Can anyone recommend a good free antivirus and spyware package. I've had numerous problems with software on my PC:

Norton: The scan would crash the PC part-way through, so I could never scan the whole system
McAfee: Same as above, plus with the full protection in place it would prevent me viewing any web pages.
AVG: Downloaded this recently and unlike the two above it does perform a full system scan without crashing, but the anti-virus and the spyware has really slowed my PC down. It takes literally 20 minutes for my PC to start up/download updates and stuff before I can actually use it.

So I'm looking for something that won't crash when scanning, but that doesn't slow my PC down too much.

Thank you!

I've always used AVG with no problems, the fact that the scans crash is worrying - It's not supposed to! Wonder if something nasty has got it's hooks into your system. Try trend micro's online scanner - Google web virus scanner - see if that works perhaps.

Surprising, as AVG usually uses less resources than Norton...

Perhaps try an online scanner like Harlequin suggests.


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The AVG scan works (unlike Norton and McAfee), but the software has just really slowed my PC down. It's annoying having to wait 20 minutes from switching on my PC to being able to use it. Especially if I only need to use it quickly! So I'm just looking to download something that won't be as slow when I start my PC up.

I've used AVG for a good four years and installed it for literally hundreds of people on all varieties of machines from brand new to 350MHz museum pieces and never seen it slow down a system much at all!

I wonder if it is the AVG software itself that is causing problems or the startup scan?

When you start your computer do you get two avg icons - one has a 'hollow' centre to it? If so - try right clicking on it and cancel the scan.

If it isn't the scan causing the delays then I would suggest uninstalling AVG just to prove that it is the problem.

As far as (my knowledge of) anti-spyware programs go:

AVG also do a free anti-spyware program that has a good reputation - I usually use both spybot and ad-aware one after another - they seem to get almost everything apart from a few stubborn ones. Both of them are free and I've used/installed them loads with no problems.

I've used AVG for a good four years and installed it for literally hundreds of people on all varieties of machines from brand new to 350MHz museum pieces and never seen it slow down a system much at all!

I wonder if it is the AVG software itself that is causing problems or the startup scan?

When you start your computer do you get two avg icons - one has a 'hollow' centre to it? If so - try right clicking on it and cancel the scan.

If it isn't the scan causing the delays then I would suggest uninstalling AVG just to prove that it is the problem.

As far as (my knowledge of) anti-spyware programs go:

AVG also do a free anti-spyware program that has a good reputation - I usually use both spybot and ad-aware one after another - they seem to get almost everything apart from a few stubborn ones. Both of them are free and I've used/installed them loads with no problems.


The PC very definately got slowly immediately after installing AVG. With McAfee it would take 5 mins to get to the stage where I could start using, but AVG has quadrupled that time. I had also installed the spyware program from AVG at the same time. I will check the start-up scan when I get home. Is this when it is checking for updates? It seems to download updates everytime I start-up and this take ages.

the start-up scan is different from the updates. If the updates themselves are taking ages then is it the downloading of them that takes time or the application of them? If you're on dial-up or something then it might take a while to download - and I've noticed that the process of applying the updates sometimes takes as much as 20 seconds - not much more.

The PC very definately got slowly immediately after installing AVG. With McAfee it would take 5 mins to get to the stage where I could start using, but AVG has quadrupled that time. I had also installed the spyware program from AVG at the same time. I will check the start-up scan when I get home. Is this when it is checking for updates? It seems to download updates everytime I start-up and this take ages.

I take it you've completely removed all other AV/security sw prior to installing AVG?

Oooh, I've had exactly the same problem with AVG! 20 minutes is really frustrating.
I think it's downloading the update files that slows it down; the download itself is fairly quick, but then the update seems to take ages. (I've got broadband).

I DIDN'T remove all other security software - will do so forthwith - and will check the settings on AVG to see if I can somehow control when it downloads updates.

If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know!

Any other AV s/w all this talk of AVG is making wonder if this is the ONLY solution?

I'm pleased with ClamWin.

Are you doing a full system scan every time you start the PC ? This will really slow things down.The way I run AVG is a complete system scan on first install, then activate the Resident Shield which will check any new files appearing on the system....from downloads for example or copying stuff from a CD or pen drive. If you use POP3 email you should also activate the email scanner.

A full scan is really only needed if you suspect something has got through your defences, but it doesn't hurt to do one about once a week when your PC would otherwise be idle.

Any other AV s/w all this talk of AVG is making wonder if this is the ONLY solution?

There is also AVAST which is well thought of.

AVG or avast are not bad

yep avg and avast great used avg for many years but now on avast both great

There is also AVAST which is well thought of.

Avast doesn't carry too much favour with me though!:suspect:

Compatability issues (blocked my Operamail!) and childish interface, made me unistall Avast and switch back to AVG in double quick time!

