What's the best and cheapest Anti virus software and where do I get it?

Answer 1

I use all of the following Free software with Windows XP SP2 and Internet Explorer with MSN toolbar and the pop-up blocker turned on and have never had a single problem with my computer sense Microsoft came out with SP2. (knock on wood.) (And be sure to keep Windows and the following software Updated)


The best Anti-virus is: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. (www.grisoft.com)

The Best Spyware defense is: SpyBot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html)<--English version

AND: AdAware SE (www.lavasoft.com)
AND Spyware Blaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.info/kb/)
The best Firewall besides the one that comes with Windows is: Zone Alarm (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/co... or just (www.zonelabs.com) and select the FREE version.

These are all FREE and are all that are required. There is no reason to pay for this kind of software, except to give a donation to the writers if you can.
ALL the above programs are recommended and should be run on a regular basis. With some the free versions they must be run manually.

The best way to avoid getting any Malware (virus, Trojan's, spyware, etc) is to practice safe computing. Microsoft and many others have countless articles on the subject of safe computing. (something I think should be taught in schools)

for further information on computer safety. http://all.net/journal/50/cybercop.html
And here...
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses/zombies_and_botnets.mspx

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

Answer 2

Norton anti-virus is probably the most commonly used software for this purpose, However I would suggest a webroot spy sweeper. It not only detects spy-ware and ad-ware but it also notifies you of any virus, worm, trojan horse and numerous other threats to your security.

Answer 3

I think Nortons is best value for money. Only problem comes when reinstalling your computer - sometimes you have to ring symantec to get your license code cleared or it doesnt register a 2nd time.

Steer clear of Mc Afee (unless you enjoy reinstalling your computer and tackling viruses and spyware head on)

Zone alarm is also supposed to be good but when i tried it it was so secure i couldnt even get onto the internet (homepage is yahoo)

There are others that are supposed to be good but never tired them.

Answer 4

I have Norton Systemworks, then I had AVG. A really bad virus got through Norton with no problem, so I deactivated the Norton, and installed AVG, that didn't do the trick, so I got rid of that. I asked a friend of mine who builds and works on computers in his own business, and he suggested this....

http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

Problem easily solved.

Answer 5

the best anti-virus program is f-secure anti-virus for these reasons
1.dosent slow down your p.c(like norton/macafee)
2.scans for viruses,spyware,rootkits
3.you get latest virus news to your desktop
4.fast scanner
5.on demand scanner
6.real-time i.e sheild blocks b.h.o,s browser hijacks,active x instalations#
you can try it first by going to http://www.f-secure.com/download-purchase/list.shtml.

the free alternative is a choice of 2........1)avg anti-virus avalible from http://www.grisoft.com/doc/289/lng/us/tpl/tpl01 and 2)avast anti-virus avalible from http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html.

these both are very good virus scanners and will protect your computer,but i would recommend you add 2 anti-spyware programs for full protection
spybot avalible from http://www.safer-networking.org/ is a brilliant anti-spyware program and cleans _protects your computer
ewido avalible from http://www.ewido.net/en/ is a new and very popular program and works well with spybot
finally lavasoft adaware avalible from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ is a adware scanner and is very good at finding them nasty programs that are responsible for pop-ups
if you havent allready you should also install the yahoo toolbar,not with anti-spy but for the pop-up blocker ,you can find this at http://uk.toolbar.yahoo.com/.
all these programs can be installed and do not conflict each other(proof:i have used them for 2 years,except for ewido but no problems reported)
good luck

Answer 6

Everybody who thinks Norton is the best.... LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT COMPUTERS.....
Norton isn't the best... they don't find all viruses and as a customer you don't get enough help ( I read somewhere...)...
I use Kaspersky... There isn't a better one...
I once tested the difference between Norton, Kaspersky, Hitman and I believe Google Pack....
Kaspersky is the best followed by Hitman, Google pack and as last Norton....
I'm sorry for the people who believe in Norton but I think it's pure crap...

Answer 7

AVG Free anit-virus. Get it from download.com

Also add: (all free)
Ad-aware from lavasoft.com for anti-spyware
Microsoft Defender from Microsoft.com to guard against future spyware infections
ZoneAlarm from download.com for a firewall

Answer 8

I looked into this recently and of the reviews I've read (see example below) AVAST comes out on top over AVG (though AVG also rated highly). I've downloaded AVAST and seems to work like a dream.

http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,113462,00.asp

Answer 9

Well...i don't like Norton.
You'll be fine with Kaspersky® Anti-Virus 6.0 it's very nice.
Go to http://www.kaspersky.com/products to learn more about it.

Answer 10

Try AVG anti-virus...its free and pretty good!!