looking for a free anti virus

[Robert Cahill]

My old computer quit on me and instead of having it fixed the wife bought me a new one a couple of months back. The free anti-virus I had will not work with windows 8. Anyone have suggestions for one I can down load. It came with Norton for 60 days but that is up now and I am not a Norton fan.

[Bob Tamillo]

Re: looking for a free anti virus

Both Microsoft and Malware have free downloads. Just be sure you get on their sites and not some other dot-comusing their names as you'll get embedded with a lot of programs you don't want.

[Buffalo Bif]

Re: looking for a free anti virus

I work on the computer all day, have been for 7+ years now. used several antivirus, in my opinion free antivirus is like not having antivirus. I use Trend Micro, would have to go look to see what I paid, think it was under 100 for two years. Best part is- it stops me from going to a malicious website. No issues since I installed it.

I have no connection with them other than to pay them to keep me safe.

I know that's now what you asked for, thought I'd offer my opinion anyway.

[Magicman]

Re: looking for a free anti virus

AVG is a good Free Anti Virus

[Wb7whi]

Re: looking for a free anti virus

I have done some software coding in the past and it is not an easy thing to do. Anyone who makes a decent AV program should be compensated for their work and time. But the best answer I can give you is trend micro as they do provide a free online scan and zone alarm as they have a free program that watches over what comes into your system.

I personally don't care for AV programs and have never used one. I feel that they are a money trap. Things that I worry about I keep backed up for when the day comes. I don't see it as a problem to clean out the computer and start over. External hard drives are cheap now for backup storage and you should make use of one of them.

You may want to make sure you have made the restoration CD's to redo your operating system should you need.

[rickm]

Re: looking for a free anti virus

malawarebytes is free and good. if you have windows 7 windows defender comes free and it works pretty well.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Re: looking for a free anti virus

AVG is a good Free Anti Virus

I also have AVG, no problems at all.

[Nomad]

Re: looking for a free anti virus

I use Windows Defender that comes with Windows 8. However, it's not very good against malware in windows 8 although the Windows 7 version which is MS Security Essentials has been ultra reliable on two of my computers. I purchased malwarebytes which takes care of the rest. It's a good reliable combo. I also found that Firefox running under windows 8 is riddled with malware holes that Defender and malwarebytes can't stop. I dumped it.

If you don't have Firefox, you might try running Windows Defender alone and see how it does. My problem may have been more due to Firefox than Defender.

[Josef]

Re: looking for a free anti virus

Avast, one of the best free ones out there IMHO.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Re: looking for a free anti virus

Someone on WCI recommended AVG many years ago. I think it comes from Europe and is also known as Grizsoft. I am not sure how many new versions I have installed; but have been totally satisfied.