Antivirus programs must be updated!

[jandal]

My Intel Celeron [email protected] GHz computer using Windows Vista Home Premium suffered a crashing hard disk drive failure last weekend due to a virus. I stupidly failed to update my antivirus software program (Avira AntiVir Personal Free) and am now forced to purchase a new computer. I am NOT a novice at computers either! I use them on a daily basis and have even advised people I know to keep their antivirus programs up-to-date. Apparently, I should have been paying closer attention to what I was saying. It took a crash and the total loss of ALL of my program files and folders, everything I had stored on my PC to remind me of the importance to update, update, update. I hope everyone who reads this will remember to do the same. After all, an antivirus program is only effective if it's up-to-date. A word to my very wise colleagues.

jandal

[Allan]

1) Most, if not all anti virus utilities can be set to update automatically.
2) Why do you have to buy a new computer?

[Salmon Trout]

No virus can make a hard drive "crash" or force someone to buy a new computer.

[SuperDave]

There's a good chance everything can be saved. What happens when you boot your computer? Can you boot in Safe Mode?
Safe Mode

[jandal]

Many thanks to Allan, Salmon Trout, and Super Dave for your comments. I couldn't agree with you more! The idea to buy a new computer was not mine, I assure you. It was my aunt's. She rushed into this without telling a soul until her keyboard had completely frozen up on her and was not responding. She told me that two tech specialists were unable to repair it but did manage to save some files, which they have installed onto the new computer. Here's one more question for you, if I may: the new computer has a "trial" antivirus program included (McAfee). Would it be safe to uninstall this and download/install something like AVG Anti-Virus Free, which is much more affordable and I find works just as well? I know that two antivirus programs cannot be installed together on the same computer. I appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks again for your wise advice. I hope my auntie listens.

jandal

[SuperDave]

I would go with MicroSoft Security Essentials.
Remember to only install one antivirus!
 
1) Avast! Home Edition
2) AVG Free Edition
3) Avira AntiVir Personal
4) Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows Vista\Windows 7 - 64 bit Download
4-a) Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows XP
5) Comodo Antivirus (Uncheck during installation "Install Comodo SafeSurf..", Make Comodo my default search provider" and "Make Comodo Search my homepage" if you choose this one)
6) PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition

It is strongly recommended that you run only one antivirus program at a time. Having more than one antivirus program active in memory uses additional resources and can result in program conflicts and false virus alerts. If you choose to install more than one antivirus program on your computer, then only one of them should be active in memory at a time.