Best Free Antivirus

[Enthusiast25]

I'm running Windows 8.1 Pro, and would like to know what is the best *free* antivirus software. I know paid ones are better, but which free antivirus is good for basic web browsing (and since I download lots of mods) advanced file protection. Don't recommend AVG free, because I'm done with that one. I had trouble installing TweetDeck, but then I uninstalled AVG and it worked fine.

[NInety]

I use Avast!

[legend8887]

Free? Avast.

[ThyFeared]

Avast or AVG also Malware bytes is good anti malware

[flibberdipper]

Avast Free for active, and Malwarebytes for the monthly scan (I like to be extra safe).

[AMD Lover]

I always like AVG when I used it, still finds stuff that others won't for me.

[PokémonTrainerFour]

I hated AVG, it made my PC run slower.

 

Avast! for me.

 

I tried Avira too, it was ok.

[Johannes_Lazor]

Yeah, AVAST is a good allround choice according to me. Never failed me and it have stopped many troyans when torrenting to test games without demo's.

[CoolBeans]

Avast

[Enthusiast25]

And what is the best *paid* antivirus?

[Sauron]

You can't fail at removing malware with this one

[Enthusiast25]

I decided to get "avast!", and I'll update this thread later on my experience with it. Cheers.

[legend8887]

And what is the best *paid* antivirus?

ESET NOD32.

[makkyun]

The need of an antivirus in Windows 8.1 is actually optional. Windows 8.1 has Microsoft Security Essentials built-in. I personally think it's good and saves RAM.

I've been using it since 2009 (pre-Win7) when I was still in XP.

[Builder]

ESET NOD32.

Not according to avtest.org

 

The need of an antivirus in Windows 8.1 is actually optional. Windows 8.1 has Microsoft Security Essentials built-in. I personally think it's good and saves RAM.

I've been using it since 2009 (pre-Win7) when I was still in XP.

Defender does not have very high detection rates. The best paid solution is something like Avira or BitDefender.

[makkyun]

Defender does not have very high detection rates. The best paid solution is something like Avira or BitDefender.

I guess. Well that's fine for me. I'm one who usually looks at ratings and comments before I download something. 

But other than MSE, Avast is the best free. What I didn't like about it is it's noisy. It speaks every startup about the definitions getting updated.

And the registration. If it's free why do I have to register lol. But yeah, Avast is good. Avira is okay. AVG always gives me false positives.

[Semi1114]

Avast is the best

[Akolyte]

I work for AVG, don't tell them but I think our antivirus is a peice of crap. Don't use it. Windows 8 has built in protection if you don't wanna use that I recommend bitdefender free edition. It's very basic in terms of settings and buttons but it has all the shields and stuff. I prefer it over things like Avast personally.

[Builder]

I guess. Well that's fine for me. I'm one who usually looks at ratings and comments before I download something. 

But other than MSE, Avast is the best free. What I didn't like about it is it's noisy. It speaks every startup about the definitions getting updated.

And the registration. If it's free why do I have to register lol. But yeah, Avast is good. Avira is okay. AVG always gives me false positives.

Avira is among the best at avtest.org.

[Captain Matt]

Genuine Lol'z

[Nuluvius]

[Kiyuubi]

I think we really need a sticky on this, or recommend software in general.  I feel like this question is asked too much.

 

That aside:

 

For free AV you should either get Avira or Bitdefender.  Bitdefender is more lightweight, but it doesn't give you many options in terms of control or how it works.

 

If you want a paid one then either Bitdefender or Kaspersky.  I would probably go with Kaspersky just for the fact that their team has found a lot of security issues in the past.  You can also check out AVTEST, a third-party company that rates AVs.  (Bitdefender and Kaspersky are the top 2)

 

You will also want to scan your computer weekly, or whatever amount of time you are comfortable with,  with Malwarebytes.  Just to be clear, Malwarebytes is NOT an AV, nor should it be used like one.  So do not run it along side your AV, only use it is a scanner.  Make sure to not accept the trial it offers, and to disable it on startup.

[vembutech]

Check this ;

 

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388652,00.asp

[CydiaDash]

AVG FTW, no problems with it so far, whole family been using it for years

[Akolyte]

Alright.  This is my kind of post.  

 

Now, this is more of a complex question.  but primarily it comes down to what do you want.  Generally, free antivirus software doesn't protect as good as some of the paid ones out there.

 

I only ever recommend Microsoft Security Essentials to friends.   Even though it doesn't offer much protection microsoft is a great company and they don't mess around, I would trust their security suites to protect against any outbreaks if there was any.  

 

Use Comodo if your paranoid.  Or just buy Kaspersky and be done with it.