The best free antivirus software for your kids’ PC
You don’t need to buy software to protect your child’s computer from viruses. Here are some free alternatives that work well.
Photo by Joel Bombardier
During a recent visit with relatives, I was asked to look at their kids’ problematic PC. Once I got it to boot – which wasn’t at all easy – I quickly discovered the reason for the problems. The computer was infected with an enormous volume of malware – every virus, worm, Trojan and rootkit ever discovered was installed on it (okay, maybe that’s a slight overstatement…but there was a heck of a lot of unwanted programs on the computer!). Cleaning it up took a couple of hours, but that’s beside the point.
The fact is that the things kids like to do on their computers – exchanging files via P2P applications and over social networks, downloading free games, etc., etc. – are the very things that are likely to result in their computers being compromised. Should you share your computer with your children, the consequences could be disastrous. Today’s malware is not like the viruses of the past: it isn’t designed to break your computer, it’s designed to surreptitiously steal your passwords or other sensitive information.
So, what can you do? Well, if you do share your computer with your kids, you should make sure that the account they are using is a standard user account rather than an administrator account (this article from Microsoft explains why and also explains how to change an administrator account to a standard user account). But, whether you share with your kids or whether they have their own computers, you should also have an antivirus program installed on every computer. At the very least, it will spare you from an extremely lengthy cleanup operation!
Getting a good antivirus product for each computer need not cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, it doesn’t need to cost you anything at all as some of the best antivirus programs are completely free. The most widely used solutions are AVG, Avast! and Avira AntiVir, with most users rating Avast! and AntiVir more highly than AVG (although they are all good products). Another solution worth considering is Comodo Internet Security which, unlike the others, is a complete security suite.
Worried that these solutions may not be up to scratch? Don’t be! Check out the test results at AV Comparatives and you’ll see that these freebies are every bit as good – and in some cases better – than pay-for alternatives.
screw anti-virus software! i have 2 laptops,one is a mac, which i love because no viruses, and it always works, and the other is a pc, which i use for programs that dont work on my mac, it doesnt have any anti-virus software on it because it annoys me too much. with all the pop-ups that it has, and it runs windows xp. its never going to be upgraded to windows 7 because i had too many problems with vista and dont want to spend more money on something that probably wont work anyways
Hey Casey, 5 years ago I might have agreed with you. Back then, I was of the opinion that the only people who ever got infected were those who were duped into clicking on a link in a spam email. But lately, given the increase in the use of P2P software and social networking, it’s way easier to accidentally end up with a virus. I think using a computer without even basic security software is a big mistake – akin to unprotected sex. You might not get infected today, but the more you engage in the unsafe activity, the higher your chances are of becoming infected. Stay safe!
Microsoft has released a free anti virus/spyware program that can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/
It works quite well however the first step it takes is to make sure your system is running Genuine Windows. It found and removed trojans that a paid for program found but claimed there was no fix for.
Linux FTW!
+1
Both of you really miss the point of the article!
Malicious programmers went after the biggest of the bunch out there (Microsoft) to try and take their OS down. Don’t feel too smug when they are finished and then go after Apple’s OS. All they’re interested is compromising your computer to prove they’re that good at what they do. It doesn’t matter who makes the OS, they just want to take it down. Since Microsoft has an overwhelming majority in the market, they’re the biggest target. It’s just a matter of time before Apple and, unfortunately, Linux get hit too. The article makes good common sense for anyone wishing to protect their investment. Don’t trash it.
This from a guy who works on computers for a living and imparts the very same wisdom to each and every customer I deal with.
I agree that the malware authors target the O.S. which offers greatest reward, i.e. greatest ‘fame’ and ‘exposure’ for them personally, and of course the sinister satisfaction in knowing they can get away with doing criminal damage to mllions of PCs out there; which of course means they will inevitably target the Windows platform in its various flavors. :( What I object to is the big ‘racket’ the Security Industry has become; because of which I don’t plan to renew my current AV subscription, and plan to go to a free antivirus solution; — because it seems ALL the vendors {Symantec, TrendMicro, CA, etc} have resorted to pulling this gimmick of sucking people in with a seemingly good deal, then a couple years later jacking way up their renewal prices and trying to force everyone to upgrade every single year. :( But yes you are right, Rick, the malware authors will target the Windows platform for painfully obvious reasons ..
