Best type of free anti virus?

**HarveyJ** · 11-05-2008 07:09 PM

Might want to keep your eyes out for this one: Hackers rake in fortune selling fake anti-virus software - Security - Technology

**jondoughe** · 11-07-2008 07:57 AM

I would go with AVG, if you are looking for free. If you can pay and you have business files on it, you should. Free programs are limited. They don't all work equally. On my wife's home computer, I use AVG and run Spybot S&D one a month or so. She visits about 6 website's so there usually isn't much to clean.

I disagree about Norton and McAfee though. I don't like them because they use a lot of resources and cause program compatibility issues. I would go with Trend Micro. It runs a lot cleaner and causes very few issues (As a matter of fact, I deploy their products a lot for small businesses, and I have yet to see an issue with another program for about 4 years now). And as always, your antivirus/antispyware protection is only as good as the updates it has, so check your definitions frequently.

**NoShoesNoService** · 11-07-2008 02:26 PM

Avast antivirus

**smartcard** · 11-19-2008 05:26 AM

I have been using Avast Home Edition for last 4 years, cool as is... very light system and small instillation size.

**ohmystars80** · 12-06-2008 04:22 PM

I've tried a lot of different antivirus software, including Cyberdefender and it's worked very well so far for me. I get more use from it because I purchased an upgrade that includes 24/7 tech support and some other really nice features.

**ohmystars80** · 12-07-2008 10:37 PM

Hey, let us know how things turned out with your computer and how you're antivirus is working for you?

**terryxu** · 12-07-2008 11:01 PM

please try Spybot
The home of Spybot-S&D!

**GimJom** · 12-10-2008 04:25 PM

AVG by far, I get clients that don't want to pay for nortons subscription. AVG does the job and its free and not annoying.

**GimJom** · 12-10-2008 04:31 PM

Awesome Post!, Def. Bookmarked

**Aconiac.com -Michael** · 12-22-2008 07:12 PM

I would suggest Avast or AVG as free antivirus products (AntiVir is actually better, however the free version has annoying pop-up advertisements).
If you do want to part with a bit of money, Kaspersky or Bullgaurd is however better.

Concerning personal firewalls, my clear opinion is you don't need them! The one in the operating system is sufficient 95% of the time. If you really think you need it, either use one of the free (I don't have any reason to think one is better than the other) or buy Bullgard or Kaspersky, which has a personal firewall in it.

Concerning antispyware, which one you use of the free ones is seldom very important, their results seem to differ humongously from comparison test to comparison test - The key however is not to use just one piece of software, but 2-3 different. And another good idea is to automate the updating and detecting of spyware, so that you don't actively have to make it check (you'll probably forget..)
Once again however, Kaspersky and Bullgaurd are better since they both have antispyware included with antivirus, personal firewall, antispam and online backup.

So, if you're on a strict budget: Use the free versions described above! If you have a bit of money: Buy Kaspersky or Bullgaurd! .. And if you're a bit of a geek: Use some other operating system than Windows and Mac (Mac will not be virus free much longer, so Mac users start buying antivirus software)

**mike810** · 12-24-2008 11:28 AM

I would just buy the subscription to McAfee, it is one of the best anti virus programs out there. I use it on 6 different computers and never have problems on any.

**Magarey** · 12-30-2008 10:57 AM

The Best Free Anti-virus software. There are two that you might call the best free anti-virus. The top free are Avira, Avast, and AVG. If you want the best detection and removal then you should pick Avira. The only problem with that pick is Avira does not have anti-spyware protection. So you will need to add an anti-spyware program like SuperAntiSpyware. Next is Avast has very high detection rate and is also good at removal of malware. It also has anti-spyware. It is also a very good pick for free protection.

**Jamie** · 12-30-2008 01:03 PM

McAfe is very good. I personally use NOD32, and I really like it.

I think the best Anti-Virus checker is one that best suits your personal requirements.

**MikeT206** · 01-19-2009 04:56 AM

but I think that the best combination for me is Avira anti-virus the free home edition and then using Online Armor Personal Firewall. Both are free and pretty ligh on system resources. Every year I check to see the ratings that different software gets on stopping threats and these rated highly in 2008.