New anivirus program needed for windows machines... again

[SunnyRabbiera]

It seems this happens every time with a free anti virus application I have recommended to others... first there was anti vir... it wants money.
then there was AVG... it wants money.
My windows using friends who have not fully taken the leap to linux just yet still want to maintain their windows computers.
Now I know about avast, its still free but I am concerned about suggesting it to some cases I know.
First is my friend Tracy who has been a windows user since 98, now currently she has a dual boot of ubuntu and XP and she uses the XP partition for gaming, plus a few others in her house for work and stuff.
Now there are a few computers she has for work that cant be dual booted, for one they dont have a lot of hard drive space (most of her other computers only have about 30GB) and the company she works for is very microsoft oriented.
she needs a new antivirus tool, but she does not want to pay for another antivirus suite... she has tried both Norton and McAfee, but both were just too expencive for her.
So I suggested Anti-vir, now that worked for a while but it became nagware and practically nonfree.
then I suggested AVG, and now the same thing is happening with that.
So that leaves me with two I know about, avast, and clam...
Now I know clam has a windows client, but I dont think it has a GUI availible for it in windows.
Then there is avast, but I really dont want to lead to another av tool that will have a price on it... I am worried as I dont know how many times avast can be registered to the same name and email account, is there a limitation on it of some kind.
I need a AV tool that is free, has a gui and wont charge $70 3 years down the road.

[LaRoza]

http://www.clamwin.com/

To me, antivirus software is only needed in certain circumstances. The home user use of it it is flawed.

Have a firewall, have a limited account, and don't do anything you aren't sure you want in admin mode.

Vista makes this easier, with its UAC (it prompts for password in a limited account)

There isn't a reason for a home user to have anti-virus software unless they are running some sort of server.

[SunnyRabbiera]

http://www.clamwin.com/

To me, antivirus software is only needed in certain circumstances. The home user use of it it is flawed.

Have a firewall, have a limited account, and don't do anything you aren't sure you want in admin mode.

Vista makes this easier, with its UAC (it prompts for password in a limited account)

There isn't a reason for a home user to have anti-virus software unless they are running some sort of server.

Well here I am talking about people who are so used to insecurity they are paranoid about it.
And yes having anti virus for home use is needed, believe me with some of the cases I encountered...
thanks for the link by the way, I will check that out.

[karellen]

avira http://www.free-av.com/

[SunnyRabbiera]

avira http://www.free-av.com/

yes thats anti vir, it became nagware and put my friends and I off from using it

[lisati]

then there was AVG... it wants money.

Have you looked at http://free.grisoft.com? It never wanted money from me, and even has a scanner for Linux.

[rune0077]

I see no indication that Avast should not keep on being free (but then again, I haven't used Windows for a while now, so things may have changed). Anyhows, it is a really good solid piece of software, so I would happily recommend it.

[karellen]

yes thats anti vir, it became nagware and put my friends and I off from using it

why?

[sayakb]

Avast, as you already know, is free and promising. But it's "A virus has been detected" dialog box starts irritating after a while..

[SunnyRabbiera]

Have you looked at http://free.grisoft.com? It never wanted money from me, and even has a scanner for Linux.

What you guys have cotton in your ears or something? I already said AVG is no longer an option, its not offering version 8 of their software for free and it seems that they want to push people to use version 8...

why?
Well didnt I explain it enough?
I had my friends and I use anti-vir 6, but when it became version 7 it became nagware and wanted people to use the paid version...
are you people even reading what I have said?

[karellen]

I had my friends and I use anti-vir 6, but when it became version 7 it became nagware and wanted people to use the paid version...
I didn't have that problem

[oldsoundguy]

http://www.f-prot.com/

Maybe it is time to bite the bullet and install a paid program?
I have used F-Prot for more than 7 years and had no problems with the program.
I DOES cost 29 bucks a year for a Windows basic site license (up to 5 computers). but the program works. Real time scanning of eMails and downloads. (or you can do an on demand to double check or to check things such as disks and USB flash drives and Flash memory cards). Even will strangle peer to peer crap!
Once set up, it is a matter of letting it do it's thing. Re-Booting is NOT required unless they update the engine itself or when you renew your subscription.

