Best free antivirus software - PhotoCamel

JDArt · 12-30-2008

Does anyone use one of the free antivirus programs out there? Would love to hear your opinion on which one is best. I've been using McAfee for a long time, and I've had so many problems with it lately that I'm wondering whether a free program might not be better.

kenwae · 12-30-2008

I've been using free version of AVG (v.eight (Grisoft.com) - works fine.

kohr2000 · 12-30-2008

I use the comodo anti-virus prog now after I stop using the paid AVG for 2years and
avast anti-virus is a good one. Both have a free anti-virus programs as well as a paid one

Park · 12-30-2008

Kim Komando

Mithras · 12-30-2008

The free version of AVG seems to work quite well for me. I found the link on the Kim Komando web site.

Songman45 · 12-30-2008

+1 For AVG free. I don't know how long they will continue supporting the free version. I like it.

JDArt · 12-31-2008

After some research, I loaded the trial version of Bitdefender. I know it's only free for a while, but its footprint is so small and it has already found viruses that other scanners missed that I just might pony up some money for a while.

I was reminded of the value of this software yesterday whan a virus got onto my computer and slowed everything to a standstill. The only thing that saved me was system restore.

TheRileyFactor · 12-31-2008

I was hit by a virus on my laptop yesterday as well... I used a comination of McAffee Enterprise, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (which is free) and Hijack This to get it off. MBAM is pretty good, but you can only scan with it, it doesn't have real-time protection on the free version. Hijack This is a good analyzing tool, but you really need to know your way around your system's registry to use it safely. Although there are a number of sites that you can post the log it creates to and they'll tell you what to do from there. I think I finally got my system clean using those tools though.

Mike_e · 12-31-2008

Eset is a massively terrific AV program! And won't bog you down.

You can try their 30 day trial here ESET - Antivirus Software with Spyware and Malware Protection

Mal-ware and firewall protection are available.

JDArt · 12-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_e

Eset is a massively terrific AV program! And won't bog you down.

You can try their 30 day trial here ESET - Antivirus Software with Spyware and Malware Protection

Mal-ware and firewall protection are available.

How is it that so many companies can afford to be in the antivirus market? Doesn't it take a tremendous staff to research and write code against the virus threats out there?

dmrowley · 12-31-2008

I personally use Avira Antivir Personal which is free....there is a annoying nag screen which pops up once a day, but it can be disabled pretty easily.....(google is your friend). See the AV-Comparatives site for a head to head of all of the AV programs....

swampler · 12-31-2008

I use AVG free as well. Works great and I've used it for years. Now to find out if there's a Linux version!

spystyle · 12-31-2008

"Avast" antivirus home edition

I use it and my customers use it, we are all happy and virus free

Couple it with "SpyBot" and you'll be in business

While you're at it use "CCleaner" to fix your registry once in a while

Also "Diskeeper Lite" to defragment your hard drive

All of the above are free programs that work great.

boatswife · 01-01-2009

Avast user also.

kenwae · 01-01-2009

I'm going to second what spystyle said about CCleaner; a great little program that is free, although you can make a donation to help support them. CCleaner use to be called Crap Cleaner, and it does a good job of removing all the crap that builds up. I use it weekly and routinely remove about 1GB of junk.....

Killjoy · 01-03-2009

I've been using Panda Antivirus. Although it's not free, it's not outrageously priced.
It's done well for me.

bill_w · 01-03-2009

+1 for AVG...

spystyle · 01-03-2009

I've never tried it but I've seen this type of thread come up in different forums. AVG always gets high marks.

The general consensus seems to be that it is the most popular free antivirus. (Though personally I'll continue to use Avast)

Just an observation.

Joves · 01-05-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_e

Eset is a massively terrific AV program! And won't bog you down.

You can try their 30 day trial here ESET - Antivirus Software with Spyware and Malware Protection

Mal-ware and firewall protection are available.

Yeah I have their full sercurity suite. Paid for of course. Im not a fan of either McAffe or Norton. They tend to be resource hogs so I used to deactivate them when I was gaming or, processing photos.

