Hello Guys,
Can u please share some good free anti virus softwares which can detect and remove the virus on Windows XP machine?
Stella
Best Free Anti-Virus Softwares
anonymoususer on 19/12/2013 - 20:07
Comments
Avast is probably the best detection ratw of the free anti viruses. When installing it be sure to do custom install and untick all scanners/tools except anti virus shield. This will get rid of the bloatware and give you a nice functional AV.
When installed go into Settings -> Appearance and untick Enable Sounds or it will drive you mad.
dont download from download.cnet.com, they make you install download manager last i heard. If you looking for something light that doesnt run all the time get http://www.freedrweb.com/cureit/
Microsoft Security Essentials
Low resource usage, small download size, small definition updates. Only downside is it misses 40% of new viruses as Microsoft are very slow to add detections but if you are a careful user it works great.
If you were referring to the Dennis test that was published earlier by Dennis Tech Labs http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/security/386185/microsoft-securi… it's been noted that the test is flawed because they were testing on an unpatched Win 7 SP1 system.
malware bytes, run in safe mode
+1 for avast. The interface isn't very friendly but it's a good program. If you're going paid get bitdefender.
Avast is great but the constant nagging from their advertisement is annoying.
You can set the duration of popups. Open the interface, top right click Settings, 4th down in menu on left - click it and you can set duration for any type of popup.
Another vote for Avast.
I was recommended Avast by the TAFE as they use it on all their computers and I've been using it for more then 10 years without a problem.
I've had Malwarebytes, McAfee and now for last year w' Avast. No probs w' Avast so far.
avast and weekly scan with mbam
I fix a lot of computers & can tell you the number one issue with anti-virus programs is that they run in the background & never ask for any user intervention- ever. Then, when a virus does manage to knock their anti-virus offline, it leaves the icon sitting on the task bar & every assumes they're protected.
Use AVAST.
Avast pops up with a visual & audio alert each time it updates. You KNOW it's running. It's a very good thing.
Follow up with a weekly, manual scan with Malwarebytes & you should be good to go.
:)
+1.
A lot of people say Microsoft Security Essentials is great… because it's "user friendly" and "unobstrusive".
Which are not the main points of an antivirus.. its like buying an alarm for your house that is 'unobtrusive' and saying that it works great because it hasn't suddenly interrupted you when were watching TV. An antivirus that stays silent most of the time could mean you're either not encountered anything or it has failed to detect something.
User friendliness and inconspiciousness are the major selling points of an antivirus but it's unfortunately not what security is about. The alarm must go off if something risky is found.
Even MS isn't keen on MSE.
MSE slipped -a LOT- in the detection game.
http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2013/10/06/ouch_mi…
FYI
Yeap. The article raises my point:
MSE (or Windows Defender in Windows 8) has always been an extremely light-weight app, and it was popular for not being annoying like more commercial programs like McAfee and Norton
People just want an antivirus that works in the background and shuts up…not one with good detection rates, too many configuration options or too many features.
Perhaps someone should sell an antivirus, and all it needs to do is put an icon in the system tray and only has 1 button "Quick Scan" which then displays a "Scan complete, no items found" dialog box 10 seconds after the user has pressed it. It also gives no warnings whatsoever, even if the computer has conficker.
Guaranteed to get a 10/10 review in anyone's books for being 'fast, user friendly and unobstrusive'.
I use Microsoft antivirus/malware in Win 8.1 in conjunction with common sense, Firefox addons Noscript and Adblock+. Works well for me
Windows XP machine?
You shouldn't be using Windows XP anymore. Microsoft has declated Windows XP to be dead — starting April next year.
After April 8, 2014, technical assistance for Windows XP will no longer be available, including automatic updates that help protect your PC. You can continue to use Windows XP, but your computer might become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses.
Microsoft isn't joking when they say XP makes your computer vulnerable. Right now, it has many holes and security exploits, which antiviruses do not protect against (it's not the role of a antivirus to stop a hacker attack, that's what Windows Update patches are for, as well as a strong firewall)
Many businesses are dumping XP and are now upgrading to 7.
If you want to continue using XP, you can do so but don't do anything important stuff like online shopping or internet banking. Uninstall any instances of Java (the biggest culprit), Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Flash and always use a hardware firewall.
