[kwachowski]

I have been using AVG anti virus protection for the last two years. It is a free download and it works great. As of June 1st we have to start paying to use it. Does anyone know of any anti virus that is free and works good?

[784caroline]

You can still download the AVG 8.0 Basic for free. You can down load it from the Cnet web site or go directly to the AVG site. I just did it directly from the AVG site. YOu have to remove your AVG 7.XX version but AVG 8.0 does this automatically. Here is the link

http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download-...s-free-edition

AVG 7.XX worked great but the jury is still out on the Free AVG 8.0 version. I am having some trouble with the scheduler and it always appeasr to be running and slowing down my computer..but still not certain of this. ONe thing I did notice is that AVG 8.0 basic finds ALOT of SPYWARE on your computer that are not virus infections but AVG categorizes these as Warnings and you can clear them fairly easily. Great product for a great price.

[golfpro]

Just so you know, AVG and the free ware you get on your computer when first purchased, is only good in protecting when you use Internet Explorer as your browser. If you use something better, like Mozilla Firefox, AVG et al will do you no good.

My cable company includes McAfee security with my subscription to the internet.

But, in general, freeware for security is - you get what you pay for.

[zcaveman]

I went from Norton to AVG 7.5 Free to AVG 8.0 Free. AVG 8.0 took over 3 hours to scan my computer compared to 45 minutes with AVG 7.5 and if you read the write-up the email scanning is only good for 30 days on AVG 8.0. I then tried Avast which has no scheduled scanner and gives false readings on some internet sites. I am now back to Norton.

My findings is that you don't get what you don't pay for.

[Muncle]

http://www.komando.com/downloads/cat...x?cat=Security

Kim's got a couple antivirus programs and other security downloads here. I think most of it's free and she quasi-endorses them.

[784caroline]

Having used both AVG 7.5 and 8.0 over say 3 years..my initial thoughts are I much rather AVG 7.5. REASON..the scheduler. I have it to Auto start at 2 am and 7.5 always followed the program, but 8.0 starts when I start to work at 8am and defintely slows me down. I think the problem is the program will not engage when your computer is a sleep as it would be 2am in the morning. so to get over this "anoying" problem, I just pause the AVG program and restart it when I go away from the computer but it is a problem. The good thing is AVG 8.0 does identify alot of spyware and tracking cookies on your computer. Here is hoping that they resolve the scheduling issue

AS far as McAfee..I would not give you a plug nickel for that program....it practically stopped my computer from working and i was never comfortable with it.

[travelstiles]

I have to agree about McAfee - it's really ineffective and difficult to remove all elements of it whe you replace it with another software. Removing Norton was also a pain, as it seems to infiltrate everything on your computer once installed, so you need lots of patience if you switch.
I've been using Avast! Home edition (free) and find it to be great. Here's a helpful site link with forums for all kinds of computer/software questions:
http://www.computing.net/
You can search any software for your operating system and all the faqs will be listed, or ask specific questions in the forums.

[JohnN]

I used Trend-Micro, which costs $40 but amazon.com (and other sellers) frequently have a $40 rebate , so basically free. I think it works pretty well.

[renielarson]

I use AVG on my laptop that I use when traveling (and since I'm here in TV for the summer, I have my laptop). I couldn't justify paying Norton a second fee to protect my laptop since I only use it about 10 weeks a year.

However, on my PC at home I only trust Norton. I think it's worth it's weight in gold. It hasn't let me down yet!

[zcaveman]

I have Norton NIS 2008. It covers up to three PCs for the same price. With the rebate I think it was about $40.

[renielarson]

zcaveman

I have NIS at home. Where do I find the offer you have?

[barb1191]

I had used AVG V7 and loved it. Then when I upgraded to V8, it took hours to scan, literally about 8 hours. Uninstalled AVG and returned to Norton.

Don't know what happened to AVG V8, however, read comments of others having the very same problem as I had.

barb

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by brightspot01

zcaveman

I have NIS at home. Where do I find the offer you have?

If you have NIS 2008 it says it on the box. If fact, My NIS 2006 had the 3 PC sharing offer.

[renielarson]

Well, that tells me why I wasn't offered it.

My NIS came with my new Dell...a trial period then an offer to extend.

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by brightspot01

Well, that tells me why I wasn't offered it.

My NIS came with my new Dell...a trial period then an offer to extend.

If it is NIS 2008, you might want to call DELL to see if it covers more than one PC.

OR bring up Norton, Go to the NIS tab, click on Norton account and sign in and check your Product. Mine says up to 3 PCs.

If it says 3 PCS, did they send you the installation disk with the DELL? All you need is the disk and your product key and you can install it on your laptop.