Best Free Anti-Virus Program?

[SweetErika]

I've been running Linux for several years, so I haven't had to think about A-V protection. However, I recently started using my newer laptop a lot more, I'm not sure if I want to put Linux on it yet, and Windows 7 is telling me I need to install an A-V program (for some reason I thought protection was included in the Defender utility, but it looks like that's not the case).

Back in the day, I used to use AVG Free, but I see Microsoft Security Essentials is free, and there are probably some other free programs out there that I'm unaware of. I liked AVG well enough, except I can forget to run scans on a regular basis and I do download some things, so maybe I'd be better off with a program that's more automatic? I see Security Essentials runs in the background, yet I'm not sure how much of a resource hog it is, how hard it is to remove if I don't care for it, whether or not it'll bug me with pop-ups all the time, how much security it truly provides, etc.

So, I'd like to hear reviews from people who have used Security Essentials (especially on laptops/less powerful systems), especially regarding the above issues/concerns, and/or recommendations on which free A-V program will provide good protection without causing problems (e.g. we've NEVER had good luck with resource hogs like Norton and McAfee, so I definitely don't want a similar program).

Thanks in advance!

 

[aca12121]

I like AVG, never had an issue with anything, it catches the occasional virus I will get. I have it installed on 3 laptops and 2 desktops, all running Win7, and a server running Windows Server 2008, all with no issues.

It does run automatically, you can program it to run when you want it to. I don't think the older versions did that, though I can't remember. Its not a memory hog, runs in the background. I don't think I would trust a MS antivirus program, though I don't know anything about it.

 

[StilettosNSpurs]

I agree with ACA, I too use AVG and have always been pleased with it. You can "schedule" your scans to run when you'd like them to. For example, I have mine scheduled to run at 2:00 AM on M, Thur & Sat. I'm (normally) not on the computer during that time so it doesn't slow me down.

 

[GrimsPet]

I also use AVG - easy to use, easy to install. And you can go in under settings and schedule it to do automatic scans at certain times of the day.

 

[Carnevil9]

I use Avast! I'm running it on three different computers, and never had a problem. It works very automatically. When I was researching free AV programs, Avast! and AVG seemed to be the two leading contenders, so I'm sure you can't go wrong with either one.

 

[SweetErika]

It looks like AVG has made a lot of improvements since I used it last, so I'm installing it right now.

I'd still be interested to hear how people like Security Essentials.

Thanks for the feedback, all!

 

[tinawill77]

I like AVG also. I haven't had a problem since I started using it. *knock on wood*

 

[Primalex]

I'd still be interested to hear how people like Security Essentials.

Well, it just sits there and tells me I'm protected.

There is not much you can do anyway if you are out of luck - my paypal account got compromised due to one of the game companies getting hacked - not sure if it was Sony, Sega etc.
I didn't remember that I had used the same credentials (and usually I don't) and then, some time ago, someone transferred money - but in a stupid way, so that the paypal account security got triggered and the account frozen and all transactions automatically cancelled.

So, I'm kinda disenchanted with keeping my computer secure and believing that it would solve all problems.

 

[simplegirl]

I've used AVG in the past and am now using Avast. I've had no problems with either. Avast can also be scheduled to update automatically and scan automatically.

 

[flasubm]

I trust both AVG and MSE but always keep MALWAREBYTES in the background. The free version isn't active protection and you have to manually update it but if something does get in your system, run a scan and it will clean it like none other.

 

[RME40]

I personally enjoy using both AVG and Microsoft Security Essentials. Of course, I don't have both installed on my computer LOL. I have MSE at the moment and I never had any issue with it. AVG and MSE works like a champ if you ask me

 

[dohbuoy]

I just myself got back into the windows world, by installing Vista on my wife's used 6 year old laptop. It is a bit resource-poor (being Vista, that is normal I guess) , even AVG seemed to slow it down a little just in my brief try of it. I switched to MSE and it seems to work well and doesn't feel like it slows her system down, but none of this is actually documented, just impressions.

She is quite smart about her online habits, probably more so than I am, so that may be a factor here as well. I could recommend either tool.

Malwarebytes is also a needed tool, and perhaps even MS's own Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

Having been in a Linux comfort zone for a long time, reintroducing myself with antivirus and anti-malware is kinda scary

 

[qrayze]

A few years ago when I got my first laptop, a dell, it came with PCcillan (or something like that), but after three months, it wanted me to buy a year's subscription. I'm cheap, so I went with no protection for about 8 months until I discovered MSE and found that it was free. MSE got rid of all the trojans and p2p programs on that laptop and kept it hassle free until it went to the great laptop retirement facility in the sky. As soon as my new laptop, an asus, came in the mail, I uninstalled the crappy McAfee trial (really, McAfee and Norton are both complete shit) and installed MSE. I liked that it was free and that it really worked.

I haven't had one issue with any trojans, p2p programs, or other viruses for almost a year now. Even when I click on one of those meatspinesque links, it imediately pops up in the lower right corner of my screen to tell me to clean my computer. My MSE doesn't let anything thru.

I can't say the same for my parents, however, who are constantly plagued by the viruses that Norton welcomes onto their computers like long-distance cousins. I try to tell them it's crap, but my dad "believes" in Norton, and his faith is pretty hard to shake.

Hope this helps

 

[Nasty_Deeds]

AVG has been the best I have worked with so far; however, their latest version seems to noticeably slow down the processor for the about 5 minutes of the scan when it first turns on.

 

[RuneBlade]

AVG for anti-virus, ZoneAlarm for firewall. Lavasoft's Ad-Aware and Spybot: Search & Destroy for malware cleanliness. All free and awesome.