Agreed. But the OP asked for XP AV freeware…
That being said :) …how about a totally free, brilliant operating system? And you can say goodbye to virus attacks?
If you have a dual-core CPU + 2GB RAM, you really cannot beat Linux Mint 13, Mate. There are newer versions (up to #16), but 13 is the long-term, stable release:
http://www.linuxmint.com/release.php?id=18
There are other Linux that will work on lesser hardware- but I've switched quite few people (mainly pensioners) who were sick of virus attacks & in no way wanted to deal with 8…Mint is so streamlined- & their software manager (to add new programs) is awesome.
Cheers!
Linux is one way but gotta have somebody around the house or on the phone ready to provide the 24-7 ICT helpdesk support :)
You know SS,
Before Mint, I would have agreed. But they've really taken things to a whole new "user-friendly" level. It is now a full-featured, easy run, easy to keep running OS- even for my pensioners!
Besides, if you think someone you recommend to it might need a hand every so often, Teamviewer works fine in Mint. Place the client-side icon/version on their desktop & you're a very quick-link away & can pop in for a look/fix very easily.
In saying that, I can honestly say that I've only had about a call a month- and it's generally something to do with them not understanding the lingo- nothing with Mint, etc…
:)
Geekomatic,
I hate Win8 and am afraid to be stuck on an old O/S for the rest of my life if MS continues in their Metro direction. I like freshness and improvement, so I don't want to be stuck with Win7. So maybe Mint is the way to go.
But the big selling points for Windows was customisability and having so many programs. Apple doesn't have either. And I figure Linux doesn't have either.
Computers are so important in our lives these days, so I'm surprised that we struggle to find something good. I'm willing to pay heaps for something good. Will Win7 be the last good O/S ever?
Just thinking out loud here.
BTW, Bitdefender has a free version now. Very minimalistic, but Bitdefender has won many recent awards.
But the big selling points for Windows was customisability and having so many programs. Apple doesn't have either. And I figure Linux doesn't have either.
Can you tell me of a concrete example of a customisation that is not available to Mac OS and/or Linux? I am not trying to start a fanboy war, I am genuinely curious because in my experience, it is the other way around.
Will Win7 be the last good O/S ever?
In my opinion (and only mine), Windows 7 has the same crappy design as Win XP - it feels like MS just rushed this product out the doors. My previous boss was so reluctant to upgrade from win xp to win 7… simply because there did not seem to be any added value from a productivity perspective. I would install win 7 just to play games but I am holding my breath for Steam OS now.
Windows 7 easily beats OSX in usability and intuitiveness. Try finding out the number of files and total file size of a group of folders in 7 vs OSX. I can guarantee you'd need a google search for the latter if its possible.
I love my macbook air but I feel the only reason I do is because Apple has integrated the touchpad so well with their OS, and because OSX is generally more stable.
I don't plan on upgrading to the next Windows, especially if MS continues in the Windows 8 tradition. SteamOS and an OSX device for non gaming will be enough.
Try finding out the number of files and total file size of a group of folders in 7 vs OSX.
I learnt my new thing for the day. hehehe. My guess is that is it uses the command "du" and have to use the -c flag to generate this total. It surprises me that I never had to use this (and hence would have discovered it) before. The problem with intuitiveness is that it heavily depends on the user and his/her experience. My first experience with computers was with win 2000/win xp; so with your example, yes, it does not feel intuitive. However, it could have been the other way around as well. Isn't there a tweak to finder that puts it on steroids? cannot recall its name.
There are annoyances with any OS but I feel that Mac OS is the right compromise for me - cannot survive without the terminal now.
SteamOS and an OSX device for non gaming will be enough.
+1. I am waiting for SteamOS to mature nowHi Martin,
Actually, Linux Mint has options/customizing like crazy—- a whole lot more than Windows ever thought of! It's also actively updated- they release a new version often- with fixes & advancements. They also have a large, active support forum/community to go to for help & inspiration. :) The days of command-line interface are gone- it's all GUI now- though if you get to the point that you'd like to expand your knowledge, you can still do that, too.
