Genealogy Chat

adding to find later peppa

Joseanne - no problem! :o)

Sorry Linda, I didn't mean to imply anything other than how helpful Avast were. For personal use I agree the free versions of AVG or Avast are all that are usually needed.

This is a good site to check out free software : http://www.techsupportalert(.)com/best_46_free_utilities.htm Remove the brackets :0) Joan

Dump Norton. Use FreeAVG

Harold. Your PC may well have speeeded due to uninstall of Norton, but regular anti-spyware treatrment is the real key to performance. That and a abit of routine maintenance - clearing temporary files and cookies can make all the difference. All users should be aware that they cannot assume that their software is completely up to date all the time. - You must make sure Windows Updates runs regularly - either automatically (best) or do it yourself manually via the microsoft website. - Ensure your Antivirus, is updated daily at a minimum (all major packages will do this, but check that it is enabled to do so!). Make sure sure antivirus performs regular (weekly at a minimum) FULL scans. Password protect you antivirus if you can to stop viruses hijacking it. - Update and run anti-spyware programs weekly. If you are having problems. Boot your PC in Safe Mode and run the Anti Spyware in safe mode. - Never turn your firewall off when connected to the internet. You always need something between you and the world outside! Joseanne - the free version of AVG is plenty for nearly all home users. So fax machines don't apply. Lx

We changed from Nortons to the free Avast about 18 months ago and have been very pleased with it. Last week I decided to download the trial pay version at work and they have been really helpful. As a non-profit making organisation we get 50% discount and it was really easy to apply & get it. AVG say they give discounts as well but it was very difficult to apply, in fact you can't if you haven't a Fax machine, plus they don't give discounts on the normal package but it is easily missed.

hi there,,not seen anything about NTL pretection,,my norton has been up for renewal for a month..reading tips i removed it.. PC.. has worked faster since last night..i removed spy ware all so ,any comments..harold..

hi there,,not seen anything about NTL pretection,,my norton has been up for renewal for a month..reading tips i removed it.. PC.. has worked faster since last night..i removed spy ware all so ,any comments..harold..

I'm not necessarily recommending that you don't use windows firewall in XP. I'm saying that if you have another firewall installed the XP one must be turned off. If you are running XP with Service Pack 2 - you do this through the Windows Security Centre (Start > Control Panel) It would be foolish to turn off the XP firewall unless you are installing another. You cannot uninstall the XP firewall, it's builtin. You can only turn it off. For those wanting a free alternative firewall, I would suggest ZoneAlarm

We have used the AVG 7 for over a year and during that time we have only had about 4 viruses. Wouldn't swap it for anything. Updates are really easy and you can shedule your scans when it suits you. Anne

Peter - I'm a little alarmed that you appear to be running 2 antiviruses together. Definitely NOT recommended as they could conflict and cause problems. You may have got round this, but the simple rule is: 1 antivirus only 1 firewall only (including the Windows XP one - turn it off if you have another) Do what you like with anti spyware. I've got A-squared, Spybot and Adaware SE personal. I took Microsoft beta off only because it never got anything when the others did. L

I changed from Norton about a year ago. Having tried a number of programs I settled for two. Avast Antivirus is set up to run online scans. I found this was the best to trap incoming nasties when browsing. AGV is set to run each night and scans all the files on the computer. From am Adaware point of view, do install Microsofts own Antispyware program and set this to run automatically ovewrnight. Other programs are the ubiquitous Adaware ans Spybot. I also use Spyblaster and Adaware Away - The latter you have to pay for but it is essential if you get a real nastie that the others canot touch.

i used to have Norton, and my pc was slowing down all the time even tho i scanned with Norton and it found nothing! i was sure there was something wrong,so i decided to change to another, i came on here and asked which free one was the best,and most said AVG7, so i un-enstalled Norton, downloaded AVG7, did a scan--------and it found 3 trojans! which Norton had'nt picked up! that was a few months ago-------no way would i go back to Norton now! last night i was downloading some games, some were ok, but then AVG found a trojan on one of them and warned me, so i stopped there and then! it also updates everyday. so i would highly recomend AVG7, you wont regret it! chris.

I used to have Norton, but then I went to AVG no problems at all. I have the free version. Ann

Just bookmarking this one so I can show it to my husband tonight.

Hi, I've found this topic really interesting, I didn't have anything on my first pc and got loads of viruses and worms. I now have just paid for my third year of Norton, cost me £50.00. I may change next year but the prospect scares me a little. Lisa

I had Norton and didn't have any problem with it but to save expense dumped it when it was due for renewal and got free AVG and it has been fine, picks up lots of potential viruses etc. On my laptop I had mcafee and it was a pain so when that came up for renewal I got free AVG on there too. Incidentally we are on Broadband Ann Glos

Any one anti spyware solution will only get about 60% of the problems. And they each get a different selection. The important thing is to ensure that they are updated and run regularly (weekly). Most don't automatically update. I have Adaware SE Personal, A-squared and Spybot. All are free. I took off Microsoft because it never found anything when the others do! L For those confused: You may run only 1 Antivirus Prog and 1 Firewall at a time (otherwise you get contention issues). If you install a Firewall, turn OFF the Windows XP one! If you run Norton or McAffee make sure you password protect them. Some viruses are written to specifically target them and stop them from running or updating. Password protection makes this harder for the viruses. Run as many anti-spyware programs as you like. If you are having problems, boot your PC in safe mode before running the anti-spyware and you may find more that did not show when run normally.

I have swopped spybot for the free Microsoft antispy ware - go to the MS website to download it.