h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I recentlyish bought a laptop, running Windows XP (Home edition). It came with a version of Norton Anti-Virus. I don't want to configure the program as it made my parents computer crash several times and I'm sure it will do the same to mine. This means that my computer is almost entirely without virus protection.

I use a web based e-mail program so all incoming e-mails/attachments etc are scanned with that.

What I would like to know is:

1) Can I un-install Norton Anti-Virus (and where would the un-install file be, I've had a look and can't find it). It appears to be working in the background and I don't want to delete something that another program relies on.

2) What would be a better anti-virus software to use. Cheapest option please, ultimate wish would be free but I don't hold out much hope.

Hope you can help, Pearl

You should be able to uninstall it with Add/Remove programs on the Control Panel.

AVG is a solid all-round FREE virus checker.

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

I can't recommend any priced ones because I'm too tight to shell out for them.

B

AGV antivirus, is pretty good I've found, (we had full licienced version of Nortons, and one time ran AGV after it, and it picked up a virus Nortons missed ) I guess if you goggle for it should be able to find somwhere to download it from though someone more helpful will probably come along and give a more definitive answer rahter than a more definitivly inacurate answer I'd get some spiware stuff too whilst you were at it ; Spibot and and... can't remember what it scalled

Bugger, I even managed to get the name of the thing rong *hangs head in disgrace*

I've been using the free version of AVG from Grisoft http://www.grisoft.com for three or four years and never had a problem with it, but I've recently heard that another free one called Avast might be even better.

Norton is a suite - more than just an antivirus program, so don't everything from AVG that you might have had with Norton.

I haven't been using Norton as it's such a pain.

for all your help.

Now...this spyware stuff? How necessary exactly?

Depends on how paranoid you are But since it's also free it can't hurt to have it *but you must use it*!!! It's no good having software to scan your machine with if you never scan your machine

Spybot is really good, and it comes with a free resident shield which will protect your registry. Ad-Aware is the other commonly used free one.

I also use ZoneLabs free firewall, but that's because I do a lot of P2Ping.

B

Think I had that firewall at one stage. Really didn't like it.

ANyway, am fully protected, have just run scan and have no viruses

Thanks for all the help.

Leastways, none that your antivrus software picked up

Trend Micro has an online virus scanner called HouseCall which can scan your computer without downloading any software:
http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/consumer/housecall/housecall_launch.php

For antispyware, I use a combination of Ad-Aware and Microsoft Antispyware:
http://www.lavasoft.de/
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Microsoft Antispyware has a couple of limitations (it's still in Beta stage, it only works on Win2000 and XP) but it's very powerful - it near enough wiped out a spyware infestation I'd been struggling against for weeks.

Sounds good (the software that is) but I'm not sure I'm that at risk from spy stuff.

If you're connected to the internet, you'll have spyware on your computer. It all comes down to whether you mind people knowing every website you go on. If you ever buy anything online, you need to get rid of the spyware.

Or do online banking. I always clear my system out before logging onto Barclays website.

B

I would NEVER do online banking.

Is that just deleting the temporary internet items folder (I do this regularly) or is there another folder?

Yeah. I do my accounts once a month, but before I do, I close everything connected to the Internet apart from my browser, run system scans with three different programs, and delete my Temporary Internet Files and browser cache. That usually does the trick.

B

I should be okay then!

Sub question - is there any decent free anti-virus program for Macs - something similar to AVG? I've been using AVG on my windoze machines for years, but just recently purchased a PowerBook and am looking to protect it from the few viruses that affect Macs - cheaply or free if possible.

There was a similar conversation in <./>Askh2g2</.> a while back. "What protection do you use?". F19585?thread=645469
Lots of ideas there (and some of them are even about computers).

If you are new to Macs, perhaps The Orchard people can help with your question, Amy.
h2g2 Mac Users group: A690653