Are the free anti-virus software safe for my computer ?
970475
In my experience, the internet has provided some of the best tools at no cost while some of the well-known costly products perform less than desirable yet everyone still buys them.  The two worst anti-virus products I ever used were Norton and McAfee, which I purchased.  I had some bad free ones too but the one I am very happy with as it does not hog resources, has frequent updates, and provides high level of protection is by Avast.  \n\nThe internet is of course full of snake oil salesmen.  Don't rely on the website peddling the product.  Use known and reputable websites that serve the computing industry (CNET, TUCOWS, MAXIMUMPC) to verify if a product is tried and tested.
24894
AVG from GriSoft has scored well in antivirus tests and is available free for personal use:\nhttp://www.grisoft.com/doc/5/lng/us/tpl/tpl01\n\nThe same goes for Avast!\nhttp://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
777085
Here you have some good and free antivirus programs:\nhttp://askcomputerexpert.ws43.com/download/\nGet one and also an anti-spyware program!
391765
Yeah, it's a crazy world out there. From my personal experience, I have gotten any viruses from downloading free software at download.com. Depending on what you download, you may need the get the latest update for that software, but other than that, you shouldn't have a problem from that website.
1068122
★★★ Computer Security Software & Tips ★★★\n\n◙ The very best virus scanners are free. Mcafee & Norton Antivirus are mostly hype and won't do as good as the free ones. -- About.com & Smart Computing Magazine\n\n◙ Download and install AVG. Use it first and see if it finds any viruses or trojans.\n\n► http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1\n\n◙ After running AVG go here and run this virus scanner online. There is no need to install it on your computer.\n\n► http://housecall.trendmicro.com/\n\n◙ Microsoft's New Live Safety Center. Download this scanner to check and remove spyware, viruses, get rid of obsolete files and junk off your computer, and improve your PCs performance.\n\n► http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm?s_cid=msep\n\n◙ The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers running Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software?including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom?and helps remove any infection found. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. You can run this tool online FREE.\n\n► http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx\n\n◙ Best spyware remover is Ad Aware. Download and install the free version.\n\n◙ http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/\n\n◙ Here is a wealth of information about fighting spyware and spyware producers. Join their free forum for answers to your questions. -- Smart Computing Magazine\n\n► http://www.spywarewarrior.com/\n\n◙ Before downloading email attachments in Gmail and Yahoo Mail click on the link that says, "Scan With Norton Antivirus".\n\n◙ Before downloading any software from the internet type it into http://groups.google.com/ to see if that title is known for spyware or viruses. Google Groups has over 1 billion posts spanning 25 years to help you. Even after checking it there ALWAYS scan it before opening it. You just can't be too careful. -- Smart Computing Magazine\n\n◙ A lot of the download sites like http://www.download.com/ and http://www.tucows.com/ scan software before releasing it to the public. But just for safety sake you should still scan it yourself.\n\n◙ If you have a broadband modem or network router the firewall in these is not as effective as a software firewall. The firewall that comes with Windows XP isn't very good either. Download ZoneAlarm and your system will be a lot safer. -- Smart Computing Magazine\n\n► http://www.zonealarm.com/\n\n◙ Here is a really great article on browser hijacking. This will show you how to get rid of it. There is a tutorial and software to get rid of part of it. You'll need to make some changes to your computer's registry to get rid of the rest of it. Click on the chatroom link on their main page if you need help.\n\n► http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/hijacked/\n\n◙ Here is Yahoo!'s Internet Security section.\n\n► http://security.yahoo.com/\n\n◙ Get more information at these PC Magazine Web sites.\n\n► http://www.pcmag.com/\n► http://www.smartcomputing.com/
273723
AVG is your best bet for free Anti-Virus. Get it here:\nhttp://free.grisoft.com/doc/1\n\nIt's free for personal use.
192222
Yes, some very good free programs are out there.\n\nI have AVG Free Edition from Grisoft, which is a full featured antivirus suite and scanner that uses very little RAM and doesn't slow up your computer noticeably like other big programs like McAfee and Norton.\n\nAvast! AntiVirus is known to look good, but according to PC Magazine (and me), it's not that good for killing some viruses.\n\nAntiVir XP has excellent protection and service, but it does use slightly more RAM than AVG. However, it's detection is slightly better than AVG and much more so than Avast!\n\nUse an antivirus program in conjunction with anti Spyware and Adware programs like AdAware SE from Lavasoft, Spybot: Seach and Destroy, and Spyware Blaster.\n\nYou can find all these programs from http://www.majorgeeks.com
557209
there are plenty of free security software out there for anti virus try\nhttp://www.grisoft.com/doc/1\nhttp://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html\nhttp://www.download.com/Security-Spyware/2001-2023_4-0.html?tag=dir\nfor spyware protection try\nhttp://www.safer-networking.org/\nhttp://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/\nthese programs provide ample protection from any virus,s and spyware you may encounter on the internet\nfor added peace of mind install zone alarm from\nhttp://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp\n      good luck and stay safe
688964
AVG\n\nhttp://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10503939.html?tag=lst-0-2
145499
AVG - http://www.free.grisoft.com/\nAvast! - http://www.avast.com/\nStop-Sign - http://www.stop-sign.com/\n\nAlso check out, http://www.freebyte.com/antivirus/\nhttp://www.thefreesite.com/Free_Software/Anti_virus_freeware/\nhttp://www.thefreecountry.com/security/antivirus.shtml
666334
AVG free antivirus and Lavasoft Adaware , 2 free software i use and computer's been problem free. they're brilliant - i highly recommend - search them out.
581437
If you have an up to date virus checker and a firewall you will be safe.  You may want to avoid dodgy websites like ones which offer free downloads of expensive software, music or porn.
43779
Just use an anti-virus program. A good free anti-virus program is Grisoft's AVG. It can be found at http://free.grisoft.com/
261657
McAfee AntiVirus and Norton Security Suite are both excellent, but they are HUGELY expensive ($100+), and they clog up your computer's speed. McAfee also offers a free standalone tiny antivirus tool called AVERT Stinger, but it's not that great. Don't even bother.\n\nYou can get free antivirus software online, and some of it is very good.  I personally use AVG Free Edition from Grisoft, which uses very little memory and is very good, although it runs an update every day. Other people prefer Avast! Home edition because it looks cool. However, it's really not all that good. Still more people prefer AntiVir XP, which is an EXCELLENT antivirus scanner, but uses more memory than AVG. \n\nHowever, to ensure that your computer is 100% safe, pair your antivirus software with some spyware and adware blockers too. Try downloading AdAware SE from Lavasoft, Spyware Blaster, and Spyware: Search and Destroy. All are excellent and will help keep your computer very safe, all for free. Remember to update them...\n\nAll of the software mentioned can be found at http://www.majorgeeks.com\n\nP.S. JibberJabber is wrong. PC Magazine rated free antivirus suites, and all of them, particulary AntiVir, had excellent catch rates. Although they aren't quite as good as paid solutions, you can use other software in conjunction with your antivirus software to make your PC safe.
748356
Then you will get other free antivirus. Don't worry! Some things will always be free....
1117089
Avg antivirus can be downloaded for free.\nhttp://free.grisoft.com
906045
Here you have some good and free antivirus program:\nhttp://askcomputerexpert.ws43.com/download/\nGet one!