Anti virus- Is it worth downloading a free 1?

[Cheshire Cat]

Yeah - it was originally started a s part of National Pirate Day or something - I think to start it now you have to click on 'Settings' then 'Language'. Click on 'Install Additional Languages' and 'Pirate Talk' should be listed. Click the box next to it then 'OK'. After it installs you should be able to select it as the language to use from the same screen.

He's right - it does.

Shiver me timbers !!!!!

 

[HastingsSeagull]

AVAST says you pay for it. Do you just download the trial version or have I gone to the wrong site?

 

[tinx]

When I had a PC I used Microsoft Security Essentials and this was fine.

 

[brakespear]

AVAST says you pay for it. Do you just download the trial version or have I gone to the wrong site?

Go here and download the version labelled 'home use only'.

 

[zego]

It doesn't have to be free to be free!

For example, if you are a Barclays Bank customer, then you can get the full version of Kaspersky for free, and renew for free each year until they drop/change the scheme:
Internet security - Free internet security software from Barclays - Barclays

or Amazon/Bank of America credit card account offers an enhanced McAfee package free for a year, then halfprice renewal:
Complimentary McAfee Online Banking Suite | The Amazon.co.uk MasterCard | Bank of America

There are several other similar offers available; check now with your present online banking/credit card providers, etc - and tell us about it!

 

[ferring seagull]

I know of someone that got a trojan when using AVG. we are currently using Norton 360 i suppose i use it because of it's brand and it sounds like a bike!
However i was told by an IT guy that Norton slows up your pc and Microsoft security essentials is best.

Can you completely remove Norton without anything be left behind to fight with your new anti virus software

Please make any answers idiot proof as i am dumb when it comes to PC's.

I originally had Norton cause I thought it was highly recommended but I found it slowed down my system to an incredible extent. It was downloaded to my PC (Dell).

It took some doing to get rid of it but now I have MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) which has picked up problems and I have found to be excellent, and, which updates daily regularly if not daily.

 

[zego]

Can you completely remove Norton without anything be left behind to fight with your new anti virus software

Please make any answers idiot proof as i am dumb when it comes to PC's.

Symantec do provide a removal tool that cleans up all traces of versions of their AV back to 2003, but they are a bit shy about it on their website:
Download and run the Norton Removal Tool to uninstall your Norton product

I've used it in the past, and it worked.

Similar removal tools are provided by some - but not all - other AV product providers, each for their own products.

Of course, the Uninstall button, or Add/remove programs facility, is supposed to do just that - uninstall the program. The removal tool copes with removing the remaining traces of the program that mostly don't matter much, but do on occasion interfere with other programs.

 

[Worthingite]

Avast is brilliant. Downloaded AVG before and the last one did not get on well with my PC at all.

 

[perseus]

AVG is the one I use for years after not being happy with the other ones. If you have an old (over 3 years old) computer with just I mb RAM, it might be very slow and crash occasionally.

 

[glasfryn]

AVAST says you pay for it. Do you just download the trial version or have I gone to the wrong site?

the IT lady who altered my PC put avast on and its OK but I have always used AVG and still have their FREE download tucked away in case.....and it is FREE

 

[Bakero]

Avast for me too. And I've now installed pirate talk.

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

I was on AVG for years, now moved to MSE which is better.

why, you still getting infections

 

[Deleted member 2719]

I originally had Norton cause I thought it was highly recommended but I found it slowed down my system to an incredible extent. It was downloaded to my PC (Dell).

It took some doing to get rid of it but now I have MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) which has picked up problems and I have found to be excellent, and, which updates daily regularly if not daily.

Symantec do provide a removal tool that cleans up all traces of versions of their AV back to 2003, but they are a bit shy about it on their website:
Download and run the Norton Removal Tool to uninstall your Norton product

I've used it in the past, and it worked.

Similar removal tools are provided by some - but not all - other AV product providers, each for their own products.

Of course, the Uninstall button, or Add/remove programs facility, is supposed to do just that - uninstall the program. The removal tool copes with removing the remaining traces of the program that mostly don't matter much, but do on occasion interfere with other programs.

Thanks Guys i will take on your advice as my Norton expires shortly.

 

[Muzzy]

Used AVG for years until a man in the know advised me me to use Avast, which I now do... He said that AVG was getting a few niggles
and is not as good as it once was.. Been on Avast for a couple of years now with no problems... It even tells you when it does any updates.

 

[Left Footer]

Had Avast for years but my laptop was so slow i took it off and replaced with AVG which my housemate and better half both recommended.
Took laptop for a service this week and there was loads of spyware on there which has now been deleted but before that both Avast and AVG said it was virus free. Have had more memory put in so will be interested to see what its like when i pick it up Monday.

 

[Fungus]

Currently happily using Microsoft Security Essentials on my Windows 7 laptop, and also occassionally scan it with Malwarebytes.

Have used a variety of MSE, AVG, Avast and Avira on previous XP PCs, and each at some time has decided to go slow, or has become bloated, or intrusive, so just deleted and switched.

Not worth paying extra if you are careful surfing mainstream sites.

I use a Linux netbook with anti-virus for, er, "other" surfing...

 

[GOM]

Might be worth having a look at this article

Series: Is your free AV tool a Windows Secrets

It compares the resource usage of the most popular free AV products, Avira does not do well !

 

[JCL666]

Used Avast for a while on my windows pc.

TBH I think all of them (free or not) get a bit bloated over time.