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Technical Help & Discussion => Broadband, Networking, PC Security, Internet & ISPs => Topic started by: mistybear on June 01, 2010, 08:43

Title: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: mistybear on June 01, 2010, 08:43
I have been using Avast free anti-virus and have been quite happy, but it seems to be time limited and I'm sick to death of the constant reminders that it's about to expire.
So today it expired and when I tried to download and install it again, it disappeared?? I'm taking that as a hint that I shouldn't re-install it as it will only give me the sh**s further down the track.
I don't really want to go back to AVG, as it gave me the proverbial....... as did Malwarebytes

I've had a look on FileHippo and there doesn't seem to be much choice??

I have Ad-Aware and A-squared, but I want something that runs in the background and keeps me safe. Actually, if you can suggest one that is clean and tidy, I'll marry it.  ;D
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Simon on June 01, 2010, 09:31
Lol!  Is this on XP, Kate?  If you had Vista, I'd say to try Microsoft Security Essentials, but I'm not sure it runs on XP.  Are you sure you installed the free version of Avast, and not a trial?  I was under the impression that the free version was free without time limits. 
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Rik on June 01, 2010, 09:45
Hi Kate. :)
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: mistybear on June 01, 2010, 09:50
Hi Rik.  :-*

Yes, XP on my PC and Windows 7 on the laptop.

I'm trying to download it again as the earlier tries ended with an empty file?

I'll have to restart to see if it has worked this time, but I'm waiting for A2 to update, takes foreveeeerrrrr.

Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Rik on June 01, 2010, 09:51
0 bytes? Odd... You could try the MS offering on the lappy.
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: mistybear on June 01, 2010, 10:03
Avast had a installation log which I looked at, about 1000 pages of error code 00000 and something about failing to install.

I'm going to run HijackThis and see what's going on. This is running at snail's pace and A2 failed to update fully as well.
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Rik on June 01, 2010, 10:05
Happy hunting. :)
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Simon on June 01, 2010, 10:27
Try a scan with Super Anti-Spyware?
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: mistybear on June 01, 2010, 11:20
Okay, nothing nasty.

And if I had of paid attention to what the avast installation was actually doing, I would have realised that it was UNinstalling it first....so when I went looking for it, I couldn't understand why it wasn't there.  :blush:

It's now installed, and it is the FREE version.

So let's just pretend that this thread doesn't exist and I'll crawl away very quietly, and no one will know I've been here......  :shh: 
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Rik on June 01, 2010, 11:21
 ;D
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Camstop on June 01, 2010, 11:25
I seem to get on ok with Avira Antivir (http://www.free-av.com/en/download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html) and it mostly just sits in the background.

The only thing is it sticks 1 pop up add on each day at a certain time but you just click it off and soon get used to it.

Im sure there would be a way of disabling the add but i haven't looked into it.

Another essential is CCleaner (http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner) is you haven't already got it.  
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Simon on June 01, 2010, 11:29
Hi Cammy, how you doing?
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Camstop on June 01, 2010, 14:22
Hi Cammy, how you doing?

All fine in cam-land Si.

Did you ever change your mobile?

I think the best thing is to buy, then not look for 18 months  ;D
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Rik on June 01, 2010, 15:02
It's the only way, Cammy. That or we lock up his credit card. ;D
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Simon on June 01, 2010, 15:08
Still got the BlackBerry at the moment, but always looking.  :devil:
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Rik on June 01, 2010, 15:12
Re-arrange these letters into a well known brand name, CHT. ;D
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: chorleydave on June 01, 2010, 15:55
I seem to get on ok with Avira Antivir (http://www.free-av.com/en/download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html) and it mostly just sits in the background.

The only thing is it sticks 1 pop up add on each day at a certain time but you just click it off and soon get used to it.

Im sure there would be a way of disabling the add but i haven't looked into it.

Look here. (http://www.elitekiller.com/files/disable_antivir_nag.htm)
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Clive on June 01, 2010, 17:01

So let's just pretend that this thread doesn't exist and I'll crawl away very quietly, and no one will know I've been here......  :shh: 

Anyone seen Kate today?   :dunno:
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Rik on June 01, 2010, 17:10
Not me.  :o:
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Simon on June 01, 2010, 17:26
I thought I heard something, but it couldn't have been her.  ;D
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Camstop on June 01, 2010, 18:34
Look here. (http://www.elitekiller.com/files/disable_antivir_nag.htm)

Thanks Dave  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Baz on June 02, 2010, 13:50
free ones I would say Avira like Cam said it just sits there.my son and wife have it on there laptops.

me I have NOD32,have done for years but you need to buy that.mines up for renewal this week.£17 ish for a year.not bad  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Rik on June 02, 2010, 15:31
Cheaper if you take out longer or multiple licences, Baz.
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Baz on June 02, 2010, 22:32
thats it Rik  but it seems to have stuck around this price for the last two renewals for me, 1 licence
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: mistybear on June 03, 2010, 16:44
0 bytes? Odd... You could try the MS offering on the lappy.

Oh, I forgot about the lappy. Well, not forgot about it as I'm using it........   :sigh:

What was the MS offering, Rik?

I have Avast on this as well. It did come with a free Norton Subscription which I couldn't get rid off, but Michael found a way of stopping it in start up.


I seem to get on ok with Avira Antivir (http://www.free-av.com/en/download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html) and it mostly just sits in the background.

The only thing is it sticks 1 pop up add on each day at a certain time but you just click it off and soon get used to it.

Im sure there would be a way of disabling the add but i haven't looked into it.

Another essential is CCleaner (http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner) is you haven't already got it. 

 Hi Cam, thanks for those. I have CCleaner, downloaded the latest version the other night.

Haven't tried Avira, but it sounds good. Avast has a pop up thing every time it updates, which is everyday. It annoys me on the laptop as I haven't figured out how to turn the sound off. "Virus database has been updated". It's a female with an American accent, grrrr.
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Rik on June 03, 2010, 17:02
What was the MS offering, Rik?

I think it's only available with Vista & 7.
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Camstop on June 03, 2010, 20:58

 Hi Cam, thanks for those. I have CCleaner, downloaded the latest version the other night.

Haven't tried Avira, but it sounds good. Avast has a pop up thing every time it updates, which is everyday. It annoys me on the laptop as I haven't figured out how to turn the sound off. "Virus database has been updated". It's a female with an American accent, grrrr.

 ;D

I don't remember clicking the "pop up" today so i'm assuming Dave's instructions on disabling it worked  :thumbs:


Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: davy51 on June 04, 2010, 04:23
I use online armour which includes anti virus and firewall
Backed up by Malwarebytes and Super anti spyware

They seem to do a fantastic job
Title: Re: Recommend for a Anti-Virus program?
Post by: Simon on June 04, 2010, 08:28
Rod may disagree with you there, Dave.  :)