hi, I've heard and seen a great many AVG recomendations. most of these noted that it was free... when I google searched them, their main site offers products at a cost. other sites offer the free version. a few questions...

1) what is the difference? is the cost version more like a 'full package' with ad and spy protection, or is there some other difference?

2) at this point, if spending money on a product would actually help, I'd do it. but it seems like the commercial versions are generally no better and often worse (eg: Norton)... is this because the companies are corrupt, or because popular products just tend to be targeted more? (or both...)

it seems like my money would be better spent taking the people that make and help out on this website out to dinner!

thanks,
Greg

I don't know what the technical details are, but from personal experience I find both MacAfee and Norton heavy on resources. I run freeware exclusively for my system protection. I have not had a virus since AVG free caught a virus that MacAfee missed. I also have not had to look for tech support, whichwas an almost weekly occurence with MacAfee.
I have compilied a list of programs that are proven effective and are freeware/donationware. Please wait for more opinions, but here is the list of software I recommend.

Antivirus (Run only one.)
AVG Free Edition Antivirus (I personally use)
Avast Home Edition Antivirus Freeware
AntiVir Personal Edition Classic Freeware
BitDefender 8 Free Edition AntiVirus Freeware

Antispyware
Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta (2000,and XP only)
Spybot
AdAware SE Personal Edition
Ewido Security Suite - 14 day trial(2000, and XP only)
A Squared Free
SpyBlaster
SpywareGuard

Online scans
Trendmicro's Housecall Internet Explorer Only
Trendmicro"s Housecall FoxFire Only
Panda's ActiveScan
F-secure's Virus Scan
SyGate's Trojan scan

Removal Tools
Kaspersky Removal Tools
AVG Manual Virus Removal tool
MacAfee Stinger Virus Removal Tool
Symantec's Viurs Removal Tools

Utility
cCleaner
Everest Home (hardware and software information) Site 1
Everest Home (hardware and software information) Site 2
Belarc Diagnostic Tool
Fresh Diagnose (Diagnostic and system resource)
Memtest86 "A Stand-alone Memory Diagnostic"
MicroSoft's Memory Test
Digtal Dolly (Hard drive utility)
www.bootdisk.com
BIOS beep & POST codes
Firewall Security Test

Firewalls
Zone Alarm
SyGate Personal Edition
OutPost Firewall Free
Jetico Personal Free
Kerio Personal Firewall


Best of all... they are free.

thank you! I will investigate these.

-Greg

• Independent comparatives of Anti-Virus Software
• List of Anti-virus Products: Reviews