free antivirus software

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Hello,

I am wondering if some of you loungers know of good free anti virus software. I know of AVG but would like to know about any other options

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The reason I ask is after downloading AVG 7.0 free version, it asks me if Iwant to restart the computer to finish updates, after I do the restart it asks me again, and again so it seems that the avg version i have is @#$!% I got it at downloads.com. I am also getting a nasty pop up calling itself winfixer. I think this might be stuck in my registry?? so i try to goto the run in start menu and type regedit to take a peek and as soon as press Enter it disappears. My microsoft spyware scanner also does the same thing it disappears when i try to open it, Ithink this computer has a virus???

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Hi again

According to the AVG Anti Virus web site, it’s no longer free.
It could be you have an infection and may have trouble installing AV software. Perhaps someone else will recognized what’s happening and can give you some direction.
In the meantime, you can check out the threads Anti Adware, Spyware, Hijack and Tutorials & Links to Detection & Removal Tools for info on some additional protection.

Have a Great day!!!
Ken

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There is a version at Grisoft Freeweb: AVG Free Edition

Joe

--Joe

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Yes, I am getting a connectio msg every time i load on to grisoft’s web site i think my virus is working behind the scenes to prevent a scan. I have tried spybot and it cannot get rid of a trojan know as
Virtumonde

I lookup this on google and got some info on removing it but i can’t folllow through with the procedure because regedit will open and close right away giving no chance to find this little pest

I did a seach on google about the problem and found a site:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/ToolsQuit.htm

It says the little pricks are called

Backdoor.IRC.Yoink.A
W32.HLLW.Cydog@mm
Backdoor.Volac.dr
W32.Kwbot.R.Worm
W32.Erkez.B@mm
W32.Spybot
W32.Mytob.LD@mm

avast seems to find trojans each time i run it but still wont kill the little pests described above.
I have ran everything in safe mode and seem to do minimal to the reg edit problem.

I cant even install microsofts anti spyware because these pests get involve and terminate the install i think i am in big trouble
any one know how to save me??

thanks
Markus

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Can you open the Task Manager and try to kill processes associated with the malware? Also, unplug from the network anytime you are not using it. This may idle the malware so that you get some CPU cycles back.

You also could try some other programs that perhaps won’t be as readily detected. For example, Trend System Cleaner (this page: http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp%5B/url%5D, scroll down to Sysclean Package; you also need to download the latest pattern file from this page: http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp%5B/url%5D, currently # 3.133).

Last but not least, you could boot with a Linux CD to delete or rename problem files. Googling around, this one looks interesting, but if your drive is NTFS-formatted, you need to add a driver to it, so it’s not completely ready-to-roll: :: Trinity Rescue Kit 3.0 :: CPR for your computer. Oh my, here’s a really long list of these CDs: http://www.security-forums.com/forum/links…ub_pages&cat=26%5B/url%5D. Sorry I can’t recommend any of them from personal experience.

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Markus,

The link I provided in my previous post about Winfixer, also includes tools and instructions to remove Virtumonde[/b] and a couple other related nasties. Take a look and read through the instructions carefully. I’m pretty sure that these tools will help. I just used them myself to remove a Winfixer/Virtumonde infection from my daughter’s boyfriend’s family PC.

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Ken
[indent]

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According to the AVG Anti Virus web site, it’s no longer free.

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[/indent]Maybe I misunderstand you, but AVG free is available from the link!

John

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Hi John

My eyes are dim
I can not see
I have not got my specs with me
I have not………..

Matix

Have you tried booting to “Safe Mode” and trying the removal procedures?

Have a Great day!!!
Ken

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Ken,

I downloaded AVG yesterday after reading Woody’s “Windows XP for Dummies”. Download and operation is fine. Be patient in locating the exact page for the download.
Grisoft Freeweb: Get AVG for your home PC virus protection

Look toward the bottom or search for “avg71_free371a669.exe”

Good Day
Al

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(Edited by Waggers on 01-Feb-06 16:05. )

“According to the AVG Anti Virus web site, it’s no longer free.”

Not strictly true. Grisoft have always offered pay-for AVG antivirus software along with the free edition. The free edition is still available from their website (AVG Anti Virus: AVG Free Edition) although admittedly they’ve made it harder to find. AFAIK the version has always been “for private, non-commercial, single home computer use only.”

Edit:
Sorry, I posted this before reading through the whole thread and see that others have already given a similar response!

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Winfixer is a type of Trojan that downloads and displays pop-up ads.

Here are instructions and links to tools to remove Winfixer. HTH

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I just downloaded and installed AVG Free on Saturday after reformatting my hard drive. Something hiccuped on first install as I got a blue screen when it tried to reboot. So I uninstalled, rebooted, and reinstalled again. Second time went perfect and so far appears to be working well. Sunday morning I checked my office email and it nailed a virus in the first one. It was a suspicious spam anyway so I would never have touched the attachment. It takes slightly longer to get my emails now as it visably checks them before letting me at them but that’s a good thing, right? My old antivirus program just grabbed viruses if I tried to open the attachment.

Rod Corkum

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> It takes slightly longer to get my emails now as it visably checks them before letting me at them
> but that’s a good thing, right? My old antivirus program just grabbed viruses if I tried to open the attachment.

It’s a judgment call. If your mail client can be “locked down” to avoid executing scripts in message bodies, then the old-fashioned type of protection is more time-efficient. But if you download mail in the background, it makes sense to scan immediately. Most of the major packages now have that option.

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Thanks everyone, i will not be able to try the few things mentioned until i get back to my mothers house but ill let you know ht happened as soon as i do

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Hi Matix

I switched from AVG to Avast!quite a while ago (close to two years I’d guess) after having some problems with AVG.
Both my wife and I use it and recommend it. The automatic updates work well, it doesn’t hog memory and it has successfully blocked virus downloads on many occasions.

Have a Great Day!!!
Ken

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I switched from NAV to AVG Free Edition 2 years ago and have never looked back. AVG has worked flawlessly…updates smoothly, catches all virus threats thrown at it, small footprint. Works perfectly. Highly recommended.

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I swapped to Avast a few years ago now, after having had a lot of problems with AVG.

I have found it to be very good and that it seemed to detect things AVG missed.

but thats just my view of it.

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