Best Anti Virus?

[smarty2]

So any recommendations on which is the best? I have been using Panda for several years and I am not very happy with its performance, my license expires next year so I will be in the market for a new one.

[Dave4468]

I have AVG and its;

a) Not let anything past
b) Free

[markh5682]

I have got Microsoft security essentials, (also free) which has served me well, and according to a computer expert friend of mine is not as bloated or resource heavy as AVG.

[smarty2]

I am using AVG free on another hard disk since I have run out of licence to install Panda and have to admit it seems to work very well, I haven't noticed any degradation in performance. But... is free good enough really?

[Dave4468]

I am using AVG free on another hard disk since I have run out of licence to install Panda and have to admit it seems to work very well, I haven't noticed any degradation in performance. But... is free good enough really?

Generally the free ones get rated quite highly, I know AVG and Avira are both really well rated and I've seen some tests where they perform better than the commercial ones.

[markh5682]

This review of the best free antivirus programs may be of help......

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-fr ... ftware.htm

[Acorncomputer]

I have Microsoft Essentials on all but one of my computers and I don't seem to have any particular problems. The program is free, easy to install and works away happily in the background with the odd warning every now and then.

[TransportSteve]

You really want a freeware one, rather than the overhyped and ridiculously expensive payware offerings. I've used avast ! for the last few years and it's been brilliant, have a shop around, and of course, a freeware one can be deleted if it doesn't appeal to ya.

Cheerz. Transport Steve.

[smarty2]

Thank you for the link, very interesting, it appears Avast wins the day marginally.

[markh5682]

One good thing I have noticed with Microsoft security essentials, is that you are not being continually pestered to upgrade to a paid for version, nor are you bombarded with adverts.

[smarty2]

Fair point, maybe I will give each one a trial and then make my mind up, thanks for the help.

[Rockdoc2174]

I tries AVG Free but found it very sluggish. I went back to F-Prot, which has the advantage of allowing installation on several (five?) PCs for the one subscription. I've used it for years and been very pleased.

Keith

[eyore]

I used AVG for a long time but stopped when it let through a really nasty self-replicating Trojan horse which it identified, but was unable to delete. In the end I had to pay an expert to purge my machine of the virus, he used and recommended Avast.

I don't understand the technicalities but I think the difference between Avast and AVG is how they operate at startup, perhaps someone more knowledgeable than me can explain.

[45002]

In this day and age you need a latest Internet security suites (All in one) featuring anti virus,firewall,spy-ware and so on

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/inte ... urity/155/

Plenty around to choose from

MARTIN

[emrhd01]

I have AVG and its;

a) Not let anything past
b) Free

Not any more Dave, the Anti-Virus on my P/C ran out mid last month and I thought I'll use AVG Free (as I had used it on my previous P/C), but it now only allows 21 days "Free" use and then you have to purchase it. I decided to give Avast a try (which is free) and so far, so good.