Is there any free of charge anti-virus program? 1

[grofaty]

Hi,
I would like to download/install anti-virus program for Windows XP. I have found there is AVG program from

http://free.avg.com/

but it prevents usage in company (free only for private home use). But I need free anti-virus for my company PC. Is there any free or open-source antivirus program that could be used on any PC (also companies PCs).
Regards

 

[Diancecht]

Looks like ClamWin is the most popular, but I don't know how it works.

Cheers,
Dian

 

[kjv1611]

Installing Windows Defender would help - it's free from Microsoft, regardless. There is no paid version. It's installed by default, starting with Vista.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[kjv1611]

Though, thinking about this, if it's for a business, price should be your least concern. You want to make sure you have the best protection you can afford.

You might want to look into Eset Nod32, maybe just get their whole security suite. I think it costs around $50 for an annual subscription. Well worth it for a business, I think. At $50/year, that's just over $4/month.

And frankly, if you can't afford that as a business, then you may be in the wrong business. Nothing personal with that remark, as I don't know you. That's just common sense, I think.

Besides, if that computer is solely for your business, then you should be able to deduct the costs (or some portion) from your income taxes. And that's assuming you're in the U.S., of course.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[grofaty]

Hi,
as I see ClamWin is not on-line scanner:

http://www.clamwin.com/content/view/35/27/

So if infected file is opened/executed then this anti-virus is unable to detect it.

Any other anti-virus scanner that would protect from viruses with on-line scanner?
Regards

 

[sggaunt]

But I need free anti-virus for my company PC.

You have only one PC ?
If so then it is indeed a very small company, and as we all know there is a global ression.


Steve: N.M.N.F.
If something is popular, it must be wrong: Mark Twain

 

[kjv1611]

Try looking here to get some ideas of what is/is not available:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Also, what are your business needs overall? Do you need certain software to run, or are you just using the PC for web browsing, documents, etc? If the latter, you may can just go to a Linux Distro, which would be less prone to virus attacks (by nature of MS holding something like 98% of the market), and then there are at least a few free-regardless AV programs, such as Clam-AV. Matter of fact, there is a TON of free software, period, with Linux.

Here's some things I'd suggest sticking with Windows for:
[ol][li]You HAVE to use MS Office, and can't use another Office Suite - You might could run it under Wine for Linux, but I've never tried.[/li]
[li]You have a printer/scanner combination unit which MUST work with this computer, particularly if it's not an HP unit... even if HP, you may have issues - depends upon model.[/li]
[li]You run Quickbooks[/li]
[li]You have some other specific hardware requirements... really, you won't know for sure about the hardware until you give it a try..[/li]
[/ol]

I will say for sure, Windows is the flat easiest overall OS to work with. Since Windows 2000, most hardware, you plug it in, and it works. Even hardware you have to install a driver for, it's usually a quick download from the manufacturer, a couple clicks, and you're in business.

However, if Linux recognizes all of your hardware, and covers your needs, it's a very nice setup as well. The only problem (same with a Mac) is it doesn't have the resources and market presence of Microsoft, so there will be times when you'll find something just won't work with Linux.... at least, so long as you don't want to program drivers yourself.

The good news with Linux is that your MUCH less likely to get any virus activity at all. Most viruses won't do a thing on Linux, even if they get downloaded onto the computer, b/c the programming is mostly for Windows, and is able to execute across different operating systems.

And I wasn't being harsh when I mentioned that if you can't afford the AV program, then perhaps you're in the wrong line of business. I meant that as sincerely as I can. Antivirus software is like healthcare insurance. You are MUCH better off with it, and in my opinion... in our day... it may be more important, business-wise. The reason is that if you have ANY financial/private/sensitive data on that computer of any sort, and no AV, you're just asking for it. You NEED to find the funds somewhere to get it done right. $50 or $100 per year may seem like a large one time investment. But that's probably no different than your monthly internet access bill.

So, with all of that, perhaps you need to make sure you have the right tool for the right job. I'd seriously go through these questions:
[ol][li]Do you really need a computer to do the work of your business?[/li]
[li]Do you really need Internet access on that computer? If you can do without Internet access on that machine, and it's a small business, where no 3rd party would hardly be near the computer, then you may not hardly NEED any security - though I would at least still install Windows Defender and something like ClamWin.[/li]
[li]How much is your personal/business information worth? Is it worth protecting? Do you have banking account info on your machine? What if someone hacks into your system with a rootkit or worm or something, steals your info, and electronically debits funds from your bank account(s)?[/li]
[/ol]

What I'm talking about here is seriously considering your situation: what are your needs, and what are your resources? If your resources are that limited, from a business perspective, then you should REALLY be careful in defining wants vs needs.

Here's a thought: If you don't need Internet Access on that computer, you could cut off the Internet access completely, then do all your banking in person and/or via telephone. That'll save you more than the cost of the Antivirus software, anyway, and there won't be practically any risks of infection.

Also, if you DO need Internet, make sure you have these in place:
[ol][li]A fire-walled router, not just the cable/dsl modem to your computer. Without a router, you're a sitting duck.[/li]
[li]A software firewall - at the very least, be sure Windows Firewall is enabled.[/li]
[li]At least one Antivirus program with real-time scanning/protection enabled.[/li]
[li]At least one antispyware/antimalware application. Windows Defender does some of this; and it's free, regardless.[/li][/ol]

And if you're really in a hardship with your business, and you want to meet license agreements, and all that, try calling one of the AV providers. They might tell you to just use the personal license. After all, the business ones are really meant for companies of at least 5 to 10 computers, at least that's what it looks like. Here's an example:

http://www.mwti.com/mwscnew/mwti_products_buy.asp?check=1&id=ES-AVM&users=1&years=1&mproducts=

Otherwise, look through the ads for your local stores, for things like Symantec Norton or McAfee, or whatever else. There are sales on those all the time, and you can probably find coupon codes as well.

Here's one example (actually 2, but one link) where the business license is for a minimum 5 computers:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...060350377 1233014135 1179212225&name=Business

On G-Data's site, they have listed Medium sized businesses, but don't even list small businesses:

http://www.gdata-software.com/

Also, here's a deal for AVG antivirus and antispyware in one box, 2 year license, $19.99, at Amazon. It's the "Standard" edition for one computer. I believe you'll be totally legit there, licensing-wise. At least, that's what it looks like.

http://www.amazon.com/AVG-Anti-Viru...0/ref=dp_return_2?ie=UTF8&n=229534&s=software

That last link would put you at $10/year for protection on one computer, covered for 2 years.






--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[manhunter2826]

The other important thing to realize is this. If indeed you do have a number of PCs (even a very small network) and the network picks up a virus which floods the network and gateway, and starts throwing up unnecessary traffic (which some viruses do), then some ISPs will cut you entirely off from any Internet/web access. Whether they are legally allowed to do this I do not know, but I have seen this happen in a few educational establishments.

Essentially I am trying to reiterate what kjv1611 has most sincerely said that "if you can't afford the AV program, then perhaps you're in the wrong line of business". Just taking a different tack, that's all.