Free AntiVirus/Anti Spyware Please

[smurfchops]

Further to my previous thread, I have looked at Norton , AVG and Avast and they don't say how long the free trial lasts. I dont mind paying £14 per year for 18 months for the Norton as I have a laptop and a desktop, but how do I get into the right page of their website ? I still need help to make up my mind which to use. In fact I would pay more if I know it is the best one. Do you have to pay every year, or would it be better to buy the software - and I still can't decide which is best ! I don't want to delete my free trial of Norton until I put the new software on - can I do this ? If so, how ? I am not technical at all ... :)

[Old_Geezer]

AVG free is not a trial.

[Old_Geezer]

Reading your question in detail it seems you have the wrong end of the stick. You DO buy the software, it is the data updates that either come on annual subscription (commercial AV) or is free.

If you don't get the updates your AV will continue to work, but will not know about, or be able to spot, the patterns that indicate a recently created virus.

AVG do a paid for one, but they also do AVG free, but you may need to hunt their site for it, or take a short cut using Google. It works as well as the others. IMO they are all much of a muchness, with one being slightly better one moment, another next time.

[chelle7272]

AVG (and others) is not a trial it is just free, there's no time limit.
I don't know what system your using but Vista didn't seem to like AVG, so i'm using Avira which is also free and was recommended on this site and have had no problems in the 18months to date.
i've used AVG previoulsy and found it to be fine too.
When i got a new computer i had Norton with the package which was ok but it too much of a 'nanny' for me sometimes. They do recommend uninstalling norton completely before installing other software.

[bibblebub]

Avast 5.0 Free Antivirus is also completely free for home use, no yearly subscription http://www.avast.com/en-gb/index

You can pay, if you want, for the Pro version or their complete Internet Security package but for just antivirus protection the free version is good and its database updates with new definitions regularly, again at no cost.

[Dodger666]

As bibblebub says Avast Version 5 is absolutely free. However, you do need to re-register it every 14 months to continue to receive the free virus definition updates. Re-registering only takes a few clicks of the mouse.

[smurfchops]

Thank you all so much, I am not technical at all as you can see. I have a new laptop with Windows 7 and am just a bit worried about security. And I dont want pop ups from someone saying that their anti spyware is coming to an end after using it for a month or so..... and do I want to pay to renew it ... this has just happened with Avast with my desktop.

[Dodger666]

Smurfchops. I can only assume you doenloaded the Pro version of Avast. Make sure you download the free version from the link bibblebub quoted.

[Dodger666]

Further to my message above I think you may be getting confused between paying for Avast and registering it. When you download it for the first time it will operate normally for a month. To keep it working you must register it. If you have version 5 with the orange ball in the bottom right corner of your screen, right click on it and select "About Avast". Then click on the registration tab and complete your details. I think all they ask is for your e-mail address and perhaps something else. Send it when complete and it will be registered for 14 months. If you have a blue ball in the corner of your screen go to the above Avast link and download version 5.

[36TEAK36]

I have been using the free version of Avira for several months now, and would highly recommend it.

I previously used AVG free for a few years, but I had problems installing it when I got my Windows 7 Laptop..Below is a link to the download.

http://download.cnet....322935.html?tag=mncol

[smurfchops]

How do I load it, so it works on both my Windows 7 laptop and Windows XP desktop ? I use aol as my internet provider and have a Belkin N Router

[lslowry]

i used MSE (microsoft security essential) after my norton ran out it seems to work for me smurf

[Dodger666]

You will have to download it twice smurfchops. Once on your laptop and again on your desktop. Go to the link you want to download and click "download". After the download had finished you can either save it somewhere on your PC or simply select "Run". Then follow the pop up instructions. If you do save it to your PC you will need to go to where you saved it and then run the file from there.