Avast...

[bigred1970]

yes avast is nice, I have been using it for years. :-$

[jonesey2k]

Just as long as you disable the American who tells you that your database has been updated (No disrespect!)

[Paul K]

Is it better than Grisoft's AVG, or would it be an idea to have both of them ?

[TSR2]

I hate to burst the bubble, but you get what you pay for (in the AV world anyway).
The idea behind these free products is to try and build up enough of a client base so that the creators can flog it to one of the big companies further down the line. You have to ask yourself, who in this day and age make something and give it away for free? Do they not have overheads to cover? Example being what happens if the 5 guys who make the product decide to go on holiday for a week.

Sure they may well have fuller versions of the product that are payware, but how many are going to buy it?
The computer protection market is a mature market, and all the products do fundamentaly the same thing, its just a case of finding one you like.

So, as CB also said...

At the end of the day, I wouldn't use a free AV program as you get what you pay for but if it's a free one you want then go with the above suggestions.

Its fine if you don't have the cash for a good payware av program at the moment, but when you get the cash, get a decent one.

[delticbob]

Bob,

As far as I know the free home version is only an antivirus

Not sure if this comment is aimed at "hinch" who queried if the Avast software was anti-virus only or not, or to me about my comments.

Certainly I do know its avnit-virus only - but thanks for the prompt anyway.

As well as Avast (anti-virus) I now use the freeware Ashampoo Firewall, also mentioned in the post that prompted me to look around.

This 'all change' was brought about cos my subscription to Norton expired & (again) comments on here seeme to suggest that Norton - as good as it is - is a flawed product.

Certainly in the few weeks I have been using Avast/Ashamoo I have had several anti-virus database updates & my computer has yet to die or screem

Bob

[Charlie Bravo]

I hate to burst the bubble, but you get what you pay for (in the AV world anyway).

Together we will convert them all

[ianhind]

But even something free is better than nothing at all.

That's the problem with the subscription model - when it runs out people can't be bothered (or don't want to pay again) and hence continue to use signatures way out of date.

But Vista is supposed to be so secure that you won't need a virus checker - or at least won't be able to buy an addon that works (see complaints from antovirus companies).

[Charlie Bravo]

Indeed it is but as for those that can't be bothered or don't want to pay, they are the ones that will find themselves paying to have their PC's fixed when things go wrong.

[speedbird591]

Here's a preview of what Microsoft have up their sleeve. It's called Windows Live OneCare and is available now as a free trial for US residents only.

http://www.windowsonecare.com/purchase/ ... =mscom_dlc

It contains AV, firewall, anti-spyware, back-up and defrag programs all running in the background and updating itself.

Pause ....... whilst CB chokes on his supper

BTW - this hasn't been mentioned as an AV solution. Most of us use Zone Alarm firewall. Over a year ago I added on the AV option for less than £20 and it integrates seamlessly with the firewall interface and gives real-time protection with background updates and scans. I recently had to renew my subscription and it was only £12 for the year. It's caught a couple of email viruses for me but nothing's got through. I don't know if CB has heard anything negative about it, but it's served me well.

Ian

[Charlie Bravo]

I've never used Zone Alarm but I've heard of a few people getting rid of it in favour of alternative programs.

Personally I don't use firewall software as I'm behind a router but I do use NOD32.