Free firewall and antivirus software: Yea or Nay?

[Chuck Dye]

The McAfee software subscription that came on the laptop expires soon.  Anyone have any thoughts on the various freeware available?

[Boomhauer]

I use the Windows firewall and Avast, and I haven't had a single problem...

Used to use AVG but well...it got crappy

[Gowen]

Microsoft security essentials!  Best one I've ever used.  AVG free was good, but now it's gotten so bulky that they want to download this or that, tool bars, etc..  Security essentials, I never see, does it's job in the background and I am happy with it.

[Ron]

Another here that only uses Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Firewall.

[Perd Hapley]

Another here that only uses Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Firewall.

And another. Also, Malware Bytes.

[Hawkmoon]

I use the Windows firewall and Avast, and I haven't had a single problem...

Used to use AVG but well...it got crappy

Ditto. Avast! has been recommended to me by more than one IT professional. In the past, some of them also suggested AVG but, as noted, it has gotten crappy. I had a lot of problems even trying to install it, so I bailed and went to Avast!.

I supplement with Ad-Aware, and I periodically run Malwarebytes.

[zxcvbob]

I've used avast! and AVG and had no problems with them.  (Still using one or the other on my old Win2k system that I don't use much.)  Currently have Microsoft Security Essentials on everything else.

[White Horseradish]

Another Avast user here. I like them a lot.

[Ben]

Security Essentials. I think it's the first small and efficient prg that microsoft has ever produced. :)

[MillCreek]

Another vote for Avast and IOBit Security 360.

[RocketMan]

Keep in mind that a lot of the free anti-virus programs are on-demand scanners only, they do not provide real-time protection.  Once you are infected, it's usually too late to use an on-demand scanner as the malware usually disables it.
Microsoft Security Essentials, while free, does provide real time protection.  When evaluated, it usually does fairly well in terms of effectiveness, particularly so for a free program.  I use it on several of my machines that spend little time on the Internet.
For a paid-for program I have been very happy with BitDefender Internet Security.  My last machine with a subscription is coming up for renewal, and I am debating whether to go with MSE or renewing the BitDefender subscription for another year.
The laptop I am posting this from is a machine I purchased dead from a customer of my former computer business.  It came with Norton 360 installed.  While it is rated as very effective, it can be a real PITA at times.

[Regolith]

I use COMODO, which does have a real-time scanning option.  It seems to work fairly well.

[Hawkmoon]

Keep in mind that a lot of the free anti-virus programs are on-demand scanners only, they do not provide real-time protection.  Once you are infected, it's usually too late to use an on-demand scanner as the malware usually disables it.
Microsoft Security Essentials, while free, does provide real time protection.

Avast! provides full-time scanning. I think AVG does, too, but I didn't get far enough to find out.

[Jamie B]

Agree with above comments.

MS Security Essentials is good.

I also use Avast - never any issues.

I use SuperAntiSPyware with no issues (better for maleware than MS Security Essentials).

Comodo is excellent for registry errors (I pulled this from www.tucows.com.

 

[sanglant]

if you're using a cable co., as your isp they might have a paid package free with the isp service, charter calls there's,"Charter Security Suite". might save you some cash.