Best: Anti-virus, Firewall, Spyware freebies

[Jiller]

I could just read through all of the posts... but I'm hoping this will be faster, as I have read through about 10 already and cannot find the information I want.

I currently have Norton Internet Security (about 1.5 year subscribtion{came with computer}), and I hate it. I cannot get help with it through customer support or just about anywhere else, and it has been giving me problems. I would like to know some good free programs... an antivirus, firewall, and spyware program(can't remember the term).

On my old desktop, I had AVG, ZoneAlarm, and SPYBOT... I know the AVG free edition is still great, but should I stick with the same firewall and anti-spyware or is there something better?

If possible, please provide links (Sorry!) for I cannot even find the AVG I want to download and install. Also, do I need to uninstall Norton to install these?

[chauffeur2]

Hi Jiller,

I shall address your queries as they are listed to make it easier for you.

Originally Posted by Jiller

I could just read through all of the posts... but I'm hoping this will be faster, as I have read through about 10 already and cannot find the information I want.

I currently have Norton Internet Security (about 1.5 year subscribtion{came with computer}), and I hate it. I cannot get help with it through customer support or just about anywhere else, and it has been giving me problems. I would like to know some good free programs... an antivirus, firewall, and spyware program(can't remember the term).
You are not alone in this, as Norton® is notorious for being a "Resource Hog".
Perhaps the term you are looking for is 'malware'...Ad-Aware™ SE Personal is very good for this.

On my old desktop, I had AVG, ZoneAlarm, and SPYBOT... I know the AVG free edition is still great, but should I stick with the same firewall and anti-spyware or is there something better?
Stick with that combination, as it is as good as you will get.

For a little extra umph..include Ad-Aware™SE Personal..you'll find a good guide with a link to download it here.

ZoneAlarm™ is available for download from here.


If possible, please provide links (Sorry!) for I cannot even find the AVG I want to download and install. Also, do I need to uninstall Norton to install these?

Not a problem.... here is the AVG™ Anti Virus Installation Guide and download link.

Now just to thoroughly confuse you, AVG™ also have a free Anti Spyware program too, the Installation Guide and download link is here.

Yes!... you will need to uninstall Norton®, and they try and make it difficult for you, as it requires this 'Removal Tool' to be downloaded to successfully uninstall it.

A good alternative to SPYBOT™ is SpyWare Blaster®, and once again we have an Installation Guide and download link available here.

I think that covers everything; however, if I have missed anything, please post back, and I shall gladly give you the information.

One piece of advice; research each one of the products to ensure that they are compatible with your Windows® Vista™ installation. I do know that AVG™ and Ad-Aware™ are compatible, as for the others I am not too sure; however, a quick Google™ search ought to give you this information.

Kind Regards,

[Jiller]

Okay, thanks a lot... I wil get started on this and post back with any problems I run into, if I do. Thanks again.

[Cellus]

Just to clarify on a point chauffeur2 made, SpywareBlaster is best used to complement, not supplement, Spybot Search & Destroy. SpywareBlaster's main function, simply put, "immunizes" your machine to protect against spyware. This is very much like Spybot's Immunize function, however both are developed by different people. They are best used together instead of just one.

Infact Spybot Search & Destroy used to have a hyperlink in its Immunize page that recommended complementing its immunizing function by also using SpywareBlaster. This link was subsequently removed in later versions, however the advice still holds strong.

[Jiller]

Okay, I can't seem to get ZoneAlarm to download, however I have read that many people have compatability problems with it on Vista anyways. Any other free firewalls I could use?

[Jiller]

I am editting my first post a little...

Any recommendations for good firewalls I can purchase would be much appreciated now as well. Thanks!

*EDIT* Nevermind, I was guided to two good free firewalls... Comodo and Ashampoo... I think I will go with one of these, as I just talked to a friend who used them and said they were very good.

[Jiller]

Ran into a problem...

When downloading AVG (and later Ashampoo) the downloads stopped early and I was asked if I wanted to run them or whatever. So I said chose run and the installations couldn't be completed because not everything was downloaded. What do I do?

