AntiVirus & Firewall 1

[Daddybambam]

I am currently using “eTrust EZAntivirus and eTrust EZFirewall” from Roadrunner using a high speed cable modem. These are free installs from Roadrunner but I really don’t like how they function. Especially with my E-Mail. Are there any better free downloads out there that are reliable? Thanks for any help.

 

[bcastner]

I have soured on AVG Antivirus and no longer recommend it. I do like these two:

Avast 4:

http://www.avast.com/

Avira AntiVir

http://www.free-av.com/antivirus/allinonen.html

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Users Helping Users

 

[bcastner]

Also, in most cases you do not need Antivirus scanning especially for email.

Your regular antivirus software will scan the email when it is saved and when it is opened. Symantec/Norton notes:

Even though email scanning is disabled, your computer is still protected from viruses. AntiVirus software will scan email attachments when you save the attachment to the hard drive. Antivirus software provides real-time virus protection from any source, including the Internet, and will automatically scan email attachments whenever they are accessed.

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Users Helping Users

 

[linney]

If I remember, eTrust EZFirewall (free) is just a copy of ZoneAlarm? You might find the free ZoneAlarm is updated and fully patched and a better alternative.

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

Maybe "Bcastner" can elaborate on why AVG is out of favor? Plenty of people use the free version still.

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5#avg-free

 

[bcastner]

AVG has four knocks against it from my perspective:

[li] It does not actively update definitions. After its trial period, it is up to the user to remember to update the definition files. Old definition files are worthless. I can no longer recommend antivirus, antispyware, or antitrojan programs that do not automaticly update.[/li]
[li] It does not actively gaurd and scan against viruses. After its trial period, it is a passive scanner. It can no longer recommend passive antivirus scanners other than as backup to an active antivirus scanning program.[/li]
[li] Its definitions updates have slowed to the point where there is often only a weekly update. AVG was late dealing with SmitFraud, late with Zlob, late with VIRUSBURST, and late with Stratton.[/li]
[li] Its site for definition updates, program updates and technical support is often so busy that users cancel out before obtaining updates or support.[/li]


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[dseaver]

If you use AVG Free, not the trial, it updates regularly, and has an active guard and scan feature. I have never used the trial, always the free edition and have been pleased. The only reason I don't use it now is that I have gotten Symantec 10 from work.

 

[linney]

I thought "Bcastner" was talking about AVG free, it seems he is referring to the "trial", which I have never tried. I have to side with "dseaver" on this one as I am a regular user of AVG free and can personally rebut "Bcastner's" first three points.

 

[bcastner]

The number of AVG AV disgruntled Security MS-MVPs is growing. I read this from PA Bear (Robear Dyer) this morning:

AVG is no longer as robust/dependable as it once was. I would recommend uninstalling it via Add/Remove Programs and then replacing it with another AV app. If cost is a factor, here are two free ones: Avast4; Avira AntiVir.

I recommend downloading the installer for the new AV app then remain offline while you (1) uninstall AVG, (2) reboot, (3) install the new AV app, and (4) reboot.
_________________
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
Aumha VSOP, Admin & Moderator; MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security & Shell/User) since 2002

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Users Helping Users

 

[linney]

He must be a recent conversion?
"I'm still kinda irked that AVG (Free, at least) v7.1 isn't offered the update to v7.5 via the auto-update".

http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?p=130269&sid=a01911adb83c7db13558f973218fa25f

There is a warning that version 7.1 is to be discontinued from the end of this year and that you should take some action. AVG try to sell you their non-free version on this warning page, but a visit to

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5#avg-free

will give you the latest free version.

At least I agree about his NOD32 recommendation.

 

[bcastner]

I first saw his comment about AVG about two weeks ago; he has repeated it several times. In the post you liked Robear comments:

<IMNSHO>
Recent developments have led me to conclude that I can no longer recommend using AVG Anti-Virus (Free or paid), so I strongly suggest that you replace it. AVG just isn't cutting it these days.

If cost is a factor, here are two free ones that are much more robust than AVG: Avast4; Avira AntiVir.

When it comes to paid AV apps, NOD32 can't be beat in my book.
</IMNSHO

He does not like the false positives; the fact that their recent removal measures have not worked -- which they blame on new 'variants'; the update frequency; and the suspicion that the party is over for the freeware version.

There are better freeware alternatives in Antivir and Avast. The cost of paid subscriptions if you shop carefully is quite modest. In the USA CompUSA had a fully version of Kaspersky for free after rebate last week. (This weeks its $19.99).






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[guitarzan]

bcastner,

I know the OP was asking for free alternatives, but your statement is a little unclear.

I have soured on AVG Antivirus and no longer recommend it

Now in all fairness, you are not talking about AVG Professional, correct? In fact, I don't think you're even talking about the free version!!!

If you're talking about the Trial versions, well, they're trial versions! They should be used temporarily, and when they expire you can't really expect them to work! You should pay for the Pro version, get the free version, or look elsewhere for a solution. I think their popups are pretty clear about what's going on!

Now, if you WERE talking about AVG free:

It does not actively update definitions

Yes it does.

It does not actively gaurd and scan against viruses

Yes it does.

Its definitions updates have slowed to the point where there is often only a weekly update

Not in my experience, but if this is the case, I would agree that this is unacceptable.

Its site for definition updates, program updates...

I agree that slow update servers in the free version has always been the downside to the Free version.

... and technical support is often so busy that users cancel out before obtaining updates or support

There is a free forum (

http://forum.grisoft.cz/freeforum/)with

fairly good support, based on my experiences.

 

[linney]

Each to his own. I'm not here to defend AVG, it is purely a matter of personal preferences. The first option I disable in any Virus Scanner, is any automatic cleaning and removal of any found virus. Next background scanning is set to the default files, and manual scanning is set to all files.

I don't know any security software that hasn't produced "false positives", these things happen, but how many people go the extra step and inform the company about such a discovery?

I'm am lucky in so far as I have never had any virus infection ever, mind you I like to think that is more due to my surfing behavior than any virus scanner.

 

[smah]

I haven't been happy with what I've seen with AVG free either. For free Antivirus software I recommend and (and use) Avast. Even though the interface is odd, I'm happier with the performance.

 

[allteltec]

I like what I have seen of the new 7.5 free AVG, I have it running on so old 733 win98Se, very low over head, A lot of AV's don't surport 98 now. I had to remove McAfee 4.51 no suport and a totle system hog. I have to run win98Se because of software that will only run on 98. I have AVG Pro on my Bert CD and have run it on some very highly infected Pc's 1500+ Viruses where I could compare McAfee, Fproc, Kaspersky, Nod32, Bitdefinder and AVG, I have found that most times it preforms equally will. What is the best AV today will miss something tomorrow. And if a PC is very badly infected no one AV is going to find them all. What one AV misses a differt AV will pickup. "Only one installed AV please. Note I am runing the AV's from a Bert boot CD." I see a lot of people let there pay AV's run out but think thay still have pertection, with the free AV's at least thay should still be geting updates.

 

[linney]

Is the free AVG AntiVirus going away?

http://windowssecrets.com/comp/061116/#langa0