The program is small and unobtrusive, does not slow your computer down, and is far less bloatware than Norton or McAfee. PLUS, they appear to be faster in turning out the .dat files!

Plus, being based in Iceland, they are not beholden to the US Government and the CIA and FBI and Homeland Security .. so that stuff is ALSO stopped!

They also have a FREE version for Linux/BSD .. nice to have if you are going to be running a server of any kind!

[LaRoza]

And yes having anti virus for home use is needed, believe me with some of the cases I encountered...

thanks for the link by the way, I will check that out.

"Needed" is a strong word. With proper security measures in XP, I have a whole family using their computer virus and anti-virus free, whereas their previous computer wasn't so lucky.

[Joeb454]

I'm running AVG 8 free :confused:

Ok I just got the direct download link - AVG Free 8.0 (AVG Server) (http://www.grisoft.cz/filedir/inst/avg_free_stf_en_8_100a1323.exe)

For those that don't trust me - I got it from this page (not sure if it'll load, I had to click through about 4 links to get to it :p) AVG Free 8.0 DL Page (http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe)

[rune0077]

I'm running AVG 8 free :confused:

Ok I just got the direct download link - AVG Free 8.0 (AVG Server) (http://www.grisoft.cz/filedir/inst/avg_free_stf_en_8_100a1323.exe)

For those that don't trust me - I got it from this page (not sure if it'll load, I had to click through about 4 links to get to it :p) AVG Free 8.0 DL Page (http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe)

No way, I'm betting it's one of those Rick Astley videos :) (nah, just kidding, the link seems legit enough)

[Joeb454]

If you're using Firefox - you can actually see the URL in the bottom left corner :)

[lisati]

What you guys have cotton in your ears or something? I already said AVG is no longer an option, its not offering version 8 of their software for free and it seems that they want to push people to use version 8...


Well.... apologies for being a pain in the wherever by disagreeing..... the copy of AVG 8.0 on my Windows machine is the FREE version. I've had it up and running for a couple of weeks and it hasn't bugged me for money one single time. I downloaded from http://free.grisoft.com

[AndyCee]

Yeah, when AVG7.5 informed me of a new version, it took me to the non-free AVG8 page and I couldn't see any info about a free verstion. I was pissed off. Some weeks later, a friend showed me the free.grisoft.com site.

So yeah, it's free. I use it. Is this an option? Right now I'm looking into a virusscanner to install on Ubuntu to scan windows partitions.

[Joeb454]

Right now I'm looking into a virusscanner to install on Ubuntu to scan windows partitions.

Check that site again ;) I'm sure there's a Linux version

[SunnyRabbiera]

"Needed" is a strong word. With proper security measures in XP, I have a whole family using their computer virus and anti-virus free, whereas their previous computer wasn't so lucky.

Well its all based on browsing habits, thats why I put a anti virus on my friends computers...
Trust me I tried my best to teach them safe browsing habits but some are more slow then others.

[aysiu]

I agree about the firewall and limited user account.

Antivirus just gives you a false sense of security (and a lot of false positives).

[BLTicklemonster]

AVG is still free.

[LaRoza]

Well its all based on browsing habits, thats why I put a anti virus on my friends computers...
Trust me I tried my best to teach them safe browsing habits but some are more slow then others.

I guess it depends on the person. If you setup a limited account and drill it into their heads to use the admin one ONLY when needed for specific things, they may do alright. I have a family paranoid about using the admin account (I think I references this one earlier), and they have yelled at each other when they found that account on (they typically leave the computer on and logged on to the user account I made and the entire family uses it).

If all else fails, and they can't help but get viruses, they obviously are not at all computer literate (dare I say literate at all?). It might be simplest to install a Linux, set it up for them, and let them to their own devices.


