My daughter can't really afford an anti virus/firewall software at this time. What are the recommended 'Free' versions out there? I have heard of Spyware Doctor, but looking around, it appears to be a trial version. Are there any good (better than nothing) softwares out there that she could use?

Thanks

This is a good anti-virus software program. It's free to home users who do not use their PC for profit. The free Avast 4 Home Edtion can be found at avast.com and Click on the Avast 4 (free) Home Edition link.

Spyware Doctor is malware/Spyware software. While it is pretty good they have automatic renewell and will charge you every year unless you tell them to cancel.

Many on-line sites are having sales with rebates thou, $60 + shipping and a $60 rebate. The last anti-virus I purchased off ebay which was rather inexpensive but if your not comfortable with and OEM versions you might want to stay with a retail store version. If and OEM version has a problem the company may tell you to contact your computer manufacturer under the idea that it came with your computer purchase.

quote:

Originally posted by Hauser:
My daughter can't really afford an anti virus/firewall software at this time. What are the recommended 'Free' versions out there? I have heard of Spyware Doctor, but looking around, it appears to be a trial version. Are there any good (better than nothing) softwares out there that she could use?

Thanks

Grisoft is pretty decent.
I use that and Spybot Search & Destroy.

http://free.grisoft.com/

Spybot S&D

I use AVG free and it works great.

Agreeing with pacfan, Avast is pretty popular. Home version is free. Automatically updates.
I wouldn't touch Norton. It's a memory hog.

Norton's is average but for finding spyware it sucks. It also leaves behind it's live update files when removed which is annoying.

Trend Micro PC-cillin does a very good job of finding spyware but it is constantly updating even when you tell it to only update every 48 hours. And adjusting the settings to what you want can be a burden.

I myself am looking for a new Anti-virus as my is about to expire and these two are not what I'm looking for. Paying for a good anti-virus doesn't bother me. So far I'm looking at KASPERSKY.

My Daughter is in her first year of college, they offer a free version of anti-virus software they want their students to use while being a part of their internet system.


Currently at newegg for AVG users

quote:

Originally posted by Smedley:
Agreeing with pacfan, Avast is pretty popular. Home version is free. Automatically updates.
I wouldn't touch Norton. It's a memory hog.

Yup, agree with these guys. I've been using Avast for several years now and really like it.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Yuck:
Grisoft is pretty decent.
I use that and Spybot Search & Destroy.

http://free.grisoft.com/

Spybot S&D

Yup, throw in crap cleaner and you have the best of the free internet. Just don't mix and match antivirus, use just one (ie, don't use Norton and AVG, pick just one).

Currently running Avast and so far so good. I like the Boot scan.

Avast anti-virus
Threatfire anti-virus
Spybot
Adaware

I went to download the Avast on dial-up and it said it would take nearly 6 hours!! Can I download it from work which has high-speed, put it on a disk and then load to my home computer that way?

ammo I can't imagine that to be the case. Avast 4 lists the download time for dial-up to be 40 minutes. Something must have been up with their server. I don't know if you can do the disk thingy. The download might identify the computer and prevent you from installing it on your computer at home.

Well, I tried it again tonite. I went to Avast sight and started to download Avast 4.8 from Cnet and estimated download time of 5hr 47 min. It's doing 1.6KB/sec of a 20.7 MB file.

If you have a shorter method please post link.

I think you'll be fine downloading it at work unless you're work doesn't allow the download of executables. Just burn it to a disk or put it on a flash drive and you should be good to go. Registration occurs after you install.

quote:

Originally posted by ammo:
Well, I tried it again tonite. I went to Avast sight and started to download Avast 4.8 from Cnet and estimated download time of 5hr 47 min. It's doing 1.6KB/sec of a 20.7 MB file.

If you have a shorter method please post link.

Ammo, time to dump the dial-up.

My sister had the option of paying $21.99 for dial-up or $29.99 for Qwest Broadband, she saw the light.

We don't have any other option without going satellite. When you choose to live out in the country you have to take the bad (no cable, dial up internet, sometimes snowed in,) along with the good. (quiet, clean air, hunting in 3 minutes, etc.)

quote:

Originally posted by ammo:
We don't have any other option without going satellite. When you choose to live out in the country you have to take the bad (no cable, dial up internet, sometimes snowed in,) along with the good. (quiet, clean air, hunting in 3 minutes, etc.)

hunting in three minutes.....

When I first signed up to the net the dial up speed was 14kbps and a program the size of 20megs like avast would take 6 hours to download....ammo your download speed of 1.6kb per sec is the problem, that should be around 7-9kbps....
I would call the internet provider and tell them the problem, if nothing else they should be able to send you an anti-virus disk program (avast) or (avg7.5) to run on your system....I'm sure they don't want their clients running on the web without any virus protection....

Why don't you start it before you go to bed, and in the morning , TA DA!! it is done

quote:

Originally posted by Slobknocker:
Why don't you start it before you go to bed, and in the morning , TA DA!! it is done

It's a royal pain though. I remember a "few" years ago (with a 33k modem), it took 10 hours to download a 3MB program.

quote:

Originally posted by pacfan:

quote:

Originally posted by Slobknocker:
Why don't you start it before you go to bed, and in the morning , TA DA!! it is done

It's a royal pain though. I remember a "few" years ago (with a 33k modem), it took 10 hours to download a 3MB program.

WOW!

No "Call of Duty" or "Halo" for you.

AVG works pretty good. Price is right too.