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Freeware Menu >> Full antivirus programs with always on background scanners.


Note: I don't list download sizes for most security software, as the files tend to increase in size quite rapidly as the software is developed.


AVG Antivirus.

AVG is a complete antivirus package, it can scan your drives and has a resident shield to monitor files as you work on them.
AVG has an integrated email scanner and a control center to schedule scans. The right click context menu can be used to scan individual files or folders, and infected files are stored in the virus vault.

The program interface is simple and navigation is adequate, there is a reasonable help file and virus definition updates are regular and free and usually quite quick, even on dialup.
Some problems are reported in the technical forums, usually regarding program installation and email scanning, although I have had no problems with a clean install, I have had occasional problems with the email scanner getting "stuck", needing to be stopped with the Task Manager.

The latest version (7.5) of AVG, appears to use a lot less memory than the previous version, which is unusual after a product update, but welcome news to those people with older computers.

Freeware -- Win 95,98,ME,NT4,2000,XP,Vista

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

AntiVir Personal Edition Classic.

This is a full antivirus program, it consists of two parts the scanner and the guard, which keeps a constant watch on your system as you work. With the scanner you can choose which drives, or folders you wish to scan, or you can use the right click context menu to scan individual files or folders.
There is no separate email checker but the guard scanner should cover this area, an added feature is the ability to check for dialers (german 0190 numbers only), joke programs, malicious programs and games software (useful for the boss!!!).

The program is easy to use, with an extensive help file and it runs in a very quiet and efficient manner, the update window is very good, always leaving you in no doubt about what is happening.

Note: The updater can be rather slow to connect and the scanning engine updates itself fairly often, which means a fairly large download on occasions.
The guard scanner communicates with the main program using an internet protocol, (not an internet connection) so your firewall will initially ask to allow internet access to several sections of the program, you must permit them all, or the program will not run correctly.
If your firewall has an internet traffic monitor you may notice some strange activity after using the updater, this is normal.

Freeware -- Win 2000, XP, Vista.

http://www.free-av.com

Avast! Home Edition.

This is a very comprehensive antivirus package, it has a normal scanner and a background scanner checking your files and emails as you work, it also has a feature called the virus recovery database (VRDB), this stores copies of important system files so that they can be replaced if a virus infects one.
As well as the normal scanning features, Avast also has specific shields for protecting you, while performing such tasks as instant messaging, file sharing, and networking.

I have noticed that Avast produces quite a few false alerts even when using the normal scan settings for the manual scanner and on access scanner. These seemed to be linked to the heuristics (no option to turn off, or reduce sensitivity), which isn't the most reliable method of detection, so always double check any alerts.

The program interface is stylish and comes with skins to give you a choice of appearance, although you can opt for a basic interface if you wish. A novelty feature is that the program comes with two system tray icons, but these can be merged into one, when it becomes annoying.
The update interface is good, showing a reasonably accurate indication of the update progress and virus definition updates are usually small.

Avast is a good antivirus system, easy to install and use and if your computer has a reasonable specification, would be a good choice.
Users of older computers may notice some slowdown when opening files and starting programs.

You have 60 days to decide if you like the program, if you do, you can then register for free and you will be given a registration key, which also entitles you to a years free updates.

Freeware -- Win 95,98,Me,NT,2000,XP,Vista

http://www.avast.com/eng/free_virus_protectio.html

Rob Goldfish Web Site