Free Antivirus for Windows Server 2003

MartyMarts

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May 16, 2006
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Anybody know of a decent free Antivirus for Windows Server 2003 R2 that has real-time protection? There's tons of free av products available out there but they seem to cater for Win XP/Vista/7 only. The few I've found capable of being used on Windows Server 2003 don't have real-time protection :(

Thanks!
 

Asha'man X

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Aug 31, 2006
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AFAIK, there are no free av solutions that will run on Server versions of Windows, they all detect what OS it is and prevent the install. The last free AV that I know worked on Server 2003 was AVG 6 point something. What you could do is get a copy of NOD32 Business Edition and install that, it works across client and Server without change. I'm not sure what is the minimum amout you can purchase though, as ESET SA's website only offers the consumer editions for sale online.
 
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kingrob

Guest
I feel your pain, MartyMarts.

Been downloading trial versions of AVG File Server edition....it's valid for a month and then reinstall with a new trial key. It just gets frustrating after a while.

There are no free AV products for Windows servers, think you need to get Microsoft Forefront, or something else.

AVG File Server edition works a treat, but it's expensive, cos you pay for simultaneous connections to the file server.
 

gregmcc

Honorary Master
Joined
Jun 29, 2006
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IMO If you can afford to purchase Win2003 then don't be a cheapskate and look for free AV for the server. You most likely have a lot more data to protect on it so get a decent commercial package.
 

Conradl

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Dec 10, 2008
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Anybody know of a decent free Antivirus for Windows Server 2003 R2 that has real-time protection? There's tons of free av products available out there but they seem to cater for Win XP/Vista/7 only. The few I've found capable of being used on Windows Server 2003 don't have real-time protection :(

Thanks!

Still looking for more free stuff? Bloody agent - go out!
 

Abe

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Jul 30, 2005
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4,610
IMO If you can afford to purchase Win2003 then don't be a cheapskate and look for free AV for the server. You most likely have a lot more data to protect on it so get a decent commercial package.

Not exactly, MS SBS Server for 10 users is R9k, the Antivirus from Kaspersky for the same 10 users is R3675 per year. My sister has been running SBS 2003 server for about 5 years (or something like that). The antivirus would have cost more than the server over that time. Thats quite a chunk of cash.

For people who have MS Action Pack, it's even worse. We pay R2500 per year for 10 Windows, Office, etc licenses and exchange and a server. The antivirus costs more than all of windows, office and server licenses put together.
 

ponder

Honorary Master
Joined
Jan 22, 2005
Messages
92,825
Download a old version of Server 2003 to XP Conversion Pack with which you can change the OS ID to that of WinXP and then install normal free desktop antivirus software like Avira.
 

ramar

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Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
291
You can get Eset Nod32 for a single server for about R1200 a year. And then there are plenty of free packages for the workstations. I dont think R1200 a year for a 10 client network with server is too bad.
 
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kingrob

Guest
Just crazy that we should pay a boatload of cash to keep Windows servers safe.

No wonder our company has changed everything to Linux servers, just makes more sense.
 
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