Free Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware and Firewall products thread

[John]

Originally posted by: daveybrat
Free-av.com is always down. I used to use them more often, but the fact that i can't even download it from their site ever makes me stick to AVG instead. I don't know why they can't keep their website up for more than a day at a time. Weird.

I've never seen AntiVir's site go down. You probably have a weird DNS issue.

 

[hawk82]

while bitdefender does have a free edition, the free edition does NOT include realtime virus scanning. the paid version includes that. so that really doesnt make for a good free virus scanner in my opinion. i'll stick with avg free which includes the realtime virus scanning.
bitdefender does have a free antivirus scanner online. check it out.
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
(have to load it in IE)

 

[zerocool1]

there's a sticky on this sort of stuff in apps

 

[iroast]

Originally posted by: Thump553
I have great trouble getting the anti-vir website ( http://www.free-av.com/ ) to load, and I have tried several times over the past week. I'd be extremely reluctant to use an anti-virus program where I could not EASILY get updates. Anyone else have this problem?

No trouble here. Try a direct link:

http://www.avup.de/personal/en/avwinsfx.exe

 

[Analog]

Microsoft Beta Direct Link addition.

 

[0]

I use this page all the time to get my friend's computers straight!

 

[Amoreena]

loading now..

 

[squirrel dog]

Thanks,YF , great post !

 

[artist99]

Originally posted by: 1Cheap2Crazy
Has anyone tried Bazooka for adware and spyware?

it's a waste of time, use spybot

 

[DanDaMan315]

Look on Google for EZ Anti-Virus for free. Made by Computer Associates, this is good stuff.

 

[yosuke188]

you can always use windows firewall. It's not as bad as it seems.

 

[RideFree]

Again, YELLOW FIERO,
You have managed to post one of the better threads!

Soon you'll be promoted to Chief Pontiac. (But not before I get promoted to Old Olds.)

 

[juandoh]

Couple of helpful links:

Optimize XP - http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html (check out the Antivirus and Spyware sections)
Spyware comparison - http://spywarewarrior.com/asw-features.htm

Caution: Note that I had trouble running Kerio v4 after following most of the optimizations in the Optimize XP guide. I had to disable it in order to use high-speed internet (dialup worked though) and when I uninstalled and re-installed it, Kerio was consuming 100% of the CPU. I've since downgraded to the original 2.1.5 version for now.

 

[imported_nocturne]

If you want to keep spyware off of your pc, DO NOT USE MS ANTI-SPYWARE

MS recently purchased Alexia among several other spyware producing companies in order to beef up their DRM and trusted computing initiative, thus downgrading the detection of THEIR spyware. I know I may sound a little paranoid, but everybody has something to lose whether or not they have something to hide---their privacy.

CounterSpy uses the same engine as MS, so you might as well replace MS's listing with them.

 

[BladeVenom]

Use MS Anti-Spyware, just make sure it's not the only anti-spyware program you use. You should use more than one scanner no matter which brand you use. None off them are 100%, so you should use 2 or 3.

Also several of them have compromised themselves by making deals, from legal threats, or just by changing their definitions of what is spyware. Use one for active protection, and a couple more as backup scanners.

 

[hansmuff]

I didn't see this mentioned yet:
avast! has free editions, and unlike most other free ones has a free 64-bit version for Windows x64 Edition! That's pretty decent.
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

It has to be noted that the default settings suck. Annoying announcements and too many tray icons active. Can all be fixed within 30 seconds in the program's settings. I really like this thing.

 

[Analog]

Thanks hansmuff, added avast.

 

[TestGuyCT]

FYI - NetworkWorld magazine released an article this week comparing corporate anti-spyware solutions:

Main Article

Anti-Spyware Software Test Results

Anti-Spyware Gateways Test Results

 

[Maus]

I personally avoid Panda due to its connections to the Church of Scientology.

One nice thing about AVG is that Intel just purchased a large stake in GRISoft, AVG's parent company. They make a good product, and hopefully Intel will only improve their strength.

 

[thedealmaker]

Try these open source options:

Antivirus:
Clamwin: http://www.clamwin.com

antivirus for email clients:
Clammail: http://www.clammail.com

 

[Analog]

some sources with updated versions.

 

[imported_nocturne]

I cast my vote for Antivir. It detects any suspiscous file before I even open it, yet never seems to hinder performance (even in doom3). As for firewalls, I used to use Kerio 4.2 but switched back to v2.1.5. It lacks app monitoring, which can be an annoyance during installs but can help you catch spyware installs if you're not paying attention.

Grafik : BTW... Kerio still operates after the demo is over, just minus a few features. For a pop-up blocker, I'd recommend firefox. It's all built in, and allows you to set allowances if necessary. Couple it with NoScript and AdBlock and goodbye ads forever. Otherwise, Kerio has a built-in adblocker (problematic) and the msn toolbar for IE adds pop-blocking (which I believe is in the new IE anyways) and tabs I believe.

 

[Analog]

Updates posted. TTT

 

[Analog]

spy sweeper updated to a 90 day trial.

 

[Analog]

AntiVir updated.