best free protection for viruses, spyware

Hi,
I have bought my first laptop and want to know what all I need to install to protect my laptop.
I heard Norton sucks. AVG is good, spybot????
It's all a bit confusing.
Thanks,
Laura

 

I recommend AVG or Avast. IMO I like Avast more.

 

Which uses less system resources?

 

I recommend Avira AV a FTW, for me.
Here:
http://www.free-av.com/

Also, please visit this thread:
The best free antivirus/firewall/anti spyware programs
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=190538


Cin

 

+1 for Avira! I use it on XP Pro, and it's great! Nice recommendation Cin'!

 

I use AVG Free.

 

Another vote for Avira here. The newest version is very nice and lightweight.

 

Yes, it's a for sure FTW

Yes Version 9, that is what I use on my 1530 and my netbook!

Here it is in case the OP wants to try it!

http://download.cnet.com/Avira-Anti...tchlist&tag=watchmail_sc_name&cdlPid=11012914


Cin

 

I recommend common sense and at most weekly scan for viruses and spyware using a antivirus.

 

I like Avira too. Does the job using minimal resources.

 

Another vote for Avira. AVG is just too bloated now, and I don't like Avast's interface.

 

Following the previous few posts before mine... I'd recommend Avira. It has better detection rates than AVG and apparently uses less system resources as well. The most current version also includes anti-spyware and anti-adware features.

 

I use Kaspersky.

 

Windows Firewall, Spyware Blaster, Avast and common sense (as mentioned above)

cheers ...

 

On my machines I have avast and avira for antivirus. Avira is supposed to be a smaller resource hog.

I also use Zone alarm for firewall, and adaware to get rid of adware/malware

 

What a coincidence. I use those exact same ones.

 

Same here, but the OP asked for free software.

On the paid spectrum I've been very happy with Kaspersky.
Free:
Avira scored high in a recent comparison.

By the way - browsing habits are also important.
Unless you download files from "dangerous locations" - generally you won#t catch a virus - but better safe than sorry.

 

o go with the AVG8..free

 

avast , avira also free.. but these two are anyday better than AVG.. i would suggest choose any of these two.. works fine..n wonder..

 

I use Avast, it's pretty good

 

Have used AVG, Avira and Avast now. All free. And Norton (paid).

AVG used to be the best of the free AV's. Something went wrong with version 8.5.

At this stage, both Avira and Avast are both excellent. Depends on your personal preference though.

And Norton...I don't know. I gave up with paid AV after many issues and system hogging stuff with them. Some swear blind though that Norton 2009 is brilliant, quick, awesome etc.

But you have to pay.

I went the free way...and have never looked back.

You canno't go wrong with either Avira or Avast.

 

I agree although I have to give the edge to Avira for two reasons; one, its detection rate is higher than Avast and second (this is subjective), I hate Avast's UI - in contrast, Avira's UI is so simple and to the point, no fancy graphics or colours, yet it's fully configurable.

 

What according to your experience stands out from teh rest of teh crowd?


My vote goes for NOD32 for having very good detection rates + excellent preformance since its very light on teh resources! Been using it for 4 years now with no problems.
Another vote went for Avira Antivir as being teh best FREE antivirus. Although I don't like using any free security solution for some odd reason

NOD32 FTW

 

i think avast professional takes it for me saved me from many viruses, malware,and one in particular that happened not long ago was one called { recycler } which started it self when connecting removable drives like usb sticks,memory cards, and ipods......the only thing that i dont like is the slow scanning....

 

you actually spent your money on Avast professional? don't get me wrong, Avast is also good, but not by any means comparable to the great likes such as NOD32 and Kaspersky. If I was to install Avast it would be the free version as a last choice, but I gave 1 vote for Avira as well as being teh best Free AntiVirus.


I heard somewhere that Avira Antivir uses teh same virus scanning engine as Kaspersky somewhere, correct teh meh if i'm wrong.