And AVG aint in my favour any more for me it just wasnt doing its job.Been a while back id be in favour of AVG myself must have run it for over 8 yr i guess.I know you all like it and guess if it works for you then its the one for you.








Box full of old isa pci vid cards network sound ect free
http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=274741

the start-up scan is different from the updates. If the updates themselves are taking ages then is it the downloading of them that takes time or the application of them? If you're on dial-up or something then it might take a while to download - and I've noticed that the process of applying the updates sometimes takes as much as 20 seconds - not much more.

It seems to take some time to get to the updating bit, then the update takes a few minutes, maybe up to 5 minutes. I'm on a broadband connection. Certainly I'm happy with the speed of my internet connection.

I take it you've completely removed all other AV/security sw prior to installing AVG?

Yes.

Making this post up to 10 characters, so that it will accept it....:hihi:

Are you doing a full system scan every time you start the PC ?

Not that I'm aware of. It certainly doesn't say anything about scanning the system.

I had also installed the spyware program from AVG at the same time.

Ah... The AVG Anti-Spyware prog could be the culprit. While AVG's Anti-Virus is pretty good, i have my reservations about their Anti-Spyware prog (which they bought off someone else). I once had it causing BSODs on a brand-new install.


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Ah... The AVG Anti-Spyware prog could be the culprit. While AVG's Anti-Virus is pretty good, i have my reservations about their Anti-Spyware prog (which they bought off someone else). I once had it causing BSODs on a brand-new install.


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AVG anti spyware is one of the best free anti-spyware programs available. It was originally from Ewido, a highly respected antispyware provider. I certainly had no problems with it.

I agree it's good for cleaning up, but i've not had much experience of it "long-term", so am not sure how it does on the resource-hogging front.


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Norton: The scan would crash the PC part-way through, so I could never scan the whole system


Have you actually removed all traces of Norton from your computer?
Your PC must be totally rid of Norton before it will perform properly with other anti virus/spyware applications.
If you simply uninstalled Norton via the "Add and remove programs" then you haven't really removed Norton.

You must use the Norton Removal tool that Norton provides free on their Symantec website.

Download it from here:

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

Have you actually removed all traces of Norton from your computer?
Your PC must be totally rid of Norton before it will perform properly with other anti virus/spyware applications.
If you simple uninstalled Norton via the "Add and remove programs" then you haven't really removed Norton.

You must use the Norton Removal tool that Norton provides free on their Symantec website.

Download it from here:

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

And when you have used the romoval tool, manually check to see if any other Norton junk is left on your computer (I bet there is).

And when you have used the romoval tool, manually check to see if any other Norton junk is left on your computer (I bet there is).

The Norton Tool will remove all critical Norton entries although they will probably be a few obsolete Norton entries left in the registry, just use an application like CC cleaner or EasyClean to remove these.

Thank you - I will try all the tips out over the weekend and let you know!

Well I spent some time yesterday going through all your helpful tips. It seems there was still some Norton and McAfee stuff lurking in the background, that wasn't showing on the list of installed programs. These have now been removed and it is working much faster!!

Thank you everyone :D

yep avg and avast great used avg for many years but now on avast both great


i just got rid of zone alarm security suite and downloaded (avast)for free then uped it to avast pro :hihi: i think its great up to now no probs

Have you actually removed all traces of Norton from your computer?
Your PC must be totally rid of Norton before it will perform properly with other anti virus/spyware applications.
If you simply uninstalled Norton via the "Add and remove programs" then you haven't really removed Norton.

You must use the Norton Removal tool that Norton provides free on their Symantec website.

Download it from here:

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

still baffles me how norton can still be considered a security tool when it needs its own removal tool to get rid.........that smacks of spyware, malware behaviour to me :D

The only truly successful way to remove that crap called Norton is to reformat. :)

Even using the removal tool you will find traces left, although I wouldn't worry about these.

The only truly successful way to remove that crap called Norton is to reformat. :)

I find manually removing stuff to be a better option:thumbsup:.

I find manually removing stuff to be a better option:thumbsup:.

I agree! Just that reformatting is quicker in Norton's case. :D

If I install any software I always make an image of my drive using Acronis. It saves all the hassle of using the add/remove and ensures no traces of the software are left behind. :)

If I install any software I always make an image of my drive using Acronis.

I've done the same on all our PCs (once I've got a stable/viable install).

As you say, makes for easier re-installs should anything go wrong (though I've only ever had to do this once - twice if you include removing XP and sticking 2k on one box):D.

If you know what you are doing manual removal is quite straight forward, but the average computer numpty would more than likely have a lot of trouble.

If you know what you are doing manual removal is quite straight forward, but the average computer numpty would more than likely have a lot of trouble.

Agreed, unless you know what you are doing manual deletion can lead you into all sorts of trouble should you accidentally delete a critical file.
So manual deletion is only recommended for advanced PC users, and won't be suitable for people that are posting for help on these forums!