Definitive Best *Free* Antivirus 2013

[damindor]

what is a good free anti virus?

[ccl0]

i don't see how people can recommend MSE when it failed the certification test twice in a row http://www.ibtimes.com/microsoft-security-essentials-fails-antivirus-certification-test-second-time-row-microsoft-disputes

[BeerFan]

My ISP, Cox, offers the McAfee Security Suite as a free download. I've always been happy with MSE, but the loss of features in Defender for Windows 8, plus the poor rating it was given by AV-Test have made me want to try other options. I'm going to try McAfee out and see what it's like.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

i don't see how people can recommend MSE when it failed the certification test twice in a row http://www.ibtimes.c...rosoft-disputes

because it's been proven that that test is unrealistic, i think there's even an article about it on neowin's front page

[Chris Kop]

i like MSE but i need the option for a right-click scan

[Pupik]

i like MSE but i need the option for a right-click scan

MSE does have that option :huh:

[keith.pinion]

MSE sucks i don't know why so many people like it. Seriously Bitdefender Free is awesome. I also like Panda Cloud which has no votes??

[f0rk_b0mb]

i like MSE but i need the option for a right-click scan

There already is one!

Left click file > Scan with Microsoft Security Essentials. Simple!

[Chris Kop]

I'm talking about windows defender in WINDOWS 8, i'd love to see the icon in the taskbar and a right click option

[bikeman25]

Windows Eight Forums has a registry tweak that you can add that will enable a right click context Menu for Windows Defender in Windows 8, used it myself a while back, no apparent side effects so far

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8450-windows-defender-cascading-desktop-context-menu-create-windows-8-a.html

Hope this is helpful to folks

[stopbitching]

MSE is worst crap ever, it fails in every test..

http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/RAP/RAP-quadrant-Aug12-Feb13-1200.jpg

http://www.mrg-effitas.com/current-tests/flash-test-results/

http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-7/novdec-2012/

[Noir Angel]

Avast for me. Thankfully I managed to reason my friends at Affordable Computer Services out of a mass migration to MSE. Though i'd buy a Kaspersky subscription if I could afford it.

[seta-san]

what is a good free anti virus?

windows 7 or 8

no anti-virus can fix a broken OS like XP.

[Pupik]

windows 7 or 8

no anti-virus can fix a broken OS like XP.

What made you think he's using XP?

[JP6641]

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (+) AVAST Antivirus (+) Spyware Blaster (=) Best Antivirus Combo Ever.

I've been malware free, virus free, and pop up free for going on 6 years now with this combo.

They are all totally pro active and hands down just awesome at what they do.

I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a free alternatve to security in cyberspace. :)

[(Account no longer active)]

I use and recommend Avira. It's light on system resources, and has a good detection rate. I have been using it for about four years now.

I also have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware installed.

I uninstall Norton when I see it on people's machine's and replace it with Avira. The majority of people who have come to me with problems had not renew/purchase a Norton updates subscription after their free OEM subscription had expired (because they didn't want to pay for updates, and thought they would be safe regardless)!

[JP6641]

Please add Avast Anitvirus to the poll, its really good. :)

[Gotenks98]

My ISP, Cox, offers the McAfee Security Suite as a free download. I've always been happy with MSE, but the loss of features in Defender for Windows 8, plus the poor rating it was given by AV-Test have made me want to try other options. I'm going to try McAfee out and see what it's like.

You dont want mcafee, it blocks the windows updates which overtime can possibly get you a virus later. Besides why would you want to install something thats going to give you a 20% performance hit right off the bat?

MSE is worst crap ever, it fails in every test..

http://www.virusbtn....-Feb13-1200.jpg

http://www.mrg-effit...h-test-results/

http://www.av-test.o...-7/novdec-2012/

I call shananigans on all of those tests. I work for a university and we rarely see anyone come in with a virus once we install MSE and the system is fully patched. Now those other AVs with being fully patched thats a different story all together.

[Auditor]

Comodo all the way

[+longgonebn Subscriber²]

Windows Eight Forums has a registry tweak that you can add that will enable a right click context Menu for Windows Defender in Windows 8, used it myself a while back, no apparent side effects so far

http://www.eightforu...indows-8-a.html

Hope this is helpful to folks

Anyone know if they are going to update this in 8.1? So stupid that they did that. Talking about no context menu by default.

[Marshall Veteran]

Please add Avast Anitvirus to the poll, its really good. :)

Avast is already in the poll.

[Dark-Heart]

I use MSE as it is actually very good... and sometimes I scan my PC using MalwareBytes pro, but it has never found anything yet with MSE on.

[Neowinuser1991]

Used to swear by MSE but now it just sucks...Microsoft refuses to add lots to its definitions. Avast I love. Bitdefender free is good also.

[TyRidian]

I'm all for avast!

 

It provides great protection and runs very light (Y)

[primexx]

I remember one of Avast or Avira used to do pop-ups to tell you to upgrade. Which one is it again?

[monkeylove]

FWIW, I think tests are better than personal anecdotes. With that, I'm using the free version of Bitdefender (for Win 7), following these results:

 

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

 

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

 

For the firewall, the free version of Windows Firewall Control, and anything else installed and run for offline scanning.