 

[SweetErika]

I just myself got back into the windows world, by installing Vista on my wife's used 6 year old laptop. It is a bit resource-poor (being Vista, that is normal I guess) , even AVG seemed to slow it down a little just in my brief try of it. I switched to MSE and it seems to work well and doesn't feel like it slows her system down, but none of this is actually documented, just impressions.

She is quite smart about her online habits, probably more so than I am, so that may be a factor here as well. I could recommend either tool.

Malwarebytes is also a needed tool, and perhaps even MS's own Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

Having been in a Linux comfort zone for a long time, reintroducing myself with antivirus and anti-malware is kinda scary

Heh. Vista is what drove me to Linux in the first place.

And I also feel like I've come out of a safe cocoon into a tornado.

I really like Linux, but I'm ready for everything to more-or-less work as it should without needing a bunch of tinkering on this computer. On the last two Linux laptops I used, I had trouble getting things like the webcam and online videos to work correctly, and I'm hardly a command prompt guru, so it's nice to not have those issues on this laptop. Security, or lack thereof, is definitely a big mark against Windows, though.

AVG for anti-virus, ZoneAlarm for firewall. Lavasoft's Ad-Aware and Spybot: Search & Destroy for malware cleanliness. All free and awesome.

I've been using MS's built-in utility for a firewall and malware, though I can't say I have a ton of confidence in it. I have used AdAware and Spybot in the past, so maybe I should go back to those?

 

[Roleplay_Mom]

My experience with FREE computer virus protection: You get what you pay for.

 

[teknight]

My experience with FREE computer virus protection: You get what you pay for.

What happened?

 

[SweetErika]

What happened?

That's my question, too, Roleplay_Mom. I think it'd be helpful if you described your experience, rather than just throwing a blanket statement like that out there.

I never had an issue with AVG in all the years I used it, and it looks like it's going to be great for me again.

I'm not ignorant enough to click on random stuff, open suspicious email attachments, and I'm very careful about where I go and what I do online (I don't visit porn sites or use Facebook, for instance). Getting something via a torrent is about all I'm seriously concerned about, but I usually work with those on our MythTV (linux) computer, anyway. Apparently I've been A-V-protection-free on this computer for months, and I still haven't caught anything, even though I have downloaded several things via torrent for preview.

 

[HornyHenry]

Hi, Sweet

I have used AVG free for many years and it works fine.
However, it does not give complete coverage for certain types of viruses or malware. So, I still use Spybot S&D which has an immunize function that will protect you from things GETTING INTO your PC in the first place. You have to do manual updates and re-immunize each time, but that's only once or twice a month. Be careful installing these programs as you might get things installed that you don't want or need, like Google toolbar, and Tea-Timer, which does seem to be a hog and I don't knpw what it does.
Good luck
HH, MF,

 

[klippert]

I have used Avast for years. I recently clicked a link here on lit.... bam, slipped in on Fire Fox.....cloned a Sys.32 dll. That was the only.....The ONLY attack I have been nailed with.....

I loaded the free avast on my lap top. after the first yr. I pay for the full boat. cost $20.00.

my catcher is IObit, malware and malware bites

stay away from Symantec...

 

[RuneBlade]

I'm not ignorant enough to click on random stuff, open suspicious email attachments, and I'm very careful about where I go and what I do online (I don't visit porn sites or use Facebook, for instance).

This is more than half the battle in my eyes. People with a bit of computer savvy have a pretty good idea of what is not a good idea to click. If you can avoid that type of thing and make sure to scan before opening something you downloaded, you'll knock most threats out of the park. I balance this savvy against someone like... my dad, or people at work who just click on eevvverything. Twice. And I want to cry.

You get what you pay for usually, but even with the most awesome protection money could pay for something could slip by. I'm confident enough in my own net habits not to need something more than AVG. But I'm a geek.

I've been using MS's built-in utility for a firewall and malware, though I can't say I have a ton of confidence in it. I have used AdAware and Spybot in the past, so maybe I should go back to those?

I've been using AVG for years as my only anti virus protection, I think you'll be fine. Also, I don't really use AdAware and Spybot but every other month or so to clean out browser trackers and such. I re-update the immunization as well, but I don't really consider these tools "on going protection" if you catch my drift. Give ZoneAlarm a whirl if you're only using the Windows firewall.

 

[dohbuoy]

Heh. Vista is what drove me to Linux in the first place.

And I also feel like I've come out of a safe cocoon into a tornado.

I really like Linux, but I'm ready for everything to more-or-less work as it should without needing a bunch of tinkering on this computer. On the last two Linux laptops I used, I had trouble getting things like the webcam and online videos to work correctly, and I'm hardly a command prompt guru, so it's nice to not have those issues on this laptop. Security, or lack thereof, is definitely a big mark against Windows, though.

What's this command-line thing I keep hearing about?

I find I seldom use the cli for things anymore other than when beta testing new pre-releases. But to be honest I seem to have the Lucky Linux gene or something as my hardware usually Just Works, even the new webcam I just bought was plug-play. But as someone who spend more time in a linux support forum than in here I know that I am just lucky

Windows scares me, to be honest.

 

[nkdjim2]

virus protection

My son in law is an IT Tech and says right now M/S Essentials is the best.
We used to use Avg...

 

[sethp]

Avast by far. Have had AVG and got viruses. Also got infected with Avira and I found it not as easy to use. MSE has been highly recommended by friends and It's gotten good reviews. I also recommend using malwarebytes in conjunction with AVAST and then of course combo fix if you ever do get infected.