I have been in the computer field now for the better part of 10 years, one thing that I have noticed as far as the different OS go are
1. Macs are nothing more than HIGHLY expensive toys which are great as long as you just want to surf the net and do a few media programs. The same ppl who use Mac are the same ppl who would have, during the days of dial up, would have used AOL. Oh and PS Macs when on a network with network ran security there are Mac breaches I have seen them on some of the networks that I maintain, however though the place that I work we have everything locked down tight.
2. Linux these are the same ppl who wear tinfoil hats and sit in thier parents basement until they are well into thier 50s searching for conspiracy theaories and have empty take out coffee cups scattered around thier basement floor, oh yeah wait it is not thier basement floor it is thier parents basement floor.
3. The main problem that I have noticed with Vista is the users, these ppl instal crap they do not need usually some unknown garbage that they found on some site that brought multiple spyware and malware with it and the excuse givin is usually “Duh well it was a trusted site I found in while searching that google thing” or this one is good too “Duh oh you need antivirus” or “What do you mean joes poker site is bad for my komputer hu-yuck… your mah best friend George”.
Brian ?
Why are you flamebaiting with your “guilt by association” and ad-hominem method of augumentation?
Could you make a logical argument properly supported with at least some factual points.
Or would you have an axe to grind against people fed up with Microslopft that people expect should be alot better.
What did I write that is not true? The fact that Mac and linux do suffer attacks? Or that Mac and linux do have probs? What exactly is not true?
WIndows is consistantly under attack and I would say in my experience in the computer business that 95% of all windows probs are in fact user created that is a fact. So what are you talking about the tinfoil hat thing? Well I have met at least 10 linux users and they all are conspiracy theorists, I think that is how many ppl use linux in this world. That is a joke, I do not want to offend you again, although my estimate is close.
So tell me your in your name calling post that you put up what is “logical” in that and what is your experience to prove other wise. I have 10 years experience what do you have? I have seen all these OS at work there is nothing of value that really works with mac or linux they are simply not feasible in the everyday environment pain and simple. I have even met other techs who do not like windows and even they say begrudgingly yes I know windows is a nessesary evil I have mac or linux at home but I also have a windows machine to do everyday work on.
Look here is the bottom line Linux vanishes tomorrow who cares no one would really care. Windows vanishes tomorrow banking systems government systems etc we would be screwed period end of debate no more argument.
You might want to check your head for a tinfoil hat.
While the article claims that ‘free’ anti-virus is ok for your kids computers, do not assume that the same software is good enough for grown-up applications such as online transactions. Simple test. Try signing up for online banking. My bank will not allow me to sign up unless I am running Symantec or McAfee products. Thus “you get what you pay for”.
Also, I use Symantec for the Mac as well. Yes, they need it too.
Norton products have made great improvements the last 2 years in reducing overall computer resources they use, and becoming less ‘intrusive’ to the user.
I always start looking at prices for Norton Internet Security 3-user pack a month or so before mine runs out. Then I can see prices and specials. What might cost $89 can be had for $34 by buying at the right time and place.
One last thing. Windows Defender may be free from Microsoft, but OMG it is a resource hog like you wouldn’t believe. I removed mine.
Really what you said about norton surprised me A LOT I have found that Norton is great on a domain environment, however not so good on a stand alone, I REALLY REALLY like NOD32 my second is Kasperski. I have used AVG in a bind I was able to login to my ibanking. I have found that AVG is terrible when it comes to childrens aps, so many problems there was even a prob that was causing AVG to shut down computers, I found this out one day, thought it was nonsence booted a comp into safemode removed AVG booted back up no prob.
