what's the best free antivirus solution out there?

[grestone]

As above, got a SBS2003 network, with some XP clients.

I think there may be some infections, as there is no antivirus. What's the best solution for this problem (free!)

[magnus911]

I prefer AVG Free but it's not really suitable for a domain environment neither are XP home machines.

Most of the free ones are not for commercial use - are these private client computers or do they belong to a company?

[magnus911]

also; XP Home Edition can't join the SBS2003 domain.

The network piece has been removed from all "Home" editions and they have no place in a domain environment.

Also, there is no "free" antivirus for a server.

Microsoft Security Essentials will be free when it's released, most likely in a month or two.

Meanwhile the only free AV for commercial/business use is ClamAV and it's just an on-demand scanner, doesn't clean and doesn't provide realtime protection.

So today's options for business are "buy something".

[Hamster]

Ok let's clear some of these comments up:

1. AVG works just fine in a domain and has a central administration console/deployment 2. OP never said the XP Homes were part of the domain, they are likely just standalone machines using a file share which does work with SBS, not preferred but works.

3. Clamwin/MoonAV will install on a server, no realtime maybe but it's Open Source AV. Morro will likely install on a server although I've not tried it. As discussed here a few weeks back I'm leaning against any
realtime AV on servers as long as there is something at the firewall and you can do scheduled scans. If I remember right Susan said she had at least one server with no AV running.

4. To the OP any of those "FREE" versions you see for AVG and the like clearly state in their license they are not to be used in a business environment.

[magnus911]

http://www.comodo.com is one that at least on their web site does not mention limited to home or non-commercial usage- but is under their Home offerings for the free edition. I have not read through the download EULA and fine print, but no mention of non-commercial usage not being allowed anywhere I could find on the actual web site.

It does state Win XP or Vista Home under the system requirements, but not specifically Win XP Home Edition or whether it will install with Vista Business at all.

As others have stated they really need to be setting up Professional or Business desktop OS's if they are going to have SBS running, and a complete security protection is also essential if they value their data and
information at all- on both the server and the workstations that are on the network.

[charlie]

England just lost another wicket.

[charlie]

AVG