[efreak1]

I have just removed Norton Antivirus (Came with my laptop as a free trial) from my system because it took up to much system resources.

I know that it is good to have some sort of antivirus program, so I was wondering what the best free antivirus program is that doesn't take up to much memory.

I have Windows Vista.

Thanks,

efreak1

[bloodboughtme]

Welcome efreak1 :) In my humble opinion, I would say that AVG is a very useful, user-friendly AV.

[coastie65]

Hi, Well I guess that is a matter of personal choice for the most part as you will all kinds of answers. personally I use Avast! www.Avast!.com . I find it to be non intrusive and it is a very good app and FREE. We have a lot of members that use and recommend it. Another good app would be avira which is also free. I have used AVG, but I don't think it is as good as what I'm using now and you won't see a lot of recommendations for it here. coastie65

[SnyperTodd]

+1 for Avast! I have tried most of the free ones and some of the paid ones, and I stick with Avast. There are some people on here who prefer Avira, but I hated the popup every morning that had to be closed when I tried Avira. The only downside with Avast is the free version doesn't include a scheduler, so you'll have to start your system scan manually.

[mphenterprises]

Hi efreak. This question has been asked many times within the Forum. It would be in your best interest to check out the Privacy & Security Community of this Forum for a better idea of what applications have been recommended. Click on the link in the previous sentence to go to the section.

[lexon]

Linux is the best anti virus program. Been using it for over five years.

lexon

[SnyperTodd]

He's already got an OS.

He's looking for antivirus.

Thanks anyway...

[snorg]

bloodboughtme said:

Welcome efreak1 :) In my humble opinion, I would say that AVG is a very useful, user-friendly AV.

AVG does not have on access protection like avast does.

avast is the best.

[bloodboughtme]

I personally have not tried avast. By far, I do not think that AVG is the best, I was simply saying that it is easy to use . Since it comes so highly recommended, I will definitely take a look at avast.

[Flashorn]

Hey efreak !!


Now that you have removed the Norton suite from your PC, did you

or did some one recommend you use their removal tool to completely

eliminate the residual files left on your PC. IF you haven't done this cleanup

I would stongly suggest you download and USE this tool BEFORE you

add or install any other AntiVirus program. Otherwise, you will have problems

installing any other AV, free or otherwise. You can download from this link:

Norton Removal Tool . Once on this site, please take

the time to read the warning for the other programs that this tool will also

remove. IF you don't have any of those programs installed on your PC then,

you have nothing to worry about. Just run the appropriate tool from the list.



As for the free av programs , I run and have been running Avira AntiVir in

XP and Vista for the last year . Am very satisfied with this AV.

Avira AntiVir Antivirus version 9 for personal use . Please use the

.exe which is the 28.61MB file. It's the easiest to install which is a self installer.



You would also need a Firewall to protect your PC. In Vista you can disable the

default Firewall and replace with one of your choosing. I use and have been using

PC Tools Firewall Plus Free version .



For the AntiSpyware protection , I would suggest you use the Paid Version of

SUPERAntiSpyware for it's real time shields

which is what I also use .



These are only suggestions but, are also a place to start. I can only recommend

what I have been using and comfortable with .



FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
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[Grr8008]

Avast! works for me, after all, it's free!

[efreak1]

Flashorn, I used the Norton Removal Tool to delete it from my system.

[coastie65]

Hi, OK. It would be a good idea to go to www.CCleaner.com and download, update, and run that to make sure your system is clean before installing another AV program. coastie

[SnyperTodd]

AVG Free version does have on-access protection, but it is lacking a rootkit scanner.

[coastie65]

personally, I would consider a combo of Avast! with the paid version of SUPRantispware for over all real time protection. coastie

[drmsucks]

Another vote for Avast! Relatively light on resource use, rootkit protection and spyware/adware protection, as well. I've used it on both XP and Vista for a couple years now and never a hiccup - or infection!

I also run Clam AV on demand, periodically (remember - DO NOT run more than one real-time AV program at a time).

