Can anyone help or make reccommend suggestions about anti-virus software or spyware, etc. (I know very little about technology!) I know I had the AVG free trial but it expired. I don't necessarily mind paying for a service, as long as it is reputable.
I currently have some kind of bug, trojan, or virus (just throwing words out there!) that prohibits me from using search engines online. Whenever I click on a link that comes up as a result, I am automatically transferred to another "phishy" looking search site or ebay site.
Can anyone offer advice, tips, or empathy? I would appreciate it! Being a college student, it's frustrating not to be able to use search engines (like when I have a 20 page paper due Monday!) ;)
Thanks all!
2007-06-23 23:14:43 · 11 answers · asked by Courtney B 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
I have active virus shield. It's free and works well. You can download it on line.
2007-06-23 23:22:39 · answer #1 · answered by deacon 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You must have had a trial edition of AVG Pro. Grisoft also distributes a completely free version also. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but the price is right. You'll find it on their website at grisoft.com.
If you are willing to spend a little money, I personally prefer and use Symantec Antivirus. Keep in mind, though that after the first year it will also expire. It will still run, it just won't update with new definitions until you pay to renew.
Other protection to look at is anti spyware/adware. I like AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy, both of which are free downloads and never expire.
2007-06-23 23:23:29 · answer #2 · answered by John E 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I use NOD32 as antivirus, AVG Antispyware and ZoneAlarm as firewall. I fully recommend them all, but there must be other good programs.
Anyway, for the time being you might want to go with Ad-Aware (free for personal use) http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html, AVG Antispyware (if this is not the one that expired) and run scans in Safe Mode.
If nothing works and the problem still persists, maybe the only solution is to reinstall the system formating the hard drive. After that install some good protection. (antivirus+antispyware+firewall)
2007-06-23 23:26:19 · answer #3 · answered by adi 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many Internet Service Providers offer there version of this type of software for free with your subscription to there service. They work very well.
However if you do not have this option both McAfee, and Norton are very good, a little pricy in my mind but non the less they are good. The downside to there use is you have to renew there service every year.$$$$$
I would first check with your providers via there site and see what they have to offer for free ( using there service) so it's not really free.
Don
2007-06-23 23:24:30 · answer #4 · answered by Don M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think u should try Kaspersky anti-virus its like the first or the second best anti-virus program.
but u know what.. the best way to get rid of viruses is to format your hard drive. then install the windows and all the stuff again and an anti-virus software to prevent from getting viruses in the future. coz what i know that when u get a virus and it messes up your computer, some of it stays there, or it goes away with an anti-virus but its effect stays. with formatting u get a clean new computer.
2007-06-23 23:44:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you need firewall & antivirus,for firewall i can recommend zonealarm or eset smart security(still in beta test but very very good).
From a recent test at www.virus.gr, the top 25 anti-virus programs, in virus detection rates "in the wild".
(free programs are noted in ()s.)
1. Kaspersky version 6.0.0.303 - 99.62%
2. Active Virus Shield by AOL version 6.0.0.299 - 99.62% (free)
3. F-Secure 2006 version 6.12.90 - 96.86%
4. BitDefender Professional version 9 - 96.63%
5. CyberScrub version 1.0 - 95.98%
6. eScan version 8.0.671.1 - 95.82%
7. BitDefender freeware version 8.0.202 - 95.57% (free)
8. BullGuard version 6.1 - 95.57%
9. AntiVir Premium version 7.01.01.02 - 95.45%
10. Nod32 version 2.51.30 - 95.14%
11. AntiVir Classic version 7.01.01.02 - 94.26% (free)
12. ViruScape 2006 version 1.02.0935.0137 - 93.87%
13. McAfee version 10.0.27 - 93.03%
14. McAfee Enterprise version 8.0.0 - 91.76%
15. F-Prot version 6.0.4.3 beta - 87.88%
16. Avast Professional version 4.7.871 - 87.46%
17. Avast freeware version 4.7.871 - 87.46% (free)
18. Dr. Web version 4.33.2 - 86.03%
19. Norman version 5.90.23 - 85.65%
20. F-Prot version 3.16f - 85.14%
21. ArcaVir 2006 - 83.44%
22. Norton Professional 2006 - 83.18%
23. AVG Professional version 7.1.405 - 82.82%
24. AVG freeware version 7.1.405 - 82.82% (free)
25. Panda 2007 version 2.00.01 - 82.23%
2007-06-23 23:27:07 · answer #6 · answered by MH 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AVG is free and should not expire. It will get out of date if you don't have automatic update selected. One of the best on the market that has excellent support is TrendMicro. I recommend it as a purchase type and have had nothing but outstanding results. Can't say the same for the two that are highly advertised.