Antivirus just gives you a false sense of security (and a lot of false positives).
My thoughts exactly. I compare a home use computer to your own backyard (sans pink ponies for now), and a server type of system to a national border with hostile countries. Anti-virus is like a minesweeper. If you are sweeping for mines in your backyard, something is fundamentally wrong.

[fiddledd]

Now I know clam has a windows client, but I dont think it has a GUI availible for it in windows.
Then there is avast, but I really dont want to lead to another av tool that will have a price on it... I am worried as I dont know how many times avast can be registered to the same name and email account, is there a limitation on it of some kind.
I need a AV tool that is free, has a gui and wont charge $70 3 years down the road.

Bit of a late reply, but only just noticed it. Clam does have a GUI http://www.clamwin.com/
I used it before I switched to Avast free. No Realtime protection, but you can schedule scans and it inegrates with the Right Click Menu, so you can scan individual Files. At the time I also used Comodo Firewall, the 2 together seemed ok for me.
ATM though I use Windows Defender, Avast Free, and Zonealarm Free. BTW, Zonealarm is also now Nagware, so I'll change soon.

[jrusso2]

I have used all the Free ones and here is my run down off each

Avast I like best, it has high detection rates which causes a false every know and them. It runs a lot in the background however but you can shut down some scans you don't use like exchange or p2p.

AVG 8 seems pretty nice just started using it. Uses a bit more resources then 7 series did but it now includes anti spyware which is nice so you don't have to run a seperate one.
AVG has always had a bit lower detection rate however.

Avira this has the best detection rate of all of them but can result in a number of false positives. Avira has pretty low resource usage but it does less then the other two. But what really bothers me is that its slow to update and puts up a big pop up ad when it updates. Yes I know this can be disabled with a hack.

Bitdefender free is on demand scanner only but it does a good job and is nice if you don't want an antivirus running in the background.

Commodo is still in beta and might be nice when its finished but what I hated about it was when it had a false there was no way to get it to stop from deleting or disabling the program even though it was a false.

Hope this helps.

[lisati]

I tried commodo once, and had a bad experience: it missed a virus which did some mischief. After a lot of frustration which ended in me re-installing windows I re-installed AVG which found that the virus had propogated itself to a couple of files on a couple of external hard drives. Fortunately not a lot was lost other than time......

[Redrazor39]

Sorry people aren't reading your initial post.

I use avast! and it never asks me to upgrade or anything. It works well, and if you don't like the media player style interface then go on avast.com, downloads, and avast skins. I use one called aVist, which fits into Vista very well and looks very professional, but there are many more.

I always wondered about clamwin but I don't hear much about it except from the FOSS lovers out there and the ratings don't seem to be too high. I wonder what the detection rates are...

Oh ya, clamwin doesn't have any real-time protection. That kinda sucks. With avast! it has 7 shields and as soon as you go on a website that tries to download a virus or click on a download link for a virus (or even if it's compressed multiple levels down, as soon as it is about to activate) avast! stops it and allows you to delete it, move it to the virus chest (quarantine), and more.

ALWIL (the makers of avast!) seem to be the most serious company about providing a free solution for home users. There are absolutely no ads or nags about getting the professional version because ALWIL believes home users should get protection for free while businesses should have to pay (and it's not very expensive, either).

I've used Norton, Kaspersky, McAfee, AOL McAfee, and a ton of freeware, and avast! seems to do best for me. It's also very light on system resources.

Just be sure you have a firewall like COMODO firewall or Windows firewall in Vista (Xp's firewall just sucks). Defense+ in COMODO firewall is VERY annoying, but you can either disable it or live with it. There's an option in settings to make it so it doesn't tell you every time it allows something.

Clamwin sounds like a very good solution except it doesn't have this real-time protection. I can't believe that, being open source, it doesn't have this! I guess all the FOSS nuts are on Linux, BSD, or OpenSolaris and don't really care much for antivirus.

