Best free antivirus?

[Neodan]

What is the best free anti virus today?

[thealexweb]

AVG Free or MSE.

[Evolution]

AntiVir yielded some of the best results from previous av-comparatives results. You can edit it so that it automatically updates multiple times in the background so it's not as annoying.

[bigbas]

What is the best free anti virus today?

***MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials)***

or

Anitvir

My 2 choices. I used to use Antivir until MSE came out. I like how MSE is more set it and forget it and is very minimal in how you can play with it. That being said there are positives and negative to all of them. Check out http://www.av-comparatives.org/ for some numbers. I think they use the paid versions of AVG/Antivir but same engines and MSE is compared to them.

[Max Veteran]

MSE.

AVG has just turned to bloat.

[venejo]

AVG has just turned to bloat.

+1

[excalpius]

MSE

but install and run the Malwarebytes free edition as well, to catch the things MSE misses.

[Nagisan]

Avira/AntiVir....I used MSE until it was unable to detect a known infected file that I got through normal usage (it detected it once, but after cleaning and putting the file back in the same place, it was unable to detect it a second time)......Avira/AntiVir has a higher detection rate....it also has higher false positives, but its easy to check a file on other virus scanners if you suspect a file is a false positive.

I would rather have a higher detection with more false positives, then a lower detection rate just so I do not have to double check a file every now and then.

The only downside to Avira is it gives you a screen asking you if you want to upgrade to a non-free version when it updates, other than that, I like it better than MSE (similar overall resource usage, but better detection rate).

[Jme621]

MSE

but install and run the Malwarebytes free edition as well, to catch the things MSE misses.

this is how i roll

[Tews]

Avast 5 free IMO

[nabz0r Veteran]

MSE.

AVG has just turned to bloat.

+1. MSE is one of the best FREE AV right now, but if you can afford to buy one, go for NOD32/ESET.

[+Warwagon MVC]

Avast, MSE or Avira. Personally I like MSE because of the lack of Nagging that goes on. As far as AVG goes "wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot poll"

I don't understand how AVG makes money. I mean as a free antivirus, if I was on a desert island and that was all that was available then I, MIGHT use it. But who the hell would ever pay money for it. There are far better paid solutions.

[ViZioN]

MSE (Y) Great piece of software.

[Jim K Global Moderator]

Another one for MSE. (Y)

[Nogib]

MSE

[:: Lyon ::]

Personally I like MSE because of the lack of Nagging that goes on

I was constantly nagged to submit a few files for identification and I know they are somewhat safe

[CrossCheck]

according to Maximum PC did a security test on the top 10 used security suites and the top 3 were Eset Smart Security (9), Norton internet security 2010 (8) and Microsoft security essentials (8).

[Tom]

MSE

[Grinch]

I was constantly nagged to submit a few files for identification and I know they are somewhat safe

In most cases it is generally a questionable file (cracks in most cases) that are asked to be submitted.

My vote goes towards Microsoft Security Essentials. Great program.

[ajua]

Microsoft Security Essentials. It's performance impact is minimum and has good detection rates.

For a paid alternative, there's no better choice than Kaspersky Anti-Virus or Internet Security.

[Colin-uk Veteran]

I generally go for MSE now days myself too.

[Raa]

MSE, or NOD32 (Trial), considering it's price, it's damn cheap - why wouldn't you pay for the best? :)

[PsyOpWarlord]

MSE for Windows.

[Sulphy]

MSE... +1241354235

[Sub_Zero_Alchemist]

In my opinion it's Avast 5