Free Windows server anti-virus and firewall programs?

Question

What are some free Windows server anti-virus and firewall programs that can be installed at Windows Server 2003?

The primary services of my server is to host PHP websites and a few VB.NET socket servers.

Answer 1

Take a look at ClamAV and ClamWin. It's a free and open source anti virus solution that (unlike many other free versions of commercial tools) runs under Windows Server. One thing it lacks is an on-access scanner that checks files in real time. Guess you can't have it all ;-)

Answer 2

OK, 5 steps.

1. Windows updates - This is your number 1 antivirus on Windows
2. Windows firewall - If you can't have additional firewall hardware this will do. Just learn how to use it via the command line.
3. Backups - Sorry guys, but no antivirus is 100% effective.
4. Clam AntiVirus - Nightly updates and full scans of your server with proper email alerts on update failures, virus detections and antivirus software failures.
5. Monitor eventlogs and move them off the server- nasty things tend to either show up here or break them. Use one of many syslog daemons available for Windows to move the logs to a remote host. Phew.. The hoops we have to jump though.

Answer 3

Try Comodo Internet Security - Free Version. http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/free-internet-security.php

Answer 4

1. I used the free version of MalwareBytes. It's exactly what I wanted in a virus scanner. It doesn't constantly run in the background hogging resources. You open the application and click scan. It properly removed a few viruses.

2. If you are looking for a one time scan the only online virus scan that I am aware of that will run on Windows 2003 Server is Trendmicro's HouseCall.

Answer 5

Okay, it is not real-time / on-access but it works: http://www.escanav.com/english/content/products/MWAV/escan_mwav.asp Free eScanAV Anti-Virus Toolkit (MWAV) / Free Antivirus Download for XP, Vista & Windows 7 I am using it (together with ClamWin) on wk28 (windows 2008 server: webserver role: SP2

Answer 6

I was able to load Microsoft Security Essentials Vista/Windows 7 64-bit on a Server 2003 x64. Haven't run it for long, so I don't know yet if there are any issues regarding the platform mismatch, but it seems to install and run happily. Your mileage may vary.