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 M¢50  Funded By Mahalo ? |  August 27, 2009 03:06 PM

What is the best free Anti Virus program I can get?

I've heard of Avast, Bullguard and Panda...?
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winmaster winmaster
 
 August 27, 2009 05:29 PM
Personally, I use AVG Free Edition. Download it here: http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html?tag=mncol It has all of the features you would expect a modern anti-virus suit to have, including anti-spyware protection, an email scanner, and a web surfing toolbar.

I also like Avast! Home Editon. It is similar to AVG. It has anti-spyware protection and an email scanner, but no toolbar. It is also runs somewhat faster than AVG. Download it here: http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Home-Edition/3000-2239_4-10019223.html?tag=mncol If you want a toolbar to go with it, try AVG's standalone toolbar found here: http://download.cnet.com/AVG-LinkScanner/3000-2144_4-10610872.html?tag=mncol

For an additional layer of protection, download PC Tools Threat Fire. It is specially designed to run alongside of an existing anti-virus program to extend its protection. Just make sure not to run it with AVG, as the two conflict, making the system unusable. Download it here: http://download.cnet.com/ThreatFire-AntiVirus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10726873.html

As for firewall, I just use Windows's built in Windows Firewall. It serves me well.
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smartweb smartweb
 
August 27, 2009 05:35 PM
yep. i recommend AVG and have for years.

and i've heard great things about Avast...

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hubber2009 hubber2009
 
August 27, 2009 03:16 PM
To protect your computer with just one free antivirus will not help..You should intall a combination of free antivirus and anti spyware programmes..


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winmaster winmaster
 
August 27, 2009 05:21 PM
Most of the current free anti-virus suits have anti-spyware and email scanners integrated into one application. Running multiple programs to protect your computer is not a good idea, as it will cause a decrease in performance. Also, running multiple anti-virus applications could cause major problems as the have to be integrated deep into the operating system.

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snowplusbr... snowplusbr...
 
August 27, 2009 03:21 PM
For Windows 7 you should try to get Microsoft Security Essentials for free. That is a first party anti-virus and anti-spyware program provided by Microsoft. First party software is great because it uses low resources, searches faster and deeper into your computer, and the updates come through on Windows Updates.


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Unhelpful: hubber2009

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geekmiser geekmiser
 
August 28, 2009 02:54 PM
OK, but neither Windows 7 nor Microsoft Security Essentials are available today.

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snowplusbr... snowplusbr...
 
August 28, 2009 02:59 PM
You can still get a product key from the site and download the client from torrents or someplace that is still hosting it

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/download.aspx

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geekmiser geekmiser
 
August 28, 2009 02:58 PM
I've had good luck with Avast Home Edition, but your behavior will determine if your system gets bit no matter what protections you put in place. AVG Free, though some people say is fast, has been getting more bloated. Their pay-for version even more so. I prefer Avast Home Edition from personal experience for my clients, but personally I don't use any antivirus packages on my home PC (I don't recommend this to anyone) - just as a way of showing people that behavior makes more of a difference than software in protecting your system(s). Here is a link to an article I wrote about it. And here's a link to a post on a tech forum I wrote about being more secure (with chimes in from other techs).
Source(s):
http://itlegends.net/press/2008/12/ive-been-running-with-no-anti-virus/ My blog
http://forums.techsoup.org/cs/forums/t/28052.aspx My favorite volunteer tech for nonprofit site


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