Anti-Virus - Do you run one? Which?

[zlojack]

Funny, I just logged on to hit this thread up.

Looks like Dad has been clicking links at random and his machine is not doing so well.

He's been on an old, broken down version of Norton.

I'm probably going to have to go over and do some cleaning up.

What should I install for him that would be pretty easy, low on resources (his rig is OLD) and preferably free?

[3.0charlie]

I switched to Avira since AVG8 became a hog with broken updates. Pretty good.

[Digikid]

I would advise you Norton users to uninstall that crud immediately. It is a HUGE resource hog and does not detect a lot of viruses at all.

[punk_zappa]

Originally Posted by zlojack

What should I install for him that would be pretty easy, low on resources (his rig is OLD) and preferably free?

I would also say Avira. Only thing about it is the pop-up page when updating definitions (which can be hacked in the registry).

[3.0charlie]

Disable Avira pop-up:

Windows XP Pro & Vista Business/Ultimate/Enterprise

1. Start-> Control Panel
2. Administrative tools-> Local security policy
3. Click on Software Restriction Policy-> Action (at the top)-> create new restriction policies
4. Right-click additional rules (on the right side)-> new path rule
5. Click Browse and navigate to C:\Program Files\(Avira)\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\ and double-click avnotify.exe
6. Set the security level to Disallowed-> apply-> ok

Windows Vista Home Premium

1. Go to C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe
2. Right-click avnotify.exe-> properties-> security->
3. Under the group or username SYSTEM click edit
4. Put a checkmark under the DENY column for "read and execute"

[Mr. Gruntsworthy]

Myself, I'm running Avast! Antivirus, and it's done a lot better than the other free solutions i've tried, and even some paid (like McAffee). Avast! is definitely a kickass antivirus. Try installing it on your dad's old machine. Since it's old, Avast might take a while to scan the system, but it's the best free AV you can get, IMO.

[DarKStar]

You don't need any hacks fior avira to disable pop-ups - you can configure all that within the administrative tools within Avira, simply open the control panel in AVIRA , set it to auto update every 6 hours for example, and select INVISIBLE mode - this will keep your defs up to date without popping up to warn you about - You also configure it to SILENTLY block your viruses without warning you with a pop-up.

[3.0charlie]

Just went through the control panel, and i can't find said option.

[Bluefusion]

I run Kaspersky. Got it on sale for like $20 on boxing day and it comes with 3 licenses

[Neolithium_Wpg]

I'm sticking with Comodo now, everything seems just loverly, and it's free!