In a couple days, my free trial of Norton Internet Security Suite will end. What free programs can I use to replace the firewall and antivirus protection?
I want a program which automatically updates and also automatically scans at a time I can choose.
Wow, thanks so far. It seems everyone has a preference, there is no consensus…so, please–more answers are welcome!
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15 responses so far ↓
1 zerocool662002 // Apr 6, 2008
AVG makes a good free spyware and adware software. i use it and find it as good if not better in some areas then norton
link: http://free.grisoft.com/
2 SAADI A // Apr 6, 2008
McAfee its the one
3 icretedthiscozihad2 // Apr 6, 2008
you could use McAfee
or windows live one care
but McAfee is better
4 wingsofdana // Apr 6, 2008
honestly, there are really no free ones out there, that are worth it. they do not give you the full protection, like norton can. i had a trojan horse invade my computer thru a "free" program. norton may cost $40 plus, but it cheaper than having your whole computer reworked!
5 Independent Collectivist // Apr 6, 2008
Avast! Antivirus. It does everything. Better then Norton and it is free. It is the best Antivirus that I have ever used.
Go to the website http://www.avast.com
Download the free home version. Give them your email and they will send you a product key. THEY DON'T SPAM! You will only get the product key from them. They don't email you at all with anything else.
This product is awesome! It catches stuff before it is on your computer. It blocks incomming IPs from trying to attack you too. One of the things I like most about it is that it is a fairly small program that doesn't take much of your resources. You don't even realize that it is running. You can also set up your screensaver to scan your computer too. This way you will never have to run a scan.
6 Famous Unknown // Apr 6, 2008
Ok, now this IS a question.. *stands up and claps* finally! lol! just kidding…
, you could just search online for internet security programs on yahoo or google… or also mcafee or windows live care.. other than that, I don't know.
7 Kush // Apr 6, 2008
go with avg
8 triumphantsword // Apr 6, 2008
AVG. Many pc geeks i talk to seem to like it. Here is a safe place to download it. > http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html
If you have windows xp, you can turn your windows firewall back on. You can also look around at download.com for other free software to protect your pc.
Just be very careful when you uninstall Norton. Norton is difficult to uninstall, and you must not have two anti-viruses on your pc simultaneously. Uninstalling Norton can leave you with problems. You may consider consulting an it person before uninstalling norton.
Hope this helps. If you need help turning your windows firewall on, ask here!
~tri
9 pkenzie14 // Apr 6, 2008
KAspersky currently has the highest detection rates. my votes for Kaspersky but every geek has an opinion on this question. the free version of AVG is pretty limited in what it does.
10 Andy Y // Apr 6, 2008
AVG 7.5 is wat i'm using now from download.com
11 Jeremy P // Apr 6, 2008
nod32 man
12 Fixer // Apr 6, 2008
In my opinion, Norton and Symantec..well..sucks. Not saying there aren't worse ones out there but still.
Look up Avast! 4. It's a free antivirus that protects all your programs and systems. It updates automatically with on-access scanner. You just have to request a registration key and renew it each year free. The 4.8 version you have to buy, that comes with the malware and rootkit feature.
For a firewall. There's Threatfire, also a free version for download that has enough features to protect against malware, unauthorized accesses, viruses, and trojans. It updates automatically. Or you can look up other ones. Comodo's a pretty strong firewall, but I find it too stringent. It blocks your wanted traffic all the time and you have to keep telling it to allow it through.
McAfee's Internet Protection Suite or Total Protection is a very solid protection guard, but McAfee isn't free. Avast, AVG, and Comodo can all get the job done, but McAfee carries a more officialness panache. Who cares, right? As long as it works… With McAfee there's a catch. You have to buy it and then pay a subscription fee every year or so. Microsoft OneCare is pretty good and standard, coming from the top brass itself. Like McAfee, it offers total protection but you have to pay.
13 Simply_Trans_Amourous // Apr 6, 2008
AVG makes a good antivirus but the FREE version does not automatically update IIRC?
I'm okay with Norton Internet Security and have been using it for years. 2008's version seems to be less intrusive on the system resources in comparison of recent years. I've recently updated this myself from 2007.
Staples usually has good deals this time of year and with multiple rebates, to include previous owners of NIS can purchase very reasonably. Buy it with your tax software and it's nearly FREE. Good luck with your choice.
14 Lone Wolf // Apr 6, 2008
Macafee comes free with internet comcast check with ur provider Macafee works well
15 jibbarjabar // Apr 6, 2008
It seems most people here are recommending a simple anti-virus program to replace your current "security suite" with. WRONG!
These days you need a whole lot more than just a virus protection. Only about 15% of all malware is viruses. The rest is worms, trojans, phishing schemes, spyware, etc.
Here's some ideas to "roll ya own" Internet Security Suite for free. Free is always the best.
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1. For your Anti-Virus……(Always use only 1 A-V…You must NEVER use more than one anti-virus, Even an expired anti-virus can cause a major conflict…you MUST uninstall any old anti-virus products)
For your anti-virus needs, I would suggest Avira AntiVir® PersonalEdition Classic. It has excellent heuristics, a virus detection rate that is better than many of "paid-for" anti-virus programs and is light on using your computer's resources. And did I mention that it's free!
Download here:
http://www.free-av.com/
Avoid an anti-virus called AVG (free version). It is wildly popular but has piss-poor virus detection rates.
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2. For your Anti-Adware and Anti-Spyware needs……………(use at least 1 anti-spyware, but 2 is OK):
SUPERAntiSpyware:
http://www.superantispyware.com/
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3. For your Firewall……….(Always use only 1 software firewall)
A decent free firewall is PC Tools Firewall Plus. One can either choose "Normal User Mode" Or "Expert User Mode"'depending on the detail of alerts and application custom rules desired.
It is one of the few free firewalls that will work (and work well) on Vista as well as XP and 2000.
http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
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4. And to help protect your computer from ever getting infected with malware in the first place………… (use them both)
SpywareBlaster helps to immunize your computer again certain selected malware.:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
SiteAdvisor warns you when visiting a potentionally malicious web-site:
http://www.siteadvisor.com/
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5. And always keep your Windows and all your installed software 100% updated and patched with all critical and security updates from the vendors THIS IS A MUST! In Internet Explorer just click Tools then Windows Updates.
Here is a little online (no download) security tool called The Secunia Software Inspector, that checks a computer for un-secure, un-updated and un-patched apps that may be installed on your computer.
The Secunia Software Inspector checks for possibly vulnerable programs like Adobe, Winamp, Java, Windows, Internet Explorer etc. and notifies if critical security updates are needed. !
Will work using IE, Opera or Firefox.
Use it once a month.
Pretty cool and free at:
http://secunia.com/software_inspector
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Everything here is 100% free!!!!!!
Great luck! Enjoy!
EDIT:
And , yes Norton can be a PITA to uninstall. To completely remove Norton products (which MUST be removed completely before installing any other A-V), Download and run the Norton Removal Tool from the Norton / Symantec website.
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039
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