What antivirus should I use?

[Hackzzila]

I was looking into Avast and AVG but I don't know what to choose D: It has to be free though

[mxas6530]

I use Avast Free, it's OK, but look into BitDefender (some people really like it). Don't forget Malware Bytes for anti mal.

[techguru]

free is garbage

buy kaserperky when its on sale  for 30$ for the year

[mxas6530]

free is garbage

buy kaserperky when its on sale  for 30$ for the year

Isn't kaspersky shit?

[HannahLewis]

I normally do not use anti-virus, if you only download trusted stuff you don't really need to worry. I also scan my PC once a month with malwarebytes and some free antivirus as a checkup. Morale of the story: know what you download and do not worry!

[techguru]

Isn't kaspersky shit?

no kaspersky is one of the top 3

you are thinking of norton

[zonahbear]

I use Microsoft Security Essentials + Common Sense 2015 Edition

[Redsun20]

Free things are not terrible. LOOK AT THIS VIDEO!!!!

[tmlhalo]

Bitdefender free and Malwarebytes are my usual recommendations for an antivirus. ZoneAlarm has a free firewall to help stop things before they even get on your computer. It isn't the smartest firewall but works well, just make sure to uncheck all the offers companies bundle with free software no matter what you download.

[xQubeZx]

I use the free Avast and it works good for the most stuff, but if you use it i recomend to scan sometimes now and then and be a bit careful of what you download

[zonahbear]

I use Microsoft Security Essentials + Common Sense 2015 Edition

EDIT: woops, sorry for double post

[mxas6530]

no kaspersky is one of the top 3

you are thinking of norton

Sorry, but paid options 80% of the time screw you over and give a small advantage.

 

Oh, and Norton sucks, we all know that, but honestly Kaspersky is not THAT much better. I could go on for hours, but who cares.

[Guest]

malwarebytes premium + nod32 anti virus is what i use.

 

Same here. I don't have any complain !

[Jimkirk363]

I use Kaspersky Internet Security Multi Device 2015.

 

I have it on my PC and my Android Phone.

 

Also i have installed Malwarebytes and Spybot which i run once a week just incase any nasties pass by Kaspersky which is rare.

[SocomSuade]

Bitdefender free and Malwarebytes are my usual recommendations for an antivirus. ZoneAlarm has a free firewall to help stop things before they even get on your computer. It isn't the smartest firewall but works well, just make sure to uncheck all the offers companies bundle with free software no matter what you download.

I've seen a few people recommend un checking the free stuff. When I installed free Malware bytes I checked the free trial to premium.

Is that really bad? Should I uninstall and reinstall without it?

[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.

[SocomSuade]

I've see. Your copy/paste several times but never state why people should not accept the free trial Malwarebytes offers.

[r3bify]

I've been running Symantec Endpoint Security and Malwarebytes Premium (I grabbed mbam just before they moved to their subscription model).

 

@SocomSuade, I think the reason that the trial of premium is not recommended is because after it is over it says that the trial is expired and "your system is no longer protected" although there is a button that says "end trial" which reverts to the free version, so I don't see why everyone shouldn't do the trial. 

[tmlhalo]

I've seen a few people recommend un checking the free stuff. When I installed free Malware bytes I checked the free trial to premium.

Is that really bad? Should I uninstall and reinstall without it?

I think the only thing that happens with malwarebytes is that they prompt you to pay a couple of times when the free premium runs out. I was meaning more towards the bing bars, Mcafee trials, and home page changes a lot of free software is bundled with to add advertising revenue from the included optional software. It is what most people call bloatware or similar.

[vembutech]

Use Norton antivirus