I started having trouble with AVG free about four months ago. I just think something is happening
to the company. My problems involved update function and inabiity to get customer service. So I
switched to Avast Home free and so far like it. Just a hunch. This is not AVG's first false
positive, but it's the first harmful one. Good news is Microsoft next year will be offering a free antivirus
suite. So that should lower costs for everyone.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10093875-83.html
November 11, 2008 11:24 AM PST
AVG update cripples some Windows XP systems
Posted by Robert Vamosi  On Tuesday an update for AVG 8 suggested that a Windows system file is a Trojan horse, and users who delete the file form the system could leave their Windows XP systems endlessly rebooting or unable to reboot at all. The problem only affects users of AVG 8 products running the Dutch, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish language versions of Windows XP. AVG immediately sent out a corrected update to its customers, including those using the free editions of AVG. ...


http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10101582-83.html
November 18, 2008 2:28 PM PST
Microsoft to offer free consumer security suite
Posted by Elinor Mills
Microsoft on Tuesday said it is changing its strategy for offering PC antivirus software, with plans to discontinue its subscription-based consumer security suite and instead offer individuals free software to protect their PCs.

Poco, I'd google that trojan positive and see what other forums and security vendors say.

Carolo, I've seen lots of arguments about the quality of the Windows XP firewall among
techies. I've never heard them complain that it doesn't block in-coming intrusions. Have
you? The critiques seem to be that it doesn't list for you possible out-going communications,
which can be covered with other freebie programs like HijackThis, I think.

Avast is great (since I'm still using 2k on this computer - until I can buy another - probably around Jan/Feb).

I still like firewalls separated FROM the computer - as in the router.  My personal opinion, too much attachment to the machine itself, too much chance of firewall itself becoming compromised.

(P.S. - I use a wired router, not a wireless router.  Some have said they can get through, but it requires manual manipulation - which is why I reject most remote manipulation, and turn off auto updating - but that's just me).

Thanks, Jan. It looks like the freebies are still most widely used and that's promising, with
MS agreeing to furnish a freebie next year, to keep it that way. So maybe we can all
continue to avoid over blown bells and whistles that slow computers down. Scary to
think half the computers out there have no protection, though. Uncle Joe's email is
possibly more dangerous than I thought.

ShieldsUp is great, but only does first 1056 inbound ports unless you direct it
to search higher ports specifically by number.
To check outbound IPs, use HijackThis while online. You can download it from
CNET download.com. Simple to use, and have the log analyzed for free here:

http://www.hijackthis.de/

It will tell you if you're sending anything to a specific IP. Then you can trace
the IP and find out who you're sending to. Some are legit, like your ISP. So
far haven't found any not related to internet provider. Just another double-
check for computer safety.