2 fairly simple software questions?

Question

1)Virus Protection. I have none. Do i need to buy an antivirus or are there good/reliable downloadable ones i can use to find/warn me of, or get rid of existing ones?
2) Video and photo editing software. I want to get one or both of these but they cost a heck of a lot...are you able to just install a friends? or is this totally illegal?! And 2b; if you bought one, could you use it on more than one of your computers? (ie pc and laptop)
THANK YOU :)

Answer 1

1) By having no virus protection you are putting your computer at a huge risk. You can go to http://www.download.com and they have links to all types of free programs. Most will cost you after a trial verson but you can try a few and find which one is best for you. If you get an antivirus program it will find most if not all viruses. I also recommend you get a spyware/adware remover too. The site I gave you above has tons that are free and you dont have to buy them

2) I'm not a legal expert but I think as long as you bought the program you can put in on any of your own computers but I would check the licensing to make sure. And yes if you use a friends it is suppose to be illegal *wink*.

Answer 2

1: AVG Antivirus by Grisoft is about the best I've found - and it's 100% free. http://free.grisoft.com I install it for customers and have had no complaints at all :)



2: Video editing software (sort of...) is free with XP - Windows Movie Maker. It's pretty basic. Failing that, Pinnacle Studio is about the best available for a reasonable price - think it starts at around £20. Photo editing - look for a piece of software called GIMP. It's as good as Photoshop, same features etc, but 100% FREE!



2b: If you use Windows Movie maker, it will be installed on your PC and laptop. If you use any other software, check the licencing, but it's usually one licence (ie, one purchase) per computer.... I don't see you getting in trouble if you don't use them both at the same time and they are both registered to the same person/address though.

Answer 3

1) Virus

It's more about how good you are with using your computer. I haven't used a Virus software for years. I have one installed, but it's turned off becuase I find it completely takes over my computer and slows everything down. But . . . I know enough about it to not do dumb things that would introduce a virus or trojan horse. Some dumb things include:

a) Opening emails and especially attachments from people you don't know. Just delete them. If it's important, the person will email you back.

b) Frequenting shady sites (casino sites, porn sites, etc).

c) using P2P sharing networks (LimeWire, Kazaa) for movies, music, video's, software



I usually run a virus scan once a month to make sure I don't have anything. In 6 years, I've never had a virus. I personally think the IT industry has cooked up virus fears to make people think they need all of this software protection. Don't get me wrong . .there are nasty viruses . .but if you are careful, you can get by without virus software. Oh . . .you may get a free antivirus software from your ISP, so check with them first.



2) Loading software onto other computers.

Definitely illegal . . . but . . .the likelihood you'll get caught is nill (though, more and more software providers require activation for each install). As a software developer, I frown on loading software willy nilly . . .but . . . if you want to do it, you're really not going to get into much trouble. Trust me . . . Adobe really doesn't have the resources to care that one residential consumer is loading Photoshop onto their computer illegally. They care more about corporate abuse as it's easier to identify and prosecute. There';s no way they can go after all of the individuals doing it (despite their curt terms and conditions). I personally wouldn't do it because I just don't think it's right . .. . .but there are plenty of people that do it without ever getting caught. It's extremely difficult to get "caught".



As for photo-editing, it really depends on what you want to do. I mean . . . Photoshop is pretty amazing . . but . . you likely don't need all of that power. Just go to Downloads.com and search on photo-editing. I'm sure sure you'll find a free one that does basic editing nicely. Also, when I purchased my Kodak digitcal camera, it came with a decent photo editor.



Hope that helps.

Answer 4

1) AVG and others offer FREE antivirus software for home use. I use AVG and have done so at home for over three years and my PC has never been infected (confirmed by three other anti virus programs)



2) Read the EULA End User Licence Agreement...

Answer 5

Computer magazines often have anti virus software and photo editing programs



Otherwise have you ever considered using a Linux based system. Most of their programs are free. Some work like a dream others give you a headache trying to work them out.

Answer 6

The trouble with free ones is sooner or later you will get infected and you won't have any telephone support to help you recover the mess.



Note you also need FIREWALL software if you are connected to the net. The Windows firewall is virtually worthless.



If you install your friends software. It is illegal. Using it on more than one of your own computers depends on the licence which could be anything. Look for last years version of the software it will be much cheaper.

Answer 7

1) Maybe. No anti-virus software is 100% reliable.

2) Check the licence.

Answer 8

Q1 avg just download it from its web site works well



Q2 go to c- net .com and see if there is any free software

should be good look.