Some time ago there was a discussion re: free antivirus downloads. I've been using AVG since then. A few months back my PC kept displaying a blue screen that would not let me into Windows. Eventually it righted itself to some extent, but kept coming back occasionally and I couldn't figure out the cause. However this week I downloaded AVG to my laptop since McAfee had expired and it immediately showed a blue screen. I googled AVG and blue sceen on the PC and discovered that one of their updated versions was causing this problem. I have uninstalled AVG on the PC now but for some reason couldn't do it on the laptop in safe mode so had to fully restore it, luckily I was able to save my pictures before I did this. I have downloaded Avast now so fingers crossed. I hope nobody else has been unlucky with their antivirus. >:( :'(
i have avg installed on 2 computers and 3 laptops and have never had any problems with it!
i use norton, computor never goes wrong cos it takes so long to load :(
Seemingly one of their updates was released before it was fully tested and isn't compatable with certain browsers. I must have been unlucky. My laptop in Fuerte hasn't had the problem. Fingers crossed.
http://www.geek.com/articles/news/avg-update-causes-windows-bsod-2010122/ (http://www.geek.com/articles/news/avg-update-causes-windows-bsod-2010122/)
I use Norton = brilliant but does affect the pc's speed/performance but i'll take that for security..........
You could also try, Microsoft Security Essentials, (MSE) and it is free.
I have been using it for 6 months and, touch wood, it has been fine. :)
Agree with Deso. I had to take mine for a minor repair and asked the techie what he recommended as mine was due for renewal..and he set up MSE for me..speed is good, it's free and no problems in the 4 months it's been running.
On my PCs I've been using MSE for years - no problems.
On my Macs - don't seem to need anything.
I use MSE on my PC & Laptops no problems. It is very good and comprehensive, surprisingly it is free from Microsoft.
Remember to uninstall other anti virus programs or they will cause problems.
I have been using AVG for some years now and never had any problems with it until some time ago after it had updated itself I kept getting the dreaded BOD, googled the problem and discovered lots of other people were having the same problem (not sure which version it was), I subsequently uninstalled it and waited a while for the next version, downloaded this and it has been fine since, touch wood.
To remove any software I use a program called Revo Uninstaller, it usually does the trick of removing difficult software, however I believe AVG is difficult to remove completely with this in mind here are the instructions I found useful.
Manual Uninstall (Complete Removal of AVG)
AVG provides an uninstall utility called AVG Remover which is specially made to remove AVG completely from the computer system. AVG Remover deletes everything related to your AVG installation, including registry items, installation files, user files, etc.
If the above procedure to normally remove AVG has failed repeatedly, AVG Remover is the last option to be used. Visit http://www.avg.com/us-en/utilities. (http://www.avg.com/us-en/utilities.) You'll find both AVG Remover (32-bit) 2012 and AVG Remover (64-bit) 2012 in the download list. From the list, download the right AVG Remover version to your desktop. Download the 32-bit if you've installed AVG Antivirus 32-bit or download the 64-bit if you've AVG Antivirus 64-bit installed.
Open the command prompt from the Start Menu. Windows 7 or Vista users should run Command Prompt in elevated command prompt. To run Command Prompt (cmd) in elevated mode, right-click on cmd and select Run as Administrator.
Browse to the location where you've downloaded AVG Remover using the cd command. For example, if you've kept the file in your Downloads folder in Windows 7, you should type cd c:\Users\YourWindowsUsername\Downloads.
Now, type avg_remover and press Tab key to complete the filename. Press Enter. You will receive a warning message.
Click on Yes to continue removing AVG from your computer. It may need one or more restarts during the cleaning process.
Once the manual uninstall process has completed, restart your computer. You can then go ahead and install another antivirus or install AVG again.
Note: If you're still facing problem, please upload your avgremover.log file to your Dropbox account or any cloud storage service (if you've one). You'll find the log file in the same directory where from you ran AVG Remover.[/b]