What anti-virus do i need to buy?

[lauriethom]

I have been saving for a while now and have finally got enough for the laptop i want. I am going to Comet tomorrow to purchase but am dreading them trying to sell me any extras, for example... Norton Anti Virus which i see they recommend on their site. Please can someone tell me if there is any free anti virus downloads on the net, cos to be honest i can really afford to spend out on this. I know it is important to have some protection installed so please can you help me out Thanks Laura

[Ice-Maiden]

Try AVG home edition first of all - it's free. then add Spybot to get rid of those unpleasant spyware applications.

[flash harry]

I use grisoft ad-aware which is free, as is AVG.

This is a pretty comprehensive free- everything software article, just scroll down a bit. I'm sure it will sort you out .

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_u tilities.htm

[Whickerman]

100% AVG - free and greeeeeaaaat

Spybot's fab too - they work as a great team.

[vehelpfulguy]

There is plenty of free security software on the net, most of it just as good (sometimes better) than Norton.

I run all the following:

AVG Anti Virus. They do sell a version, but there is a free version for home use.

Zone Alarm Firewall. Again, they do sell a version, but there is a free version.

Adaware - Checks for spyware. Free

WinPatrol - monitors your PC to make sure nobody is trying to install a program or change your internet settings without you knowing. Free

I use all the above, by there are other programs lke Spybot Search and Destroy which looks for spyware.

Dont let PC World convince you that Norton is better than these free products. These products win many head-to-head tests in PC magazines.

[lauriethom]

where do i get spybot from... do you have a link for this plz?

[Ice-Maiden]

If no one pips me to it, I'll send you the correct info for it later. Beware of the fake ones which advertise as "SpyBot" (notice the capital letter. I agree with whickerman because I use the two we've both mentioned, and it flushes out those rogue thingies that mess your computer up. There are free editions of AVG and Spybot, and they worlk extremely well.

[Whickerman]

Here for spybot
http://www.safer-networking.org/

here for avg
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/29116/us/frt/0

[Whickerman]

Ice maiden

Just out of curiosity - how often do you scan with spybot? i do it maybe every 2 days, but maybe that's overkill?

[Ethel]

I use Spybot, Adaware and ASquared once a week, Whickerman - unless I feel there is need to run them in between times.

[Ice-Maiden]

Whickerman - I do it twice a week, and after the last one, found an amazing number of viruses present. I know someone who's an IT expert and who works with sensitive material. I asked him the same question - whether it'd be a case of over-kill, and he said not - it's actually preferable to scan often.

[daffy654]

I wouldn't touch Norton with a barge pole,it is a resource hog.I also use AVG free and have done for several years with no virus infections on any of the 3 PC's I used it on.

[lauriethom]

Hi everyone- Thank you all ever so much for your advice. I picked up my new laptop this morning and have now loaded AVG and Spybot onto it.
Your advice has saved me a lot of money
chears
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