2007-06-23 23:22:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Anyone of the top 5 will do the trick. Download a free trial of each and run it for a few weeks. Pick the one that works best for you. They will all stop viruses.
2007-06-24 00:35:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
most virus are spread through IE. IE is not a safe browser.
you should use a more secure browser to protect your PC from virus. i recommand you to use firefox with Google toolbar.
firefox can block any any popup and disable any virus and adware, spyware on webpage, so, firefox is much safer than IE browser.
as you know, most of virus spread throught internet and webpage.
besides, firefox is much smaller than IE, so it run faster than IE. download firefox for free, Just have a try:
http://www.securebrowser.info/firefox/
Good Luck !
2007-06-24 00:11:28 · answer #9 · answered by lili s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really need a combination of firewall, antispyware and antivirus to get the most protection possible but first you need to clean up the existing malware on your computer. Follow these steps.
Firstly update and run your anti-virus product. You can also run a free online scan as well as some malware can actually corrupt or disable your resident security products. Here are a few online scans you can run:
Trend - http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
Panda - http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ActiveScan.htm
Norton - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym
Second download, update and run scans using the following products:
SuperAntispyware
http://superantispyware.com/
Spybot S&D (free version requires manual updating)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
AVG AntiSpyware
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tpl/v5
Adaware from Lavasoft (free version requires automatic updating)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php
(These programs can be run in Safe Mode after downloading and updating)
Third, after cleaning your system, disable System Restore, reboot and re-enable System Restore when you log back on. This will clear the malware that may still be lurking in System Restore, which could be reinstalled should you need to rollback at some point. Additionally, a reboot may be required to complete the malware removal process.
Lastly, you may also want to install the following tool. It is free and requires you to check for and enable updates manually once a week or so. It uses no system resources.
SpywareBlaster (inoculates, not a spyware removal tool)
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
================================
If you cannot get it removed after the above, you may want to join a tech group that specializes in providing manual instructions on malware eradication.
Free technical help forums
AumHa Forums
http://aumha.net/index.php
Bleeping Computers
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/
Spybot S&D Forums
http://forums.spybot.info/
Lavasoft Forums
http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/
Spyware Info Forums
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=79038
GeekstoGo
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/forums.html
=========================
Afterwards, here are free security products for your consideration (note, some are duplicates of the above)
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall
http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
Kerio Free Firewall
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Home-Home-Office/Sunbelt-Personal-Firewall/
(Note: Use only one firewall)
====================
This is free and requires you to check for and enable updates manually once a week or so. It uses no system resources. It blocks spyware before it installs.
SpywareBlaster (inoculates, not a spyware removal tool)
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
====================
SuperAntispyware
http://superantispyware.com/
Spybot S&D (free version requires manual updating)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
AVG AntiSpyware
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tpl/v5
Adaware from Lavasoft (free version requires automatic updating)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
(These programs can be run in Safe Mode after installation and updating)
Note: Adaware2007 for Vista is not due to be released until August 2007)
=====================
ATF Cleaner (An easy program to use to clear all old history, cookies, Java cache, etc.)
http://www.atribune.org/content/view/19/2/
=====================
AVG 7.5 AntiVirus (Vista Compatible)
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
Avast Home Antivirus (Vista Compatible)
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
AntiVir PE (Vista Compatible)
http://www.free-av.com/
( Note: Only use one anti-virus product. Running more than one can cause conflicts thus rendering each ineffective.
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/2000031316555206 )
2007-06-23 23:19:57 · answer #10 · answered by MLM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