Which antivirus software?

[GColdtimer]

I have norton at the moment which is about to expire. Now I am self employed and have to PAY for stuff like that, am wondering if there are any cheaper options that are just as good.

Thanks

[JoyDiva]

I bought a new laptop. Which antivirus is best to put? Windows 10 operating system. Maybe Kaspersky?

[zebramama]

Cannot recommend AVG v8 (Free) more highly

[juneybean]

Does anyone use Avast? One of the computers at work had Avast and the second it ran out the computer was inundated with spyware, adware, malware etc.

[QS]

I have used both Norton and MacAfee, but now I swear by Omniquad.

[Macdog]

another vote for AVG

sorted out lots of nasties from my pc that norton missed

[juneybean]

Also the new version of AVG (8 I think) has spyware/adware included in it so you shouldn't need separate

[juneybean]

I swear by AVG, use it on all my computers

free.grisoft.com

[katierocket]

why shouldn't you use AVG with vista

[justbeme]

Rustybear, thanks for your help DD1 has made me an administrator as she had accidently made herself administrator.

[RustyBear]

justbeme - to change your logon to an administrator one you have to be logged on as an administrator, so you will need to know the username & password of someone who is an administrator.
Look on control panel for User accounts & double click on it. It may say you can't access it unless you are an administrator, or it may give you a box where you can put in the username & password of asomeone who is already an administrator (possibly your DH)
Once you've got the right details you can change your user account so that you are an administrator & then you'll be able to install stuff.

[turnbacktime]

Re ads popping up - think there is some free ware called Adaware - google it should bring it up, its a free doenload (presume you have pop ups blocked anyway?)

[UnquietDad]

Norton is shit. I have come to this conclusion after paying for it for 2 years. The latest version was the worst of all.

It's a big clunky bug-ridden animal which slows your PC down to a crawl.

Thanks to the kind advice of some people on here and elsewhere, I now combine two free products - ZoneAlarm firewall and Avira anti-virus. I also have Stinger to run when I feel like it, to check for up-to-date nasties.

[MrCSWS]

sb6699

I always recommend Firefox + adblock plus.

[MrCSWS]

AVG is good, but is not as effective as Norton/McAfee (does not pick up all the virus's in tests). As a free anti-virus it is fine (picks up most in the wild virus's).

As far as other paid AV programs, all the ones mentioned so far are fine, I currently use NOD32, which i personally rate highly (very low impact on performance + good results in tests).

Also, Anti virus software should not be your first line of defence, you should practice "safe surfing", i.e. not opening attachments from mails (without knowing the sender), not surfing to questionable sites etc.

[sb6699]

Having let my subscription to Norton expire. We have AVG antivirus but need something to stop v. inappropriate ads popping up in front of my DS1. Any ideas?

[EricL]

These are all free and industry standards -

AVG Free Edition
Ad-Aware SE Personal
Windows Defender.

Get those three installed, run the AVG at least once a week and you will have no problems.

Much better than Norton, less RAM use and instant start-up/shut-down.

[splishsplosh]

I have Kaspersky too, as it's meant to be fab, certainly seems to block loads of attacks every day.
but now I'm a bit miffed that I've actually paid for something when I could have got something good for free....

[justbeme]

Turnbacktime, Ive looked at Control Panel, cant see "settings" - there is an "administrative tools" bit, but dont understand that even when I go on there!!

[turnbacktime]

think settings in Control Panal - Use Accounts and levels of Privacy or something (DH at work but would know!) Would vote for AVG here as well, know thats what our IT guy says and its a free download - woudl warm against McAfee as it s l o w s the system right down, had it sold to us by a usually reputable shop and IT man said NO! Its criminally slow, expensive and doesnt actually do a lot - recommeds the free download over the to buy version too - we like the IT man (tis DH!)

[justbeme]

hi i just tried to install AVG and it said access denied - i think i had this the other day on something else - it seems to think that im not the administrator. any one know how to change this "setting" on my system? Thanks

[RustyBear]

btw I'm using AVG on Vista - seems fine so far....

[SoupDragon]

I have Kaspersky which includes firewall and a wonderful ad blocker which means I see none of the things people whinge about on Mumsnet

[GColdtimer]

I have been converted, removed Norton first , it was huge about 80meg! The AVG download was so simple and is working fine.

Thanks for the tips. Off to look at the firewall now,..

[MaryBS]

Unless they've upgraded it, its not compatible.

[Polgara2]

Why not AVG if you have Vista?