I might have to reinstall Windows because of all the crapware I've installed and removed... I've run multiple cleaners, but it just isn't as fast as it used to be.

If my post was helpful, please thank me by clicking the small star icon in the bottom right corner of this post :)

[timzak]

I don't understand what the big deal is about the Antivir banner. It is so easy to close it's not even an issue. Why is this so terrible that it would keep you from using one of the best antivirus programs?

When you see the banner, just hit Enter. Poof, it's gone. For not having to pay a dime for a high quality antivirus program, I consider hitting Enter once a day to close a banner ad a no-brainer.

According to the latest tests at av-comparatives.org, Antivir has the highest detection rates and very LOW false alarms, along with fast scan speeds and low resource usage. Read the review for yourself. Google "av-comparatives".

If the banner bothers you that much, Google around for a registry hack to disable it. I'm not sure if it still works, but back around version 6 or 7, I tried it and it worked. I don't bother anymore, though, because it is so easy to close the ad it's not even worth the hack.

[mips]

What you guys have cotton in your ears or something? I already said AVG is no longer an option, its not offering version 8 of their software for free and it seems that they want to push people to use version 8...


No we don't have cotton in our ears. The popup you get from avg7 points you to the commercial version of avg8. The free edition of avg is still available and it is Version 8.

You are not listening or seeing. Maybe you are the one with cotton in your ears and blinkers over your eyes :)

http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe

Please I beg you to click on the above link. If you do the cotton will fall out of your ears and the blinkers will be removed from your eyes. [-o<

[BLTicklemonster]

Eh?

[mips]

Eh?

Directed at me? If 'yes' then I'm simply trying to clarify a few things for the OP :)

Maybe I should add some more smilies. Sarcasm does not always come across as such on the internet.

[BLTicklemonster]

lol "what?"



(I posted that it's free, too, bro. just making fun of the cotton aspect of this and all)

[mips]

lol "what?"



(I posted that it's free, too, bro. just making fun of the cotton aspect of this and all)

ROTFLMAO!!! The penny just dropped...

[jrusso2]

I don't understand what the big deal is about the Antivir banner. It is so easy to close it's not even an issue. Why is this so terrible that it would keep you from using one of the best antivirus programs?

When you see the banner, just hit Enter. Poof, it's gone. For not having to pay a dime for a high quality antivirus program, I consider hitting Enter once a day to close a banner ad a no-brainer.

According to the latest tests at av-comparatives.org, Antivir has the highest detection rates and very LOW false alarms, along with fast scan speeds and low resource usage. Read the review for yourself. Google "av-comparatives".

If the banner bothers you that much, Google around for a registry hack to disable it. I'm not sure if it still works, but back around version 6 or 7, I tried it and it worked. I don't bother anymore, though, because it is so easy to close the ad it's not even worth the hack.

Its not just the banner, it also updates very slow. The servers seem to run at a snails pace it can take five minutes for the update to finish. It often fails. Also it does have a lot of false alerts which is due to its higher heuristics.

[AndyCee]

Check that site again ;) I'm sure there's a Linux version

...Slow response here...

Not for AVG 8.

[karellen]

Its not just the banner, it also updates very slow. The servers seem to run at a snails pace it can take five minutes for the update to finish. It often fails. Also it does have a lot of false alerts which is due to its higher heuristics.

it's not slower than kaspersky or bitdefender update. the one that updates faster is eset's nod32

[timzak]

Its not just the banner, it also updates very slow. The servers seem to run at a snails pace it can take five minutes for the update to finish. It often fails. Also it does have a lot of false alerts which is due to its higher heuristics.

I haven't had many problems with the updates. On a rare occasion (like when they change versions like 7.0->8.0) the servers get REALLY bogged down, but that happens with Ubuntu too when they release a new version. I set the updates to occur when I am away from the computer, so if there is a delay, I'm not aware of it. I understand they do have slow updates for the free version, but the updates do not prevent you from using your computer while they are occurring, and if you really want, you can update when you are away from the computer too.

