Buying a PC (I have only ever had MAC), what anti-virus software do I need?

I want to know the most effective anti-virus software. What should I buy and also, what should I download for free (possibly as supplemental).

Simply put, what will keep my computer as safe as possible?

 

Free - Microsoft Security Essentials

Not Free - Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 appox £13 per year, I get it free from my bank, Barclay`s , also i get F-Secure free from my internet service provider, check to see if you can get any for free.

John.

 

I second Microsoft Security Essentials... That's all I ever run. + Common sense while browsing the internet.

 

When going for a PC, an AV can be very useful.
However, that's not where to start imo.
First of all, make and use a standard user account for your daily work and use UAC to elevate rights, also keep your Win(7?) firewall up.
Those built-in Windows options are excellent to start with.
For AV's, you will be well off with free MSE, Avast or Panda Cloud (PCAV) or either Emsisoft Anti Malware or Norton AV if you dont mind paying.
Further, use a program like Secunia PSI 2.0 to regularly check for program updates. And don't install Java, just don't. (Unless you really, really need it oc).
And +1 for common sense.

 

I would add (and many thanks to Baserk) Sanboxie (details available in Baserk's signature)
Two free solutions:
Download: Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details for real time protection (make sure scan removable drives is checked on) and
Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware, anti-virus and spyware removal download free version for on demand scanning, remember to update it regularly it is not auto updated.

 

MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) is a great free solution, and in most cases, will probably be all you need.

A good paid option (although there's tons of rebate deals that take the price to $0 not including tax) is Norton Antivirus 2012. Even lighter than MSE, and consistently gets better detection rates.

 

Thank you all very much, this is a great help! I hope that now I won't ever end up back on the forum asking for help removing a Trojan

 

Another vote for Microsoft Security Essentials. Easy-to-use and unobtrusive. And you can't beat free.

 

I prefer Microsoft Security Essentials over Avast or any other anti-virus software.

 

Yup, NIS 2012 has been pleasantly nice for the last few years. It's blocked a few advertisement-malware traps that even MSE didn't catch.

 

MSE! but keep in mind, most of the time YOU are the security of your PC! stop visiting random suspected websites, stop downloading "free" programs, or using the so called "registry cleaner" applications and you'll be fine!

I've been like this for almost 2 years! saved myself tons of money..and never reformat unless if I made a mistake..

 

When did this happen? When I was a geek squad agent last in 2010, we had infected machines coming in by the boatload running Norton, Mcaffe, or Avg antivirus. Also going to recommend Microsoft security essentials. I've had no issues since (or even before I guess) I switched over a couple of years ago.

Sent from my PG41200 using Tapatalk 2

 

Norton Antivirus has been one of the most lightweight options (uses even less system resources than MSE on both machines I've run it on) since the complete redesign in 2009 (NAV/NIS 2009). Subsequent releases have only improved, as far as I can tell.

 

HardOCP/HardForum got hacked last year and the hackers managed to inject some code around the ads in the site.

 

The best one. I use it too. Other great free solution, which I once had, was Avast + common sense.

 

I've used MSE for 2+ years with no problems at all. Like others said, common sense is just as important as a good AV.