Spyware, viruses, & security : What is the best FREE Anti-spyware out there?
What is the best FREE Anti-spyware out there?
by cindersga - 2/19/08 1:01 PMI am looking for some free anti-spyware/maliousware programs. I have the free AVG one and I purchased Fix-It 8.0. My kids are always on MySpace and iTunes and they both seem to screw-up my computer and make it very slow and unresponsive. Any help here would be appreciated. Thanks. Cinders
There are many recommendations
by roddy32
- 2/19/08 1:43 PM
In reply to: What is the best FREE Anti-spyware out there? by cindersga
in the Welcome thread stickied at the top of the forum.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6132_102-0.html?forumID=32&threadID=238606&messageID=2432058
Free Spyware
by cindersga - 2/21/08 7:36 AM In reply to: There are many recommendations by roddy32
Thank you Roddy. Cinders
no such thing as a best free antispyware
by alice_b0wie - 2/19/08 4:17 PM In reply to: What is the best FREE Anti-spyware out there? by cindersgai would say a-squared free is one of the better choices. and if you're using avg antivirus, i'd throw that in the trash and use avira anti virus. if you want to purchase an antispyware, which is better than piling 10 free ones on your hard drive that do absolutely nothing, spyware doctor is one of the better ones. unless you have an old outdated computer that runs the old outdated XP. i found that spyware doctor out performed norton antivirus. spysweeper is another good one, it's about $10 less, but i'm sure someone will respond with all the free antispyware programs. i've found they're all outdated and really haven't kept up with the new malware.
id rather spend around $100 for a top of the line security suite and one of the best antispyware programs than take a chance on having my identity, bank accounts, credit cards, etc. taken over and lose thousands. to me, free isn't the way to go.
i really didn't answer your question, sorry. but out of the free security programs, i'd chose avira antivirus and a-squared free, and zonealarm firewall. after 4 years of this i've settled on my security. i run windows vista home premium, i use kaspersky internet security and turned up most of the settings. i run spyware doctor in real time with it and spysweeper doesnt start up but does a daily scan. i have a-squared free i run once in a while, window washer that cleans on start up and perfect disk that defrags and cleans up once a day. this could all change tomorrow if i get bored, but for now my computer runs perfect. another recommendation is bit defender 2008 internet security. $40 is an excellent price...
Free AntiSpyware
by cindersga - 2/21/08 7:53 AM In reply to: no such thing as a best free antispyware by alice_b0wieAlice - I did just install AVG so what I hear you saying is ditch it for the free a-squared right? Also, I do have an older computer and I do have XP. So, since I have both of those obstacles you are saying that spyware doctor won't work??? I'm not against spending money to protect but, I have been told why buy when you can get it free. I'm not computer savvy but, I do want to protect what I have. Okay you purchased Kaspersky internet suite, spysweeper and spyware doctor right? These all work together??? You also use the free version of a-squared and is window washer and perfect disk free also or are they part of you paid products? What all does bit defender 2008 do? I am really ignorant at this so I know there will be lots of peeps out there laughing at me right now.
Alice was dead wrong...
by pro2go - 4/12/09 2:32 PM In reply to: no such thing as a best free antispyware by alice_b0wieAs is true of anyone "in the know" about todays home computer technology. Simply stated, use peoples' opinions, try different programs and decide for yourself. People like Alice talk in "absolutes". As we all have seen, AVG Free 8.5 has taken the lead over not only being the most effective free anti-virus/anti-spyware software, but has been rated by several very reputable review sites as being incomparable.
Should you use a second or third layer of anti-spyware? Sure. One day these people will stop mucking about and put all pernicious programs into one category and stop creating "suites". When that day comes we will know that the developers who stop using "we need this for that, and that for this" have knuckled down and made the smart choice for the future. What do I mean? I mean that the creators of Operating Systems such as Windows, Mac, Linux etc. will create their own pre-installed "all-in-one" security program that will cost us all a modest fee per year to fund the updating of the innoculations.
So. Having said that, we are all fair game for "this is for that, and that is for this, marketing. But always keep in mind that a person who tells you outright DO NOT USES AVG or any other program with such passion, they are usually very naive about security and the Internet in general. Am I naive? NO! Am I absolute about my opinion of others? Absolutely! lol Meaning-----read, research and test and allow the "absolutists in computer technology" to voceferiously try and direct to or away from a security program----pride goeth before the fall. As I said, AVG Free 8.5 came out after this person told you to stay away from AVG----they are eating crow now. lol
Fix-It 8.0?
by Carol~ - 2/19/08 4:21 PM
In reply to: What is the best FREE Anti-spyware out there? by cindersga
Cinders..
Is the Fix-It 8 you referred to the same as Avanquest's "Fix-It Utilities 8 Professional"? (I don't see just Fix-It 8) On the outside chance it is the same one you bought, it's described as being integrated with anti-virus and anti-spyware tools. The only reason I mention it is because if you have AVG (Anti-Virus) and Fix-It 8 Professional it would mean you have two A/V's installed. Something that's not recommended and could cause a problem, if you have both running at the same time.
A lot of "if's" ... but thought I'd ask "just in case"..
