What do you think is the best "FREE" antivirus software?

[Tubbs]

What do you think is the best "FREE" antivirus software?

I have been using avast, but when I run inti malware software, that picks up trojans.
I thought avast was supposed to do that too?

[kijiji]

Hey Tubbs i don't use free ware but i hear avg is pretty good.

[StanW]

​Well I've been using Kasperskys internet security 2010 30 day trial version for 2 years now - works great :D

[mydish]

What do you think is the best "FREE" antivirus software?

I have been using avast, but when I run inti malware software, that picks up trojans.
I thought avast was supposed to do that too?

That depends on a couple of things tubbs... your OS, what you want it to do, any other software that you are using to compliment it, and so on. If you're using a Windows PC, you can't beat MS Security Essentials (I know, I'm not a MS fan either, but it works!).

Here's a site that lists some good free software options. You'll note that Avast is listed in second place.

To keep you AV effective, make sure you're running the latest version for your OS, update the database on a regular basis, and don't run two AVs at the same time. Verify that you've set the settings for your needs on your system - anyone who tells you you should "... do XYZ, that'll fix it..." without knowing every detail of your system, really shouldn't be giving you advice.

If you find that the software is still missing trojans etc., try removing it from your system and do a fresh install. If that doesn't fix your issues, try another software.

Remember that, as with all things in this life, you get what you pay for. Many of the pay versions of anti-virus aren't that expensive anymore, as it's a highly competitivie market now, and most offer free updates.

[jedlacks]

Ditto mydish

Essentials is the way to go for Windows, but if you think you have to pay for something for it to work, you can choose anything else. They are basically all the same.

[timster]

I use a combination of Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on both my computers at home and at school

[d3athrac3r]

i liked avast not the best but always great, also avg was good. but whenever i would use freeware/trial antivirus.
i always had comodo firewall that thing saved me so many times, and malware bytes is also great to have installed.

[Terryl]

I use and install in all my customers PC's and laptops, these 4 things, AVG free, MalwareBytes (free), Spybot SD (free) and CCleaner (free).

Some free AV softwares do not pick up all forms of nasty's that could affect your PC or laptop, the above combination will keep it very clean.

The biggest problems I see with most AV software is that most people do not keep it updated, AVG free has an auto update/auto run feature, the others you have to start manually, then they will update.

AVG runs all the time in the background 24/7/365, I run MalwareBytes every week, then SpyBot SD right after it, after all is run and the system is clean, I run the registry cleaner from CCleaner to keep the registry nice and orderly.

[Anubis]

That depends on a couple of things tubbs... your OS, what you want it to do, any other software that you are using to compliment it, and so on. If you're using a Windows PC, you can't beat MS Security Essentials (I know, I'm not a MS fan either, but it works!).

Here's a site that lists some good free software options. You'll note that Avast is listed in second place.

To keep you AV effective, make sure you're running the latest version for your OS, update the database on a regular basis, and don't run two AVs at the same time. Verify that you've set the settings for your needs on your system - anyone who tells you you should "... do XYZ, that'll fix it..." without knowing every detail of your system, really shouldn't be giving you advice.

If you find that the software is still missing trojans etc., try removing it from your system and do a fresh install. If that doesn't fix your issues, try another software.

Remember that, as with all things in this life, you get what you pay for. Many of the pay versions of anti-virus aren't that expensive anymore, as it's a highly competitivie market now, and most offer free updates.

Umm, are we forgetting something?:innocent:

[blewie]

Norton 360.....HAHAHA couldn't hold a strait face sorry
:tehe:

[livefta]

Avast is free and paid version. Personally this is the best. Others slow down operation.

[jazzman]

I'm running the same combo as Terryl and have been for years. I keep them updated and scan at least weekly, daily with AVG. Never had any problems yet...

[d3athrac3r]

just have to say Terryl has a nice combo going on, i might switch to that for my htpc.
i remember i had a friend who was more computer savy than me laugh at me when i mentioned avg as a
reliable antivirus and he would say norton is better lol, now he only uses avg.

[StanW]

I use and install in all my customers PC's and laptops, these 4 things, AVG free, MalwareBytes (free), Spybot SD (free) and CCleaner (free).

Some free AV softwares do not pick up all forms of nasty's that could affect your PC or laptop, the above combination will keep it very clean.