For anti-spyware, I use the Avast! protection plus Windows Defender and Spyware Terminator - all real-time; it is suggested, and recommended, that a couple different anti-spyware programs be used real-time, different from the recommendation for AV programs.

Further, I use Malwarebytes (Free edition) and SuperAntiSpyware (Free) on demand, monthly, or so. And, for further peace of mind, I use Spyware Blaster which uses no computer resources and is also free; just remember to manually update it every couple of weeks.

Best of luck!

[coastie65]

drmsucks said:

Another vote for Avast! Relatively light on resource use, rootkit protection and spyware/adware protection, as well. I've used it on both XP and Vista for a couple years now and never a hiccup - or infection!

I also run Clam AV on demand, periodically (remember - DO NOT run more than one real-time AV program at a time).


For anti-spyware, I use the Avast! protection plus Windows Defender and Spyware Terminator - all real-time; it is suggested, and recommended, that a couple different anti-spyware programs be used real-time, different from the recommendation for AV programs.


Further, I use Malwarebytes (Free edition) and SuperAntiSpyware (Free) on demand, monthly, or so. And, for further peace of mind, I use Spyware Blaster which uses no computer resources and is also free; just remember to manually update it every couple of weeks.


Best of luck!

Hi, A lot of us around here use a layered approach and recommend it. I have Avast! and Webroot Spysweeper doing the real time work. I also have SUPERantispyware & Malwarebytes installed for additional scans. Spysweeper was free as it came with my service, and is the full blown deal, not some abbreviated version. You seem to be layered pretty deep, which is good. coastie

[Flashorn]

Hey efreak !!



That's the first step . Now I would recommend you download and run

this file cleaner ATF Cleaner by Atribune . It works well in Vista.

It is a .exe so, there is no install. Download here : Please download by Atribune.

Just make sure to Right Click on the .exe and chose the entry for :

"Run as Administrator" . As a matter of fact, in Vista , you should Always perform this

action whenever you are to either run a third party application or are ready to install

a new program .

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!



Next I would recommend you do a "Defrag" of the Hard Disk. Ths will only help

with the install of a new AV. This job I relegate to :

JKDfrag by Jeroen Kessels . Again , this is a .exe and do not

need an install. Just don't forget to Right Click and choose the "Run as Administrator" .

Download from here :
|JkDefrag-3.36.zip|Download for Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista/2008|479kb|




You are now good to go. Whatever AV program you choose to install , always use the

Right Click action and choose the "Run as Administrattor" in Vista or your install will

fail or you will get a error message stating that you need Administrator Rights to

perform this Action .



Either Avast or Avira will keep you well protected . I would also recommend you buy

the SUPERAntiSpyware subscription for your "Real Time" protection.



Don't forget the use of a Firewall. There are not too many Free Firewalls for Vista but,

the one I recommended still is. As all New firewall goes, there will be a Learning period

where the Firewall will ask permission for every application that uses the Internet . This

will be annoying for the first week or so but, should decrease dramatically as time goes by.



AVG Free will no longer be Free after the 14th of April . They have been sending messages

to that effect to all of the AVG Free users so, be forewarned.



If you have any questions then , we are only a few clicks away .



FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

[drmsucks]

@Coastie - I used Spysweeper a number of years ago on multiple computers and was satisfied with the program; but, I quit using it a couple years ago or so because it seemed to become "bloated" and adversely affected performance.

I'd recommend that you add SpywareBlaster to your arsenal! (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html)

[coastie65]

Yeah, I did to and dumped it for pretty much the same reason. When I went to Verizon FiOS and chose MSN, I clicked on the safety button on the header and there was Webroot. It was FREE so thought I would try it as AVG had gone to version 8.0 and I was not a happy camper with that. It is much better than I remember and is resource friendly and non intrusive, unless you get slack on your scans. It will pop up a balloon and remind you that it has been 2 weeks since your last scan. :p They have added 10 shields as well, including keyloggers and Hijackers. I am pretty pleased with it this time around. Spyware blaster is a good recommendation from what I know. coastie