best antivirus as of today

[Giddyguy]

I just use Microsoft Security Essentials because its light and does everything I need it to.

[InfinateX]

I find that installing free AV software tends to create more problems than it solves.

[deguzi]

I find that installing free AV software tends to create more problems than it solves.

how so?

[FireFox]

how so?

 

wow not sure I agree with that lol

 

Usually having no anti-virus regardless whether it's free or not would tend to create more problems

[neon]

I use Avast, and have Malwarebytes installed as a purely on demand scanner, and never had a problem.

 

Common sense is not a replacement for Anti-malware, just as Anti-malware is not a replacement to common sense.

[FireFox]

Common sense is not a replacement for Anti-malware, just as Anti-malware is not a replacement to common sense.

 

Couldn't agree more mate

[Ramzez]

Avast is the way to go, if you want free antivirus. Maybe you could also consider having free version of Malwarebytes for extra protection. If you are considering having paid software, F-secure Internet Security is good alternative for Macafee and Norton.

[legopc]

i use windows defender becus it doesnt bitch about updates 

[delet my acc pls]

Avast is the way to go, if you want free antivirus. Maybe you could also consider having free version of Malwarebytes for extra protection. If you are considering having paid software, F-secure Internet Security is good alternative for Macafee and Norton.

F-secure is horrible my parents had a don't go on dangerous sites (with viruses) filter and could not get on sites like NCIX (but it might have been improved since all those years ago) and it also had a password if i wanted to launch a game

[Lyons]

Windows Defender built into Windows 8. Zero issues since I started using 8 back when the RTM was released.

[colonel_mortis]

I use bitdefender, and it's a great antivirus except that it messes up video streaming (like youtube). I know the issue but fixing it is more difficult than I would have liked to think (it repairs itself every time I fix it). Their support is pretty good as well.

[Willson94]

Used AVG for 5, all good.

[Benjio]

Used AVG for 5, all good.

 

I hate AVG, so many computers come into the shop with AVG on them and they are almost always loaded with viruses. And the majority of the times its easier to get rid of the viruses than it is to uninstall AVG...

[Tommay]

As your question is what is best, for me kaspersky pure 3.0

But then you said free, and newsflash, no free AV is perfect, and in fact, I've never gotten on well with any free AV.

No paid AV is perfect either.

For free I'd normally recommend Avast.

[jetbuster]

the only reason i dont use avast is because when i had it in the middle of a hardcore gaming session this would happen:

AVAST ANTIVIRUS HAS A NEW UPDATE!!!!!!

you can turn it off, the settings are slightly cryptic but you've said you CBF any way :S

 

Windows Defender...

for windows 8 yep, its Microsoft security essentials for any other OS

 

I just use Microsoft Security Essentials because its light and does everything I need it to.

yep so long as you have A LEGITIMATE version of windows(because if you don't MSE will run an activation update and screw with your pc) MSE is 100% adequate to deal with the day to day internet traps.

[Frix]

Microsoft Security Essentials, used for about 3 years and never caused me any trouble, next to that would probably have to be Avira

[Giddyguy]

yep so long as you have A LEGITIMATE version of windows(because if you don't MSE will run an activation update and screw with your pc) MSE is 100% adequate to deal with the day to day internet traps.

 

haha, i hope you have the legitimate version of an software... 

[Lord Ami]

Everybody has their preferences when it comes to AVs, but a good start is to check some of the tests, like AV-Test and AV-Comparatives

http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-7/mayjun-2013/

http://www.av-comparatives.org/dynamic-tests/

 

These are both "real world" tests, meaning it's not a test where you have a tens of thousands of samples and you just scan them and line AVs up according to detection rate.

Last few months have showed that Avast! and Comodo are amongst the best AVs out there (and free ones).

 

But, it's all up to user to decide. Also, if someone is whining about AVs disturbing computer usage, just take a few minutes and check out the settings. Most things can be turned off easily.

 

 

Just my 2 cents (and a first post here :P)

[Mightybaal]

Ive used Microsoft security Essentials for about 3 years on 5 different computers and i have had not one fault with it. There is probably better paid for stuff out there but when i can install it on an old P4 2.4ghz with 2 gig of ram running XP and it doesn't lag my computer i call that a winner.

[Guest]

I've been using MSE (microsoft security essentials) for over a year now and havn't had any issues!

I've also heard Avast was good but like @FireFox said, the popup issue might be annoying :p

[Stomplar]

I'm going to say... you. but as far as software goes, for free you cant go wrong with micro essentials. 

[fracking4oil]

The best free anti-virus is very subjective, they are probably all good (apart from bloody McAfee and Norton).

 

I've used Avast for years and it has been good but I've heard good things from Microsoft Security Essentials and AVG but I've never used them so I can't really comment.

 

 

MSE is said to be shit ever since the release of Win 8...:(

[fracking4oil]

I've been using MSE (microsoft security essentials) for over a year now and havn't had any issues!

I've also heard Avast was good but like @FireFox said, the popup issue might be annoying :P

 

 

Put Avast in gaming mode, no popups

[mozoa]

Normally avast, and Avira for older pc.

[neon]

Avast should go into Silent/Gaming mode automatically whenever a full screen application is running, check that you haven't accidentally turned it off in Settings>Silent/Gaming Mode>check 'Silent if full screen application is running' is ticked.  No more popups while in game or watching a video full screen.

 

I found the default times for update popups annoying (20 sec) so I changed it to 3 seconds which is much better.