Antivirus software

[Rezabrya]

I am looking for a free antivirus program to install on my sister's computer. She usually just surfs the web and downloads song from itunes. I have thought about AVG free and Microsoft security essentials. What do you guys prefer?

[TARPSBird]

I've used AVG Free for years and it has worked fine for me.

[CADFather]

+1 on the AVG

[Gdavis101]

I have always used AVG Free and it has been reliable.. Another good one is Avast Free.

[kilo delta]

Microsoft Security Essentials. ;)

[stansdds]

I've used AVG and Avast!, still using Avast!.

[Bjoern]

Antivir all the way.

[txnetcop]

Have used and tested all freeware anti-virus software at TechCorp. The three top are AVG, Microsoft Security Essentials and Antivir. Microsoft is starting to edge out the others in features. I am sure that one day it will not be free.
Ted

[JoeW]

I just uninstalled a registered version of AVG 2011. I installed MS Essentials in it's place.
I have fewer problems already ..........

[mmann]

I used to use AVG but after having problems with it I installed Avira AntiVir and it is definitely a better program!! I also recommend the free Comodo firewall over ZoneAlarm.

Regards, Mike Mann

[Bjoern]

Microsoft is starting to edge out the others in features. I am sure that one day it will not be free.

Sure about that?

Throwing a free antivirus software out is way cheaper than dealing with 320934589345 support requests a day from users that got their OSes fcked up by viruses.


I for myself would refuse to buy AV protection if it wasn't for the freebies.

[txnetcop]

Sure about that?

Throwing a free antivirus software out is way cheaper than dealing with 320934589345 support requests a day from users that got their OSes fcked up by viruses.


I for myself would refuse to buy AV protection if it wasn't for the freebies.

Now think about it a minute when Microsoft ever done anything for free for any length of time!

[allcott]

I've used AVG and Avast!, still using Avast!.

+1 What he said. :applause:

[Moses03]

AVG free let several viruses through last year that destroyed my C drive and had to reformat. Would never trust it again. Ponied up and went with Panda and have not had any trouble since.

[Bjoern]

Now think about it a minute when Microsoft ever done anything for free for any length of time!

My Desktop. My Laptop. Windows 7 Pro x86 and x64. For zero Euros.

And I still have the german language versions as well as Vista, Server '08 and XP available for free.

[Francois]

I am looking for a free antivirus program to install on my sister's computer. She usually just surfs the web and downloads song from itunes. I have thought about AVG free and Microsoft security essentials. What do you guys prefer?

I have been using Avast! for many years. Free for personal use, non-intrusive (unlike some of the major players) and daily updates. VERY good !

[txnetcop]

My Desktop. My Laptop. Windows 7 Pro x86 and x64. For zero Euros.

And I still have the german language versions as well as Vista, Server '08 and XP available for free.


Well tell ya what Amigo you won't get it free in the U.S.!

[Bjoern]

Well tell ya what Amigo you won't get it free in the U.S.!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSDNAA

Sounds pretty international to me...

[jmig]

It is better to be helpful than right!

[gigabyte]

This debate comes up every couple of months, and the truth of the matter is there is NO best of breed when it comes to AV and Anti Malware software. I have tried a vast (no pun intended) number of different versions over the years and I really have not found any truly terrible or teriffic apps in the freeware offerings. I have had a couple of subscriptions and my only complaint with those is the headroom they use and they are often quite complex to get set up to operate efficently.

My choice(s) are AVG for my XP systems, and MS Security Essentials for my Win7 and Vista systems - yes I have several systems 8 in total. Both are free versions and all indications they will continue to remain free for personal use.

Ted to your point about MS not giving anything away, I would never second guess what any company will do going forward, but the older MS Defender was always free and Security Essentials seems to be a further evolution of that product. The other simple fact is most of the development for Security Essentials is generated when they are working on Security patches etc. and it is in their best interest to offer a reasonable solution to their OS users - just sayin...

[txnetcop]

This debate comes up every couple of months, and the truth of the matter is there is NO best of breed when it comes to AV and Anti Malware software. I have tried a vast (no pun intended) number of different versions over the years and I really have not found any truly terrible or teriffic apps in the freeware offerings. I have had a couple of subscriptions and my only complaint with those is the headroom they use and they are often quite complex to get set up to operate efficently.

My choice(s) are AVG for my XP systems, and MS Security Essentials for my Win7 and Vista systems - yes I have several systems 8 in total. Both are free versions and all indications they will continue to remain free for personal use.

Ted to your point about MS not giving anything away, I would never second guess what any company will do going forward, but the older MS Defender was always free and Security Essentials seems to be a further evolution of that product. The other simple fact is most of the development for Security Essentials is generated when they are working on Security patches etc. and it is in their best interest to offer a reasonable solution to their OS users - just sayin...

I agree it would be in their best interest. It was only a guess not an educated guess as no one knows what Microsoft will do when they finally get a package that is in demand. I use their Security Essentials.