Here's what you can do to have a test-drive of Mint:
Download the ISO for Mate 13 in 32 or 64 bit, according to what your system has for CPU.
http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
Download unetbootin
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
Install unetbootin. Plug in an 8gb USB thumb/flash drive to load Mint to using the unetbootin program. Tick the "ISO" button & browse to the Mint image you downloaded, click ok, wait for it to finish. Then, you restart your computer, enter your system BIOS screen/boot menu- and change 1st boot device to the thumb drive. This will allow you to see how Mint is & you'll be able to run it pretty much full-speed. The other option (if your PC can't boot from a flash drive) is to burn the ISO image to a CD- it's not as fast to run, but does the job well enough to test it out.
It sounds more complicated than it is- really. Just read the two sites & you'll see what I mean. There's probably youtube vids that show you step-by-step, too.
All I can tell you is that I was a Windows only user for a very long time. It just became too much for me. I don't like the company as a whole, I don't like their "vision", & I definitely do not like their seeming lack of respect for the opinions of their customers/clients. Windows 8 has to be the worst thought out OS in history…Many will disagree, but again- it was tested, beta'd, and the comments from testers was virtually ignored. Those who trusted MS & moved from XP to 8 are now stuck there— because MS has now released a "service pack" that only partially fixes a bit of their original cock-up—> yet not only are they selling it as a "new" OS (full price)— those with the XP to 8 update are now being told that they CAN'T, in fact, move to the new version. They are stuck at the cock-up stage. I think MS did it on purpose to force the XP'ers away from XP, en-masse (but I'm jaded like that- lol).
End of rant. MS & Windows keeps me working so they serve a purpose to me in that respect. However, nothing will ever make me move back to running their OS on anything I personally use.
I think you're going to be very pleasantly surprised with Mint- & you'll wish you hadn't dragged feet so long.
:)
Thanks for the info. I am absolutely with you when you say you don't like MS as a company. They are a monopoly and don't care about customers, so I don't want to be locked into them. Their arrogance is extraordinary.
Yes, Win8 is a joke. I'm amazed it has supporters. People are different, I guess. I've fixed Win8 every way I can for the last 2 months since I bought this computer, but it still pops up surprising irritations. And now they are locking updates so that you have to use the Store, and can't get an iso, and so many other irritations. This is coming from someone who loved Win95, 98, 2000, XP and Win7 and Office 2003 and 2010 (not 2007!).
The main obstacle for me is that Linux doesn't work with Office and Ableton (music software). If it worked with those two things, then I would make a permanent shift. I'll probably dual-boot.
BTW, why not use Mint 16 (definitely prefer the latest tech if possible!).
Hi Martin,
With Mint- all forward numbers (after a stable) are considered "unstable". Doesn't mean it is - just not officially supported- hence I prefer to point people to the tried & true.
As far as Office, do you have to have it? Or will Libre Office suffice? I ask because I only use LO now & never have issues. All I do is go to Options>General>& save my pref as MS Word .doc/97/2003/xp office?
Ableton- no idea. If you have a product key for XP- rather than dual-boot, do a Virtualbox install of XP inside your Mint? Then run it there?
I can tell you're up to it. Move away from MS & I promise- you'll never look back.
As an aside- once you switch & are in nirvana— please do donate to the Mint team?
:)
"do a Virtualbox install of XP inside your Mint? Then run it there?"
Never thought of doing Win inside Mint - only the other way round or side by side. I don't know why. Habit, I guess. Thanks.
There's something I don't understand. I was reading that Mint is based on Ubuntu. Mint info states no antivirus protection is needed, but Ubuntu states it has built-in virus protection.
Also, is there a site explaining all the different… what do you call it… 'versions' of Linux!? It might be a good OS, but you need a degree before you even know which version to install.
Hi Real,
You're getting too wound up. No degree required, I promise. It's all good. Mint is a fork of Ubuntu. The team behind Mint felt that what they offered helped to streamline the OS for newer users.
If you'd like to try without "not" buying, do as I described above.
Viruses are written for MS, not Linux. Eve if they tried, the way it works would make it very difficult to carry out.
I have run Mint since v.9- & I'm only now moving to 13 for enhancements….I have never run an antivirus, of any sort…in years.
:)
I noticed you said above to download a distribution according to your CPU. I've also noticed that kind of advice online. (I've been reading most of the night about the various Linux distributions.) Anyway… Where can I find that kind of info - i.e. Which distribution will run on my particular system?
Probably of no help, but here's my system specs anyway:
- Intel Pentium 4, 3.40 GHz
- Gigabyte motherboard (need restart to see model) with onboard sound, network, and USB 2.