Johnnie · 01-05-2009

Avast User here! and I must say yes to CCLeaner! Great programs and free.

12-30-2008	#1 (permalink)
JDArt Camel Breath Location: Far out, man Posts: 15,710 CamelKarma: 4624 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Best free antivirus software Does anyone use one of the free antivirus programs out there? Would love to hear your opinion on which one is best. I've been using McAfee for a long time, and I've had so many problems with it lately that I'm wondering whether a free program might not be better. __________________ Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member on PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Forum, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more.
	__________________ My free desktop wallpaper.

12-30-2008	#2 (permalink)
kenwae Bactrian Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 1,916 CamelKarma: 7182 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software I've been using free version of AVG (v.eight (Grisoft.com) - works fine.
	__________________ "The mind is its own place and in itself, can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven" - John Milton, Paradise Lost ____ -Ken Equipment Body: Olympus E510, E3+HLD4 Glass: Zuiko 7-14, 14-42, 12-60, 45-150, 50-200, 70-300; Sigma 105, 50-500 Flash: (Fl-50R, Fl-36R)x2 Tripod: Manfrotto 190PROXB w/488RC4 ballhead. Website http://www.kenfieldsphotography.com

12-30-2008	#3 (permalink)
kohr2000 Vicuna Location: Wichita,Ks Posts: 69 CamelKarma: 29 Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software I use the comodo anti-virus prog now after I stop using the paid AVG for 2years and avast anti-virus is a good one. Both have a free anti-virus programs as well as a paid one
	__________________ "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former."- Albert Einstein (1879-1955) 1Ds,1D Mk II,70-200F4 n/IS, 28-135 IS,12-24 f4 ,50 f1.8 http://www.flickr.com/photos/kohr2000/

12-30-2008	#4 (permalink)
Park Guanaco Location: Kansas Posts: 340 CamelKarma: 156 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software Kim Komando
	__________________ If everything would just hold still, I could take a good pic.

12-30-2008	#5 (permalink)
Mithras Guanaco Location: Nebraska, USA Posts: 324 CamelKarma: 312 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software The free version of AVG seems to work quite well for me. I found the link on the Kim Komando web site.
	__________________ "I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it." ~Author Unknown

12-30-2008	#6 (permalink)
Songman45 F1 Camel Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,802 CamelKarma: 8345 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software +1 For AVG free. I don't know how long they will continue supporting the free version. I like it.
	__________________ Have you ever stopped to think and forgot to start again?

12-31-2008	#7 (permalink)
JDArt Camel Breath Location: Far out, man Posts: 15,710 CamelKarma: 4624 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software After some research, I loaded the trial version of Bitdefender. I know it's only free for a while, but its footprint is so small and it has already found viruses that other scanners missed that I just might pony up some money for a while. I was reminded of the value of this software yesterday whan a virus got onto my computer and slowed everything to a standstill. The only thing that saved me was system restore.
	__________________ My free desktop wallpaper.

12-31-2008	#8 (permalink)
TheRileyFactor Guanaco Location: Texas Posts: 306 CamelKarma: 752 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software I was hit by a virus on my laptop yesterday as well... I used a comination of McAffee Enterprise, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (which is free) and Hijack This to get it off. MBAM is pretty good, but you can only scan with it, it doesn't have real-time protection on the free version. Hijack This is a good analyzing tool, but you really need to know your way around your system's registry to use it safely. Although there are a number of sites that you can post the log it creates to and they'll tell you what to do from there. I think I finally got my system clean using those tools though.
	__________________ Canon 20D, Sigma 70-200 F2.8, Canon 24-85 F3.5-4.5 USM, Canon 50mm F1.8, Canon Speedlite 550EX, Canon AE-1, Canon 28mm F2.8 (manual), 50mm F1.8 (manual), 70-210mm F4-5.6 (Manual), Speedlight 199

12-31-2008	#9 (permalink)
Mike_e Vicuna Posts: 92 CamelKarma: 46 Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software Eset is a massively terrific AV program! And won't bog you down. You can try their 30 day trial here ESET - Antivirus Software with Spyware and Malware Protection Mal-ware and firewall protection are available.
Mike_e Vicuna Posts: 92 CamelKarma: 46 Gallery \| Blog

