Future Security Options for Windows 98?

[TSawyer2112]

In addition to my XP machine, I have a couple of Windows 98 PCs. I am beginning to notice that Antivirus and Anti-Spyware options for 98 (at least the free stuff) appear to be getting sparse. Does anyone know of any security software that I will be able to count on in the foreseeable for my 98 machines. Thanks.

[DoctorDoom]

A good router/firewall combined with security awareness will pretty much spare the boxes any major grief. The vast majority of virus/trojan infections are the result of users who are clueless about safe computing.

You could of course pull the hard drives, use an external hard drive enclosure to connect them to your main machine, and scan them with the anti-virus software.

As for software written to support Win 98, AVG's free AV (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/29124/us/frt/0) still covers it. The page doesn't specify 98SE, just 98. Give it a shot.

Re spyware, the software companies aren't writing freebies for a decade-old OS. Programs like McAfee Anti Spyware (http://www.crossculture.com.hk/e-anti-spyware.htm) will support 98, for a price.

[TSawyer2112]

Thanks for the info Doc. I am already using AVG. I have been using Ad-Aware SE, but discovered that the update button no longer works. I then ran into a problem when I attempted to update to Ad-Aware 2007. Now it seems that to get the new definitions file for SE, I have to manually download the the file from a download site and manually install it. My concern is, I don't know how long that's even going to be available. I have tried some other anti-spyware programs but either couldn't get them to run or they were too intrusive. I am a big fan of Ad-Aware. I do have a router that I believe has a hardware firewall.