The latest tests at av-comparatives.org show low false positives (they got 8 FP's when most other AV programs got >10, with two programs getting >100 FP's).

Avira also got the 2nd fastest scanning speed (17.7 MB/sec) of the 13 suites tested.

Avira and NOD32 were the only AV programs to get the highest rating that AV-Comparatives gives.

http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse/report18.pdf

[bbharatsony]

If you are an AOL member they let you have MCAFFEE for free. IT IS PERFECTLY LEGAL.

[dacorr]

i use comodo from comodo.com

[oldsoundguy]

Using McAfee to protect Windows is like using a newspaper to cover your head in a windy rainstorm or using a sieve to bail out a leaky boat! They can run 3 to 5 days behind everyone else in creating new definition files! Add to that, they are severe bloatware, intrusive beyond reason, and almost impossible to remove once you change your mind and realize just how bad their program is!

[Old_Gray_Wolf]

I started going through a list of anti-virus programs. I Googled on the name + the word free. I decided to let the OP finish the search if he chooses. Here is the list of what I found anyway:

• AntiVir/AVPE
http://www.free-av.com/en/download/1/download_avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.ht ml
• Avast
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
• AVG AV Free
http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition
• Bit Defender
http://www.bitdefender.com/PRODUCT-14-en--BitDefender-Free-Edition.html
• CA Anti-Virus / eTrust EZ
• Dr. Web
• F-Prot
• KAV
• McAfee
• Nod-32
• Norman
• Norton/Symantec
• Panda
• Sophos
• TrendMicro (PC-cillin)

[Old_Gray_Wolf]

I left F-Secure off the list. Here is more for Trojans, etc.:

Anti-Trojans

• a² Free / a-squared Anti-Malware Personal Edition
• BOClean
• The Cleaner
• TrojanHunter
• Trojan Remover

Privacy Related

• Ad-Aware
• AGNIS
• AVG Anti-Spyware
• CounterSpy
• Hpguru's Hosts File
• IE/SPYAD
• MVPS HOSTS File
• PestPatrol
• Spybot S&D
• SpyCop
• Spy Sweeper
• SpywareBlaster
• SUPERAntiSpyware
• Windows Defender

[AlanRogers]

I'm an AVG reseller and I can assure you that there is still a free version. What's more, it's the same version, albeit less featuresome, than the subscribers are using, whereas it always used to be one full version behind.

The pop-up at every login is typical advertising, in that it takes you to the subscription product download page - you can't blame a company for that. As has already been said, you can download the free version from http://free.grisoft.com or, cutting out a step or two, http://www.download.com. Just search for AVG Free.

If you still can't find it then, come back to me and I'll sell you a license.

[AlanRogers]

Not for AVG 8.Correct, AVG Free for Linux is still at version 7.5

[darksong]

It seems this happens every time with a free anti virus application I have recommended to others... first there was anti vir... it wants money.
then there was AVG... it wants money.
My windows using friends who have not fully taken the leap to linux just yet still want to maintain their windows computers.
Now I know about avast, its still free but I am concerned about suggesting it to some cases I know.
First is my friend Tracy who has been a windows user since 98, now currently she has a dual boot of ubuntu and XP and she uses the XP partition for gaming, plus a few others in her house for work and stuff.
Now there are a few computers she has for work that cant be dual booted, for one they dont have a lot of hard drive space (most of her other computers only have about 30GB) and the company she works for is very microsoft oriented.
she needs a new antivirus tool, but she does not want to pay for another antivirus suite... she has tried both Norton and McAfee, but both were just too expencive for her.
So I suggested Anti-vir, now that worked for a while but it became nagware and practically nonfree.
then I suggested AVG, and now the same thing is happening with that.
So that leaves me with two I know about, avast, and clam...
Now I know clam has a windows client, but I dont think it has a GUI availible for it in windows.
Then there is avast, but I really dont want to lead to another av tool that will have a price on it... I am worried as I dont know how many times avast can be registered to the same name and email account, is there a limitation on it of some kind.
I need a AV tool that is free, has a gui and wont charge $70 3 years down the road.

