free antivirus help

[gordoncbrown]

Hi, AVG is coming up with wanting a payment , for some reason. Any one know how to get rid or better free av software. TIA

 

[scotjimland]

or better free av software

wait for the avalanche of suggestions..

I use.. and recommend
Microsoft Security Essentials

I have no other anti-virus program .. and in the past five years no problems

 

[Yorick]

I worked for McAfee for 8 years and can categorically say "Do not use Microsoft's own AV stuff"

I personally use Avast and have been happy with AVG in the past

 

[Yorick]

wait for the avalanche of suggestions..

I use.. and recommend
Microsoft Security Essentials

I have no other anti-virus program .. and in the past five years no problems

No problems that you know of.

 

[scotjimland]

No problems that you know of.

correct..

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[Bailey58]

MSE for me too since I dropped Norton ages ago. No known problems? How do we know there's no known problems with anything we use until they go wrong? 5 years is good enough for me backed up with Malwarebytes, CC and Spybot.

 

[scotjimland]

I personally use Avast

However, do note that Avast requires a free registration to function after 30 days, and the default installation installs the Chrome browser unless you uncheck it. Also, note that the OpenCandy advertising component is integrated into the Software Updater tool in Avast. More information about OpenCandy can be read Link Removed. Thus, if a user selects this option during the install they will end up with OpenCandy on their computer. My advice would be that if you want to install Avast you should not use the Software Updater tool.

Link Removed

 

[Yorick]

I used to test our product against all the competitors' against a huge array of viruses so am well aware of the good ones and bad ones.They all do these tests.


But Windows is full of holes and vulnerabilities which hackers attack. So it's not good sense to put your faith in a safety product written by the same people

If MS's own AV product worked OK, they would just make Windows 100% safe. It doesn't so they can't.


It's all very well saying nothing's gone wrong yet, but it's a bit like saying riding a motorbike without a helmet hasn't killed me yet.

 

[scotjimland]

@Yorick Thanks for the advice.. and noted ..

just find it annoying that an anti-virus program has a default to add Chrome and OpenCandy .. this will catch out the less wary ..

 

[Yorick]

@Yorick Thanks for the advice.. and noted ..

just find it annoying that an anti-virus program has a default to add Chrome and OpenCandy .. this will catch out the less wary ..

I know. When I updated Adobe the other day, there was a default option to install some McAfee software. Very naughty

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[scotjimland]

I know. When I updated Adobe the other day, there was a default option to install some McAfee software. Very naughty

also noted that.. and you have to untick the box.. .. it caught me out .. once ..

 

[Yorick]

also noted that.. and you have to untick the box.. .. it caught me out .. once ..

It's naughty that we used to guard against PUPs and they chuck one in by the back door.

 

[pappajohn]

It's easy

Open the link and study the page.

Your free versions licence is coming up for renewal and the page includes a download option for free avg again.

You don't have to pay anything.

 

[Bailey58]

Often caught out by Adobe and McAfee when I forget but doesn't take long to uninstall.

I've had things gone wrong with my motorhome, something happens you deal with it. Peugeot/Bailey made the thing, they deal with the ongoing maintenance. If my pc was breached every day of the week I might look elsewhere but I'm happy with my protection.

 

[Lenny HB]

Hi, AVG is coming up with wanting a payment , for some reason. Any one know how to get rid or better free av software. TIA

Sounds like on one of the program updates you accidentally downloaded the trial version of the paid version.
Uninstall AVG, download and install the Free version.

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[pappajohn]

Default options pay their wages so of course they will add a pre ticked link to other products.

No different to Jim putting a forum link to his books except he would have to pay himself for allowing it.

 

[scotjimland]

anti-virus programs are probably the hardest programs to uninstall and successful get rid of all the registry entries, files and other bits and pieces.. the files are protected.. even with admin privileges, they can't be deleted..

try unistalling Norton, McAfee,Avast etc etc etc ... and see how hard it is.. most require a specific removal tool .. and even after using it you may still find traces . Even using Revo-unistaller doesn't get rid of them 100% ..

a list of tools .. http://kb.eset.com/esetkb/index?page=content&id=SOLN146

I'll stick with MSE and Malwarebytes..

 

[scotjimland]

Reviews of free anti virus programs Link Removed

 

[jollyrodger]

Nod 32 works for me