12-31-2008	#11 (permalink)
dmrowley Alpaca Location: Rocky Mount, NC, USA Posts: 42 CamelKarma: 100 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software I personally use Avira Antivir Personal which is free....there is a annoying nag screen which pops up once a day, but it can be disabled pretty easily.....(google is your friend). See the AV-Comparatives site for a head to head of all of the AV programs....
	__________________ Canon Rebel XTi - Canon 430EX Flash - Canon EF-S 18-55mm Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II - Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS Canon RC-1 Remote - Joby Gorillapod SLR Zoom Always happy to accept some Karma.....

12-31-2008	#12 (permalink)
swampler Camel Breath Location: Lebanon, TN Posts: 9,760 CamelKarma: 16244 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software I use AVG free as well. Works great and I've used it for years. Now to find out if there's a Linux version!
	__________________ Steve Middle Tennessee Sports Photos

12-31-2008	#13 (permalink)
spystyle Former Camel Location: Maine, USA Posts: 3,096 CamelKarma: 3200 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software "Avast" antivirus home edition I use it and my customers use it, we are all happy and virus free Couple it with "SpyBot" and you'll be in business While you're at it use "CCleaner" to fix your registry once in a while Also "Diskeeper Lite" to defragment your hard drive All of the above are free programs that work great.

01-01-2009	#14 (permalink)
boatswife Vicuna Location: Sitka, AK Posts: 122 CamelKarma: 132 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software Avast user also.
	__________________ Patty

01-01-2009	#15 (permalink)
kenwae Bactrian Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 1,916 CamelKarma: 7182 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software I'm going to second what spystyle said about CCleaner; a great little program that is free, although you can make a donation to help support them. CCleaner use to be called Crap Cleaner, and it does a good job of removing all the crap that builds up. I use it weekly and routinely remove about 1GB of junk.....
	__________________ "The mind is its own place and in itself, can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven" - John Milton, Paradise Lost ____ -Ken Equipment Body: Olympus E510, E3+HLD4 Glass: Zuiko 7-14, 14-42, 12-60, 45-150, 50-200, 70-300; Sigma 105, 50-500 Flash: (Fl-50R, Fl-36R)x2 Tripod: Manfrotto 190PROXB w/488RC4 ballhead. Website http://www.kenfieldsphotography.com

01-03-2009	#16 (permalink)
Killjoy F1 Camel Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 4,352 CamelKarma: 8811 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software I've been using Panda Antivirus. Although it's not free, it's not outrageously priced. It's done well for me.
	__________________ Some people hunt with a gun. I use a Canon. The Adventures of the Photo Camel My Smugmug page

01-03-2009	#17 (permalink)
bill_w Vicuna Location: Dover DE Posts: 182 CamelKarma: 250 Editing OK?: Ask first Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software +1 for AVG...
	__________________ Bill W - Professional Hobbiest As always C&C welcome and appreciated Nikon D-80 Nikon 18-135 kit lens Nikon SB-600 Flash Sigma 70-300 APO Few other choice Nikon accessories... http://www.flickr.com/photos/delawarebill/

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01-03-2009	#18 (permalink)
spystyle Former Camel Location: Maine, USA Posts: 3,096 CamelKarma: 3200 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software I've never tried it but I've seen this type of thread come up in different forums. AVG always gets high marks. The general consensus seems to be that it is the most popular free antivirus. (Though personally I'll continue to use Avast) Just an observation.

01-05-2009	#20 (permalink)
Johnnie Vicuna Location: Glens Falls, N.Y. Posts: 155 CamelKarma: 31 Editing OK?: No Gallery \| Blog	Re: Best free antivirus software Avast User here! and I must say yes to CCLeaner! Great programs and free. __________________ Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member on PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Forum, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more.
	__________________ Canon 20D / Fujifilm S1000fd Canon EF-S 60mm F/2.8 Macro USM Tamron Di II SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Canon EF-S 18-55mm Calumet Genesis Monolights

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