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I went with AVIRA, I used cnet's downloads area and under security I really just read reviews and went with the best one. so far its found and blocked what my paid kaspersky didnt.
What's Your Favorite Free (or cheap) Antivirus?
There is a horrible virus on our family computer that we can't get rid of. It's called XP Internet Security and it says that it's an antivirus program, but it's actually a virus itself. Unless you "register" (AKA, pay money), it won't let you on the internet, run your real antivirus, or do anything else, all in the name of "protection."
I'm not computer savvy, so I asked my dad to take care of it. Instead of manually removing it the way I expected him to, he went out and bought Norton's antivirus (and when he ran it, it didn't catch the virus). Personally, I don't really like Norton, but now he wants to install it on every computer in the house, including the laptop that I'm using right now.
On the computer that got infected, we have the free version of Avast! antivirus. On my laptop, there are two different antivirus programs, and they work very well, at least for me. My dad, however, says that although they've been protecting this laptop for about 2 years (and under my sister's less-than-cautious care), it's only a matter of time before this computer gets infected, too.
So, I want a second opinion. What are the best (i.e., keeps malware at bay while being user-friendly to a fault) free/cheap antivirus programs you guys know of? Is Norton one of them?
I'm sorry if I sound irritable, but I don't like computers very much. I just want to be able to use them without having to play doctor. If I had my way, my ideal computer would probably just have internet access and some way to save reports and pictures.
I'm not computer savvy, so I asked my dad to take care of it. Instead of manually removing it the way I expected him to, he went out and bought Norton's antivirus (and when he ran it, it didn't catch the virus). Personally, I don't really like Norton, but now he wants to install it on every computer in the house, including the laptop that I'm using right now.
On the computer that got infected, we have the free version of Avast! antivirus. On my laptop, there are two different antivirus programs, and they work very well, at least for me. My dad, however, says that although they've been protecting this laptop for about 2 years (and under my sister's less-than-cautious care), it's only a matter of time before this computer gets infected, too.
So, I want a second opinion. What are the best (i.e., keeps malware at bay while being user-friendly to a fault) free/cheap antivirus programs you guys know of? Is Norton one of them?
I'm sorry if I sound irritable, but I don't like computers very much. I just want to be able to use them without having to play doctor. If I had my way, my ideal computer would probably just have internet access and some way to save reports and pictures.
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385 Posts
I use AVG free, it works pretty well.
I don't think there is a 'best', they all do the same thing. There's only 'works' and 'doesn't work'.
I don't think there is a 'best', they all do the same thing. There's only 'works' and 'doesn't work'.
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53 Posts
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/?mkt=en-us
Seriously. It's free, it's unobtrusive, it's simple to use, and it works.
Seriously. It's free, it's unobtrusive, it's simple to use, and it works.
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767 Posts
all 3 of m y comps have AVG since i had a virus, since i installed AVG. i,ve been virus free.
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281 Posts
I got the same virus. I just reinstalled windows. Takes like an hour, and I have everything backed up on my external hard drive, so it's not even a hassle for me anymore.
I use AVG, Malwarebytes Anti-malware, and Spybot search and destroy. I still manage to get viruses pretty often, and if none of those programs catch it, I just go straight to a reinstall.
I think there's a program called spyware doctor that you can get on the net for ~$30-40 that can get rid of XP Internet Security 2010. I think it can run on like 3 or 5 computers too...maybe your dad would go for that?
I use AVG, Malwarebytes Anti-malware, and Spybot search and destroy. I still manage to get viruses pretty often, and if none of those programs catch it, I just go straight to a reinstall.
I think there's a program called spyware doctor that you can get on the net for ~$30-40 that can get rid of XP Internet Security 2010. I think it can run on like 3 or 5 computers too...maybe your dad would go for that?
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12,772 Posts
I just had this virus not too long ago. It was horrible and I had to wipe everything off my computer to get rid of it! I now use AVG.
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385 Posts
After re-reading OP's post it occurred to me that i had this along with one other like it on my HP mini, it got so bad now it won't boot at all, I get to the 'hit f12 for BIOS' or whatever screen and it re-boots.
It doesn't have a CD/DVD drive either so I haven't quite figured out how to re-install yet. I have a copy of the win-7 professional upgrade, but I've already used it on my main PC, so I don't know if I can use it on the Mini. I'm NOT going to buy another copy.
Hmmm
It doesn't have a CD/DVD drive either so I haven't quite figured out how to re-install yet. I have a copy of the win-7 professional upgrade, but I've already used it on my main PC, so I don't know if I can use it on the Mini. I'm NOT going to buy another copy.
Hmmm
That's my antivirus. No viruses, no spyware, no defragging, no bluescreens ...
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567 Posts
I use avast on my PC and Laptop. avast is pretty good without all the false positives seem in a P2P/torrent environment.
AVG is ok, and I have used it for a while back in the day.
I will NEVER use a symantec product EVER. THEY are always obtrusive/intrusive/HEAVY. I prefer to control my computers. -norton is a syumantec product!
IMO -Aaron
EDIT -Malwarebytes is on my PC's but hardly use it. I also use Ashampoo win optimizer, and ccleaner to keep running in tip-top shape.
AVG is ok, and I have used it for a while back in the day.
I will NEVER use a symantec product EVER. THEY are always obtrusive/intrusive/HEAVY. I prefer to control my computers. -norton is a syumantec product!
IMO -Aaron
EDIT -Malwarebytes is on my PC's but hardly use it. I also use Ashampoo win optimizer, and ccleaner to keep running in tip-top shape.
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