Anti Virus software

[fred the red]

Can anyone recommend me a good anti virus software?


im getting a while amount of pop ups the last while

[Tyrones own]

   http://www.superantispyware.com/
   http://www.malwarebytes.org/

There ye go.

They're not an Anti virus but it's more than likely a spyware/malware problem you have than a virus.

[redhandluke]

AVG - One of the better reputable products - and its free
http://free.avg.com/ww.download?prd=afe

[ziggysego]

AVS damn nearly destroyed my computer last year. Let in 100s of viruses. However I've been told since that one edition had "problems", so more than likely that's the one I had. Had Norton Internet Security, but it was a real drain on the system, slowed everything right up. Use PC Tools now and have no problems now. Works like a charm.

[J70]

I'd be wary of AVG free. It will probably take care of most stuff all right, but given that they also have a subscription version, you're obviously not getting all the benefits that you might. From what I've read, there are better free packages anyway like Avira or Avast, but maybe AVG have improved with their most recent release.

I currently have the Norton internet security 2008 package, as well as PC Tools Spyware Doctor, and I have no problems at all.

[ziggysego]

The subscription AVS is for businesses, the free AVS is for home users.

[J70]

AVG free is limited to home use, but that does not mean that they don't offer a better subscription package.

Limitations of AVG free, from Wikipedia (I've seen poor reviews on various PC websites too):

Less protection - AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0 provides only base level protection against viruses, spyware and safe searching. It does not provide safe surfing (drive-by download protection) nor protection from crackers, keyloggers, spam, phishing attacks and malicious file downloads that can come through instant messaging and attachments from seemingly friendly sources. This protection is only available in the commercial versions of AVG products.

There is other stuff then regarding updates, support and customization, but the most important issues are the above stuff concerning actual protection.

Everyone can make up their own mind, but personally I would rather pay the 50 US dollars per year it costs for a proper, full internet security suite. I have seen, via two family members on two different occasions, what lousy security protection can do to computers. And doing complete Windows reinstalls is no fun in the slightest!

[Lecale2]

I had a hacked version of zone alarms for a few years. Last March it went haywire when the clocks went forward. Took me a couple of months to sort it out. In the end i had to wipe the bloodly thing and do a full system rebuild. Wouldn't recommend them at all.

[Bogball XV]

free avg has worked well for me and i'd have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone, avast is also pretty reputable i hear.

[Lar Naparka]

   http://www.superantispyware.com/
   http://www.malwarebytes.org/

There ye go.

They're not an Anti virus but it's more than likely a spyware/malware problem you have than a virus.

You are not using Kaspersky by any chance, are you?
I use the commercial version but my system still got infected. The problem was the Hotsearch toolbar and it proved a bloody nuisance to get rid of.
I tried the usual lot, Adaware, Spybot, AVG and the likes and finally in desperation I went looking for help in community forums. I actually found the answer on a Kaspersky-related site.
I got the pair of programs, advocated by Tyrone's own, and the second one did the job at the first attempt. I was also advised to use ATF cleaner to flush the browsers' caches and between it and SuperAntiSpyware, I managed to fix my problem.

[Karl Kennedy]

My PC protection has ended today, anyone recommend a cheap and safe one to buy?

[Minder]

My PC protection has ended today, anyone recommend a cheap and safe one to buy?

Avast is free.

[Square Ball]

I have adaware, PC doctor and avg, plus malawarebytes and i still got shafted

[ardmhachaabu]

I use AVG free at home, always have and always will - I run other tools for firewall etc.  I would never pay for anti-virus for my home pc when there are perfectly good viable options as AVG free, Avast etc out there.  I would always recommend AVG free to anyone, it's simple to install and updates automatically

Incidentally I have rolled AVG commercial versions out to over 400 PCs at once and never had cause to complain about it once

[joebloggs]

It can vary a bit as some companies keep up better with the latest viruses etc than others. The best one at the minute by a long way is Avira. http://www.free-av.de/en/trialpay_download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html