Best free Anti-Virus programs

What are the best Free Anti Virus Out There> Do they even compare to the purchased ones, I have Avg. 9.0 and Anti-Malware?

Leaderman

Hi leaderman

My opinion would be Avira, Avast, or MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials).

Here is a comparative chart. - http://tech.icrontic.com/news/avira-...n-av-accuracy/
Here is a related thread. - Best anti virus for 64-Bit Windows 7 OS

I agree with Clifford. I myself use Avast and scan weekly with malwarebytes. Granted I don't visit any shady sites, I never had any issues, so far.

I use Avira free on my main machine. Just 1 pop up a day when it updates definitions. I use MSE on XP and a second W7 machine.

We use Avast Free on a test computer, its not bad for free

For me, it's a toss between Microsoft Security Essentials, and Symantec Antivirus (corporate edition; I do not mean the convoluted Norton products). Originally, I was extremely skeptical of Security Essentials, I found it hard to believe Microsoft could be trusted with anything having to do with security, much less an antivirus program, since antiviral tools need regular and frequent updating. However, after doing some research, much to my surprise - and chagrin - MSE scores really well compared to most commercial products. It's just as effective as Symantec products in detecting viruses, and in my opinion MSE has a lightest footprint of all antivirus products I've used so far.

I'd recommend MSE coupled with Malwarebytes.

Malwarebytes is a great on demand scanner as a second opinion within a layered protection setup.

Comodo now has a FREE internet security suite out for several weeks. I have installed it on several clients computers who were financially strapped at the time.

I have contacted them each a coupe of times and asked if there were having any issues or problems, they all replied that they really liked it. It does do a lot of pop-up questions at first, such as: Do you want this? Do you want this to connect to Internet?, etc.

On the whole it seems pretty decent though. Check it below:

Comodo AntiVirus now even better – Comodo Internet Security

Comodo AntiVirus is now part of Comodo Internet Security suite

Comodo Internet Security = Comodo AntiVirus + Comodo Firewall
Comodo Internet Security has all the functionality of a paid AV without the price. It eliminates ALL known Viruses, Worms and Trojans from desktops and networks with no license fees or hidden costs.


Block Viruses from infecting your PC – Free Forever

• Detects, blocks and eliminates viruses from desktops and networks
• Constantly protects with real-time On Access scanning
• Built in scheduler allows you to run scans at a time that suits you
• Isolates suspicious files in quarantine preventing infection
• Daily, automatic updates of virus definitions
• Simple to use: install and forget while CIS protects you in the background

FREE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE - NO LICENSE FEES EVER

Comodo Internet Security is the all-in-one security software that keeps your computer completely safe from viruses and internet threats. The software is free for life and incorporates Comodo Firewall and Comodo Antivirus. If required, either product can be installed individually during setup.



Download our free Firewall and Antivirus to take the first step in protecting your PC from malware, viruses, worms, and more.


What's new in this version?
Comodo Internet Security 4.0 includes a built-in sandbox which combines file system/registry virtualization and least-privileged user account principle in order to combat unknown malware.

Release Notes:
Release Date: April 12, 2010
Update: Please see latest release notes.

Installation Options:
During the setup process you will be given the choice to:

• Install the Antivirus as a standalone
• Install the Firewall as a standalone
• Install both Firewall and Antivirus

I'm very happy with Kaspersky.

I'm happy with MSE, along with Malwarebytes as a backup. Also, there's a free, updated tool that we all receive each month. It is said to run in the background, but you can run it manually by typing in the Start Menu "mrt" w/o the quotes. It's the Malicious Software Tool that's updated monthly. You can do a short or long scan with it.

MSE has really gained ground over the few months that it has been on the market. It's lightweight and effective. And don't let that Windows Defender look fool you, it's a potent AV & malware system. On my notebook, it intercepted a trojan horse a few nights ago, and only by looking at the history did I notice it also caught one on my desktop. The one on my notebook was severe, the one on my desktop was the next level down. So it's doing it's job.

I still can't get over that Windows7Guy for recommending Spybot & AVG on a USB drive, when the member clearly had a problem. If it was a rookie recommending it, I'd cut some slack. But this dude works for MS, for crying out loud, I expect better than that from a MS employee.

Cat