Question for the computer-savvy

[X The Hierophant]

A quick question for you computer savvy guys...

I have been using Trend Micro's PC-Cillin in the past for my virus scanning, and it has just expired.  I have enjoyed the program, but don't feel like shelling out the $$ for the renewal every year if I can avoid it.

I also have been using Adaware and Spybot for spyware and they are both free and work great.

My question is this:  is there any good virus scan software out there that is free and works great?

Any suggestions?

[theebaldguy]

Avast! is one - www.avast.com

AVG is another - www.grisoft.com

There are others as well.

[andrew]

I've had very good luck with PC-Cillin too.  While I'm not crazy about paying a yearly renewal fee, I've gotten away pretty cheap by not buying the renewal through Trend Micro, and instead just buying a brand new 3-pack every year on Ebay for about $25.  Includes software and subscription for 3 computers.

I've not used AVG but did use Spybot for a while and wasn't crazy about it.  It kept missing spyware that eventually caused some big problems. 

[X The Hierophant]

Thanks for the advice guys 

Is Avast or AVG any good, or am I just asking for trouble and just need to fork up the $$?

[VFRWolf]

I use AVG, have for a few years.  Like you I got tired of paying a yearly subscription.  AVG had kept my PC's clean as any of the big name virus scans.

[frostillicus123]

I've played with AVG and done a lot of crazy things like upgrade from windows xp to vista..... with AVG and the only thing that happeend was AVG broke..... do that with norton macafee or pc-cillian and you are looking at a blue screen or a broken upgrade

[Medic aka Rocko]

While I'm not really computer savvy, I use AVG at home and at work.  I too got tired of paying for subscriptions and upgrades.  I used to use norton, and after putting on AVG, the computer runs faster, in my opinion.

[X The Hierophant]

Thanks again guys.  That settles it.  I am removing Trend Micro's PC-Cillian, and reactivating my windows firewall and downloading/installing AVG.

Thanks again for the advice 

[Bald_freak]

Thanks for the advice guys 

Is Avast or AVG any good, or am I just asking for trouble and just need to fork up the $$?

Avast works better than Norton at least. Last time I had my PC worked on the tech installed it for nuthin and haven't had any problems since. Except for the random pics of naked midgets that randomly appear on the screen from time to time. Once a year you go to Avast.com and renew it for free.

[champ007]

Hey X, sorry for the delay but just saw this post. I advise any home user to use AVG Free. They also have a rootkit that will check strings in your registery for potential trojans/worms that could be dormant. Some have "triggers" that put them in motion, so its good to check every now and then. You will also see a anti-spyware that runs about 45days, which if you suspect something you can download and run a check, its a full version but limited to 45 days for free. The free site is www.free.grisoft.com
Also, if you suspect you might have something clogging your system you can get Zone Alarm Firewall free. This program runs along with the windows firewall without interference. It will ask "everytime" a program wants to connect to the internet, which you can allow or deny, and can tell the program to always use the action you chose. A great tool for finding a suspected problem. www.zonealarm.com

Also, there is a nasty program out there called Brave Sentry 2.0. It will appear by your clock and tell you it has detected pieces of spyware on your PC, do not  click the balloon. This program runs in the background even in safe mode, best solution is to format and start over. One issue is if you do not have a restore CD and use the restore from the D drive, Brave sentry will also infect the restore files. Make a System restore CD of your system. I cannot say it enough that you need to backup your important files regulary.

Your friendly IT guy.... 

[Tyler]

I like to use Clam Win (http://www.clamwin.com) as my virus protection software.  It's open source, so it's free!