- 1 GB RAM
- Western Digital 1TB SATA HDD
- RADEON X600 Series Graphic Card
- Pioneer DVR-110D DVD-RW
I'm thinking I like the sound of Mint, but if it won't install and run on my system, I may was well wait until I get a new computer.
Heh… When XP came out (and probably every day since then) Microsoft promoted upgrading to XP by stating it was more secure than previous Windows versions. Well, until Win 7/8 came out they did anyway. So going by their own logic, Win 7/8 is not secure either.
I liked XP a lot. And Windows 7 just didn't seem to have any problems. But, yes, I would suggest many improvements. Actually, Win8 made some improvements - I like the new file manager and task manager and speed. But it also screwed a lot of things up to a bizarre and ridiculous extent. Also following Mac by simplifying things too much e.g. their "research" shows people mainly use 2 power plans so only offer 2 power plans.
I don't know about customisation in Mac or Linux. Can you move taksbars all over the place? Add menus to taskbars? Adjust sizes of title bars? Change icon sizes? All these things seemed easy and obvious in Win7. Maybe it's just that I don't know Mac/Linux. I know with Linux you need to understand the Terminal where you input computer language - no interest in that. Prefer simple quick GUI methods.
I liked XP a lot. And Windows 7 just didn't seem to have any problems.
They are okay OSes if I am using a few programs but definitely not something that I would call solid. Coming from a programming and sysadm background, that's probably why I get more annoyed by it.
Can you move taksbars all over the place? Add menus to taskbars? Adjust sizes of title bars? Change icon sizes? All these things seemed easy and obvious in Win7.
As far as I know, all of this is possible in Mac OS and the most popular linux distributions.I know with Linux you need to understand the Terminal where you input computer language - no interest in that. Prefer simple quick GUI methods.
I can understand that. However, there comes a point where terminal is much simpler than a GUI, e.g. can you easily tell how the number of files bigger than 500 MB on windows?. If you are just an average end-user, then you probably do not need/want to care about this. That said, there is also a group of linux haters. so pros and cons
Martin-
See my reply above. All GUI. Yes, you can adjust all you asked about & a whole lot more.
Get your USB drive or CD image & boot to it. Test Mint without having to install it.
:)
AVG, Avast, Microsoft Security Essentials… all rate at the bottom of (serious) tests and reviews. I used to recommend the first two myself. Until I ran a manual scan and found 30 (common) virus and trojans on my system. Who wants to be running manual scans every day!?
I'm running a trial of Kaspersky Pure 3 at the moment. It didn't make a slow computer any slower and it has some brilliant features like an online banking protection module.
Why get something that rates poor because it's free, when you can get together with a few mates and split the cost of a multiple-PC licence at something like $20 each instead for something that rates as brilliant.
Best one I have found (at the moment is MSE) - combined with AntiMalwareBytes is excellent.
All the others are too intrusive and can kill a laptop dead
STEV-PCYou'd be hard pressed to get a computer slower than mine. It's over a decade old. Kaspersky Pure 3 didn't slow it at all that I can discern.
I was considering MSE too. But someone on ozbargain often posts links to indepth antivirus tests. I read those links and the testers deliberately exposed a system to viruses, malicious webpages, etc. for the review. Then I spent a night reading tonnes of other reviews and tests. AVG, Avast, and MSE consistently rate at the bottom, MSE being one of the worst at detecting and eliminating threats.
I'm also running Spybot Search & Destroy and Malwarebytes Antimalware.
Panda Cloud antivirus. Super fast and lightweight. No nag. Free.
MSE is lighweight but not very effective. I use BitDefender free and is fantastic. It blocks malicious website too as an added bonus. Try it, you will not be disappointed.
Sorry if this has already been mentioned, I didn't read all of the comments: doesn't pretty much every bank offer some 12 month free subscription to a paid anti-virus/internet security? Westpac used to use Kaspersky but now offers Bitdefender, for example.
People get all excited about which anti-virus is more accurate or reliable than another. Pretty much any will do provided you keep it up to date and you don't download stuff from untrusted sources (opening "Jennifer_Lawrence_sex_tape_YOU.MUST.SEE.THIS.exe" is a bad idea). Your behaviour has the greatest effect on how exposed you are to nasties online.
Disconnect yourself from the Internet works well.
http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus-2014/3000-2239…