active virus shield? Is this a good AV program?

PrinceRameses · 07-28-2008, 08:18 AM

Also, how do I get Comodo Firewall? Do I have to disable windows firewall? How do I do that?

**koala** · 07-28-2008, 08:30 AM

From the Active Virus Shield homepage:

Quote:

http://www.activevirusshield.com/ant...eav/index.adp?

We're Sorry!

* AOL Active Virus Shield is no longer available.
* Looking for protection from viruses, spyware and hackers?
* We are now offering McAfee Virus Scan Plus-Special edition from AOL.
* Please visit AOL Internet Security Central to find the most comprehensive FREE set of safety tools available to help keep you, your family, and your PC safer from online threats.

The McAfee one they're offering as a replacement is not much better. I would avoid it. See here for some recommendations for free security software.

You can download Comodo from here, and disable the Windows Firewall by going to Start > Control Panel > Security Center > Manage Security Settings For... > Windows Firewall. Set if to Off.

PrinceRameses · 07-28-2008, 08:33 AM

Or, should I get ZoneAlarm Firewall instead? That seems to be rated higher.

**koala** · 07-28-2008, 08:37 AM

If you're going for the free version of either, Comodo is better than Zone Alarm.

PrinceRameses · 07-28-2008, 08:42 AM

What would you suggest for a computer with little ram, and only 4 GB + 1.5 GB hard drive capacity?

**koala** · 07-28-2008, 08:51 AM

Do you mean firewall or antivirus? If you're using a router, use its built-in firewall and don't bother with a software one.

Tiny Firewall has been discontinued, but still works on low spec computers.

Quote:

The following configuration is recommended for this firewall:

* CPU Intel Pentium or 100% compatible
* 32MB RAM
* 3MB hard drive space (for installation only; at least 10MB of additional space is recommended for logging)
* Windows 9x / Me / NT4.0 / 2000

How much RAM and free hard drive space do you have?

"4 GB + 1.5 GB hard drive capacity"..... is that 2 hard drives or 1 split into 2 partitions?

PrinceRameses · 07-28-2008, 09:00 AM

How do I find out how much free space I have? I'm also not sure on the ram, I think under 300 MB.

I mostly need AV, but also a firewall. Right now I use a router (corded) but pretty soon it will be the only computer hooked up to the internet.

**koala** · 07-28-2008, 09:10 AM

See the link in post #2 for free antivirus. I've used all the free ones listed and have found Avira to have the best detection rate and use the least system resources, but they're all good (Avira, Avast, AVG, etc).

Start > Control Panel > System. Look under the General tab to see how much RAM is installed.

Open Windows Explorer, right-click the hard drive icon and select Properties. It will tell you how much Used Space and Free Space there is.

If you're going to be removing the router, how will you connect to the internet? Dialup, cable, wireless, etc? You don't have to get rid of the router just because there's only one computer connected to it. It's worth keeping for the built-in firewall alone.

PrinceRameses · 07-28-2008, 01:47 PM

http://hosting01.imagecross.com/imag...screenie-1.JPG

http://hosting01.imagecross.com/imag...screenie-2.JPG

It will be DSL. The computer is moving to my aunt's house.

07-28-2008, 08:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
PrinceRameses Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 217 OS: Windows XP Home	active virus shield? Is this a good AV program? Also, how do I get Comodo Firewall? Do I have to disable windows firewall? How do I do that? Last edited by PrinceRameses; 07-28-2008 at 08:29 AM.

07-28-2008, 08:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
PrinceRameses Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 217 OS: Windows XP Home	Re: active virus shield? Is this a good AV program? Or, should I get ZoneAlarm Firewall instead? That seems to be rated higher.

07-28-2008, 08:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,317 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: active virus shield? Is this a good AV program? If you're going for the free version of either, Comodo is better than Zone Alarm. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

07-28-2008, 08:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
PrinceRameses Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 217 OS: Windows XP Home	Re: active virus shield? Is this a good AV program? What would you suggest for a computer with little ram, and only 4 GB + 1.5 GB hard drive capacity?

07-28-2008, 09:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
PrinceRameses Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 217 OS: Windows XP Home	Re: active virus shield? Is this a good AV program? How do I find out how much free space I have? I'm also not sure on the ram, I think under 300 MB. I mostly need AV, but also a firewall. Right now I use a router (corded) but pretty soon it will be the only computer hooked up to the internet. Last edited by PrinceRameses; 07-28-2008 at 09:02 AM.

07-28-2008, 09:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,317 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: active virus shield? Is this a good AV program? See the link in post #2 for free antivirus. I've used all the free ones listed and have found Avira to have the best detection rate and use the least system resources, but they're all good (Avira, Avast, AVG, etc). Start > Control Panel > System. Look under the General tab to see how much RAM is installed. Open Windows Explorer, right-click the hard drive icon and select Properties. It will tell you how much Used Space and Free Space there is. If you're going to be removing the router, how will you connect to the internet? Dialup, cable, wireless, etc? You don't have to get rid of the router just because there's only one computer connected to it. It's worth keeping for the built-in firewall alone. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

07-28-2008, 01:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
PrinceRameses Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 217 OS: Windows XP Home	Re: active virus shield? Is this a good AV program? http://hosting01.imagecross.com/imag...screenie-1.JPG http://hosting01.imagecross.com/imag...screenie-2.JPG It will be DSL. The computer is moving to my aunt's house.