Does anyone know of a decent AntiVirus program, either with or without, a Firewall that still runs on both Windows 98 SE and Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4?
None of the major commercial brands seem concerned with these operating systems anymore.

Running on Windows 2000 SP4, my former savior AVG Internet Security Version 8.0 has begun to take on the characteristic stench of McAfee Internet Security Suite. Especially since the last major update, which has once again led to nothing but headaches.

AVG is also no longer going to support their Version 7.5 for use with Windows 98 either, so this is another looming problem with no solution as of yet.

Thanks!

It's getting risky to run Windows 98 on Internet-connected computers as security updates are no longer available for that OS (which is, after all, over ten years old now).

That having been said, I use and recommend "avast!" which has a free "Home Edition" available. It supports Windows versions back to Windows 95, and it's done very well in magazine comparisons against the expensive ones.

http://www.avast.com/eng/home_edition.html

I just went through it with McAfee for my Win2k machine.

After many hours with their online tech support and letting them control my machine, they couldn't get it re-installed.

For some reason I get a blank window when running their setup program.

They say I need a new Computer and Operating system. I told them I have no problem installing anything else, so I guess it's goodbye to them.

I will try the Avast software.

Bill

I use ClamAV on a laptop running Win2K, that has 96 MB of RAM. It doesn't have all the extra features like newer antivirus programs, but it has a light footprint--which is why I use it on said laptop.

http://www.clamav.net/

It's completely free, open-source software.

Thanks for the link... I'm downloading AVast as I write this. Their website says they are going to support Win98 until the end of 2009, which is substantially longer than AVG, who will be discontinuing support in April.

I can definitely understand having issues with an unsupported OS like Win98, but Win2K is still more or less at least a partially supported platform with patches and updates available for download from the Microsoft Update site. I believe, at least, for Win2K Server anyway.

What I can't understand why AVG seems unable to maintain their software compatibility with this patched and updated OS without constant screw-ups, especially since they specifically listed it as a supported platform and required me to pay for a two-year license in advance.
Anyway, hopefully brighter skies are ahead. Thanks again!

Slightly off topic, but the mods here seem tolerant.

I'm using Norton Internet Security from Symantec, and I need to renew within 16 days or so. However, the on-line renewal system refuses to recognize the state of Maine as a part of the USA! We haven't seceded yet! One of Norton's tech people (named Deepak) tells me that they are aware of this glitch and "working on it." They've been working on it for at least a month. Why doesn't this give me confidence?

Boy, while you're pondering your statehood, why not go get your:
AVG FREE anti-virus
ZoneAlarm FREE Firewall
Spybot S&D FREE anti-spyware &
Adaware FREE anti-sptware
Is there a pattern here or what?
The only thing I paid for that is due for renewal this spring is Regcure for the Registry
Joe

Joe:

I am making careful note of those choices!

http://www.komando.com/downloads/categories.aspx?cat=Security

Here's a good place to look for the links, from a digital goddess, no less. Below are specific shortcuts from the above "Security" page. These get you to Kim's descriptions and links to the free downloads that I mentioned. (not in order)
Joe
http://www.komando.com/downloads/category.aspx?id=1234
http://www.komando.com/downloads/category.aspx?id=2519
http://www.komando.com/downloads/category.aspx?id=1650
http://www.komando.com/downloads/category.aspx?id=1260

Thank you, Joe! I will definitely be checking this stuff out!

How so?

Look, we use computers as well, we know exactly what they are like.

Update on my situation:

After the headaches with McAfee Antivirus, my Quickbooks and a few other things I'm giving up on Win 2k. There seems to be something wrong with the OS and I can't re-install or repair it.

I just bought a used (speedier) PC with XP Professional installed and am in the process of transferring data and installing the programs I use.

So far I like the speed (from P3/1000 to P4/3.2GHz), but still nostalgic about the PC I built and have upgraded/maintained for the last 10 years. (I still have a 5-1/4" floppy drive in it) ... but time to let go I guess .....

Bill

BTW, I was able to re-install McAfee and QB with no problems on the new machine.

I am running 2 systems side by side right now. I have a new 3.4g P4 Compaq (new to me anyway) that came bundled with XP Pro and I have my old 3.4 AMD machine running W/98. Yes the 98 machine is a whole lot faster apples to apples.
I ran the W/98 totally open for about 3 years, no virus scanner and no firewall. When I brought up the XP machine I got McAfee from AOL and ran it against both machines. The only hits I got were on downloads I never opened because I knew they were bad and 2 pieces of adware that came with software I bought. I think that if you are careful you probably will not get infected.