what's the best free anti virus software nowadays ?

[Disco_P]

I used AVG but got fed up with the updates and waiting for it to do stuff. Changed to avast and it was more of the same. Now on defender as it is super lightweight.

In the last 8 years of using AV I have never had them catch anything but false positives. Remember the first rule of life and you'll be fine.

 

[mark43]

I was using Avast, its okay but I found it a little more intrusive than I'd like. Currently just using Windows Defender although based on what I've read its one of the poorer free ones, but at least you don't notice it. I'd also like to think I'm careful enough to stay relatively safe, though as somebody pointed out above legitimate sites can be targeted.

I always have Malware Bytes installed though, as I've found it fantastic when I've had to help others remove malware.

 

[arc@css]

Is mse free? And is it already on my windows 7 or is it a separate download ?

And also if I decide to use this ? Do I need to use avast along side it or get away with just on its own ?

Yep, MSE is free, though for Win 7 you need to download it.

I think using two anti-virus programs isn't recommended, though I don't know if there are any exceptions, etc.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/security-essentials-download



I've found Spybot to be very good for malware, too.

 

[Wilko_Dog]

I'm thinking of going for mse and this malware bytes then , not sure yet though!

how often would I have to scan with the malware software roughly ? I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to anti virus as I've been using Norton for 4 years and it's all automatic

Thanks for all the input really appreciate it

 

[Wilko_Dog]

I'm thinking of going for mse and this malware bytes then , not sure yet though!

how often would I have to scan with the malware software roughly ? I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to anti virus as I've been using Norton for 4 years and it's all automatic

Thanks for all the input really appreciate it

 

[Wilko_Dog]

Double post there sorry !

 

[kunoichia]

no one mentions Qihoo 360?

http://www.360totalsecurity.com/
combined with malwarebytes

 

[jubei]

I never bother with them these days. But if you need to then just use security essentials.

 

[OldComputerGuy7]

I have been using Comodo internet security for a long while now seems to work fine Although I don't know how well it ranks these days and I am sure there are some that are better in different areas but I have no problems with it recently.

Best of all its free, when installing though do a custom install and check what parts its installing as i tend to not have any use for geek buddy.

 

[StriderX]

Pretty sure the head of Semantic basically admitted that antivirus was more or less pointless, due mainly to the shoddy nature of antivirus in general.

I personally don't bother with any other than an occasional download/scan and delete as i can do without the hassle and resource hog.

Plus what i have on my computer is benign, so i honestly don't care anyway, anyone thinking they're safe behind there crosshatch fences should realise they can still be prodded/shot and bombarded anyway.

For morons that download any old link, they should probably be shot tbh. /s

 

[Mynight]

With or without AV there's a good chance you will acquire something inadvertantly clicking on links or not. Why not defend yourself to the best of your abilities with both common sense and an AV.

I always liked AVG never got in the way except with punkbuster in battlefeild 3(since resolved) but I moved to bitdefender but getting a free key helped that choice .

 

[wijcc]

i would go for avast or avira

 

[Aston998]

Microsoft security essentials And Adblock plus are what i used Worked well for me

 

[WiZZyWiGG]

Just use MSE and common sense. Never had any issues, yet at least

Just ran a Malwarebytes scan to see if this was misplaced, came up clean so I am happy.

 

[Bam79]

I have been using Comodo internet security for a long while now seems to work fine Although I don't know how well it ranks these days and I am sure there are some that are better in different areas but I have no problems with it recently.

Best of all its free, when installing though do a custom install and check what parts its installing as i tend to not have any use for geek buddy.

+1 for Comodo

 

[Hyburnate]

Avast or Ad-Adware with Malwarebytes and uBlock.

Paid just aren't worth it.

 

[mrbazmondo]

MS Security Essentials / Windows defender (depending on the version of windows).
Use spybot too, it redirects known bad DNS names back to your own computer rather than to the IP of the bad sites.

 

[Robert_G]

I've been using Malwarebytes since around 2004 and never had a single problem. I used to regularly have the same few people round my house with their laptops, due to spyware, ad-ware and viruses. After converting them over to Malwarebytes I no longer have those annoying regular visits .

 

[darknite]

I use the microsoft security essentials on some extended family pc's I look after. However for an extra spin on this depending on where you work/if you work, they may have an antivirus subscription that covers employee's for a copy at home. For me I have access to Sophos for as long as I work here.

 

[Winky_The_Winking_Turtle]

Common Sense 2015 Edition



But seriously, if your safe and don't go onto any obviously suspicious sites (I don't know why you would anyway... ), just use MSE as a basic anti-virus. You really don't need much more.