AVG? (antivirus software)

[cdonovan]

Anyone use the free web based virus protection???

Friends of mind love it...i am not so sure!!!

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

What do you think of it?

[DoctorIt]

It was recommended to me by one of our College of Engineering computer support guys... the same day he cleaned up my system from a hack. If its good enough for him, its good enough for me. Seems its been working quite well for the past few weeks now. Much smaller footprint than McAfee or Norton, much less intrusive, but still has caught a few bugs.

I give it a :thumb, and a :thumb :thumb when you take into account it's FREEware!

why are you "not so sure"? do you have a reason?

[dancorder]

Anyone use the free web based virus protection???

Friends of mind love it...i am not so sure!!!

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

What do you think of it?

I've used it at home for ages. It seems to work. Not sure what else to say :D

Oh yes, I don't know what you mean by 'web based' it's a normal app that you download and install. It can automatically download updates over the internet, but all anti virus programs need to do that to stay effective.

[Richard]

Anyone use the free web based virus protection???

Friends of mind love it...i am not so sure!!!

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

What do you think of it?

I have been using it for several years. Seems to work well enough. It updates itself automatically (if you want it to, and you should).

On the down side, I have to say that the free version was not all that easy to configure for the combination of gmail and Thunderbird. I'm a techie, so it wasn't a problem for me, but others need to be very careful about following the instructions exactly. I just recently upgraded to the latest version and the upgrade process blew away some of the configuration data, which I thought was bad style. OTOH, it is free, so maybe you just have to put up with some irritations once a year. I still recommend it to people.

Regards,

[Zanotti]

I : Have it, Use it, Like it!

[gus]

My favorite is prevx1 (http://www.prevx.com/security.asp). Nothing gets in the door ..ever.

[ian408]

Anyone use the free web based virus protection???

Friends of mind love it...i am not so sure!!!

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

What do you think of it?

Two thumbs up (I use it)!

[moose135]

Add me to the list...I've used it for several years on an old laptop, and when I got a new one this summer, the first thing I did was download the latest version of AVG. Never had a problem with it.:thumb

[SpeshulEd]

I'm a fan of Kaspersky antivirus...its ranked #1 by a ton of different reviewers.
http://www.kaspersky.com/awards?ipcountry=US

It can be found on the net for as low as $20 and is well worth it.

[ivar]

I'm a fan of Kaspersky antivirus...its ranked #1 by a ton of different reviewers.
http://www.kaspersky.com/awards?ipcountry=US

It can be found on the net for as low as $20 and is well worth it.:agree kaspersky is good.

I also like the free avast, also very good: http://www.avast.com/

[claudermilk]

I used AVG for a while & it's great. I switched to Avast as it's a little easier to set up & has more options. Either one is worlds better than Norton.

[cdonovan]

It was recommended to me by one of our College of Engineering computer support guys... the same day he cleaned up my system from a hack. If its good enough for him, its good enough for me. Seems its been working quite well for the past few weeks now. Much smaller footprint than McAfee or Norton, much less intrusive, but still has caught a few bugs.

I give it a :thumb, and a :thumb :thumb when you take into account it's FREEware!

why are you "not so sure"? do you have a reason?

Good to hear this feedback...guess i have always associated free with crap

I couldn't believe that something we normally have to pay through the teeth for is free contect on the net...so I was skeptical:scratch

By web based, I meant that you upload if from the internet, no cash transaction, just load and go

I appreciate all the feedback...I think i'll go back and check it out again!:D

[Phyxius]

Okay, so really stupid question...
I'm getting a new laptop shipped to me in the next couple days. It comes with 2 months of Norton. Do I uninstall that BEFORE downloading AVG or AFTER I install AVG?

Thanks :)

[TristanP]

Okay, so really stupid question...
I'm getting a new laptop shipped to me in the next couple days. It comes with 2 months of Norton. Do I uninstall that BEFORE downloading AVG or AFTER I install AVG?

Thanks :)
Download AVG, disconnect from the Internet, uninstall Norton, install AVG, reconnect to the Internet, update AVG.

[Phyxius]

Download AVG, disconnect from the Internet, uninstall Norton, install AVG, reconnect to the Internet, update AVG.