[Kalim]

Hi Jiller

For a free software firewall, Comodo is what you want.

You will have to download the applications fully and then install them, not half way through while incomplete as it may cause some adverse remnants on your system.

[Jiller]

Okay, thanks... but... how do I fix the downloading problem... I can't get anything to download completely... I will try one more time and post the errors I get... assuming I get them again.

[koala]

Try a download manager like FlashGet. It will allow you to pause and resume the download, resume from a crash or lost connection, download using multiple streams to make things faster, and throttle the download speed if required so you can carry on surfing at the same time.

[macten]

Virus's, spyware, trojans etc are a thing of the past and there is no work on my part:

router
FireFox
ZoneAlarm
W2000 Pro
SpySweeper
Free Avast

[Jiller]

Originally Posted by koala

Try a download manager like FlashGet. It will allow you to pause and resume the download, resume from a crash or lost connection, download using multiple streams to make things faster, and throttle the download speed if required so you can carry on surfing at the same time.

Alright, I'll check that out... in fact it is being downloaded right now... however it is rather slow for such a small size download... and it might say it is finished downloading before it really is done like the others did... I'll post back.

[chauffeur2]

Hi Jiller,

I presume that you followed my advice about the compatability of all of these programs.

If you are interested in having a 'total' package....Anti Virus + Spyware + Firewall + Email Scanner + Anti Spam...the AVG™ Home Internet Security Suite 7.5 is the answer for you.
I have been using AVG™ (Paid Versions) for over 3 years now....the Home Internet Security Suite was only relaesed in August 2006, for the advent of Vista™, and it is full compatable.

Here is the link, should you wish to purchase this package.

Further to what koala says; use the Download Manager, and just allow it to do its own thing.

Also Cellus is quite correct with his comments with regards to... "SpywareBlaster is best used to complement, not supplement, Spybot Search & Destroy".

I apologise if any of the links that I gave you do not work, but I tested each one of them immediately after posting, and they were all valid and working...which one/s did you have trouble with?

Please post back.

Kind Regards,

[Jiller]

I didn't have any problems with any of the links, the ones I used all worked great. It was the downloads I had problems with. The downloads would never get completed. Instead a message would pop up saying the publisher was unknown and asking me whether or not I wanted to run the program. If I clicked run, it said files were corrupt and the download quit, if I clicked don't run, the download stopped. This happened about 6 times, which is why I am considering simply buying a product. I will look into the AVG as recommended.

On a side question, these downloads that didn't complete... could they have left things on my computer I can delete? If so, where would I find these things?

*EDIT* I just checked out the link for the AVG Suite... a question for you though... is there anyway I can purchase it for just one computer and possibly save a little cash?... after all I don't/won't have 3 computers to put it on.

**EDIT** Also... this isn't a product I will have to download, is it?... Like I said, I have had major problems downloading things, and would prefer to have a CD to install things.

[Kalim]

Jiller: what size downloads can you download fully and perfectly?

[Jiller]

Originally Posted by Kalim

Jiller: what size downloads can you download fully and perfectly?

Well... none at all since I ran the Norton Removal Tool... and that was the last thing that I downloaded as well.

[chauffeur2]

Hi Jiller,

I would suggest that you contact Grisoft® direct to find out if they give discounts for single computers, as I don't honestly know.

The AVG™ Home Internet Security Suite is available on CD from Grisoft® too.

Kind Regards,

[Jiller]

Awesome... I have searched the website, and can't find a CD to buy from them online. Is there a way I can purchase it online from their site or do I have to look elsewhere?

[chauffeur2]

Originally Posted by Jiller

Awesome... I have searched the website, and can't find a CD to buy from them online. Is there a way I can purchase it online from their site or do I have to look elsewhere?

Hello Jiller,

Perhaps if you go here, and contact your nearest Grisoft® Sales Office, they may be able to assist you with your enquiries.

Kind Regards,

[Jiller]

Okay, I'll take a look there. However, I am heading out of town for a few days, and I think there is some tech/computer store type thing where I'm going... so I'll check that out first. Thanks for all of the help guys.