Antivirus

[Brownfield1995]

What is a good free antivirus? I use avast but I think it takes too much time on startup and uses my HDD at 100% load for too long.

[oskarha]

Microsoft security essentials?

Also known as windows defender in windows 10 (comes pre installed).

[Guest Kloaked]

MSE.

 

Bitdefender has a free version of their own security stuff which I highly recommend.

[User1868]

What is a good free antivirus? I use avast but I think it takes too much time on startup and uses my HDD at 100% load for too long.

I've heard Avira is pretty good

https://www.youtube.com/user/ThePCSecurity/featured

[Kiyuubi]

I think we really need a sticky on this, or recommend software in general. This question is asked too much. This thread should be a sticky, but of course, should be audited for errors and such beforehand..

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.

[Sam Harradine]

Norton [emoji857][emoji857][emoji857]

[James1989]

Avast is running a 100% because it actively scans your computer.  Whenever you visit a site or download a file it's scanning for potential threats.  I don't have any problems with performance on my computer and I have a subscription with Avast.  But with everything in the computer industry people tend to stick with items they are comfortable or familiar with.  I also take reviews with a grain of salt because you don't know if they're being biased.  I see a lot of AV programs that are terrible at the top of the list constantly.  But I would steer clear of McCaffe and Norton.