best free anti-virus program?

[koivu_11]

the symantec website said i have viruses but wanted me to remove them manually (cause it's just their free service)...

whats the best free anti virus program?

[hyperion]

NOD32, but its a time limited trial.

[jollyeskimo]

Used to be AVG, but for me it's Avast! now. It's the favorite no-fuss one that I install on relatives' PC's.

[xKagex]

I like Avast as well. If you have viruses, you could always try the Trendmicro Housecall website, since viruses generally don't let you install antivirus software.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

[hey_dude1643]

Zone alarm is great.. but the only problem is that its a 30day trial... :|

[willy]

I like AVG Free ...

[Max1107]

I like AVG Free ...

Another vote for AVG.

[sannin]

NOD32 was a very good program. Caught a few viruses where norton missed!

However, i'm using AVG right now and its pretty reliable.

[Evil Baby]

torrentspy.com or seedler.org :)

just kidding. Um and Windows xp cd and the time to format?

[robattoronto]

vote for AVG.

[Zhy]

Nod32 :!: :!: :!:

[blackhawk]

AVG free is been my choice for last 4 years in all the family computers.

Used norton before but very bloated and takes over lots of other stuff.
If you ever buy one, get them off Ebay, thats one of the few ebay items that are worth it due to oem and low prices.

[Cafe_333]

I'd give Avast a try first. It's more effective than AVG by a large margin based on this 2005 rating:
http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=69&mnu=69

[afong56]

avg--it's actually better than norton, quite often. . .it has caught stuff that norton overlooks

[gordholio]

Avast!

http://www.softpedia.com/screenshots//Avast-Home-Edition_1.png

[bug]

Kaspersky

[jollyeskimo]

Kaspersky

Well that would be the best if the trial wasn't only 30 days. I use kaspersky as well, but for free versions I use Avast! since in my experience it picks up stuff that AVG missed or can't handle.

[Hellfire]

F-Secure

[Jeff146]

Norton always gives me problems especially when shutting down

My start time for the computer has decreased dramatically with nod32 and I'm still protected

Highly recommended

[jollyeskimo]

Removed


riiiiight......

[kev*]

I use Avast! too - its the best freebie

[rc51]

I'd give Avast a try first. It's more effective than AVG by a large margin based on this 2005 rating:
http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=69&mnu=69


Link doesn't resolve to anything meaningful...(error on page)

did you post the correct URL?

[162]

Avast for me

[Cafe_333]

Link doesn't resolve to anything meaningful...(error on page)

did you post the correct URL?I'd give Avast a try first. It's more effective than AVG by a large margin based on this 2005 rating:
http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=69&mnu=69
Link works fine for me and a friend I just asked. Anyway, that link I posted ranked the effectiveness of 50 top antivirus programs and listed Avast and AVG at the following:
21. Avast version 4.6.623 - 79.65%
28. AVG version 7.0.308 - 54.07%

However, that was an old link that I recalled from a thread last summer. I just noticed they released an updated comparative test last December 2005 and here is how those two aforementioned antivirus programs stack up now:
15. AVG version 7.1.371 - 77.97%
17. Avast version 4.6.744 - 76.93%

It now seems that both programs are quite comparable being neck and neck to each other, however AVG edges out a bit this time around. It should also be noted that both programs have dramatically improved having greatly jumped in ranks.

For the most recent and complete list:
http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=72&mnu=72

[Jeff146]

wow nod32 jumped 11 spots

[koivu_11]

thanks for the help!

[atarisix]

AVG for me. Very reliable over the last four or five years. I haven't tried avast, but if it ain't broke, why fix it?

[akito925]

Avg for me.. best virus scan program so far for me. :D

[mwong]

props to avast! both avast and avg work very well, but avast has a slightly better looking interface.

[Siefer999]

Norton always gives me problems especially when shutting down

My start time for the computer has decreased dramatically with nod32 and I'm still protected

Highly recommended
me too but i recommend it as well

[Blackjack]

Which one of these anti-virus programs( AVG, Avast, Antivir)use less system resources?(CPU/memory). Thanks!

[chicken_little]

Which one of these anti-virus programs( AVG, Avast, Antivir)use less system resources?(CPU/memory). Thanks!
I forgot how much memory avast took but my avg currently has the following processes running:
avgamsvr.exe - 1604K
avgcc.exe - 4392K
avgupsvc.exe - 60K