Avast - google it :)

[mips]

Avast - google it :)

I do not think the OP will be revisiting this thread ;)

[irshadcharm]

NOD32 is the mother of all antivirus...try that...

[SunnyRabbiera]

I do not think the OP will be revisiting this thread ;)

actually I have, and its gametime people...
AVG free's time is up, and I need a free AV tool and you folks have not helped one bit... I mean come on I thought you guys would be better then this.
A lot of you keep suggesting AVG and anti-vir, I ALREADY SAID THOSE WERE OUT OF THE QUESTION!
I repeat:
AVG AND ANTI-VIR ARE OUT OF THE QUESTION

Now in big bold oversized letters:
AVG AND ANTI-VIR ARE OUT OF THE QUESTION

In Italian:
AVG Anti-Vir sono fuori dalla questione

In German:
Und AVG Anti-Vir sind außer Frage

In French:
AVG et anti-vir ne sont pas de la question

In Portuguese:
AVG e anti-VIR estão fora de questão


So please stop suggesting those applications and suggest something USEFUL!

Thank you

[PmDematagoda]

I thought you would have given Avast! a try since the Home edition is free.

[Joeb454]

SunnyRabiera, I may have totally missed the point, but why is AVG Free's "time up"? It still exists, you can get version 8.0 Free edition, I posted a link to it earlier.

Or is it the fact that you just don't want to use AVG anymore?

[linux phreak]

Go ahead and use avast home edition.It's very light on resources.It has a good detection rate and has a funky GUI too.I have used the free license key many times which is sent to us via e-mail ,may be 5-6 times after reinstalling XP.The key can be used for a year i believe after which it expires.

[oldsoundguy]

Then break down and actually PAY for an anti-virus. Long before AVG ever came out I bought F-Prot. Needed to get a site license for multiple Windows computers at the time, and since the basic and site rates were the same, I went for it. NEVER had an issue with the program in over 7 years of usage.

AVG 8 is still free .. Google is your friend and plugging in AVG free into the search box will take you to the page.

Of all the free for single home user AV programs, AVG is rated highest by most sites with Avast running a very close second.

[SunnyRabbiera]

SunnyRabiera, I may have totally missed the point, but why is AVG Free's "time up"? It still exists, you can get version 8.0 Free edition, I posted a link to it earlier.

Or is it the fact that you just don't want to use AVG anymore?

the link you gave me was useless... It links me to the paid version.
and no I rather not use it again if its going to limit protection for $$.
as for avast, I am worried about people who will have to use it on multiple computers as it has a email activation system...
I want something that is clear cut, not something that is going to make my windows using friends worried.

[LaRoza]

the link you gave me was useless... It links me to the paid version.
and no I rather not use it again if its going to limit protection for $$.
as for avast, I am worried about people who will have to use it on multiple computers as it has a email activation system...
I want something that is clear cut, not something that is going to make my windows using friends worried.

ClamWin. GPL FTW!

Of course, it doesn't do things like others.

I would recommend a good firewall, like Comodo, and ClamWin.

[Joeb454]

SunnyRabiera try this link: http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe

[LaRoza]

SunnyRabiera try this link: http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe

Didn't you get the hint? :-)

[Joeb454]

:lolflag: Yes I got the hint, but he said the link didn't work, so I tried a different link :)

[mips]

I do not get it, AntiVir, AVG & Avast all have FREE versions.

This no longer looks like a request for support, I'm calling TROLL on this one and reporting it.

[LaRoza]

I do not get it, AntiVir, AVG & Avast all have FREE versions.

This no longer looks like a request for support, I'm calling TROLL on this one and reporting it.

I think it is an attempt to get more choices (and I understand the frusteration of the same things being recommended over and over).

