Free Anti-virus Software

Im fixing up a Desktop system for family folks (Their hard-drive took a serious nose dive into dead city after 6 years of use).

They have a distinct dislike of paying for anti-virus software and the like. (And they refuse to budge despite my impassioned pleas)
The main use of the computer is for school assignments, facebook and general web-use.

Its not really used for any gaming outside of a few simple ones for the youngest and the flash type MSN games online.

I was planning on putting the free AVG version on there, with a automatic update schedule in place (they aren't good at running basic maintenance either).

1) Is there anything better than the free AVG out there right now ?
2) Is there any free net-nanny type software out there ?
(lets just say there is a teenage boy in the house and his browsing habits when left alone are not popular with his mother, as well as bringing malware onto the sytem)

Thanks for any help/advice.

http://www.ccleaner.com/

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

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

That's what my Wife and myself have on our systems to keep them as clean as possible.
All should be able to be set for scheduling of assigned tasks.
CCleaner can be set to run when Windows starts.
Hope this helps in some way.

I think some people recommend Avast

Antivirus type stuff isn't my forte... I uses avast ATM and it seems to work pretty well but I had no real reason for picking it. o.O

As for filtering software, a parent I know uses this software-shaped thing and hasn't complained about it that I've heard.

Many security experts are moving toward the opinion that most AV and malware software simply don't cut it because they are reactive and, in many cases, it's already too late.

By all means, install AVG (I use it). For malware, SpyBotSD and AdAware are both on my computer. I hear very good things about Malwarebytes (but have not gotten around to trying it yet).

Really, though, you want to try to catch stuff earlier - before it gets in. Having no idea what kind of router (if any) they are behind, I'd recommend a software firewall. ZoneAlarm has a free version which I use and it's tons better than the Windows one. Perhaps also install Firefox as the browser. AVG integrates nicely with it and can block malware sites. A lot of attacks are launched with scripts on web sites and an add-in called NoScript (available on Firefox's site - www.mozilla.com) is a useful defense.

What I use:

Netgear router w. firewall, between the cable modem and the computer. This catches most, if not all, incoming attacks.

Avast! free antivirus. It has a real-time monitoring mode, which is a pretty good thing. I use this to catch other things coming in while I'm surfing.

ZoneAlarm Free firewall. Mostly to catch programs trying to dial out without my permission.

MalwareBytes free anti-malware. I use this for regular scans. It is probably the most comprehensive package out there; I've seen it take care of rootkit trojans that Norton Enterprise Security (the expensive corporate program) couldn't even identify.

I also have Registry Mechanic and CCleaner, but those are maintenance-oriented, not anti-virus or anti-malware.

general replies:

K9 looks just the ticket for net nannying

Malwarebytes - check. I have used that in the past as a remedy for nasty infections that were resistant to other means. Setting it up on an autosweep is a good fall back plan

Zone Alarm - check. I used this in the past, but didn't think about it as I have a hardware firewall in place at home. Not sure if they have one in their router (ATT DSL if I recall right), so have added to the list.

Back-ups ? Thats a discussion I will be having with them (AGAIN). If it costs, I can see zero positive response, and I'll be bashing my head against a brick wall. Personally I have automatic backups for my documents over the web. Software I can re-install and dont particularly care about. Photos and the like are my precious things.

Thanks for the pointers folks, and keep em coming.

Norton Security Scanner - free virus scanner

*shameless plug for my company :P

I have told family members that refuse to listen to reasonable backup\AV\firewall suggestions that they are on their own unless they have an actual hardware failure, and even then I will do nothing but get them running again.

IMO, there's nothing better than AVGFree. I had a trojan about 2 years ago, and AVGFree was the ONLY program that was able to remove it. Avast and the others all said it was removed, but after a reboot and rescan, it was still there.

AVGFree also found various other files that Avast and the rest missed.

[ ProTip: The banner is a link to art refs!! | The Khellection | The HBAS Repository | Brute Guides (4/16/10) | How To Post An Image - A Quick Guide ]
Biggest Troll on the forums? I'll give you a hint:

There are three programs i use when cleaning up people's PC's for them. I've brought many back to life and i've never had to reinstall an operating system on any of my pc's.

1. Malwarebytes found here http://www.malwarebytes.org/

I run a full scan about once a week.

2. Anti-Virus. Few years back I had a virus and AVG, Norton, Avast and like 9 other programs couldn't find it. I used this program and it found it. It's free and will find stuff the others won't find. It doesn't look fancy but it works. You want the XT Pro version, not the enterprise. Found here..... http://dailyfreeware.net/2006/09/26/removeit-pro-xt-se/

3. The third program I use on a daily basis is Auslogics Boostspeed. It defrags, cleans up clutter, defrags the ram and registry, and makes everything run smooth. I run a lot of torrents so when i want to play COV i run this then do a restart and the game runs very smooth. It's available here http://www.auslogics.com/en/software...speed/download


To also increase performance, If you have multiple hard drives, is to keep as little as possible on your C drive. Also, be sure to do your windows updates.

And most importantly, you want as few programs as possible running when you start your PC. The RemoveIT xt Pro program in number 2 has a box on it's menu called "startup files". You click that and it shows you what programs are going to be running when you start your pc. You can choose to delete these startup keys so your computer starts with only what it needs to run. This will cause your computer to start up faster, and have better performance.

A lot of times when kids, or people who aren't too computer saavy use a pc, they click links and things they shouldn't, or don't read when downloading things and unknowingly install uneeded toolbars and malicious programs. These programs listed above work excellent for myself and everyone i have given them to.

I tend to use a layered approach when protecting my computer:

Avast
SpywareBlaster by Javacool
Windows Defender
Comodo Firewall
MalwareBytes AntiMalware

-all behind a router.

On the workstation, Antivir, Spybot, Adaware. No software firewalls.

On the gaming rig, still clean and pure. Nothing but OS, drivers, games.

On my 10 year old son's rig that he infected with PAV.EXE ... probably everything listed here.

Twice.

Lots of good info here. I have Norton clogging my system at the moment, but I will be remedying that in the near future. Already have MalwareBytes and a quick scan cleaned out some thing, just need to run the full one as well.

And while it has nothing to do with virus' or malware, I used DriverCleaner to remove all that old nVidia crud before installing the latest driver on my laptop, saw a big difference.

For Firefox, AdBlock Plus is also quite nice, as it blocks many malicious websites (mostly as a side benefit of blocking ads), as well as is automatically updated (so the user doesn't really have to get involved). IME, I've yet to run into a false positive with it.

We've been saving Paragon City for eight and a half years. It's time to do it one more time.

Everything posted in this thread is opinion and should be taken as such.

however, I would like to see proof of this claim as i find it rather ridiculous.

Then go do some research. I read that on a security site, was skeptical, and found the same basic opinion expressed elsewhere.

If I remembered where I had seen it, I'd post a link. But I don't, so I can't and don't feel like trying to track it down again. Feel free to regard it as ridiculous and ignore it and/or me. I promise not to be offended.

I have seen a similar thought, not quite expressed in the same way.

And of course it is why the day after 'Patch Tuesday' became known as a peak time for exploits in windows vulnerabilities. Thats is the ultimate example of reactive fixes that leaves a hole available.