ANTI VIRUS

[johntywino]

Just tried to download security essentials but have to have windows pack 3? This wrecks my m/c and has to be removed every time it goes on....What's the next best free protection please? John (just come off £26 Norton),

[andy-hughes]

AVG is very good - had it for about ten years, and I surf a lot!

I have had two viruses, but my coputer wiz advises me that they were so virulent that nothing this side of the Pentagon would have kept them out.

[Buenchico]

AVG used to be the most popular free antivirus solution around here but many people (including me) have found that the latest version slows their PCs to a crawl. The free version of Avast! is now possibly the most popular freebie among ABers:
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

AVG should be used alongside a decent firewall. I'm happy with ZoneAlarm Free
http://www.zonealarm....ity-free-firewall.htm
but Comodo seems to be the favourite around here:
http://www.comodo.com...cts/free-products.php

Then you'll just need a free anti-malware solution, with this leading the field:
http://download.cnet....-8022_4-10804572.html

Chris

[johntywino]

Thanks Chris.....Just done all three...Now't else to worry about?

[andy-hughes]

Chris is our resident tekkie genius, be guided by him in all things computer.

[ChuckFickens]

I'd be more worried about sorting out the problems you have with service pack 3 rather than ignoring that problem and working round it.

How does it "wreck my m/c"?

[galeck1947]

Microsoft has now ended support for SP2 so as Chuck says you would be better off fixing this issue with SP3 to keep your pc stable and secure.

[johntywino]

Hi Chuck Every time I download service pack 3 (and it's been done several times over the past few years) The computer then "freezes" and I have to turn off the computer on the stack....After that the thing just will not start, and the only way I can get anything to work is by pressing F10? as it is trying to start and going back to factory settings.I stopped all automatic updates with windows because of it, and since then have not had a problem....except when I tried to get security essentials...... John

[galeck1947]

You can go to the Microsoft dowload site and download the Readiness Tool that you can run when you are having problems with updates and service packs.This may help you but you should turn your automatic updates on after you run this tool.