Need new AV program...

[S3NTYN3L]

Well, Symantec finally outmoded my version of NAVCE.
It was bound to happen sooner or later, the version I've been using was almost six years old.

I went to update it the other day and they said they will no longer be providing updates (via liveupdate or manual download) for the software or virus defs... I'm not wanting to give Symantec more money for another program.

I thought I'd ask you guys where some quality FREE antivirus programs could be found. (Maybe give me some pros/cons of the software?)

I'm running Spybot/S&D, Ad-Aware and ZoneAlarm already and have been for a long time...


Thanks for the input!

(I would just hunt through this sub-forum but I'm on my way out the door to work, so...)

[GroundZero3]

For home use try out AVG

pro:

free
scans email
live update
Found stuff Norton doesnt

con:

it scans the whole drive every single day at a certain time. To disable this or change the time you have to get the full paid verison

[laylow]

You can disable the daily scan in the scheduler of AVG free edition.
Just highlight the task, click edit schedule and uncheck where it says Periodically start scheduled anti virus test

[washe]

there is also avast.... Its a little heavier than AVG on memory usage but it has some good features I liked.

www.avast.com

[dzee]

Im always hearing great things bout the free AVG. i personally use Sophos. id say either of the two.

[digby0668]

Originally Posted by GroundZero3

con:

it scans the whole drive every single day at a certain time. To disable this or change the time you have to get the full paid verison

Use Windows task Scheduler and specify the command to run:
"C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Free\avgw.exe" /test="Complete Test"

Then schedule AVG to run whenever you want.

[S3NTYN3L]

I went with AVG.
I couldn't find a free version of Sophos, if one exists...

Thanks for the help!

[radio1_mike]

I'd recommend Avast over AVG.

Simply because Avast free has realtime protection, where AVG free does not... But then again, you can schedule scans in AVG free, but not in Avast free.

Both AVG and Avast update their definitions and virus engines almost everyday.

[Friedchicken100]

Yeah GZ I turned off the automatic scans in the free edition. I love AVG. It's powerful and easy to use.

[SeanC]

Avast for sure.

The last time I tried AVG (last year) I didn't like the fact that it couldn't update the virus signature as soon as I logon to my computer. It had to be scheduled.

I don't know if that's changed because I haven't used AVG since last year.

Sean