Best free antivirus for my PC?

Fed up with AVG now.

Microsoft Security Essentials works for me.

Sophos or Eset for me

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I use Eset, but not sure there's a free option.

I got fed up with AVG a few years ago and changed to MSE.

MSE works well for me.

Was using MSE.

Had a few issues with laptop (not MSE itself) and was advised to use Avast by a few guys on here.

 

I had used Avast a few years before, then I was advised to change to MSE by the mate who advised Avast in the first place. He knows what is what, but he has now moved away :'( . Lol.

Avast are pretty good, but they do scaremonger a little with their popup warnings.

 

I may clear Avast out and go back to MSE as no security problems have arisen at all, using either.

 

You can do a free Eset scan (I did) but you have to remain connected to the internet. Didn't take that long in my experience although someone on here told me theirs took all night. As stated 'all clear'.

 

Are you using 'Windows'???, or MSE compatible? I assume that is relevant?

Edited 2 April, 201610 yr by Tilt

Note that from Windows 8, MSE became Windows Defender.

I've just been sorting out a laptop for a mate. I loaded a few programs on it for him a couple of weeks ago and set it all up for him. His wife downloaded Avast free version, and it loaded all sorts of other crapware on as well, and disabled the main program I'd loaded on for him without even asking. Took me a day to clean all the crapware off, remove Avast, and reinstall his preferred programs.

Free antivirus programs have never been a choice I like, with the exception of MSE and Defender.

I use kaspersky which is free for 3 computers if you have a Barclays account with on line banking. I can't comment if it's any good as I'm no expert but I guess it's better than nothing at all and as its free I'm not going to complain.

another vote here for MSE. Never had any issues. Also scan once a month with Malwarebytes.

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/security-essentials-download

https://www.malwarebytes.org/dl-confirm/

I use kaspersky which is free for 3 computers if you have a Barclays account with on line banking. I can't comment if it's any good as I'm no expert but I guess it's better than nothing at all and as its free I'm not going to complain.

Kaspersky is very good according to recent trials.

I also have the Kaspersky free from Barclays.

Note that from Windows 8, MSE became Windows Defender.

 

I've just been sorting out a laptop for a mate. I loaded a few programs on it for him a couple of weeks ago and set it all up for him. His wife downloaded Avast free version, and it loaded all sorts of other crapware on as well, and disabled the main program I'd loaded on for him without even asking. Took me a day to clean all the crapware off, remove Avast, and reinstall his preferred programs.

Free antivirus programs have never been a choice I like, with the exception of MSE and Defender.

I'm using windows 7 and recently started getting notifications in my action centre that 'Windows Defender' needs to scan my computer.

I use it, but wondered why this only just recently appeared. I do have Windows 10 update offer.

 

I also use Malwarebytes alongside (Avast at present).

Was  a user of Eset then moved on to MSE and have not had a problem on any desktop or laptop that has it installed.

Its free it works and as said above doesn't install loads of crap as well .]

Simples

You can get most paid antivirus free with your bank or isp.

Even if not, you can pick up multi machine (Norton offer 3)for £15-20.

Personally not a fan of free antivirus & firewalls unless it's a low use computer that's not doing much banking or online shopping.

For regular use experience with friends and family machines which have had multiple infections go undetected, they seem to offer very little protection.

If you really must have free, use MSE/windows defender

Paid for I'd go ESET or Kasperski.

 

Free - Avast I used for a long time after AVG was playing up.

Comodo also do a free one but not sure how good it is or not.

 

Would be worth checking with your ISP or Bank to see if you get anything free.

 

I'm using McAfee right now because I get it free from Plusnet. Been ok TBH.

Have run AVG free priblem free for yrs. But i have noticed that since the last couple of updates its done theres a lot more pop up messages and general interference from the bottom right hand corner.. not doing anything just telling me crap i dont need to know and asking me about thung i dont it to do.

run malwarebytes monthly and ccleaner also has helped find the odd dodgy item from time to time even if its not its primary function

To be honest I would stump up some cash rather than use a free one.

Personally I would recommend kaspersky, it has proved to be fairly mother in law proof (for comparison she rendered her android tablet unusable in under a week by installing a variety of malware)

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Have run AVG free priblem free for yrs. But i have noticed that since the last couple of updates its done theres a lot more pop up messages and general interference from the bottom right hand corner.. not doing anything just telling me crap i dont need to know and asking me about thung i dont it to do.

run malwarebytes monthly and ccleaner also has helped find the odd dodgy item from time to time even if its not its primary function

 

Well thanks all for your advice/recommendations. Seems like MSE is a popular choice but after doing a little searching it seems with Windows 10 it is Windows Defender.

 

So out with AVG and Defender is now doing it's job. Like you say above AVG is telling me constantly to update, upgrade and other messages, really does my head in when it is up to date etc.

 

So some mention banks provide antivrus/fraud protection. My bank offer a download of Trusteer Rapport, that works along installed antivirus software when on banking sites and can also protect on other sites too. I'll download that and see how we go.

Edited 2 April, 201610 yr by MickA

Well thanks all for your advice/recommendations. Seems like MSE is a popular choice but after doing a little searching it seems with Windows 10 it is Windows Defender.

So out with AVG and Defender is now doing it's job.

So some mention banks provide antivrus/fraud protection. My bank off a download of Trusteer Rapport, that works along installed antivirus software when on banking sites and can also protect on other sites too. I'll download that and see how we go.

Trusteer rapport is a horrible nasty thing, causes so many problems.

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Could you not just open a basic Barclays account with no fees, register for online banking and get kaspersky for free? At worst, put £1 in it, it's not likely you will lose your money and in a few hundred years you may end up with £2 in it! Go really mad and you could go down the blue rewards way, pay in so much a month, have a couple of direct debits and they will give you £4 every month. Then send the remaining balance back to the account you currently have. Takes some careful setting up to ensure you don't go overdrawn and to split your direct debits to allow you to cash in on other offers like Halifax which give me £5 a month for paying in £1000 and having 2 direct debits a month. I'm not a financial expert but it works for me and I end up with £108 a year for doing nothing other than the original setting up of the accounts.

Could you not just open a basic Barclays account with no fees, register for online banking and get kaspersky for free? At worst, put £1 in it, it's not likely you will lose your money and in a few hundred years you may end up with £2 in it! Go really mad and you could go down the blue rewards way, pay in so much a month, have a couple of direct debits and they will give you £4 every month. Then send the remaining balance back to the account you currently have. Takes some careful setting up to ensure you don't go overdrawn and to split your direct debits to allow you to cash in on other offers like Halifax which give me £5 a month for paying in £1000 and having 2 direct debits a month. I'm not a financial expert but it works for me and I end up with £108 a year for doing nothing other than the original setting up of the accounts.

 

^^^ I already do that with 3 banks accounts but one will expire soon (the higher interest paid) so I may give Barclays a try, thanks.

Trusteer rapport is a horrible nasty thing,

 

Have to agree.

 

But by using it, I am giving my bank one fewer get-out if my account should become infected.

AVG is devil spawn... lol

Try Avast! Antivirus, used it for 15 years without trouble

Trusteer rapport is a horrible nasty thing, causes so many problems.

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Can you enlighten me on what it does, should I continue with it?

 

I had Avast a few years ago but couldn't get on with it. Am I right in thinking that's the one that used to talk to you with annoying announcements?