Which Free AntiVirus Software is Best? - Comments Page 2

I hesitate to say how far back my love affair with AVGFree goes, because I will probably give a date that pre-dates the program. A long time, anyway. I love the way it works in the background, without any attention from me. Every once in a while a pop-up says "Your computer may be at risk!" pointing to outdated anti-virus software. But AVGFree is always up-to-date when I check it. (Which is seldom) Bottom line, no viruses on my computers. A to A- is good enough for me, better than I ever did at any level of school.

@ Bob...I have an older system, an ECS NForce3-A Motherboard, made in 2005, with a Sempron 3300+ CPU (2.0GB) and 1GB of memory and use Avast!. I also, have DSL Broadband at 6 Mbps. I have never found that my broadband speed was affected by any of my FREE Anti-Virus programs., that I have used

My broadband speeds are usually affected by the 'traffic of the trunks and/or pathways' of the Internet or the availability of the bandwith at any given web site, itself. Plus, since I use a DSL router, I use their Firewall and it works better than any software Firewall program. Why? Because, it is a hardware program, meaning that it is part of the router, itself.

I also, use an extremely strong encryption as my password, since I was 'invaded' by one of my neighbors, who was 'stealing' my bandwith. That can easily happen with a Wireless Router.

I have never paid for any Anti-Virus Programs and have always been pleased with the FREE programs available. Plus, I 'clean' my PC with CCleaner, Malwarebytes, Glary Utilities and Disk SpeedUp, to keep it as 'clean' as possible, along with weekly Anti-Virus scans. For me, doing all of the 'cleaning' is simply part of routine PC maintenance, much like oil changes, checking the tires, brakes and etc., on your car.

Microsoft Security Essentials seems to work just fine for me. It does sometimes slowdown my system a lot, but it seems to catch anything I bring in from other computers.

I used to run AVG free, until an update completely locked my system.
I thought the hard drive had died, but when I installed a new hard drive, and restored a backup, all worked well, until AVG was updated. All died again. Eventually I re-installed operating system and switched to Avast. I have had no problems since.
I have actually seen this exact problem on another system.

UPdate on Bob Greene post of 24 May-- SUPERAntiSpyware evaluation--

1. The full Bob Rankin article above is about FREE anti-malware, so the following information is included to show my anecdotal, single-user experience with FREE vs. CHEAP anti-malware. CHEAP software entered the picture when certain FREE packages did not meet my requirements, and this limitation may be of interest to readers.

2. The FREE anti-malware tested was Avast!5.x-- (malware scanner only, just before release of Avast! 6)--
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download (Avast 5.x is no longer distributed)

and FREE Comodo CIS (a full range of protection, from firewall to real-time malware scanner)--
http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/free-internet-security.php

3. My main concern was not product quality or features, but the burden of several real-time anti-malware shields on broadband performance.

After trying both Avast!5.x and Comodo CIS in free versions, I found the two products reduced bandwidth to a critical degree-- my streaming video (nominally 12Mbps max) began to stutter. This effect, I should add in all fairness, occurred when I had multiple browser tabs open, but only one tab ran video.

4. As a final test of FREE anti-malware products, I tested SuperAntiSpyware (SAS) 4.5, which does not provide real-time shields-- http://www.superantispyware.com/index.html

SAS FREE performed well, reaching 11.x of a 12.0 Mbps nominal max bandwidth. Yet, I realized that to compare a product having no real-time shields with two products issued with shields is not an accurate test of performance, so I installed (paid for) a license to SuperAntiSpyware Pro 4.52.1000, which does provide real-time shields.

To my surprise, I found SAS Pro real-time shields did not burden bandwidth like those on Avast!5.x and CIS. In fact, there was no discernible reduction in bandwidth under a normal browser with multiple tabs open.

After reading your last article about free anti-virus software I downloaded the free version of AVG. My computer immediately slowed down drastically.

A combination of MSE and Malwarebytes and keep them updated every day. I have learned that if I keep a clean system and scan with both at least once a week I don't have any system slow downs or problems.
Also, I try to stay away from IE and ActiveX and run Firefox and Thunderbird email. I only have email program on ONE of my computers. That way I can limit my risk.

just had the most horrendous trojan horse , scammers after my card details and pc unusable for days. I finally got rid of all problems with STOPZILLA, another free prog. Excellent, worked where all others failed.

Your opinion of MS Security Essentials. So far I am satisfied with this product, but I don't make my living with a computer either.Former One Care subscriber, this was offered when MS discontinued One Care.

I have tried to use your free anti virus program and pc cleaners and found after loading them so called free program it will not allow me to use it until you pay for the prgram. Why is these program called free when you need to pay for them before you can use them.

I have tried to use your free anti virus program and pc cleaners and found after loading them so called free program it will not allow me to use it until you pay for the prgram. Why is these program called free when you need to pay for them before you can use them?

EDITOR'S NOTE: You've made a wrong turn somewhere if that's what you see. Which program did you download? All the ones I listed are 100% free, no strings attached.