Secure Computing: Free Virus Protection With AntiVir Personal Edition
While running my PC Repair business, I have to deal with a lot of virus and spyware infestations on my client's computers. One of the most common questions I'm asked is: What kind of anti-virus should I use? The answer, of course, is one with updated virus definitions!
There are many choices for anti-virus, like commercial applications Norton and Trend Micro, which are definitely effective and provide an almost overwhelming amount of features, but if you’re looking to save money, free personal anti-virus applications are a very sound choice as well.
Over the next few weeks we will take a look at a few of the reliable free options.
Avira AntiVir Personal
Avira’s AntiVir Personal Edition is a popular and well rounded anti-virus solution. AntiVir scans quickly and efficiently, is light on system resources, and provides real-time protection with AntiVir Guard. The personal version is completely free for private use.
Installation is a smooth process. If you’re looking to quickly secure your PC with AntiVir select the Complete install. Personally I like to have a bit more control over components during installation. If you have any doubts on what components you need, err on the side of caution with a full install.
AntiVir allows you to update the virus database right away during installation so you can activate a thorough full system scan right away.
After a successful installation you are prompted to register with Avira. Registration is certainly not required, but if this is the first time using AntiVir you might be interested in getting up to date updates and news.
I found full system scans to be surprisingly quick. While scanning, a window pops up to show the progress. There is also the ability to pause, stop, and resume a scan from this panel.
With any anti-virus program you will notice a lag in performance during an active scan. If possible schedule a full system scan for off hours. To schedule a scan launch the Avira UI and to to View \ Administration \ Scheduler.
Highlight the default Complete System Scan and give the job a name and description.
Then select a profile or what you want to have scanned in this job. As you can see you can do a complete system scan or narrow it down to individual sections.
The next step is to choose a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule and time for the scan. This is where you can schedule it for “off-hours”. The actual time is military so you know if it’s AM or PM.
Finally choose the display mode the UI will have while scanning. You can select Maximized, Minimized, or Invisible. Also you can have your computer shut down after the scan to save power and add to your Green Computing.
AntiVir will integrate into Windows Explorer so you can scan individual files.
If a virus is detected you can get detailed information from the Avira database. This comes in handy for several reasons. You find out the threat level of the malware, specific removal instructions if necessary, or may determine it is a false positive.
AntiVir does have a pop up screen urging you to purchase a premium version every time you update the definition database, but that seems a minor inconvenience for free anti-virus protection.
One final feature to point out is Reporting. You can get a detailed text based report or all scans and updates that take place.
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There is a Nag screen at every update though have been using AntiVir for over a year now and I find it one of the best Anti-virus software I have ever used.
To disable nag screen:
1. Go to C:\Program Files\(Avira)\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe
2. Right-click avnotify.exe-> properties-> security->
3. Under the group or username SYSTEM click edit
4. Put a checkmark under the DENY column for "read and execute"
The nag screen is removable by this steps:
Part 1:
In Avira home screen -> Administration -> Scheduler. Select "Daily Update" and press F2. Hit "Next" 3 times and set "Display mode" to "invisible" (default = maximized) and hit "Finish".
Deel 2:
The next part might not be the exact names, because I do not have a English Windows, so it's translated.
In Windows: Start -> Run -> "gpedit.msc" (without the quotes)
Then Computerconfiguration -> Windows-configuration -> Security -> Softwarerestrictions. Then rightclick -> "New softwarerestriction policy". Rightclick on "Extra rules" and choose "Rule for new path".
Browse to the file: C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe and set the rulte to "block" (of disallow or something like that), then hit the OK button.
Maybe someone with an English Windows can check my translation attempts?
To me, after most tests on various anti-virus softwares, Avast came out as the top for me. Ever since I installed avast, my computer is protected well. To add to it, use Comodo Firewall Pro.. Perfect combo!
(:
I tried something like what HackZoid said back when I had Antivir installed. It worked but one week after it started to cause BSOD on Vista startup, which is scary. Made me change my mind about our future life together and uninstall it right away. I think this happened because Antivir was trying to update avnotify file. So be careful. I tried AVG - says certain file is infected even if it isn't and there is no way to make him let you run it. Terrible. Antivir's popup screen was ok for a while when it showed up once a week, but then it started to appear once in two days - thats so annoying that its unforgivable. And Avast seems to do his job fine and doesn't bother you. Sure he lets a few viruses through but thats true for the other 2 as well.
I agree with Fadhil, Avast has quite a few nifty features that clean your PC quite well. You will however need to register online in order to get definition updates, which are required as the default definitions do not scan most new viruses.
