So, I just got my Aunt a new HP laptop. She's going to be super excited to have something better than the PII desktop she's had for 13 years. I've also upgraded her to DSL internet from dialup. One thing that I am not sure of is free virus/ spyware protection. Since she's not an experienced user, I don't want her to get a virus or some spyware. Is there software out there that does all the checking so she doesn't have to remember to run it every week, or is that only available for paid subscribers? What's the best protection for a novious user?

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I use Avast 4 Home, the free edition. Check it out. it updates its definitions as well as engine automatically, and will tell you it updated.
You will need to do a free registration for the reg code. but this is simple. it will scan mail, web and others.

FREE antivirus software for Windows with anti-spyware protection: avast! Home Edition

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Beat Me, Whip Me, Make Me Use Windows!!

Every Piece of Electronic Equipment runs on a finite amount of smoke. The systems are normally very efficient at reclaiming the smoke and recycling it, however, should you do something to let the smoke out, your system will become useless.

SAVE THE SMOKE !!

New PC :
New: Phenom 9500 Quad 2.2, 4gb ram XP Pro 64-bit (Sata 0), XP Pro 32 bit (sata 1), 40 eide HDD (music), Pioneer Blu-Ray Burner, HP Multidisk CD-RW/DVD-Rom, 2x250 Seagate HDD's, ATI Radeon 3870, Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe WiFi-AP

Old PC:
P4 1.5GHz, 768 Ram, hda-80Gb (80Ubuntu), DVD R/RW

it automatically scans? she won't remember to run it once a week.

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it has the standard on usage scan. You can schedule a scan. if she leaves it on, then schedule a deep scan for when she won't be using it *say 10 at night, or 2 in the morning). if she starts it and goes to fix dinner, let it run at 5pm... you get the point.

It found a spyware in the wrapper for an IM program, which norton and mcafee both missed.

I don't notice any lag when scanning my pc. but then i have a quad core. the dual core you looked at should have very little if any lag when scanning.

__________________
I'm here, you may now make your next two wishes.

Beat Me, Whip Me, Make Me Use Windows!!

Every Piece of Electronic Equipment runs on a finite amount of smoke. The systems are normally very efficient at reclaiming the smoke and recycling it, however, should you do something to let the smoke out, your system will become useless.

SAVE THE SMOKE !!

New PC :
New: Phenom 9500 Quad 2.2, 4gb ram XP Pro 64-bit (Sata 0), XP Pro 32 bit (sata 1), 40 eide HDD (music), Pioneer Blu-Ray Burner, HP Multidisk CD-RW/DVD-Rom, 2x250 Seagate HDD's, ATI Radeon 3870, Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe WiFi-AP

Old PC:
P4 1.5GHz, 768 Ram, hda-80Gb (80Ubuntu), DVD R/RW

Personally I preffer AVG, and in the case of your aunt, yes you can schedule it for auto update and scanning.

Ive never had any problems with it

Avast and AVG are both easy to set up for auto update and scanning. I would also recommend Spybot Search and Destroy as this can be automated too. Don't forget a firewall - Zone Alarm is free and can be left to do it's job in the background while Auntie surfs the net!

__________________

The original point and click interface was a Smith and Wesson.
Never underestimate the power of PINK

i was reading abot some problem AVG had recently. They should have it fixed by now, though. But yes AVG is good too.

if you want to pay, you can get Zone Alarm Pro. It is firewall and malware scanning. It has a yearly subscription of around 30 bucks. They were giving it away free last week for 1 day (and a 1 year subscription) for the anniversary of the program.

__________________
I'm here, you may now make your next two wishes.

Beat Me, Whip Me, Make Me Use Windows!!

Every Piece of Electronic Equipment runs on a finite amount of smoke. The systems are normally very efficient at reclaiming the smoke and recycling it, however, should you do something to let the smoke out, your system will become useless.

SAVE THE SMOKE !!

New PC :
New: Phenom 9500 Quad 2.2, 4gb ram XP Pro 64-bit (Sata 0), XP Pro 32 bit (sata 1), 40 eide HDD (music), Pioneer Blu-Ray Burner, HP Multidisk CD-RW/DVD-Rom, 2x250 Seagate HDD's, ATI Radeon 3870, Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe WiFi-AP

Old PC:
P4 1.5GHz, 768 Ram, hda-80Gb (80Ubuntu), DVD R/RW

For free, Avast+Comodo Firewall.
For paid, NOD32 AV + another firewall or NOD32 security suite.

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~Ash
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If I am correct ...AVG Will monitor all suspicious files by working in the background, right?

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It will but I would say Avast would be the best for auto updating for someone who might forget to do so......

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~Ash
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AVG can be sceduled to update itself

But that person would need to leave their PC on at a certain time rather than automatically getting updated whenever there are updates...

__________________
~Ash
Seen a bad post? Report it! Click the triangle in the top right hand corner of the post.
Want to get in touch? Send me a PM

Does she have to actually click "Scan Computer" in order to check for viruses or does it protect in the background?

__________________

on access = in the background

__________________
I'm here, you may now make your next two wishes.

Beat Me, Whip Me, Make Me Use Windows!!

Every Piece of Electronic Equipment runs on a finite amount of smoke. The systems are normally very efficient at reclaiming the smoke and recycling it, however, should you do something to let the smoke out, your system will become useless.

SAVE THE SMOKE !!

New PC :
New: Phenom 9500 Quad 2.2, 4gb ram XP Pro 64-bit (Sata 0), XP Pro 32 bit (sata 1), 40 eide HDD (music), Pioneer Blu-Ray Burner, HP Multidisk CD-RW/DVD-Rom, 2x250 Seagate HDD's, ATI Radeon 3870, Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe WiFi-AP

Old PC:
P4 1.5GHz, 768 Ram, hda-80Gb (80Ubuntu), DVD R/RW

Im sure there is an option that says if event is missed, then do it when PC is next turned on? Correct me if im wrong, cant have a look at the moment cause im at work