Agreed that Norton provides pretty good security, and I was a longstanding loyal Norton user for many years, – but I am just ‘jaded’ with the whole Security Industry, the main players being:
Symantec/Norton
McAfee
Kaspersky
ESET/NOD32
TrendMicro
Computer Associates
and a few others including Microsoft (Security Essentials), BitDefender, Norman, F-Secure, AVG, AVIRA/AntiVir, AVAST, WebRoot, PC Tools, etc. They ALL are ripoffs when it comes to RENEWALS of subscriptions, – and it has gotten to where it is cheaper to just upgrade to the latest-and-greatest edition of their security software than to shell out shekels to renew subscriptions for the older version of their product(s). It is a gimmick or scheme designed to lock you in and force you to upgrade every single year, all in the name of Security .. :( Basically they are trying to make you dependent on them so that you’ll remain a willing ‘patsy’ to shell out the shekels every year; yet as you rightly suggest, a good security solution is hard to avoid these days .. :(
Rhonda, you make good points about making it as hard as possible for kids to make unwise decisions that can compromise computers. Thank you for recommending Comodo Internet Security as one of the free options that parents can rely on to prevent malware. Comodo security products, including our firewall and antivirus, have been installed on nearly 25 million computers around the world. We are proud that this free software makes it possible for more people to benefit from the Internet, regardless of whether they can pay for security software.
Comodo Internet Security includes our award-winning firewall with a revolutionary Host Intrusion Prevention System, and Comodo Antivirus. Internet users download both as a package and then decide whether to install one or both. We recommend using the antivirus with a firewall.
Thanks again.
Katharine from Comodo
Its the support you’ll end up paying an arm and a leg for though!
Anyone heard of Panda Cloud Antivirus (www.cloudantivirus.com)? It’s free, it works on the cloud, and it’s easy to use. Once you install it, you can just forget about it!
Don’t forget Malwarebytes and Superantispyware for those times crap dose get in your system. These 2 apps are free and are the most recomended from tech sites to clean out infections. I have been using them since they came to my attention and LOVE the way they work. I have been building and servicing machines for 12 years now and I do agree, people are the biggest problem for a system. A lot of users really don’t know much about how to remove spyware/malware/viruses etc. And it’s not hard with good apps to help. And I love NOD32 for a paid app, and use Avast for the free ones. Threatfire running with any antivirus app is also a good thing and have seen it work wonders to keep unwanted crap out.
I agree, jeff, people are their own worst enemy. Not only that, but Microsoft has come under such intense criticism and been blamed so much as the ‘scapegoat’ for people’s security problems while running Windows, that they in my humble opinion have ‘overreacted’ and created difficulties like the menacing “User Account Control” introduced into Windows Vista, – which treats EVERY user {even when logged on as Administrator} almost as a “limited-rights” user. UAC also interferes with many legitimate programs such as ERUNT {the little utility which backs up and restores Registry on all NT-based systems}, and it can interfere with other security programs {AntiVirus, Firewall, etc} by limiting their access rights or privileges. In my opinion, UAC does more harm than good, and is typical of what happens when individuals fail to take responsibility for their own Security. When that happens {people not being responsible and knowledgable}, “Big Brother” steps in and tries to do everything for them. :( But I certainly agree with you about those two anti-malware programs {SuperAntispyware and MalwareBytes Anti-Malware}, – they are very useful, especially since they have functional freeware versions that are not ‘crippleware’ but help find and clean infections from a compromised system. :) I also regret that MS put Windows Defender (WD) into Vista as a Service with no way to delete or uninstall it, other than to disable the Service – it causes a lot of problems and can do more harm than good by interfering with other legitimate {and better} third-party AntiVirus and AntiSpyware programs ..
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Go to http://www.antivirusvirus.net to see how to remove viruses by yourself!
in these days virus has become a head ace for parents of kids who are using pc or laptop, in these days what ever information we want we are able to get it on the net, and kids they are very aggressiveness of gaining new knowledge and plying new games, today generation has become such fast that parents are getting head ace on protecting them through this virus, co they don’t know what is what, and wt virus can do… we have thank free providers antivirus software’s, these software’s give basic security to for the pc and blocks the virus from web usage.