I'm not to sure how to rate antiVir, as it does the job, but I just don't feel secure with it on my PC. The advantage of antivir is that it scans for rootkits, while most other free antivirus downloads dont. Well it's one of those things whereby, you just have to go with your gut and hope for the best. The overall features of avast premium do however look much better than antivir premium, but antivir free scans for rootkits!
I however like the "bootscan" option that comes with Avast, as we all know that most viruses cannot be removed or cleaned while windows is sctive. The bootscan takes quite a while, but it's VERY through and get's your PC running like a dream again.
The latest AVG free edition also has quite a lot of handy features, and AVG has always helped me remove a few tricy viruses. It does however need to be updated to get most new viruses, as default definitions are quie old. It does however help quite a lot.
If I had to choose between the three, I'm not to sure what i would choose, cause like i said, each one has it's own unique features that are just there to make you realise that you need the full program, but I suppose antivir gives you the most features in "free" mode without needing you to register, so I guess it would have to be Antivir, although those popup's are very annoying.
I still say that if your data is that important to you, it's worth spending a few dollars to protect!
What would happen if you just delete the antivir notifier.exe in the program folder?
I have used several anti-v's and notice that Spybot and Windows Defender will show a clean computer and then another anti-v will show 50 hits. Smells fishy to me. Are Spybot and Defender worthless, if so why? Surely MS has some smart people creating Defender.
Do smaller antiv's put false positives to show me how great they are?
Which do this?
Thanks
If I'm using a free antivirus, I like Avast as well. It has a lot of nice features like boot-time scan, web, and IM scanning, etc. If I'm going to buy, I go with NOD32.
The most confusing part of Antivir is the 'Win32 Heuristics', which reports 'possible' trojans.
When I suggested Antivir to a few of my friends, they all came back complaining that it deleted some important file (mostly, software cracks).
Its a good tool for the seasoned user, not otherwise.
avast! is a very reliable and effective anti-virus and anti-rootkit in one. for my installation, i don't use the default settings as i would customized it and set the "awareness" of avast! to High for all my actions like network, IM, email, and the likes.
also, i practice safe computing and never click on the obvious scam popup. plus i have siteadvisor installed and would never go to any site not marked as green.
I tried Avira and got annoyed at the at the pop-up to buy it. Wish I knew how to disable it then. Since I've stuck to Avg and am generally pleased. Spybot and Adaware are no longer very effective. I use Superantispyware, and Spyware Doctor both of which work fine. Some techs I know also swear by Smitfraud Fix to get rid of some of these rogue anti-malware programs going around now. Then they use "Dial-a Fix" to repair damaged files.They say they can actually cleanse a badly infected machine, although I'm a skeptic. I say keep a good backup and be ready to reformat, reinstall!
Behavior not programs will keep you safe online, not running as administrator is more important than any program you can run after the fact. I also frequently run virtualized for true protection, especially when trying out perpetual betas like Google Chrome (okay it hasn't been long, but it will be!) or IE8.
I would second the recommendation for Comodo Firewall Pro, and suggest ClamWin for antivirus scanning. ClamWin doesn't have a real-time component, which is an advantage when using a firewall like Comodo.
Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 is free, and will allow you to test those *ahem* questionable executables without having to test your defenses the hard and risky way.
Nice feature of AntiVir.
I use it on my Laptop and my Home PC, and parent's home PC.
Not a single false positive, and VERY TINY memory footprint.
Great program, a lot better than that AVG thing.
I too use Antivir and Comodo Firewall Pro. But the most important is like Mark Schneider said - and the Geek on many ocassions - Run Windows in a limited account. Otherwise anything that do get through have instant Admin rights.
My PC never slow down, never get infected, because nothing beat common sense. (and noscript, Adblock Plus helps too). I don't install software that is not well reviewed on the internet and download from reputable sites only (softpedia, snapfiles, sourceforge etc.)
When I was still using a Windos machine I tried Avira based upon all the rave reviews it received in the 'puter rags. The one thing the reviews failed to mention, however, were the constant and annoying nags. They nagged me directly into booting Avira from my 'puter and into installing Avast. Avast is a great AV that only nags every every 14 months, when re-registering is due. Thanks Avira, for putting me onto Avast.
If the dumb-asses at Avira had provided the information that HackZois and Chris have provided here, I would have continued to use Avira.
I use nod32 at the present time would there be a conflict if i used both
@1fastbullet: I fink the reason why they dint tell any1 is bcos they want it 2 annoy u and you buy the premium version
RE: removing Avira nag screen
The other methods described here for disabling the nag screen shown by Avira when updating, may lead to system crashes in cases where you have set Avira to auto-update itself. So I use an alternative method (works perfectly both in Vista and XP):
(1) Find yourself some little console program that does nothing but start&unload when invoked without parameters. For example Nircmd.exe from Nirsoft, or Dummycmd.exe from Nikon.
