Just wanted to let everyone know about some really good anti-virus software that is out there and is free.

1. If you have an AKO (Army Knowledge Online) account, then you can get Norton and or McAfee for free under the home use program. Once you log into AKO, go to self service tab and the first drop down should be for antivirus service.



After you click on the anti-virus link, it should take you to another page that gives you information about the anti-virus program on AKO. You want to look for the link that says 'Download Products for Home Use'. This will open the ACERT page where you willl have access to get either McAfee or Symantec (Norton) anti-virus software. Now the ACERT page says it is for all DoD members, so if you don't have an AKO account, you may be able to get to it by just clicking on the link above.

2. If you are not a DoD member but still need a good antivirus for free, then I recommend AVG Free. It has received many rewards and top ratings. Some even say that their paid version does a better job than Norton or McAfee. CNET and PCPro both highly recommend their software. I had it running when I was using a beta version on Windows 7 as they had support for it before McAfee and Norton. I now use the Symantic version that I mentioned above. If you don't have any anti-virus, then please at least load their free version on your system. If you follow the link above, and click on the free version you should be good to go, but if you go through their home site, you may be let to a trial version of their paid software. If you install that version, it will stop working after 30 days and you will keep getting popups about it. The free version I have the link to above is free, and won't stop working after 30 days.

I know this was long, but hopefully it will help some of you from having future problems.


UPDATE:



Microsoft has released an excellent free antivirus and malware software called Microsoft Security Essentials. You can get it in English at this link: www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx?mkt=en-us and if you want it in German, at this link: www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx?mkt=de-de

There are many ravs about how good this software is, and how in many ways it is currently better than the paid stuff out there. I have switched to it because McAfee and Symantec just seemed to slow my system down. Security Essentials justs works without bugging me and it doesn't feel to me that its eating up system resources or slowing my system down. It just seems to work better and faster, and I'm not the only one saying it. Just google it to find out more.

Regardless of which software package you decide to go to, jus make sure yoo always have an updated antivirus program running on your computer. Now that there are so many free options, there is no excuse in not having one. Protect yourself and your data.

Please respond to this thread if you were able to get the free Anti-Virus software and let us know if it has helped.

Just thought I would let everyone know that I've been running Microsoft Security Essentials as my Antivirus and Malware software for about a month now, and its been running great. The updates get done with Windows Update automatically, and it is set up to scan when I'm not using the computer so the scans are transparent to me. One big problem reported about Security Essential is that the scans are slow, but for me since the scans are done when I'm not using the computer, I don't even notice it. You can read more about it and check out this great review from CNET here: www.cnet.com.au/microsoft-security-essentials-339298827.htm

Avast works pretty amazing, I've used it for years and haven't had any problems. Oh yeah, it's free to.

I didn't know Microsoft released Security Essentials, I might have to check that out.

I use to use Avast too a long time ago until the Army got a home use license with Norton and McAfee. I was then just using them as they seemed to provide a better all around security for my machines. My biggest issue with them has been that they tend to slow the computer down alot with their active scans. I then went to AVG and that seemed to run faster, until I heard all the hype about Security Essentials. I waited like a good boy for all the experts to do the tests and see what they said first. After hearing all the great reviews and comparisons, I decided to load it up on my XP machine and Windows 7 machine. Since then I haven't looked back. It works, doesn't bug me, doesn't slow my computer down, and I just haven't had a single issue with it since I've been running it. If I do, I will make sure I post it, but I think Microsoft is doing a lot of good stuff lately with first Windows 7 and then this free antivirus. Now we just need to see how well they do with office 2010. Thanks again for the info, and I recommend everyone to research for themselves to see what that think would be better for them, but the main point now is that there are excellent free antivirus and malware programs out there so there is no longer a reason for you not to have one running on your computer. If you don't have one after reading this, please make sure it's the first thing you do. Protect yourself.