Free Anti-Virus Software (1 Viewer)

[bartooon]

Can anyone recommend some free AV software?

Up until recently I have been using the free version of AVG (7.1), but that is no longer supported. AVG are pushing the next version (7.5), but they are now charging for the full version. They are offering a cut-down free version of 7.5, but everytime I try to upgrade to that, it hits an error and the installation fails. The error tells you to contact Grisoft's tech support, but they don't want to know unless you buy the full version.

I remember seeing a headline on the cover of one of the PC magazines recently that said free AV software outperforms a lot of the top makes. Just wondered what you guys are using.

Cheers

 

[davebenj]

Can anyone recommend some free AV software?

Just wondered what you guys are using.

AVG 7.5 The free version.
Installed fine and updates itself properly without any fuss.

I'd recommend that you go back to square one and start the download from scratch again.

HTH

 

[Checkmate]

Does it say any more about the error? I upgraded the free version at home with no problems (XP Home). I can't remember if I uninstalled the old version first, but hesitate to suggest that in case you finish up with no protection at all!

 

[bartooon]

Thanks for replies. The error says "action failed for file avg7us.lng: creating backup...
The process cannot access the file because it is being used by Error 0X80004004".

I had nothing else running at the time, so I'm not sure what to do!

 

[Checkmate]

Thanks for replies. The error says "action failed for file avg7us.lng: creating backup...
The process cannot access the file because it is being used by Error 0X80004004".

I had nothing else running at the time, so I'm not sure what to do!

Are you downloading the installation file to your hard drive and installing from there, or running it from the web? If the latter, try the former |=)|

 

[scampo]

I remember seeing a headline on the cover of one of the PC magazines recently that said free AV software outperforms a lot of the top makes. Just wondered what you guys are using.

Cheers

You could try using System Restore to return your PC to its earlier state, then uninstall AVG before installing the new version. If that fails you could use Avast! which is also highly regarded by those who prefer free products.

I haven't read convincing evidence that the free products are better than paid software. One study I saw showed that by combining free a/v with free anti-spyware and other free safety products, the protection could exceed, if I recall, 95%.

I've put AVG on relatives' and friends' machines when people are reluctant to pay but otherwise find Trend Micro Pc-Cillin 2007 is in every way an excellent product. It has a very light footprint (i.e. it uses minimal system memory resources - even during a scan it seems not to slow down a modern PC). It checks for all kinds of malware - even spam email - and the license allows for it to be used on three machines, thus you could even share the cost with a friend or two! It's very user friendly, too and - uniquely so far as I know - Trend offer free online chat with a technician (you won't get that with a free product!).

The consistently "best" a/v in many recent tests has been NOD32 but it is not supposed to be too easy to use. Also, the much derided Symantec are about to bring out a completely new all-in-one Norton product. That always rates highly in virus dtection. The new product is said to address all of the negatives their existing product has - mainly by having a very light footprint indeed.

 

[Mickymouse]

I use Avast and it seems OK, just sits in the background and does it's job but like Steve says if you are going to use free products add Spybot S&D and AdawareSE also get a better firewall, Zone alarm for instance.

Mick

 

[jeff]

Thanks for replies. The error says "action failed for file avg7us.lng: creating backup...
The process cannot access the file because it is being used by Error 0X80004004".

I had nothing else running at the time, so I'm not sure what to do!

Advice on another forum for same error, solved users problem:

Perform a Repair install using the latest AVG install file...

1. Download the latest AVG Free installation package from [free.grisoft.com]
2. Run the AVG Free install file
3. Choose the Repair option and follow the setup wizard
4. Restart your computer then test...

 

[scampo]

I use Avast and it seems OK, just sits in the background and does it's job but like Steve says if you are going to use free products add Spybot S&D and AdawareSE also get a better firewall, Zone alarm for instance.

Mick

It might just be my experience but ZoneAlarm has been troublesome too often. I trust the free WinXP firewall and it has never let me down (fingers firmly crossed).

 

[rozinante]

I dont know if this is the same forum jeff refered to above but it goes on to some good cleanup advice if you are still having problems.

http://forum.grisoft.cz/freeforum/read.php?2,90511,90546

These problems often relate to an accumulation of bits of old instalations or unsucsesful updates. Its a good idea to run a cleaner regurlaly and especialy after experiencing failures like this with well tried and tested and used applications. Free download from http://www.ccleaner.com/ is highly recomended

I have been useing AVG and Zone Alarm free versions for at least 6 years and had no problems with the programs themselves or any virus or security issues at all. Still on windows 2000 though so can't realy coment on XP's bundled stuff.

 

[bartooon]

Thanks for the help and advice everyone. I've just tried again and it installed without any problem - odd really, 'cos I did nothing different from the previous 3 or 4 attempts!

 

[scampo]

It will now definitely be worth running a registry cleaner, I'd say. The CCleaner one is good but considering the difficulties you've had, a more thorough clan-up and registry repair job is done by jv16 PowerTools.

 

[eddieh]

My Norton internet security subscription has just expired too, hence my interest in this thread. I've been running Norton on my machine for the last four years ( only paid for one though ) and decided to dump it. I installed AVG last night, ran a scan and found a Trojan in a piece of software which has been on my m/c for the last 3 years> :eek!: And it seems to be running faster as well.

I suppose I should warn any of you doing your CCNA that the Trojan found was in a file called SemSim.exe

Ta

Eddie

 

[scampo]

No security product is 100% (AVG included). Norton achieves some of the best detection rates if I recall, so you were unlucky here. The machine might well be running faster because older versions of Norton used to hog background system resources.

 

[whomes]

I use Avast and ccleaner and haven't had any problems at all. Avast has stopped a couple of nasty ones getting through.