Brilliant! Thanks! :D

[cdonovan]

Here's another stupid question

Can i run both AVG and Norton at the same time???

I dunno i guess i am a little paranoid:dunno

[SpeshulEd]

I'm pretty sure both programs update their anti virus definitions at about the same time with the same frequency. I'm pretty sure running both would be overkill.

A better option would be to run an anti virus program along with a software firewall. Windows offers its own firewall, but there are other "better" ones that can be found on the net.

[DoctorIt]

I'm pretty sure both programs update their anti virus definitions at about the same time with the same frequency. I'm pretty sure running both would be overkill.running two av programs at the same time is a sure fire way to bog down your processor. :nod


A better option would be to run an anti virus program along with a software firewall. Windows offers its own firewall, but there are other "better" ones that can be found on the net.Recommended by our Engineering College Computer services (nerds I trust, have come through many times in the past for me):

1. AVG (free)
2. Spybot (free)
3. Windows XP Firewall (built-in)

*Most of the other firewall programs are only better if you really know what you are doing when it comes to internet protocol and can configure them correctly. If you are a normal user and not a network wizard, the windows one will work better and use less resources. It is configurable, just takes a second to go look and figure it out. By default it is fairly open, but its easy enough to uncheck a few options and close it down more.

Also, very very important - make sure your Windows XP Administrator account has a password! I'm not talking about your own user account w/administrator privileges, WinXP Pro has a default account named Administrator that may not always be visible. Right click on my computer and go to "manage" - this brings up your Computer Management dialog. Drop down the local users and groups folder and go to users. You'll see users you may never know existed (all win default, remote managment user, admin, etc). Give it a password - otherwise, anything else you do is useless, the door for hackers is wide open. DAMHIK!

[ivar]

Also, very very important - make sure your Windows XP Administrator account has a password! I'm not talking about your own user account w/administrator privileges, WinXP Pro has a default account named Administrator that may not always be visible. Right click on my computer and go to "manage" - this brings up your Computer Management dialog. Drop down the local users and groups folder and go to users. You'll see users you may never know existed (all win default, remote managment user, admin, etc). Give it a password - otherwise, anything else you do is useless, the door for hackers is wide open. DAMHIK!I didn't even know it was possible to not have a password on the admin account.

If you need to log in with it, but you don't see it, hold crtl+alt and hit del twice on the login screen

[DoctorIt]

I didn't even know it was possible to not have a password on the admin account.

If you need to log in with it, but you don't see it, hold crtl+alt and hit del twice on the login screenYup. 3 out of 5 computers in the lab as of 2 weeks ago didn't have one. A result of one person, me, setting them up all at once, very quickly... next, next, yes, next, finish, whew! :lol3

[ivar]

Yup. 3 out of 5 computers in the lab as of 2 weeks ago didn't have one. A result of one person, me, setting them up all at once, very quickly... next, next, yes, next, finish, whew! :lol3You're spending about 150 years of your life at school/studying, but you need to have the computers set up in 2 minutes?

[DoctorIt]

You're spending about 150 years of your life at school/studying, but you need to have the computers set up in 2 minutes?:wxwax

I'm studying fluid mechanics not system administration. So yes, I'd rather be doing something else than setting up computers in our office for student use. Lab computers for data aq, machine control are easy - no network. :D

[claudermilk]

Here's another stupid question

Can i run both AVG and Norton at the same time???

I dunno i guess i am a little paranoid:dunno

Nope. Norton is very possessive of the machine it's on. I've had issues with both AVG and Avast conflicting with Norton (or rather, vice versa). So go in the order Tristan mentioned & you should be fine. Norton is almost as bad as a virus when you want to get rid of it. :rolleyes

[ivar]

Nope. Norton is very possessive of the machine it's on.http://tech.cybernetnews.com/2006/09/18/finding-software-that-slows-down-your-computer/

[claudermilk]

:rofl I KNEW there was a reason I wanted to avoid loading most of those on the new system. Norton is definitely a case of the cure being almost worse than the disease.

[Art Scott]

I find that a combination of both AVG and Avast running together is fantastic both free.
They update themselves automatically....However if you leave your computer constantly connect to the internet then the AVAST update could actually startle you in the middle of the night, as a voice tells that the update was completed...loudly

[GraphyFotoz]

I've used AVG's for about 5yrs now and it works GREAT for me!

