Best free AntiVirus program

[Syxx_Killer]

My Norton AV 2004 subscription is expiring today. I don't want to pay $35 for a new subscription, since buying a whole new program would only be a little more. I'm not sure I want to do that, either. Anyway, I have been thinking about the free AV programs out there again. I had AVG before I got NAV 2004. Two days after I had downloaded AVG it let a nasty homepage hijacker/trojan slip through. That is when I got NAV 2004. Since then I have never had an installation of Windows last long enough to have the subscription run out. I was wondering if anyone is using any of the free AV programs and if they are any good. The three that I know of is AVG, Avast, and AntiVir.

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

http://www.avast.com/

http://www.free-av.com/

To those that use any of them, what are your thoughts? Pros? Cons?

[lesrae]

I've used AVG for several years without any problems, can't comment on the others.

[TteFAboB]

I've been using Avast for quite some time now. Left Norton too. No problems or complaints so far, but I'm a cautious user anyway.

[SUBMAN1]

Been using Avast at home for a few years. It has some unique capabilities that other AV solutions don't, including the ability to reconstruct a damaged file that is not repairable by other means. It has also garnered more 100% detection awards than the other free AV alternatives.

All of the free versions work to some degree, but Avast is a little better.

-S

[STEED]

With free AV's you got to be more cautious where you visit, I am knocking them, as far as I know the top three free AV's are AVG,AVAST and BIT DEFENDER. I am also facing a renew subscription at the end of the year for my Norton 2006 AV & Firewall, which I will have to find out the cost of and way it up.

[bradclark1]

I use Norton AV and I have not been bitten since I've had XP. I don't use a firewall I use NAV wormblocker that replaces windows firewall and scriptblocker that comes with NAV. Some stuff has tried to get through but Norton has stopped it every time.
Norton may be resource hungry and probably cost more but it's worth it for security and peace of mind.

[WutWuzDat]

I use Avast Free and Zonealarm pro.

[Fish]

I use AVG free edition, windows firewall, windows defender.

[STEED]

ZONE ALARM & KERIO are the top two free Fire Walls.

[STEED]

Every other month I run a online virus check as a back up the only problem is it takes hour and half. So far this year it picked up on one thing my Norton missed. It was only a low key problem which was fixed, it's always worth using another AV as a cross scan on line or a free download.

[Takeda Shingen]

I use both Norton AV and Norton Firewall. I am pleased with both, as I have not been attacked in almost two years. Regardless, I am still a very careful 'surfer'. I think that this is the most important aspect for anyone on the internet, regardless of your protection software.

[SubSerpent]

I use Kaspersky AV. I like it! It's low profile, it's fast, and stays out of my way. The interface may be a bit complicated for some but once you get used to it, it's simple.

[The Noob]

I use Anti Vir and never had a Problem. I love it, simply cos it's Free. Alright, form time to time you have to DL it new since it runs out (I usually use the one from Gaming Magazines) but it remains FREE.

I don't like Kaspersky AV, it's so....Complicated. Plus i can't just quick and easy Shut it down if i want to Play Games an my PC. Or maybe you can and i have overlooked the Button in that whole mess of functions...:down::rotfl:
And i think you have to Pay for it, or i'm wrong?

And Norton is just a Nasty Company IMHO. Well, Microsoft is too, but as a Gamer like me you can't avoid it...:damn:

So i Recommend Anti Vir.:yep:

[SubSerpent]

I use Anti Vir and never had a Problem. I love it, simply cos it's Free. Alright, form time to time you have to DL it new since it runs out (I usually use the one from Gaming Magazines) but it remains FREE.

I don't like Kaspersky AV, it's so....Complicated. Plus i can't just quick and easy Shut it down if i want to Play Games an my PC. Or maybe you can and i have overlooked the Button in that whole mess of functions...:down::rotfl:
And i think you have to Pay for it, or i'm wrong?

And Norton is just a Nasty Company IMHO. Well, Microsoft is too, but as a Gamer like me you can't avoid it...:damn:

So i Recommend Anti Vir.:yep:

Yes, Kaspersky does cost money up front, but nearly 4 years of using it I've never had to pay for updates. It's actually not that complicated. Just right click on the taskbar icon and click on ' Exit ' and it is gone without fuss. Simple Simple!

[The Noob]

ARG! How could i overlook this?!?! DAMN! DAMN! DAMN! :damn::damn::damn:

Thanks!:oops: I'll might try it again then...:doh:

[Syxx_Killer]

I think when my current AV definitions get old enough I will go with Avast. However, could you guys that have Avast (or those using a different free AV program for that matter) bring up the Task Manager and say how much memory it is using? I just want to compare it to NAV 2004. I had heard things that Avast likes to use memory.

[The Avon Lady]

My testing has lead to the uninstall of NAV on all of our office computers and its replacement with Zone Alarm and AVG. I did the same for all of my home PCs. Not a single problem over the last 6 months since this began.

Norton was causing tremendous overhead on every single PC, compared to the ZA and AVG combo. No payments and no regrets for a change.

[kiwi_2005]

Avira Antivirus Personal Edition (Free) Good antivirus

Noob what Avira are you using, make sure it's the one above as its free, and free updates. All you have to do to get the updates is register which is free.

[The Noob]

Mine is Avira AntiVir Personal Edition Classic. That's what the Programm Says. :up:

The Strange thing is, i update it every 3 Days, and Never had to "Register" anything...

[Linton]

I use Avira as well.It updates itself every time I go on the net.Apart from an umbrella symbol opening you cannot tell that it is working!
After having it installed for a year it just told me that there is a virus over on the subreport!!

[SUBMAN1]

If you're willing to pay, nothing beats NOD32 for an AV program. It is simply the best there is bar none.

-S