LINKS
In the September 2001 column in "The Grapevine", I promised to list a few sites for free anti-virus and firewall software.
The anti-virus software I use and trust is called E-Safe and is from Aladdin Software. It is true freeware, including frequent updates.
http://www.esafe.com/esafe/default.asp?cf=tl
Another, even more sophisticated program is F-Prot, from the Icelandic company Frisk Software. This is the anti-virus software that was robust enough to keep the computers at the secondary schools where I worked free from unwanted attacks! However, this is commercial (i.e. you pay for it) software.
http://www.complex.is/cgi-bin/home_pager
If you use the Internet then even more important in my view than anti-virus software is a good firewall. Zone Alarm is one of those few programs against which I have never heard a bad word. The basic version is free, but for the best protection against nasty e-mail attachments you need the commercial ZoneAlarm Pro. Well worth the money!
You may wish to search for your own software. One of the widest selections of freeware and shareware can be found at CNet. What I like about their site is the ease of search for a particular program.
If you wish to keep up with the latest news in the war against viruses, or search for a particular virus and its effects, the F-Secure is one of the most comprehensive and transparent site I have found.
http://www.europe.f-secure.com/v-descs/
Good luck!!