PRICE IS RIGHT! :thumb :D

[Phyxius]

I haven't had a chance to get my laptop online yet, but I just downloaded AVG, uninstalled Norton, and installed AVG. (And turned on XP's firewall)

Much faster internet now too! Yay! :clap

Thanks everyone!

---DoctorIt, is this the spybot you mentioned?
http://www-spybot.net/spywarebot2.gif

[DoctorIt]

I haven't had a chance to get my laptop online yet, but I just downloaded AVG, uninstalled Norton, and installed AVG. (And turned on XP's firewall)

Much faster internet now too! Yay! :clap

Thanks everyone!

---DoctorIt, is this the spybot you mentioned?
Nope, it's this one: Spybot - Search and Destroy (http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=lst-0-1)

[Scott_Quier]

I've used and like Avast! - mostly because it's the only free one that, at the time, ran on 64-bit windows (most there AV programs see the 64-bit OS and think you're running a server). It has actually caught some problems before they became problems. FWIW - I can recommend it.

WinXP firewall - well now, that's another story. A firewall should be able to trap not just the inbound garbage, but should alert you to all out-bound traffic as well. It's just nice to know/prevent a program from "phoning home" during the install. To the best of my knowledge, there is only one that does this, Zone Alarm. Not hard to configure, not hard to maintain, includes AV, updates itself on a regular basis, schedules and runs the weekly AV check and has a much smaller footprint than Norton or McAfee. Another great advantage of ZA is that it will watch for things that want to alter OS configuration parameters - you can download and have installed for you all kinds of junk when you surf the net. ZA will trap these attempts and ask permission before allowing the changes to take place.

Disclaimer - I have no financial interest in either Avast! or Zone Alarm. I'm just one more happy customer of both.

[DoctorIt]

I've used and like Avast! - mostly because it's the only free one that, at the time, ran on 64-bit windows (most there AV programs see the 64-bit OS and think you're running a server). It has actually caught some problems before they became problems. FWIW - I can recommend it.

WinXP firewall - well now, that's another story. A firewall should be able to trap not just the inbound garbage, but should alert you to all out-bound traffic as well. It's just nice to know/prevent a program from "phoning home" during the install. To the best of my knowledge, there is only one that does this, Zone Alarm. Not hard to configure, not hard to maintain, includes AV, updates itself on a regular basis, schedules and runs the weekly AV check and has a much smaller footprint than Norton or McAfee. Another great advantage of ZA is that it will watch for things that want to alter OS configuration parameters - you can download and have installed for you all kinds of junk when you surf the net. ZA will trap these attempts and ask permission before allowing the changes to take place.

Disclaimer - I have no financial interest in either Avast! or Zone Alarm. I'm just one more happy customer of both.I don't know what your background is, but 2 of our computer services guys both do not like ZA. Apparently, it is no more powerful than WinXP, it learns too much and is much too susceptible to people clicking "allow" for everything. WindowsFirewall doesn't give you as much "deciding power", which I think for the common user is a good thing - unless you just make a clear habit of denying all.

Just my .002, or at least a warning to educate yourself before using ZA.

[Scott_Quier]

I don't know what your background is, but 2 of our computer services guys both do not like ZA. Apparently, it is no more powerful than WinXP, it learns too much and is much too susceptible to people clicking "allow" for everything. WindowsFirewall doesn't give you as much "deciding power", which I think for the common user is a good thing - unless you just make a clear habit of denying all.

Just my .002, or at least a warning to educate yourself before using ZA.I appreciate the caution/caring. Since 1978, I'm mostly software/database engineering and enough networking background to keep my head above water at work and keep my wireless home network of 5+/- computers locked down (to the extent that it's possible to lock-down a home wireless network), up and running, and free of virus/trojan horses, etc. I am by no means an expert on any of the above. There's a guy here who does system administration that I hold in awe.

You're absolutely correct about the shortcommings of ZA. If you don't know what is causing the issue or, like my better half, have no interest/ability to learn, then some other solution will be a better fit. It is, like I said above, the only firewall I know of that will alert on unrecognized out-bound traffic. I think, maybe, Black Ice Defender (if they are still around, I don't know) also alerts on unrecognized out-bound traffic.

