I know there are some computer people out there....

[DeekDaSneek]

And I was wondering if anyone could recommend an anti virus program that is good and free. I am currently running AVG 8.5 Free,but want something else. Also,anyone know anything that can optimize my computer so it will work a little faster. It's a HP laptop that I have and I ain't getting rid of it any time soon. All help is appreciated. Thanks!!

[infidel_inside]

Spybot search & destroy paired with avg. Spybot has a real time tea timer which pretty much alerts you any time there is a change in your registry and weather you want to allow the change or not.

To run faster delete unused programs, run a Defrag delete temp files. If you have slow start up go to start>run type in msconfig.exe go to the start up tab and stop some processor's from starting when you start the computer such as messengers.. You can add more ram if you have the proper cpu keep in mind vista is only capable of handling 4 gig's.. You could also format and reinstall windows, youd have to use killdisk though or you wont be able to use the full capacity of your hard drive..

[BATComm1]

Spybot search & destroy paired with avg. Spybot has a real time tea timer which pretty much alerts you any time there is a change in your registry and weather you want to allow the change or not.

Just what I was gonna say...my company uses both of these and so do I at home...

[DeekDaSneek]

Best sites to get it? I just downloaded one that said one thing,and wasn't the Spybot. Thanks.

[SpeedRacer]

Best site i normally use is www.cnet.com. Or you can search and download it straight from the spybot site. Another thing I use to clean junk that is free is CCleaner. Plus you can use Advance systemcare also that will clean junk. Never had any problems with either of tham and they both work great.

[No-Tec]

hopping on the spybot band wagon, get it here: http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html

as far as optimizing - safest and easiest bet is to just defrag your harddrive. its under like start->programs->accessories->system i think

so that, and remove all the crap you dont use. when it comes down to it, that's all you can really do, apart from upgrading the computer itself.

[The Arrant Knave]

here's some free programs that I consider vital and use on all my comps....

* all these programs can be downloaded from download.cnet.com


Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
really good at removing spyware, trojans, etc

Advanced System Care
a suite of useful tools including spyware removal, Registry Fix, IOBit Security 360 (anti virus/firewall), Registry Defrag, File Shredder, Game Booster (releases unnecessary RAM usage for optimal online game play....really helpful if you have lag issues in real time)

and my personal favorite.....Revo Uninstaller
ever buy a new comp and it's preloaded with all those friggin programs that you don't want or need and can't ever fully get rid of?......this program makes them go away.

from Cnet's review:

"Where the built-in and sluggish Windows Add or Remove Programs option fails, freeware Revo picks up the slack. It builds out a useful feature set on top of a fairly light, 1.5MB installation. Launching Revo fires up the Uninstaller screen, which shows icons and titles of all programs installed on your machine. You can change the View to List or Details, if you'd like more information. Right-clicking gives users a list of choices, from the fundamental like Uninstall and Remove from list, to Search Google, Show the installation directory, and quick access to the app's Help file, its About screen, and an Update link.
Revo also provides some powerful tools. Advanced mode adds program-specific Registry key access to the context menu. The Tools Optimizer holds the Autorun Manager, Windows Tools access screen, and a Junk File finder/killer. The Autorun Manager provides one-stop shopping for startup tweaking. Windows Tools pulls together various and disparate basic utilities under one umbrella, and the Junk killer is just killer.
The Tools Tracks Cleaner accesses cache-cleaning features, include standard browser cache functions as well as crash memory dump files, MS Office cleaners, system-wide and program-specific search histories, and more. Another cool function is the Hunter, which offers click-and-drag uninstall and process-killing functionality. Revo and the way that it will revolutionize your uninstall workflow is hard to pass up."






this is really a nifty program that I advise everyone to use before using any programs on their new comp. basically, once you take your comp out of the box, plug it in, make sure at least windows firewall is turned on. access internet. if you plan on using another antivirus and/or firewall then what came with the comp then install it and update it and do your windows update. then go to Cnet and download Revo. install it and open it up. it is easy to use and it lists all programs on your comp (don't worry, it doesn't list programs or anything that is critical for windows operation or anything else that you shouldn't uninstall). just pick what programs you don't want and uninstall them. double check and make sure windows is updated, virus definitions are up to date, and you now have a "clean" comp. Revo also offers other tools that are nifty including "Hunter Mode"....this mode gives you the flexibility to uninstall, stop, delete or disable programs from auto-starting with just one click.




there are many other programs that are useful to download, but all three of these I consider critical for my comps. there may even be better ones out there, but I know these work well.