The biggest problems I see with most AV software is that most people do not keep it updated, AVG free has an auto update/auto run feature, the others you have to start manually, then they will update.

AVG runs all the time in the background 24/7/365, I run MalwareBytes every week, then SpyBot SD right after it, after all is run and the system is clean, I run the registry cleaner from CCleaner to keep the registry nice and orderly.
Sounds like a full time job or hobby to me - I'd rather hunt ducks .lol

[Guess Who]

Norton and macafee work best for me.

[Nostradamus]

Norton and macafee work best for me.

they work great until you have an issue with them and have to try and uninstall them. They mess with the system registry so bad (especially Norton) about the only way to get it all off a system is a clean install of Windows

[anyonomus]

they work great until you have an issue with them and have to try and uninstall them. They mess with the system registry so bad (especially Norton) about the only way to get it all off a system is a clean install of Windows
Or use the free "uninstall" files provided by Symantic.

[mydish]

Umm, are we forgetting something?:innocent:

LMAO Ooops! Here's the link (http://topbestlisted.blogspot.ca/2011/08/best-top-10-free-antivirus-softwares.html)


http://topbestlisted.blogspot.ca/2011/08/best-top-10-free-antivirus-softwares.html

[Nostradamus]

Or use the free "uninstall" files provided by Symantic.




and then do reg scan and you will still find crap in there under both norton and symantec. Macaffee is almost as bad but Norton really messes with a system

[ITS ME!]

Avast free been using it for years and it auto updates also another have to have as mentioned is the spybot SD and CCcleaner been real good for me

[cindan2]

I have bought all of them.
Kasperski has 3 ok<s but they all start same day as first one.
Mcaffee support is a joke.
norton was good until 2002

my thoughts.
cindan2

Cheers

[Sudo]

What do you think is the best "FREE" antivirus software?

I have been using avast, but when I run inti malware software, that picks up trojans.
I thought avast was supposed to do that too?

Any Linux distro.

[Kal-El]

I havent seen Avira mentioned but it's the one I use. I haven't been hit with a virus in years. I use it in combination with malware bytes free.

[ICEMAN]

Avast i have been using it for years and its been good to me..

[shinning]

Was using norton as it came with my new motherboard. The trial period just ended and I will go back to avg(full version) that works just fine.

[anyonomus]

Was using norton as it came with my new motherboard. The trial period just ended and I will go back to avg(full version) that works just fine.
Lots of luck with a "complete" Norton removal..;)

[shinning]

Lots of luck with a "complete" Norton removal..;)

Thanks. I plan to format and reinstall Windows anyway.

[buddy4406]

If you want a program removal that works and removes hidden files and folders I suggest using Revo Uninstaller. For a good free antivirus program that works in the background I use Windows Security Essentials. Trust me, Revo will remove all of Norton. Just follow the steps and scan for hidden files and then remove those.

[timewilltell]

This might be of special interest to "shinning". It may seem like the rantings of an idiot, but give it a listen. Here's what I do.

This must be done at the beginning of a fresh install.
- reinstall your OS, connecting to the internet only to obtain the latest updates. Configure your system to get rid of all the annoying defaults you detest that are built into your OS install.
- install Acronis image backup software, and back up your system drive to an external source.
- make an Acronis boot disk.
- keep your data on a separate physical drive.
- any time you install a new program, first restore your system drive from your last backup, then back it up again after installing.

Now you can run without the encumbrance of an anti-virus program running in the background, knowing that if the worst occurs, you are 20 minutes from a restore with a fresh, clean registry! It can be a bit tedious keeping your current backup in sync with all your system default settings, but it sure gives you a feeling of confidence, and the frequency with which you are actually attacked with a truly malicious virus is low. Whenever you feel your system is slow, or hobbled with spyware, just restore your backup & go!

[gdasilva]

I recommend Aviva because it has excellent detection rates and it is free :)

[wnton]

Have used Avg with Zonealarm firewall for years with some of the combo's listed.Now Zonealarm comes with an antivirus and it's free .Tryng to speed up the comp. by using one tool instead of 2 .Can't use M.Security Essentials as I get a non genuine software comment.

[Davidbln]

Avira Free Antivirus 12 - the best among free


http://privacy-pc.com/free-antivirus-software-review/avira-free-antivirus-12-review.html