Can anybody reccomend a free antivirus/spyware program that is safe and reliable?

Question

Dont want pc tools or AVG,just something decent basic and reliable and easy to use.many thanks.I have Windows XP home edition.Do I have to uninstall the old Antivirus before I load up a new one?And please it must be,I dont want to get conned again.

Answer 1

For antivirus- AVG free isn't bad, but if you want a different program, try Avast or Activevirusshield from AOL- it's written by Kapersky and has a really high detection rating.

For Adware, Lavasoft's Ad-Aware SE is free.

You should always unistall your existing Antivirus software before installing a new one. Otherwise your old AV may interfere with the install process and really screw things up.

Spyware/Adware cleaners are a different story- for those, it doesn't hurt to have more than one.

Answer 2

Here is a list of some great free antispyware :

1. Windows Defender (real time protection)
2. Spybot Search and Destroy (real time protection)
3. Adaware SE Personal (no real time protection but great)
4. avg antispyware free (no real time protection and not so
so good.)

Here is list of some great free antivirus:

1. AVG Antivirus Free ( has spyware detection also. dont belive
me, read avg antivirus free user
manual.)

Answer 3

I have used AVG Anti Virus, Zone Alarm Firewall, Spy-bot Search and Destroy and Ad Aware both spyware killers for years. They are all free for personal use and I have had no trouble with Viruses Trojans etc. AVG does not slow the system down as much as some other products and Zone Alarm allows a lot of personal configuration unlike the Windows Firewall. They can all be downloaded from the following link. http://www.computeractive.co.uk/... On the home page select downloads and then the appropriate category.I also use Windows Defender from the Microsoft site. It is safe to use two anti-spy products but never use more than one A/V as it can cause conflicts. You should run A/V and anti spy weekly. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I've been using Spybot. While it doesn't run in the background and constantly monitor your computer, it catches everything when you update regularly and do a scan once a week (it's what I do.) It also comes with a host of tools like being able to control what programs run at startup, registry checker, a file shredder, process list, and Immunization, which keeps you from getting most malware and spyware. It's much better than Windows Defender (WD doesn't cathc HALF the stuff!)

Answer 5

AVG always comes out the top free anti virus program,as for spyware Adaware or Spybot,check out the most popular downloads at below links.

Answer 6

To remove spyware,there are many solutions exist, all of them with their own strengths and weaknesses.So which anti-spyware is the most suited for your system? You can find out by reading in-depth reviews and comparisons of TOP 5 anti-spywares... some really great tips and links to Spyware removal programs.
Top 5 anti-spywares reviews,comparisons and download links on
http://www.spywaredetectors.info
You can download and scan your computer for free.

Good luck!

Answer 7

go to www.grisoft.com download avg antivirus free and also avg antispy they both free well they have free verison just down sides to it is they dnt automaticly do updates no more since they kicked of the newest verisons the first of the year. but AVG I use it and love it real simple user friendly and works betta then norton internet security suite which i hate and is complicated to use. so yea there is ur answer. THX.

Answer 8

Here are a list of products that you can use.

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 )

Answer 9

yes you must uninstall first ,do this either by selecting uninstall in the menu or goto control panel click on add/remove programs scroll dowmnto the anti-virus click remove then restart your p.c.
you could try microsoft onecare 90 day rial or free:
avast
comodo

Answer 10

For spyware I'd recommend LavaSoft's Ad-aware
and spybot search & destroy

For anti/virus I use avg but I also use Trend Micro's online housecall service.

Why don't you want to use AVG?