 

well u got me their i do feel like i spent my money so now im asking you how great is nod32 i was looking at it and i was thinking of upgrading it looks promising i noticed that avast gets annoying when it scans every single file stupid avast orb never stops spinning im gonna try the free trial u think i should uninstall avast first........

which do u recommend nod 32 or Kaspersky

 

NOD32.

/thread

 

is avg internet suite to much of a resource hog

 

Yes.

 

This is a tough choice, both are excellent, but I finally decided to go with NOD32 as it is lighter on the system, Kaspersky uses more resources, not as bad as McAfee Virus Scan or Norton Antivirus (previously), but NOD32 remains as having the most security + performance in 1 neat package, I install it, disable update notifications, and it sits there in the taskbar forever without even me feeling I have an antivirus I really recommend you try the trial version which can be grabbed here:

ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 (32-Bit) >>> http://download.eset.com/eval/win/eav/eav_nt32_enu.msi
ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 (64-Bit) >>> http://download.eset.com/eval/win/eav/eav_nt64_enu.msi

 

i just installed nod32 but it said error cant start realtime module i guess cuz of the SP2 so i went with avira................avast slowed my gaming by scanning every single file it can get its grabby pawls on this thing even scans my comp. in 35 min. avast took 2 hours jesus and just so it doesnt find anything waste of time.......IMO

 

Yeah, wait for an update from ESET re: NOD32 + SP2. Install version 3 for the time being.

 

Oh yeah didn't know you were using SP2, Version 4 has a problem with SP2, version 3 works fine for now, but ESET will release a fix very soon I am always on the ESET forums as well.

I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit with NOD32 64 Bit, excellent performance here man! the love of teh win7

 

Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 ForEver!

 

Norton Antivirus 2009 (Paid), Avira 9 (free) FTW!

 

Mmmm, voted for Avira.
But, 15 voters and 20 votes seems 'somewhat' odd...

 

It's a multiple choice poll, Baserk.

 

To me, it is Avast! and Avira, the both of them are really good antivirus programs (I have only tried their "free" versions); I use Avast!, my only complain is the really huge scanning time, but other than that, I like its highly customizable modules, that is really nice thing to have.

 

Avast is a resource hog d00d. Avira beats it by a far margin when it comes to Fr33 antivirus proggies

 

I love AVIRA!
OWNING FOR AVIRA!!!
AVIRA Free = Strong, easy use, light resource, umbrella looks cool, good protection and it can block spyware as well!
AVG = Get owned by the other easily.
Avast = weaker than AVIRA

But if paid version i guess kaspersky and norton are good enough.

 

just wondering local protection guard scans everything like in the pic below.......
can i change the settings or no this is the first time i use this soooo....... which of the settings do i pic or u guys use.....
1.Scan when reading
2.Scan when writing
3.Scan when reading and writing

 

3 for me. It's the default setting I think and it doesn't slow it down at all, at least not noticeably.

 

Somewhat, but 51 MB is not a resource hog at all... at least not for me.

Also, the "boot time scan" is a very useful feature.

 

It's so simple: Avira AV = FTW!!


Cin

 

Why do people bother installing massive amounts of memory if they are going to complain about one program using 52mb 's of it? lol

Memory sitting there doing nothing is a waste of resources just as much

Personally my vote went to NOD32, although I am using the Eset Security Suite application instead - although I ditched Vista as of last night and am happily using it on my Windows 7 RC1 install

 

we are not complaining due to the fact that it uses ram we just specifying which uses less resources,faster scans,which is more intrusive,which is less intrusive,saved computers life from virus,less false positivs and etc. not just one which one uses ram the most................

 

Nice, a self induced fail...

 

I'll have an antivirus buyer's guide posted on the front page soon. It will include:
-AVG Anti-Virus Free
-Norton AntiVirus 2009
-McAfee Total Protection 2009
-ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4
-Kaspersky Antivirus 2009
-Trend Micro Antivirus+Antispyware

Keep your eyes open.

 

That'll be nice to see. Why not include Avira in there, or would that be unfair for the other candidates?

 

Sweet, can't wait to see it! What about Avira AV, though?


Cin