Genealogy Chat

for those who need one a free anti virus programme (AVG 6.0 anti virus system)------- Which also "heals" a virus if already on your system.----------- can be found at www(.)freebiersclub(.)co(.)uk -------------- The site is FREE to join & has many free computer utilities & programmes, along with other freebies! ( have had loads through my door ! ) Hope this helps someone elaine x

forgot to mention. the site also has a free Family Tree software ! Elaine x

I recommend this too. Don't think that free means poor quality. This is professional software. They give the home user version for free but also supply to business users. Updates free every two weeks. Bob

Or you could just go direct to http://www.grisoft(.)com/us/us_dwnl_free.php for free AVG Antivirus. Dierdre X

think this is worth a nudge considering all the virus's going around

One thing to say about the free AVG is that they dont give technical support. I had a trojan last night Dyfica c, avg told me that I had got it but couldnt remove it. I had to trawl over the net to find a solution (It was easy all i had to do was switch off system restore restart the computer switch it back on and restart again to create a new restore point). It is great software but I dont just rely on this, another point check your computer regularly for spyware there are some nasty programs out there.You can download lots of free programs from the net to remove it and its best to try more than one as they have different levels of effectiveness.

I'm sure you didn't mean this Allison, but be aware that most antivirus progammes stongly advise against running two at once. Bob

I agree with Bob, we made the mistake of running two at once and it caused problems. Because they each need the same bit of the computer to work so in effect cancel each other out. At least i think that was the gist of it Shelli

I run AVG as my main program as I find its resident sheild works best but I have found that sometimes it is not as good at fixing problems. I then uninstall it install another run then uninstall and return to AVG. The lack of tech support with the free version of AVG means that this is sometimes the only way to solve problems, but its a great program and its free! I sugested more than one for the spyware and obviously not at the same time.Different programs find different spyware in different ways and most is never found with anti virus programs

I can also recommend AVG free anti virus software which I have been using for several years now. It has stopped quite a few virus's and I have not been infected - yet touch wood ! It is used by quite a lot of the expert pc brigade. Can also recommend free Firewall software called Zone Alarm from www(.)zonelabs(.)com which stops people hacking into your pc.

If i've got AVG Anti-virus - do I need a firewall too? I think i've got one - but don't know for sure. How would I know??? Sue.

Susan. They can cause problems. I just use the one that is built in to XP. Bob

Thanks Bob - i'm using Windows XP so I guess i'm covered! Sue.

Susan, check it's turned on! Go start/control panel/ network connections/advanced and the box in firewall should be checked. Bob

I use AVG and zone alarm as well. When there is a virus scare, I download the fix from Symantec and then scan my system to see if I have it. So far so good! Only problem is that I wnated to use incredimail to send and recieve mails. I cannot configure AVG to work with incredimail so I have to use outlook to ensure my machine is safe. But I do send mails with incredimail

There is a free online virus and spyware scanner, but I cant remember the address. I know it is panda something, maybe a google search would find it.

While I am not saying that there is anyting wrong with the free programs I believe that this virus problem is far too important to take any risks. My computer came with Norton Internet Security ready installed and I have paid the subs to continue the membership. I get a firewall (better than XP) spam blocking, ad blocking and parental control. I update and scan twice a week and so far (touch wood) I have avoided disaster even though I am on broadband and connected most of the time. You pay your money and take your choice but if you (like me) are not too concientious about backups then a virus could mean the total loss of a tremendous amount of work. As I say...Not worth the risk

If you run more then one anti-virus program, you could have problems BUT anti-spyware programs are not the same as anti-virus programs. I run Norton (anti-virus), Spybot (anti-spyware), WinPatrol (easy way of deleting cookies) and ZoneAlarm Pro (firewall)and have never had any problems. And (touch wood) I've never had a virus and get hardly any spam or pop-up ads. I pay for Norton and the annual updates, but the rest is free and well worth the trouble downloading. Sue

Can the free AVG antivirus be safely used alongside the Zone Alarm free firewall ? Will they clash & cause problems ? I'm on win 98. Elaine x

Elaine, as I said above, I use both and there don't seem to be any problems. As I run a website I am in the unfortunate position of regularly recieving emails with virus in them, but Avg spots them every time! Actually I also use the google pop up stopper and the three seem to coexist quite happily