Posted on 02/05/2010 12:42:08 PM PST by pillut48
I had the free version of AVG on my computer but these past few days things started messing up all over the place (processes getting slower and slower, couldn't download, mouse right click stopped working, among others). Went online and followed the suggestion on one site to remove AVG, which worked! Everything is running blazing fast, no hiccups, mouse is working again.
Only problem is my computer isn't protected from viruses, malware, etc. Looking for a FREE product that works without all the unnecessary bells and whistles. Any recommendations, FReepers? TIA!
Linux.
dump windows, load linux and don’t have the same level of worries.
Use Microsoft Security Essentials. Great program.
I haven’t used it yet, but I hear good things about Avast...looking to dump AVG myself.
I use (not free) Trend Micro internet security you can get for a little over $20.00 for 3 computers per year. Ebay is one source.
Do a scan with http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Malwarebytes-AntiMalware/1186760019/1
It’s the best anti-malware software I know of.
AVG is what I use and have had no problems. Did you have the latest version?
LLS
If you are running a genuine copy of Microsoft Windows you should try their “Microsoft Security Essentials” program for free.
Microsoft has a free new one if you are running windows 7, vista, etc. they released I had problems with Avast too and took it off.
http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/
I dropped AVG awhile ago. Get Avista, it’s free and very reliable.
I have pulled AVG out of computers because they have let malicious software download and deploy.
AVAST is the best free antivirus software that I have used. It is very light on the memory usage and auto updates
For paid versions I prefer Kaspersky.
SpyBot Search & Destroy is excellent.
Malwarebytes is excellent, also.
Let me correct myself.
Get Avira (not Avista)
I use AVG on all my boxes and have never had a problem.
Just install AVG and bypass the toolbars and other assorted items “packaged” with it.
Comodo Firewall
AVAST! Home
Malwarebytes
Ad-Aware.
Spybot S&D
All Free. I use them and have no problems.
Is there a way to get rid of the google toolbar if you have it?
Avast.
Go to Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs and find Google Toolbar and hit delete/remove.
I second the windows security essentials. They seem to be finally getting serious about protecting their reputation and from everything I have seen MSE seems as good as any free stuff out there. Have it loaded on my Windows7 laptop along with Malwarebytes anti-malware and have not had an issue yet
Many ISPs offer good virus protection software as part of the pacakage.
Thanks for the info!
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Avast.
AVG free was good for a while then suffered bloat. Not to mention deciding to scan my computer during prime time usage. GRRR.
I switched from AVG to Avast. Seems better, but not sure how their virus definitions compare.
I was a fan of Avast until I got a virus that shut down my laptop. Trendmicro also allowed a virus through. I’m back to using Norton.
I work for an anti-virus software company on a consultant basis and we dont even use our own product for our office.
want a hint?
Ever heard of “speed my pc’? We use McAfee but if you want free from which our own engineers swear by: Avira, coupled with free MalwareBytes.
I’ve been happy with Avira.
SnakeDoc
OK, This person wants help not the “Get a Mac crap from a Stevie Jobs Jock Muncher wanna-be, so as usual you people are zero help and answering this way so that you can feel superior like a liberal democrat trouting healh care reform and cap & trade. And to the linux bunch you are no help since this person does not want to go geek.
So to be of actual help go to the link below and then read and choose the free one you want and will do the job for you.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/pc/security-tools.html
You will find that the suggestion of Microsoft Essentials to be a really good choice.
I'll third MS security essentials. I've been using it since it came out and never had a problem with anything. Seems to have a pretty small footprint. It seems all the other freebies I've used (AVG, Avast, and others) start taking up more and more resources with each new version they release. They add more and more features to stay the "most popular" on the search engines and turn into a hog. Since MS is already rich and doesn't need the PR others do it seems to have followed the "less is more" philosophy so far on anti-virus protection. (don't get me started on their other "security" features. For all but the most casual PC user, "UAC" control on Vista is maddening.)
I wouldn’t rely on AVAST . . it will do you in one of these days.
I guess the best free one is Microsoft Essentials. Sometimes your ISP will also give you a free sub to McAfee or Norton, which is what I use.
“Many ISPs offer good virus protection software as part of the pacakage.”
+1. RoadRunner offers Computer Associates security package free to its subscribers. It works very well.
Microsoft Security Essentials.
or start saving a couple bucks a week to buy a paid security system for your PC
There is a little x next to the word Google on the toolbar...
Try clicking on TOOLS, click TOOLBARS and you can take it off there.
I've had favorable experiences with Avast and Microsoft Security Essentials.
MalWareBytes has a very good reputation but I find it a bit aggressive; for instance it detected the ability for a user to change the wallpaper as a problem and wanted to disable it. I expect that would lead to problems down the road.
So for suspenders to go with the MSE or Avast belt I like SuperAntiSpyware. It's not as bad as SpyBot or AdAware at shrieking that every cookie is the end of the world, but it can be a bit alarmist as well.
But bottom line and judging from what I've seen a lot of lately anything you use will require a large dose of good sense. Some of the latest malware I've seen is very well done and looks a lot like an OS message so be careful out there.
Avast and Spyware Blaster.
I just uninstalled Norton ( free 2 months with new HP all-in-one ) the other day and downloaded MSE and it’s working just dandy .
Thanks, I just installed security essentials on my laptop.
We’re already saving for a biiiiiig trip to India this summer (to visit DH’s parents and other relatives) so your idea won’t work for us right now.
Darn plane tickets for all 5 of us could pay for a couple semesters of college here, sheesh! :-O
Besides, DH is Indian, and free is his favorite 4 letter word, LOL. ;-)
DH, is that you?!?!?!
My husband is ALWAYS wanting me to switch to linux like his computer—I just can’t do all my art/graphics stuff in it though, even though some things are getting better. And please don’t tell me how wonderful GIMP is, LOL.
DH= Designated Husband?
lol
Yes, used it for more than a year, but suddenly started having all these problems...not sure what was going on, just know that when AVG went away, the problems went away...
Installing it now, thanks! Hopefully that will be enough to protect us!
Avira AntiVir is consistently ranked at the top and outperforms all others in benchmark tests.
I am, and I’m installing it even as I type. Thank you!
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