OT....Antivirus software??

AVG from grisoft. Their paid and free versions are great.

Hairy,

you could try "PC Tools AntiVirus"

they also have a free version that i think is good value

www.pctools.com/anti-virus/

I agree with choosing AVG over Norton. We have had AVG find a new virus before Norton, and Norton can clash with certain programmes. Do AVG still do free version for new downloaders? They were going to abandon the free version.

Try Avast home edition, free and very good, I use it on all my systems and installed it on dozens of others
www.avast.com

Requires free registration and email address to be sent the reg code to, you have to re-register once a year to maintain using it.
Shane

I was running norton until it ran out a couple of weeks back. It used to take longer for the computer to start because norton liked to do some sort of check on all the programs. Dunno why cos they can do a virus check in the background.

Anyway I am running free AVG and it and I am glad to see the last of norton. I am thinking of paying for the full version of AVG with the anti spam and other fruit but I have been told that free AVG is as good as any and only way to find out, I guess, is to catch a virus!

Owen

Hairy

AVG is the answer. it's free and very good.

Regards

Kim

I've gone AVG after having the Corporate version of Norton.
Smaller upgrade files install automatically each week for one thing.
Be sure you uninstall Norton before you install a new anti virus whichever you choose. Clashes can occur when one anti virus program thinks the other one is a virus.
Norton can be tricky to completely uninstall. It leaves bits and pieces behind such as in the registry which make you think it is still there.
I have instructions I got from somewhere if you email me with your email addy.

Yep AVG is top stuff. I run AVG internet security downloaded here: " target="EOF" class="lbg">Site Link
It even lets you kill off cookies by your own criteria so naturally I exterminate tracking cookies and all the unwanted adware, mal ware etc.
As others have said make sure you uninstall Norton's completley with attention paid to getting rid of all registry references as well and C(rap) Cleaner will do this for you: www.ccleaner.com/
I reckon for free software this is far superior to Nortons. I heard a whisper that Nortons has been made "difficult" to remove or replace, if so can you let us all know as I don't support software that sets it self up as an "exculsive" service.

Thanks all, for the replys..Ive downloaded the AVIiiiiii thing I think and am going to give it a go.
Cheers
Hairy

Sorry but I cant see a free AV prog being as good as the 'big players' nortons, trend, mcafee etc.. otherwise they would all be out of business.

FWIW we have just scrapped trend at work for SAV ourselves.
Ive always used Nortons Corp verison..

As for the it does something on boot up, yes, updates, and does a scan in the background. but can be stopped with a setting.

I used Nortons for years until a couple of years ago.
Because after any virus updates I couldn't get on the internet and certain programmes wouldn't run. Nortons wouldn't or couldn't help even though it is a known problem according to their website

So I switched to a free version of Avast.

It's free for home users because they make their money in the businesss world from their professional edition.

cheers

AVAST HOME EDITION..!

FWIW. Nortons is the greatest resource hog of all closely followed by McAfee.

I've just trialled all the commercial and feeby AV's on my XP and Vista machines for the past year, AVG was v.v. good but will not allow you to join a network on the free jobby.

Trend got the Choice seal of approval from memory. They also recomended AVG.

Also don't forget Spybot and Spyware Blaster which combined with AVG should keep you well and truly safe and your privates private.

The other easy way to keep yourself up and running and further protected is to use Yahoo or Google mail as they automatically scan their emails.

We've had AVG for a couple of years and no problems (touch wood). It's also popular with the computer magazines. You can search their sites like APC and PC User.

Cheers,

Mark.

I wouldnt touch Avast with a 40 foot pole. I installed it to try it and now cant install my Ebay tool bar because of it.
It conflicts with more things than Nortons and hangs around even after you uninstall it.
I was having a few problems so Emailed a Tech I used to work for and he told me (correctly) it was an antivirus program causing trouble.
He told me what do do and added that if I had installed Avast basically I was F+++++D.
He's right and now will have to do a format and reinstall of everything to fix it.
I have done all the normal things to get rid of it, deleted files from places you wouldnt think of looking and edited the registry but its still causing problems.
Have run Nortons Antivirus ( never Internet security) for years without trouble and find the problems are not with the program but users who dont set it up correctly.
On the Symantec site you can dowload removers for Nortons AV which do quite a good job of removal but you still need to delete files to eradicate it completely.
Always remember most stuff is worth what you pay for it. EG Pay nothing = Get nothing. As most freeware is an enticement to buy the good stuff.