high as KAV6 in tests. Unfortunately, said test results are
| not available at this mowment in time.
|
| At least there's no popup to purchase the software when the AV checks
| for updates, something that *really is annoying* with AntiVir
|
| MG
|
| PA Bear wrote:
|


Mowment ? :-)

Bwahahahahahah
 
[Just playing Devil's Advocate there, BroMow. <eg>]
Suport exists, but it's hard to find -

As to Section 5, used a gmail account as the registration addy, and no
spam either slips through gmail's filters or, none is sent.

It scores as high as KAV6 in tests. Unfortunately, said test results are
not available at this mowment in time.

At least there's no popup to purchase the software when the AV checks
for updates, something that *really is annoying* with AntiVir

MG


PA said:
"Powered by Kaspersky" does not necessarily mean its the equivalent of
KAV.

Then, from the EULA, there's...

<QP>
1. LICENSE GRANT...This license does not entitle you to receive from us
hard-copy documentation, support, telephone assistance, or enhancements
or updates to the Software. [No support?!]

2. CHANGES TO THE SOFTWARE. We may change or discontinue, temporarily or
permanently, functions and features of the Software at any time and in
our sole discretion. [Lotsa loopholes there.]
</QP>
Source:
http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/terms_of_services.adp

I'm also adverse to just about everything in Section 5, INFORMATION
PRACTICES.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
How dare they not give me a fully configurable product for free!

And a pop-up once a day when updating - outrageous!

This has set a new record on my pettyometer...


PA Bear said:
[Just playing Devil's Advocate there, BroMow. <eg>]
Suport exists, but it's hard to find -

As to Section 5, used a gmail account as the registration addy, and no
spam either slips through gmail's filters or, none is sent.

It scores as high as KAV6 in tests. Unfortunately, said test results are
not available at this mowment in time.

At least there's no popup to purchase the software when the AV checks
for updates, something that *really is annoying* with AntiVir

MG


PA said:
"Powered by Kaspersky" does not necessarily mean its the equivalent of
KAV.

Then, from the EULA, there's...

<QP>
1. LICENSE GRANT...This license does not entitle you to receive from us
hard-copy documentation, support, telephone assistance, or enhancements
or updates to the Software. [No support?!]

2. CHANGES TO THE SOFTWARE. We may change or discontinue, temporarily or
permanently, functions and features of the Software at any time and in
our sole discretion. [Lotsa loopholes there.]
</QP>
Source:
http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/terms_of_services.adp

I'm also adverse to just about everything in Section 5, INFORMATION
PRACTICES.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
You get what you pay for, d00d.

dobey said:
How dare they not give me a fully configurable product for free!

And a pop-up once a day when updating - outrageous!

This has set a new record on my pettyometer...


PA Bear said:
[Just playing Devil's Advocate there, BroMow. <eg>]
Suport exists, but it's hard to find -

As to Section 5, used a gmail account as the registration addy, and no
spam either slips through gmail's filters or, none is sent.

It scores as high as KAV6 in tests. Unfortunately, said test results are
not available at this mowment in time.

At least there's no popup to purchase the software when the AV checks
for updates, something that *really is annoying* with AntiVir

MG


PA Bear wrote:

"Powered by Kaspersky" does not necessarily mean its the equivalent of
KAV.

Then, from the EULA, there's...

<QP>
1. LICENSE GRANT...This license does not entitle you to receive from us
hard-copy documentation, support, telephone assistance, or enhancements
or updates to the Software. [No support?!]

2. CHANGES TO THE SOFTWARE. We may change or discontinue, temporarily
or
permanently, functions and features of the Software at any time and in
our sole discretion. [Lotsa loopholes there.]
</QP>
Source:
http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/terms_of_services.adp

I'm also adverse to just about everything in Section 5, INFORMATION
PRACTICES.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I prefer the phrase "You pay for what you get!", as the other form is
not necessarily true! ;-)

PA said:
You get what you pay for, d00d.

How dare they not give me a fully configurable product for free!

And a pop-up once a day when updating - outrageous!

This has set a new record on my pettyometer...


[Just playing Devil's Advocate there, BroMow. <eg>]

MowGreen [MVP] wrote:

Suport exists, but it's hard to find -

As to Section 5, used a gmail account as the registration addy, and no
spam either slips through gmail's filters or, none is sent.

It scores as high as KAV6 in tests. Unfortunately, said test results
are
not available at this mowment in time.

At least there's no popup to purchase the software when the AV checks
for updates, something that *really is annoying* with AntiVir

MG


PA Bear wrote:

"Powered by Kaspersky" does not necessarily mean its the equivalent
of KAV.

Then, from the EULA, there's...

<QP>
1. LICENSE GRANT...This license does not entitle you to receive
from us
hard-copy documentation, support, telephone assistance, or
enhancements
or updates to the Software. [No support?!]

2. CHANGES TO THE SOFTWARE. We may change or discontinue,
temporarily or
permanently, functions and features of the Software at any time and in
our sole discretion. [Lotsa loopholes there.]
</QP>
Source:
http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/terms_of_services.adp


I'm also adverse to just about everything in Section 5, INFORMATION
PRACTICES.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Similar Threads

anti virus tools 31
Anti-Virus Suggestions Please 8
Kaspersky Labs: Warning over Russian anti-virus software 4
Need a FREE for Anti-Virus program, please........ 9
Anti-Malware and Anti-Virus 16
Anti-Anti-Virus Software 51
User opinions on free AV software 4
Free Anti malware software 3

Back
Top