During the normal course of the day, I use the "Deny All" stance. One exception to this would be during a software install or Windows upgrade. I know some who will disable the AV engine during these processes. I keep them running. If the install fails, then I will disable the engine and try again. Otherwise, a one-time "accept" on configuration changes and deny to outbound traffic will get the software installed without the software "phoning home." If needs be, I can do a "Accept this time only" for registration processes to get through that step.

OTOH, I understand the firewall coming out with Vista is going to be much better, but I haven't read much on that yet.

The above works (and has worked for a number of years), but YMMV.

[DoctorIt]

You're absolutely correct about the shortcommings of ZA. If you don't know what is causing the issue or, like my better half, have no interest/ability to learn, then some other solution will be a better fit.Right :nod

(I kinda figured you weren't Joe Average when it came to this stuff)

[Art Scott]

http://arthur-scott.smugmug.com/photos/117016137-L.jpg


As the saying goes..."ALL GOOD THING MUST COME TO AN END"....This showed up on my screen about 2 months ago and i dismissed it...then THIS thread got started and I could not find anything about AVG no longer being free after 15 of Jan...this just poped up about 10 minutes ago during a Yahoo IM update..so I thought I should revive this thread....

For those of you using AVG (as I was also using their free gift), head on over to AVAST,,..... I have running both for over 2 years at the same time on same pc...with my experience this is whgat I have found to be true for me:
1- Norton (symentech (sp bad iknow) made machine run real slow and the live updates were worthless...however the intelligent udates (manual) were extremely better....BUT
2- AVG was much better, didn't bog down the machines that I had it installed on at Wichita State....yes yes I know... no commerical or academia use only personal...well I thought it better if the work computer got infected than my home pc....
3- then was told about avast (from an expat in Czech Republic) so I loaded it and found it to be a tad better than AVG...it(Avast) caught a few viruses that ot by AVG and it ran together...so Norton was ditched and I had the Czech team Running the Performance Facilities Computers at Wichita State and also my home machine.....

Of course neither Avg nor Avast! give you all your controls for free so depending on your demands for safety and convience is what decides whether to pay for the security and unfortunately none of them are perfect.....

I am gonna miss AVG.....:cry:cry:cry

[Richard]

Hey Art,

Don't panic. Unless I am missing something, all this is saying is that you need to upgrade to 7.5, which is available for free. I got that same screen about a month ago and was able to download and install 7.5. I did have a minor problem that required re-entering some config stuff for my email scanner, but have had no problem since. Now it's true that I didn't even glance at the EULA--life is too short for that nonsense. If this thing just stops working on Jan.15 I'm going to be rather pissed. However, my impression is that AVG will continue to offer its free edition while simultaneously offering enhanced products for money. If I am mistaken, then I gather that AVAST is about as good, and I would switch.

Cheers,

[gus]

Of course neither Avg nor Avast! give you all your controls for free so depending on your demands for safety and convience is what decides whether to pay for the security and unfortunately none of them are perfect.....

I am gonna miss AVG.....:cry:cry:cry

Exactly which is why i run Prevx1 right along beside Avast.

[GraphyFotoz]

Hey Art,

Don't panic. Unless I am missing something, all this is saying is that you need to upgrade to 7.5, which is available for free. I got that same screen about a month ago and was able to download and install 7.5. I did have a minor problem that required re-entering some config stuff for my email scanner, but have had no problem since. Now it's true that I didn't even glance at the EULA--life is too short for that nonsense. If this thing just stops working on Jan.15 I'm going to be rather pissed. However, my impression is that AVG will continue to offer its free edition while simultaneously offering enhanced products for money. If I am mistaken, then I gather that AVAST is about as good, and I would switch.

Cheers,

You are correct!
Just updating their search engine to 7.5....there will still be a FREE version of 7.5.
Only thing dying is the 7.1 search engine versions.

[Phyxius]

You are correct!
Just updating their search engine to 7.5....there will still be a FREE version of 7.5.
Only thing dying is the 7.1 search engine versions.

Yup, I downloaded 7.5 for both of my computers. Still free! :)