What is best for oldies

Young Simmo

Member
OK, can somebody recommend a good FREE Anti Virus to suit an old couple whose computer is just for fun and e-mails etc.
I have used Avast for years, but lately every time I go for it I only get a month of free then the big sales pitch.
If I was an Iron Ore mine it would be different, but I am a cheap skate these days.
 
OK, can somebody recommend a good FREE Anti Virus to suit an old couple whose computer is just for fun and e-mails etc.
I have used Avast for years, but lately every time I go for it I only get a month of free then the big sales pitch.
If I was an Iron Ore mine it would be different, but I am a cheap skate these days.

Avast is still free, you just have to choose the free version when they ask you to renew your subscription.
 
Avast 2015 is by far your best option. The user interface is forgiving to the inexperienced, but as always, to make the most out of any anti-virus software requires adjusting the settings.

https://www.avast.com/en-au/index

I should have addressed your Avast complaint before redirecting you back to Avast for download. :) If you download the "paid-version" of the program you will be prompted with a 30-day trial and then the big sales pitch. Avast should offer an option to REVERT BACK to the FREE verison of the program. The ad will still be displayed within the program...but there is no way to get rid of this. These adverts are how they support themselves...so a little concession should be made when using any free or open source software.

Make sure you download and install the FREE version and not the paid, 30-day trial.
 
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Thanks everybody, that is now all sorted and I am happily back with the free Avast. :) BUTT:
Over the last few weeks I have acquired this aggravating little gremlin where every 2nd or 3rd time I click to go to a site, I get these aggravating survey pages popping up.:mad: I can go down to the Internet Explorer "E" symbol and delete it, but would rather not have to go to that trouble.
QUESTION: Can I get rid of it without chucking 100 bucks at somebody in a computer shop?:D

Oop's this just popped up.:cool:

http://consumers-reviewing.com/aust...p?&c1=RAPAU1&c2=&t202kw=www.computerforum.com

Also this is some of the rubbish I am getting.
http://consumers-reviewing.com/aust...=RAPAU1&c2=&t202kw=www.yourlifechoices.com.au

http://au.ozte.net/a.php
http://7769domain.com/Ad/GoP/10535/...sn.com.au/(null)/AU/(null)/635601758340476711

http://consumers-reviewing.com/aust...=RAPAU1&c2=&t202kw=www.yourlifechoices.com.au
 
I don't see the purpose in installing additional products when Avast provides everything he needs - excluding real-time protection. I'm also fairly certain that AVG's definitions lists are more than capable of detecting those issues.

Here is a link explaining how to run a boot-time scan in Avast. This will make sure none of those pesky adware bits are hiding somewhere deep in the recesses of your hard drive.

https://www.winhelp.us/avast-free-antivirus-boot-time-scan.html

I should also mention a pitfall to new users when downloading and installing software from third party websites such as CNET. They like to include adware in their installers and most people end up accidentally clicking "next" instead of "decline" or "skip".

Please pay attention to the installation dialogue box and read before you proceed with any program installation that bundles with an installer.
 
Looks like you somehow attracted adware. Do the following.

1.

Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your Desktop.



•Please close all open programs and internet browsers.
•Double click on adwcleaner.exe to run the tool.
•Click on Scan.
•After the scan you will need to click on clean for it to delete the adware.
•Your computer will be rebooted automatically. A text file will open after the restart.
•Please post the content of that logfile in your reply.
•You can find the logfile at C:\AdwCleaner[Sn].txt as well - n is the order number.

2.

Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.

•Shutdown your antivirus to avoid any conflicts.
•Very important that you run the tool in this manner:
Right-mouse click JRT.exe and select Run as administrator
Do NOT just double-click it.
•The tool will open and start scanning your system.
•Please be patient as this can take a while to complete.
•On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.
•Post the contents of JRT.txt in your next message.

3.

Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.
  • Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to
    • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
    • and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  • then click Finish.
  • If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version. Please keep updating until it says you have the latest version.
  • Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.
  • When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
  • Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
  • A log will be saved automatically which you can access by clicking on the Logs tab within Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

If for some reason Malwarebytes will not install or run please download and run Rkill.scr, Rkill.exe, or Rkill.com. If you are still having issues running rkill then try downloading these renamed versions of the same program.

EXPLORER.EXE
IEXPLORE.EXE
USERINIT.EXE
WINLOGON.EXE

But DO NOT reboot the system and then try installing or running Malwarebytes. If Rkill (which is a black box) appears and then disappears right away or you get a message saying rkill is infected, keep trying to run rkill until it over powers the infection and temporarily kills it. Once a log appears on the screen, you can try running malwarebytes or downloading other programs.

Please post the log that Malwarebytes displays on your screen.

4.

Download OTL to your Desktop


•Double click on the icon to run it. Make sure all other windows are closed and to let it run uninterrupted.
•Click on Minimal Output at the top
•Click the Quick Scan button. Do not change any settings unless otherwise told to do so. The scan wont take long.
◦When the scan completes, it will open two notepad windows. OTL.Txt and Extras.Txt. These are saved in the same location as OTL. Just post the OTL.txt file in your reply.

then post the logs from the following 4 programs.

1. Adwcleaner
2. Junkware removal tool
3. Malwarebytes
4. OTL
 
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