My friend asked me to suggest a free and good antivirus. I recommended her to download Active Virus Shield (AVS) but later discovered that AVS is no longer available. AOL discontinued it but offer a special edition of McAfee VirusScan Plus.
Image: McAfee VirusScan Plus – Special edition from AOL
The discontinued AVS was using Kaspersky antivirus engine. Kaspersky Antivirus is the CNET Editor’s Choice Antivirus. We are not sure why AOL dumps Kaspersky and switched to McAfee.
The special edition of McAfee VirusScan Plus is an all-in-one security package with antivirus, firewall, and anti-spyware. It is free of charge but required a valid AOL username. You can register an account for free.
My two cents
I tried to register an AOL account to download the McAfee VirusScan Plus but got an error “Sorry! We’re unable to complete your product registration at this time.”
If you are looking for free antivirus software, I would recommend AntiVir. Have you discover other free antivirus solutions?
Update: Google Pack includes FREE and Full Version of Norton Security Scan Antivirus.
I have been using AVG for quite sometime.
Is that means those who had downloaded Active Virus Shiled previously were the lucky ones to get a copy of Kapersky free version?
Hello Liewfc
It happened the same when i tried to register (i’m italian), i finally solved the registration including american data not italian data. My Opionion is that:
1) Registration Form is very buggy
2) They don’t allow people outside Usa
I think the first is the best answer .. :)
P.S The New AntiVirus is recommended, is very light and you don’t need a very new pc (processor), it includes a Firewall too
i have been using AVG
but now……………….
VIRUSLYZATION…..
JUZT VIRUS IT!!!….heheheee
I am using avast! antivirus which is free for private use and I am absolutely satisfied with it. http://www.avast.com
First of all, Thanks a lot Liew!!!!!
I got to download it. Currently the AOL McAfee special edition works with no problem!!!!
They also offer McAfee Internet security Suite for free!!!
Thanks Liew…..!!!
I heard that AntiVir (free edition) was supposed to have adverts opening up quite often in full screen!
So I went back to good old AVG.
Also, in reply to Weilian #2:
Looks like AVS by kaspersky doesnt update anymore :'(
hey avs is too goood
@Darren: since AOL discontinued AVS, I think it will not be updated anymore. Please switch to other antivirus if it does not update its virus patterns.
Just keep AVS, don’t use McAfee, it’s bloated and detects less.
All you have to do is delete the first 2 lines in “C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\AVP6\Data\aol-updcfg.xml” :
and update works again!
F*** AOL, f*** McAfee.
Huh? AVS not updating anymore? I was surprised to read it and I immediately check my status. Stated there… “Last update September 3rd, 8.30 pm” (roughly an hour ago). I think it still updating.
Thanks HACKMAN. You are the man.
to Hackman
Thanks, it’s really work.
thanks hackman.
i did what u said n my AVS work again.
thanks for the tip, Hackman.
Don’t use Antivir unless you like getting annoying ad popups (opens w/ IE btw) that hijacks your screen every time you try to update it. They don’t let you disable it either.
Help-I need someone’s advice-I need a free virus/spam program that updates automatically like AOL used to do. I’m on a low income and can’t afford to pay anybody to do it and don’t have credit cards anymore. There’s gotta be some site that does it for free. Pls advise-Thnx Val
@Val Koralewski: do you know that you can get FREE and Full Version of Norton Antivirus in Google Pack? :)
tx a lot, Hackman
one question, since the avs require activation code, whereas can we obtain the code in case, say, we format the hard disk or install in another machine?
tq a lot
Here is a great tip How To Hack Active Virus Shield Obtain Updates from Kaspersky servers instead of AOL
@Dor: Nice tip! thanks!
Don’t go f***ing with your host file (Vista users won’t even be able to, it a protected system file). The above mentioned solution is better and much more to the point.
waifoong, didn’t you save the activation email you got when subscribing?
Hi hackman, tq for your response.
I’m not sure what I found is wrong. My experience was, I signed up to get the activation key using machine1, then i used that key on machine2. at first during installation, it passed, but when I tried to update, it disable the avs.
I have encountered this a few times, that’s why i always use the same machine to get the key and install using the key.