Carol
There are many choices Cinders see list.
by darclew3 - 2/19/08 4:44 PM In reply to: Fix-It 8.0? by Carol~
There is Spybot S&D v1.5.2, another is Ad-Aware 2007 v1.0.2.6 and there is one from Comodo BOClean 4.25 Anti-Malware. Their lastest firewall, Comodo Firewall Pro, has the other built in it. All four are on my computer. For the Updates for Spybot and Ad-Aware 2007, they are here in this forum listed so you won't miss those but Comodo's automatically updates and the Firewall will tell you there are updates available.
Another that is free on a trial basis is Grisoft's AVG Antispyware and it has Grisoft's AVG free Antivirus and that automatically updates. I am planning to purchase the AntiSpyware from Grisoft. There are many choices. Darrell
Choices
by cindersga - 2/21/08 7:58 AM In reply to: There are many choices Cinders see list. by darclew3Will these work with the Avanquest Fix-It-Utilisties 8.0 professional that is installed on my computer?
Yes 8.0
by cindersga - 2/21/08 7:55 AM In reply to: Fix-It 8.0? by Carol~
Yes, you are correct. So I need to ditch the AVG and maybe use something else or do you think Avanquests 8.0 is good enough for anything that would come my way?
Fix-It 8 Pro and AVG running together not recommended..
by Carol~ - 2/21/08 3:15 PM
In reply to: Yes 8.0 by cindersga
Cinder..
"More is better" doesn't hold true in the case of running two A/V's at the same time. The same with firewalls. It could very well be why you've experienced a slowdown. (Not necessarily, but it could be) Read THIS post. It's a simple to-the- point explanation of why it's ill-advised.
"So I need to ditch the AVG and maybe use something else or do you think Avanquests 8.0 is good enough for anything that would come my way?"
If you paid for it, I would wait and see if you get any responses to the post where you asked about it. I'm not familiar with it at all. Only on a personal note, I tend to shy away from software which proclaims to "do it all". If reviews make a difference to you, here's one. When making your decision, I would also look into the quality of their "support", considering how little I found out about it. It may seem like an insignificant consideration now, but won't be if you run into a problem in the future. (FWIW .. I see Avanquest has a small forum, but fail to find a sub-forum for Fix-it)
Best of luck to you..
Carol
More is better...
by cindersga - 2/22/08 9:34 AM In reply to: Fix-It 8 Pro and AVG running together not recommended.. by Carol~
Carol thanks for your wealth of knowledge and websites. I have printed out the post since it is 15 pages long to go over and study. I appreciate all help as I am so computer illiterate. You are right I have not had much support from Avanquest. I asked them several times about my pattern files being out of date with this 8.0 and couldn't get them updated. Finally, without any word from them, my pattern files were updated. Surprise Surprise!
Cinders
FixIt Utilities uses the TrendMicro ...
by Edward ODaniel - 2/22/08 11:23 AM In reply to: More is better... by cindersgaantivirus and anti-malware.
Both are relatively easy on "system resources" and other than the large size of the signature updates have no real "cons" to hold against them.
If you already have them installed use them. If, after using them, you don't like them for some reason download ANY of the freeware AV products such as Avira or AVG or Avast then DISABLE or uninstall the Antivirus services FixIt provided then (after disabling or uninstalling) install the free one you want to try. If you don't like it try another until you find one YOU like and are comfortable with - what others swear by you might well end up swearing at!
You're quite welcome, Cinders..
by Carol~ - 2/23/08 5:11 PM
In reply to: More is better... by cindersga
Cinders..
You'll find many of the members willing and eager to help. Don't ever hesitate to ask a question, no matter how 'silly' you think it is. We've all been there at some point.
When you said you had AVG and Fix-It, I should have made sure you meant AVG anti-virus and not AVG anti-spyware. If it is the anti-virus you have installed, you're going to have to make a choice between the two. For the time being, what you might try doing is disabling Fix-It. Enable AVG and see how you feel about it in comparison to Fix-It. (There's no need to uninstall either yet, as long as both are not running at the same time) Once you make a choice, uninstall whichever you don't wish to use. If for some reason, you should decide you no longer want Avanquest's Fix-It and you bought it within the past 90 days, according to their website there's a money back guarantee. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page) Both have their advantages. In the end, it's going to have to be your choice. Please remember whichever you choose, it's imperative you keep current with the updates.
Lastly, at CNET's Computer Newbies Forum, there's a long thread title "A Few 'Tips' For Computer Newbies" at the top of page. It contains a wealth of information. (I'd think twice about printing it out, as you did the other. If you thought that one was long .. this one will be printing all night!)
Furthered good luck..
Carol
Made some changes!
by cindersga - 2/24/08 6:26 PM In reply to: You're quite welcome, Cinders.. by Carol~
Okay Carol I did uninstall the AVG as I do have the Fix-It and it has been longer than 60 days. I did take in the forum on the antispyware/malware. I decided to install Spybot S&D which is very busy right now finding lots of serious threats. I also installed adaware and will run it after Spybot gets done.
Thanks for the hookup on the newbie forum. All this is so helpful to me. I may not understand it all but I am gleening so much. I'm trying to remember how I even found this site. I think I did a search for free virus/spyware/malware and came up with the MajorGeek site. I am so thankful for it! Thanks again. Cindy
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
