Antivirus Software

Hi Folks!

I am a new member to the forum here. I would like to begin by requesting some honest opinions on anti-virus software.

For the past year, I've been running Norton Systemworks 2002. It has been fine, but my subscription has expired. Thus, I am on the prowl for good, efficient antivirus software for my home PC. I'm running Windows ME as my OS. Any good suggestions on freeware or do you know where I can obtain good discounts on shareware? Also, I could really use feedback on a good firewall program. Please keep in mind that I need to watch my pennies - seeking the best with economical pricing that is compatible with ME. Thanks!

 

AVG is the best free antivirus program around.

 

I had AVG over a year ago, but had trouble with the update utility. I didn't know much about computers back then. I have come a LONG way in over a year of continually using the computer. I'm much better informed now. AVG's update feature was on default to start at midnight. By then, I was ready for bed and it seemed to take forever. I thought there might be a problem with it having ME as my OS. So I uninstalled it and went to Norton Systemworks 2002 for $29.95.

Please tell me - has AVG been updated lately. Has Grisoft made any improvements to it? And thanks for the link to your store. I'll be glad to browse around. Have a good one and thanks for your feedback. It's really appreciated.

By the way, what are your thoughts on Zone Alarm as a firewall. Are there any issues of it working with ME?

 

personally i hate ZoneAlarm, too squidgey for me (i dont think there is enough configuration to make it workthwile) but while i had ME it seemed to work quite well. Personally i would go with somthing like Sygate which seemed to work well under ME. It is the concensus of opinion 'round here that ME was the worst microsoft OS (standing for Momentary Expansion).

Her's a link to Sygate:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/article.php?sid=1558&cat=16

 

outpost seems good, but with my win98 and winXP it did some weeerd stuff. dunno what its like with ME, probably fine. Just dont do tiny or black ice. especially black ice, its not very user friendly and is generally evil.

 

Oh dear. i think we shud both spend more time outside lol. Know how you feel, i got a nu graphics card and me = small boy opening presents christmas morning. Im going to get a Athlon XP 2400+ because its the fasted my board will support that shud be fun to install.

I have a system set up for business use, and NAV is alright, does the job, ALTHOUGH for some reason it corrupts the registry, and i have to do scanregw /restore in dos mode, which i can imagine might be a bit scary if you didnt know what you were doing.

EDIT : o actually i think its a 2600+

 

Thank you, everyone, for your response. Robo, could you please tell me more about avast!32? I'm interested in trying it out. As for the firewall you recommended, goldfish, I plan to check into it. Thanks for your suggestions. It means a lot!

Have a great week ahead everyone! And stay safe out there!

 

Cactus..
You might want to try out E-Trust Anti-virus www.my-etrust.com

I get free updates for a year and it's considerably less expensive than Nortons for continued updates. Though the best thing is I get definitions 3-5 times per week. WIth a dual headed engine, It's by far the one I prefer over the rest of them.

You should also try out Kerio Personal Firewall if you want a free one. (you can find it on the front page).

The best firewalls are, of course, hardware firewalls.

 

Actually it does... I just did it... I am a new convert to AVG.. price is right and works great with less resources

 

just my 2 cents worth on the whole AV thing. AVG is a great package and all .... and Norton is a great proggie as well. 30 or 40 bucks a year is really very minor when it comes to protecting yourself from the jerks that wanna screw things up and all. But the real bottom line isn't so much which AV program you use. The REAL protection comes from remembering to update. Use what you're comfrotable with ... just remember to keep it updated.

 

Again, I'd like to thank everyone who responded for your input. I downloaded Avast!32 and it seems to be running fine. It also seems to update on its own. As for a firewall, I haven't downloaded one yet, and I need to check out Kerio. Have a great weekend and please know how much I appreciate your honest answers.