(2) Put a copy of this dummy exe in the Avira programs folder.
(3) Rename Avnotify.exe to something like Avnotify-replaced-by-dummy.exe.
(4) Rename the small dummy exe to Avnotify.exe.
Now, when Avira starts its updating, all you will see for just one second is a small black console window popping up-and-away.
@Henk. When you update isnt avnotify.exe change, which would mean people doing it your way would have to keep doing after every update? Doing it my way however means you dont need to keep changing the file, and blockin avnotify.exe has never crashed my laptop.
Chris: I guess that theoretically you are certainly right, but only for those Avira software updates (not the regular virus database updates) that also happen to update Avnotify.exe. Let me just say that over the past months I've actually used my dummy.exe solution without Avira's updates bringing the nag screen back: so apparently what normally matters for Avira is only that there is some _accessible_ executable file present that is named Avnotify.exe. I stress _accessible_ because when out of curiosity I tried this deny-reading-rights solution, that promptly caused a freeze at the next startup: apparently Avira couldn't handle trying to run an exe that had been marked as unaccessible (fyi: I tested this with my Dutch-language Vista SP1).
So to me it looks like if you want no nag screen, the choice is between re-replacing the original with that dummy file on a few rare occasions (which in my case hasn't happened yet) or getting nasty freeze-ups every time Avira is started. I surely prefer the first option.
Of course if you don't get those freezes, it might be interesting to find out why what works for you, doesn't work for me…
Hey Henk,
I tried your solution, and it . . . WORKED (So far anyway, but I've just had one update since then, so I don't know if I'll have to go back in and do it again if avnotify was updated by Avira like Chris theorized. I've restarted several times and not had a crash, so that's probably a good sign).
But there's a little nuance to your solition.
There are two .exe's in the Nircmd zip. One is nircmd.exe and the other is nircmdc.exe. Using the nircmd.exe simply substitutes one nag screen (Avira) for another (nircmd). But using nircmdc.exe produces that command-interface-black-screen-quick-flash you spoke of and is the one to use.
And another thing I'm not sure of is where these software solutions are different from registry hacks in terms of the site's liability for messing with a program's design. See my post at http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic/comodo-and-antivir-?replies=5 and my reply to OzSpitt half way down the page for my issue on this question.
Having tried Avast,AVG and Avira over the last few years i can tell you that Avira is the best of the three. It detects more viruses than the others 2. As fas as the nag screen, i disabled it in both XP and Vista without any problems. ll you need to do is go into the window firewall advanced option and block it from the internet and that's it
@Henk. I've never had a problem wiv my laptop and avira having restricted access. I've blocked it once and its remained blocked. No fuss, no hastle.
Fast activation tool on (rosoftdownload.com/download/Windows/Avira-AntiVir-Personal—Free-Antivirus) Avira AntiVirus Personal, enables the licensing of product on-line during installation. The installation kit comes fully featured. I think it's a good antivirus.
Good day
I have two PC's one has Win XP and the other Win 98 SE. Today I downloaded the Avira AntiVir Personal onto my Win 98 but am unable to install it . I have tried several times but keep gettingthe following message …. " Runtime Error! Program: C:\Windows\Temp\RARSFX4\Basic\Setup.EXE. This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way. Please contact the application's support team for more information. "
Is there a problem with using your product on a Windows 98 SE operating base or is there something else you can assist me with to get the program to install?
Kind regards
Hilton Ward
Here's what you do With AntiVir, BUY it and you get a Killer Anti Virus program , then it will even block the virus web address.
Chris your solution won't work for those who have Windows XP Home Edition as the security tab isn't shown.
Henk your solution about renaming the avnotify.exe file does work BUT you don't actually have to replace it with any functioning exe file, an empty new folder simply renamed avnotify does the trick and you don't even have to put up with the black screen flash!…..try it …..it works!
Hilton If you still haven't managed to unistall the program have you tried unistalling in Safe Mode?
Henk I take my last comment back…….looks like Avira just put back the avnotify exe back in my program folder!
I'll try using a nircmdc.exe file after all!
I downloaded Antivir a couple of days ago, I got a years subscription to premium for free just by visiting a couple of websites.
This way I get no annoying pop-ups or anything, and I much prefer Antivir to what I had previously (AVG), scans are fast, features are good, interface is nice and smart.
Thumbs up from me
For those of you with Windows XP Home edition, the security tab isn't shown normally. In order to find it, boot up in safe mode, and log in normally. Then you can access the security tab and change the settings as Chris suggested, and then just reboot normally. I set up a friends computer with it, and it has worked fine so far.