Free Virus Scan

I think I may go a little overboard but it works for me. I run Avast and AVG together for anti virus. I do shut Avast outgoing mail check off. I use Microsoft Antispyware,Win patrol,BHO Demon, Spyware Blaster and Zone Alarm which all run in the background except Spyware Blaster which "inoculates" the pc. I use periodically Cleanup,Ewido,Reg Scrub,CW Shredder,CClearer.Spybot S/D, Ad-Aware,Some of Karens power tools and Micro Malicious Software Fixer and Diskeeper Lite for defrag. Most of these have been on for more than a year on this pc and more than 4 years on previous pcs. Very seldom does any spyware show up when I check and I only run the extras about 1 time a month. I have got warning on viruses but none got into the pc, Best of all to me all of the above are free versions.I always update those that don't update them selves just before using them. What works for me may or may not work for others and I would not recommend you do as I do.I figure where one may be a little weak the other would take over. Ed

Re: your recommendation for Grisoft AVG

I was running the Windows version of AVG for several years until I recently got hit with a most stubborn virus. I updated my AVG virus list multiple times to no avail. AVG identified the problem only as a generic trojan virus. I tried to delete it, heal it, move it to quarantine, etc. but nothing worked. As soon as I rebooted, the problem was back. I invested (wasted) dozens of hours trying to identify and remove all of the various files and registry entries. The problem alwasy returned after reboot. So, I read Consumer Reports Magazine Computer Protection issue and saw their recommendation for a freeware anti-virus program called Avast!, which included not only anti-virus features, but also a firewall. Avast! was able to rid my computer of the stubborn virus as well as continues to notify me each time it repels an attack-in-progress. So far, I LIKE IT!

I have had Panda Titanium Anti-Virus for 2 years now and it does a great job protecting my computer from viruses and spyware.

Thanks for the info! It is nice to know there are still people who are for good and fun things in life. The internet has been abused and I am always on the side of Law and order. Some of the attitudes of the punks on websites are incredible. People just want to have fun on line and you guys are very helpful. Thanks.

Avast! is the best antivirus, because it uses few resources, has an excellent detection rate, its virusdefs are updated almost daily, and it is free ! What more can you ask for. Combine this with ZoneAlarm/Kerio/Sygate firewall, throw in Spybot/Ad-Aware/MS-AntiSpyware/HijackThis/SpywareBlaster, and you got a very well defended system ! Who says freeware cannot be good ?

What do you say about kaspersky antivirus? It does a great job detecting any virus, its virus defintions are being updated every one-three hours. The only con is that you need a spyware-detector program besides it. But still, a good choice, so, what do you think?

I have been provided with a company laptop. I travel a lot and spend time on sites that wouldn't impress my employer. I was wondering if my employer can see where I am surfing with some kind of proxy. Any time I type in a wrong address it directs me to my company website. I have every kind of cleaner on here I can think of, but I was wondering if my employer could see what I am seeing or typing. I use Firefox and always clear out my entire computer. I have ran lots of scans and nothing shows up. I do know that my computer was extensively 'configured' before it was sent to me. Am I safe? What can I do?

EDITOR'S NOTE: While travelling, you are probably using a wireless connection or local dialup, not your company's network. So unless there is some kind of keylogger or other spyware-type program running on your PC, it's highly doubtful that your employer can "see" what's happening on it. If you connect to your employer's network, however, any internet traffic can be monitored.

Dear Sir, I came across your great website and it seems to me you are one of the authorities about anti virus tools and information. I am artistic coordinator for one of the non profit organization here in Canada. The computer I currently use has Windows 2000 server in it. Because of that i can't use most of the anti virus free software like AVG, AVAST etc. Because their software allows free use for home user version only. Would you have any
information about free software which I can use to protect my windows 2000 server? I can't change operating system for two reasons. (1) I don't have expertise to do that and (2) I have lots of data related to my organization, which i can't afford to loose. Also, I can't afford to pay any money as our organization doesn't make any.

Also, I use firefox as browser (explorer doesn't work and I don't know why). Most online scanner doesn't support firefox accept TREND MICRO. But trendmicro scan doesn't seem to be working on my computer. Would you kindly suggest me if there is another tool out which has compatibility with firefox and probably better than TREND MICRO? Thank you so much.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Anyone have experience with Win 2000 and free anti-virus?

oh my gosh! i just had a virus the other day.. it was a really bad trojan. I found out that some trojans, if u want to get rid of them, all you have to do is put ur computer on admin and make another log in acount for the computer.. but first download windows defender. Its as easy as that! But this may not work will all trojans.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would not count on that strategy to get rid of ANY problem.

i also had a virus mon my pc when scanned the pc with a USB attached all the info frm the USB was deleted,but i think that actually marked the high poerfomance of the anti-virus.and all thanks to your site it definety makes moy world safer