The program has just told me that as of the end of this month, I can no longer download updates unless I buy the full version.

I have no intention of being blackmailed, so I was wondering what the best alternatives were (and whether I need to beware of any pitfalls when uninstalling one and installing the next)... last time I asked around, most people thought Avast was pretty good, but has it been superceded and/or has it started charging too? And if so, is there a safe alternative?

Ta,

J

Hi Jinksy,
Antivir has one of the best free antivirus programs. I use it and love it.

Are you sure that you didn't inadvertently download a trial version that isn't free?

I agree - it sounds like you downloaded one of the trial versions rather than the free edition.

I also agree with mrsugg's suggestion above.
AVG8 seems to have a few problems at the moment, and some people are switching allegiance.

I have been using Avast! since it was first offered the free version. I have never had any problems with it either. I did try AVG but didn't like it as well as Avast!

I have found the latest version of Avast (4.8.1195) works well for me using Windows XP SP2. Best to check out the Avast forum as a decision to use it is obviously down to you alone.

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=2.0

You have downloaded the trial version.

Go to download dot com and get the free version.

-=AE=-

Even so, AVG has become a posterboy for bloatware with their version 8.

I've decided to ditch AVG today, and good riddance to dozens of MB of wasted space (if I wanted something besides pure antivirus, I'll ask for it, thankyouverymuch - I'm perfectly happy with PrevX 2) and what's worse, AVG has become unreliable due to its absurd function/mission creep, as the interactions with other software are more and more opaque.

It's a pity because I've been using AVG for several years and grew very fond of its efficiency and small footprint.

So, no more AVG for me. I'm off looking for something better, that is capable of sticking to its core mission (yeah I know - it's freeware and as such AVG/Grisoft is free to do as it pleases, but that cuts both ways - certainly including me airing publicly my disgust beyond disappointment with AVG's chosen path)

PS: if nonetheless there are poor misguided souls out there with a masochistic streak, don't go anywhere but Grisoft's own site to get AVG Free - at http://free.grisoft.com - an prepare to click through stubbornly ("no, I REALLY want the freeware version!") to grab it. But don't complain once you've installed it and find out it's become a burdensome monster, toldyaso!

I have read about an antispyware/antivirus product named DriveSentry [url]https://www.drivesentry.com [/url] in Wilders Security forum. They are said to be bringing out a completely free version next week. It looks good.

What does anyone else think? im not all that techie !

thanks ,

ysse.

Right, it turns out that AVG haven't stopped offering the free option, they'd just hidden it so well I couldn't find it.

So I downloaded it, tried to install it, and got told that it now wouldn't run on my operating system, and needed 'Windows 2000 SP4 and an Update Rollup Pack or higher'.

What I'm actually running is apparently 'Windows 2000 Professional (5.0 Build 2195) Service'.

So can anyone recommend a free viruschecker I could use that will actually run on this PC?

Ta again,

J

Keep in mind that it's always a trade-off: a "light" AV means you need your back covered in a separate package taking care of process monitoring / antibadware (sometimes haughtily referred to as "antispyware") and of course a solid firewall. In other words, you can't really do without the trio - plus of course ensuring you're up-to-date with your OS. I just like specialists, and not a hogging wannabe do-it-all generalist because the world out there is too crazy to be particularly good at everything to my taste.

Having said that - I switched over from AVG Free and am now using the free Antivir version, and honestly, it is a lot like using AVG 7 all over again: light, fast, and aggressive enough to my liking.

Give it a spin: http://www.free-av.com/

Wait, are you saying that free-AV will run on this PC? I want to be sure in advance, since I've heard dire warnings about what might happen if I try to install AV software when I already have an AV program running, but I don't want to uninstall AVG 7 after downloading an alternative program only to discover that I can't put the new one on the PC and am left defenceless!

You just need to get AVG 8 requiring uninstall of 7 but they are not charging for the free version of AVG 8. You must of miss-read. You still go free.grisoft.com and get AVG 8 for FREE.

I recommend you choose the custom install and don't install the browser plugin for search engine site advisory. My firefox has been crashing ever since I started to use it.

I gotta chime in with my $00.2 CDN worth.

AVG was fast and lean and did the job very well.
I used it for years and recommeded to many.
It's now become a bloated slow resource hogging
pig much like Norton has changed into a few years ago.

I'm not using the free version and want to find some
other A.V. The version I'm using is 8.0.93.

Pls wish me "good luck" in uninstalling the prog as I spent
the last 2 hrs trying to find out how to uninstall it. It does'nt
have an "unstall" option and doesn't appear in the
"Add or Remove Programs" in the "Control Panel".


scroffa..

Hi scroffa,

Just run the installation program again. When it has collected data on your current installation you will have the opportunity to uninstall.