I am against the use of anti-virus for home use (the concept is flawed) so I myself and of limited help.

[timzak]

I'm sorry, when someone asks for help, receives it, then has an attitude because it's not what he wanted, I'm done trying to help. Good luck on your own. Take a course on politeness and come back.

There have been plenty of times I have not been able to receive the help I wanted here, but I haven't had a hissy fit and bit off the heads of those who tried.


actually I have, and its gametime people...
AVG free's time is up, and I need a free AV tool and you folks have not helped one bit... I mean come on I thought you guys would be better then this.
A lot of you keep suggesting AVG and anti-vir, I ALREADY SAID THOSE WERE OUT OF THE QUESTION!
I repeat:
AVG AND ANTI-VIR ARE OUT OF THE QUESTION

Now in big bold oversized letters:
AVG AND ANTI-VIR ARE OUT OF THE QUESTION

In Italian:
AVG Anti-Vir sono fuori dalla questione

In German:
Und AVG Anti-Vir sind außer Frage

In French:
AVG et anti-vir ne sont pas de la question

In Portuguese:
AVG e anti-VIR estão fora de questão


So please stop suggesting those applications and suggest something USEFUL!

Thank you

[Corfy]

There is one point about ClamWin that I want to add that hasn't been brought up.

In addition to not having real-time scanning, which was mentioned, it also cannot actually do anything about the viruses it finds, it only locates them. Most other anti-virus programs have a way to disable, clean, quarantine, and/or delete the virus, but ClamWin apparently does not (or at least, I can't find it). Still, it is handy to know where the viruses are.

Personally, I used Comodo Anti-Virus for Windows on my home system (with ClamWin as a backup). While the seemingly constant pop-ups get a tad annoying, the big advantage of Comodo AV is, while it isn't open-source, it is free for anyone to use. AVG is only free for home use, and then only on one computer within the home network, whereas Comodo is free for home or business use on as many computers as you want to install it on.

Unfortunately, one draw-back with Comodo is Windows doesn't recognize Comodo as a legit AV program, so WinXP SP2 tells you that you don't have any anti-virus installed. You can tell Windows that you will be responsible for monitoring your AV, but that can be a bit disconcerting for some users.

[lisati]

There is one point about ClamWin that I want to add that hasn't been brought up.

In addition to not having real-time scanning, which was mentioned, it also cannot actually do anything about the viruses it finds, it only locates them. Most other anti-virus programs have a way to disable, clean, quarantine, and/or delete the virus, but ClamWin apparently does not (or at least, I can't find it). Still, it is handy to know where the viruses are.

Personally, I used Comodo Anti-Virus for Windows on my home system (with ClamWin as a backup). While the seemingly constant pop-ups get a tad annoying, the big advantage of Comodo AV is, while it isn't open-source, it is free for anyone to use. AVG is only free for home use, and then only on one computer within the home network, whereas Comodo is free for home or business use on as many computers as you want to install it on.

Unfortunately, one draw-back with Comodo is Windows doesn't recognize Comodo as a legit AV program, so WinXP SP2 tells you that you don't have any anti-virus installed. You can tell Windows that you will be responsible for monitoring your AV, but that can be a bit disconcerting for some users.
Another drawback: The Comodo antivirus system is what I had on my system the one-and-only time I've had a nasty experience rsulting from viruses - it didn't spot the malware I was being nosy at. I've described what I experienced elsewhere, but, until now, haven't named it.

[stinger30au]

What you guys have cotton in your ears or something? I already said AVG is no longer an option, its not offering version 8 of their software for free and it seems that they want to push people to use version 8...


ding dong.... your wrong.

im using the free version of AVG Version 8 on my XP box no drama

here is the link to the free version of AVG 8

http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe

[nerd0795]

avast! is the best free anti-virus

Kasperky anti virus is the best anti-virus 99.9% detection rate.

AVG free gives you no web shield. Only a resident shield (meaning it doesn't protect you from what you download. But it might detect it after you download it)