My antivirus software expires in 12 days, but I resent paying for it again! Anyone know of a good free programme? Cheers!

AVG is free and does the job well enough.

I use AVG and have for ages.

Other which I know people would recommend include
Avast
Microsoft Security Essentials
Aviri
Comodo

Also think about ZoneAlarm as a firewall but note that if running windows 7, some of the mag reviews recogn the built in firewall should be adequate

Advice on FREE antivirus programs can be found in the pages of computeractive or websuer magazine (or their wesbites) on a regualr basis

You get nothing for free, nothing thats any good anyway.

Invest £8 in Kaspersky internet security 2012, you can get it from ebay from some reputable sellers, just make sure you check them out proper if you buy from ebay especially with it being internet security.

If its just basic web browsing you do and checking email then a free one will probably do, they are free for a reason as they are very basic.

ive used the free version of AVG for the last 5-6 years now and ive never really had any problems with viruses.... Infact i ran a virus scanner for the first time in about 12 months last week and only found 6.

AVG

We got free Microsoft Security Essentials after our McCrappeeAffee expired, would recommend.

The free ones don't scan for anywhere near as many virus's as the paid ones do, thats why its free, its just a sample to try and get you to buy their full versions which scan for all the latest vurus's which the free ones don't cover



Just because the free one only picked up 6 things it doesn't mean your pc is clear of virus's, its only scanning for the things that they programme the updates to scan for.

If the free one did everything they would go bust as they wouldn't be able to sell you there full versions as you wouldn't need them.

Its ok.... i work in IT and i 'borrowed' a good virus scanner



if the day ever comes that the free version of AVG starts letting lots of crap through, then i may consider buying something.... or 'borrowing' one from work anyway.

Which is pretty much what the magazine review expert keep saying.......dont pay for soemthing when you dont need to. A lot of these FREE progams do infact do as good as job as the paid for anti-virus software. The companies expect normally members of the public to use these free programs and then to recommend the company to "their IT people".

The companies make their money by selling packages WITH EXTRA ADD-ONS commercially to bigger organisations. Add-ons which the average man in the street does not need.

Thats why i pointed out above that for basic web browsing and just checking things like email then a free one is probably ok, if your doing other things that come with a bit more risk of getting a virus, trojan or a key logger being installed then you need good protection.

A lot of people do various downloads these days and they always come with a risk, anything you download has a risk especially if you its non microsoft or similar.

avast is great.

I've tried various of the paid over the years and TBH they slow the computer down far too much.

Also install "Spybot search and destroy"
and "Malaware bytes"

As belt and braces

Agree 100% with this.

x 2

Avast is very good - but it depends on what you're looking at

Your avatar

Sounds like Rob downloads a lot of porn.

Ive tried, i really have. Its just i couldn't find any decent Les Boyd wire downloads.

Avast and Malwarebytes is better (yes i said it) than most of the paid ones, I promise! Get these three programmes and you should never experience a problem.

No offence to Rob but he is exaggerating the truth. The free ones are just as good and better in some cases. Also, many virus software companies have a much different business plan than the one rob suggests. They prey on big companies and idiots to buy expensive and (some might argue) unnecessary software.

I'll send you a link...

As above. I would throw in Comdo Firewall, too.

Spot on jd rocket.

It makes me mad when i'm in a computer shop seeing people be fleeced for expensive anti virus software that they just don't need.

A Mac.

The best anti virus!!

:38ikj6o9

I realize it is a fishing trip but:

:38ikj6o9

If you honestly believe the reason for buying a mac is cause you don't want to get three free pieces of anti-virus software, you're an idiot.

Reasons to buy a mac include)
Having more money than sense
Having your brain removed
Trying to be 'cool' by doing what the web designer, failed writer and web designer are doing.

and, by far, the most expensive. Hardly the 'free' the OP was asking for.