Best free solutions for (anti)malware.

**PS10N** · 01/05/2008 14:05:52

A lot of problems can be solved just by insuring that your system isn't clogged with temporary files, bad registry entries and malware. If you are a home user, there are several good free programs available. Those on the list below were carefully chosen to be as hassle-free and easy to use as possible. For the technically inclined, turning off every non-essential Startup item and non-essential Service in MSCONFIG can drastically increase performance and stability.

Best FREE Antimalware (for personal use only) on Windows XP:

CCleaner
Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.5
Adaware 2007
AVG Anti-Spyware Free Edition
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

another decent program:

AVAST Anti-virus Home Edition

Also, check in with Kim Komando for her picks as well. This thread can be continued by others to post links to their favorite free anti-malware and clean up utilities.

Havocide · 12/12/2007 12:18:26

Kudos!

Those applications are decent i use each one already (except AVG Spyware) and Ive had no issues.

AVG just dectects viruses the moment its hit the system.

CCleaner has helped me out several times now with gfx drivers installing weird.

**Croesis**

They are all good, decent pieces of software. I use all but the AVG software.
I run Avast! Antivirus Home edition which is also free and includes controllable independent on access provider scanning, and builds it's own Virus Recovery Database from your existing files, essentially backing them up.

**PS10N**

I used to use AVAST, until I was cleaning out a computer which was obviously infected but AVAST claimed was clean. I installed AVG and it found and removed the infection immediately. I've also found AVG allows for a faster boot and uses fewer system resources while resident. The usual course of these things is, one will be better for awhile, then another, and the best bet is to keep all of them on hand for use when one isn't cutting it any more.

**Croesis**

PS10N wrote:

The usual course of these things is, one will be better for awhile, then another, and the best bet is to keep all of them on hand for use when one isn't cutting it any more.

Very true

**Kemy**

http://www.hitmanpro.nl/hitmanpro/

It probably has all those programs (I know it has addaware, spybot and some anti virus programs). Some Dutch guy made a program that installs all other spyware programs, runs them, updates them and shows a log when it's done. Meanwhile, you don't have to click anything. Just wait for all the programs to finish.
It takes a long time before the whole scan is complete but it's a little bit more fun because your cursor get's a life of its own and decides when it has to click and move. SMILEY

**Shinryu**

Other than CC, I've used all of those programs and definitely support their recommendation.

**PS10N**

Try CCleaner, you will like it. After a few years of manually cleaning out temp files from Windows XP, it found and reclaimed about 3.5 gigabytes of wasted space, and its Registry Cleaner made a noticeable improvement to boot speed and responsiveness.

**Huslah**

With my main PC I don't participate in very many risky behaviors so it seems to stay free of various malware so I don't bother with any software. I have plenty of friends who have all kinds of problems though. Rather than try to walk them through anything lately I've been sending them all to http://onecare.live.com

If you visit the link and look on the left in the menu you'll see "safety scanner" click that, then there is a link for a free full service or quick scan. You do not have to pay, you just agree, and allow them to install the components.

It does a pretty good job. Looks for and removes viruses, spyware, orphaned registry entries, temp files, etc.

Ps1on, the problem you described with the copy of a\v reporting clean isn't too unusual for an infected machine. The virus writers know the commonly used names of the executables and other files associated with the a\v apps. Some intentionally instruct the virus to target and compromise those first. At a more sophisticated level they leave them to appear to be operating normally, but to stop getting new defs or applying them. That's why I prefer the web based scanner like the one provided by microsoft there. Takes a little longer, but you know the engine is clean with updated defs.

**PS10N**

Thanks! I've been looking for a web-based scanner and cleanup utility ever since Trendmicro's Housecall went from being the best thing around to being useless, kind of like what Driverguide did.

**PS10N** · 01/05/2008 14:05:06

EDIT: There is still a free edition of AVG from Grisoft, I was just looking in the wrong place.