[namo]

what is the best free anti-virus program for windows 7 ultimate?

[etaf]

Quite a few available
I have never used but - EST Nod 32 is often recommended although not free http://www.eset.co.uk/
Avast , i use a lot of peoples PCs - and free http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
However, Following recommendations and advice here I have recently swapped all my personal PCs to Microsoft Security Essentials http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
theres also
AVG - http://free.avg.com/gb-en/homepage

as to which one is the BEST - i will let one of the security experts answer that and have moved the post to General Security - heres a link to som AV comparisons and independent tests
http://www.av-comparatives.org/

[namo]

I using Avira anitVir personal but It catches many files that are not viruses. which is the best of One (exluding Microsoft Security Essentials) that update frequently and catches correct virus not normal programs or files and have real-time protection.

[MindDoctor]

In my testing I found with my own personal "viruses" installed, I found that Eset NOD32 failed to find any of the six. Avira free found all six and is compatible with Windows 7.

I have never had one false positive with Avira, plus finds script viruses in Russian, Arabic, Farsi, Mandarin from web pages that I read. Thus I would assume that it is capable of finding viruses/malware in any language. (I have the English free version installed. http://www.free-av.com/

Something that I have yet to see in testing of other antivirus software.

[dvk01]

I would definitely say Microsoft Security Essentials Antivirus

The beta version 2 is the best one so far https://connect.microsoft.com/securityessentials
But you do need to sign up for it
It integrates so well into W7 & IE to have extra protections & so far has caught everything I have thrown at it on infected websites and prevented the infections as it is supposed to do

[MindDoctor]

Hi, dvk01:

Thanks for the information.

Have a really nice weekend. Stay well & safe.

Ciao,

Hubert

[namo]

I read somewhere that best protection to have :

1. Antivirus: Avira or Avast.

2. Antispyware: Malwarebytes, Iobit 360 or Spyware Doctor.

3. Firewall: We now recommend Outpost or PC Tools Firewall Plus.

4. Secure web browser: Explorer 8 and/or Firefox.

5.Anti-hack tools: SnoopFree Privacy Shield, Keyscrambler for Firefox and KeePass.

6. Fraud and phishing filter: We recommend that you use both WOT (Web of Trust) and Site Advisor.

7. Sand Box: This is for for added safety, virus protection, etc. We recommend Sandboxie.

Are all of these nessasery?

[MindDoctor]

Hi, Namo:

Out of the entire list that you mentioned, I only use two plus my own set of security that are all compatible. I use avira free, malwarebytes pro., (You should know that IOBIT 360 is in a legal battle with malwarebytes, as malwarebytes owner accused IOBIT in China of stealing all of their "signatures"). Plus IOBIT 360 would not scan in my pc).

Cybercrime is out of control. My own personal opinion is "yes", all the security that you mentioned is necessary, but the software can be from other companies. The key is that they all are compatible so they function, especially the background guards, to stop malware before entering your pc. Or block a webpage embedded with malware.

I have my own set of security programs that serve me 100% in the area of security.

Avira Free, IMMUNET PROTECT, Antilogger, Istanbul, Turkey, Threat Fire, Australia, Malwaretbytes Pro, Advanced System Care Pro, China, Superantispyware Pro., Sygate Personal Firewall Free, Bandwidth Monitor, China, (allows me to see "red" downloads, or if the color turns "green", means that some unknown source is uploading data, and I am not. (Thus I would perform a force shutdown to block). And aports, shows all open and closed ports, or ports that are listening/waiting. Avira free background guard works 100% to block bad webpages, plus there are good webpages in foreign laguages that have embedded "malware script", avira background guard finds in real time and destroys.

Protect yourself, just find the right combination of security that is past for you.

[DenverDreamin]

I would definitely say that Avira is by far the best antivirus, free or otherwise. Just make sure to grab the avira update after installing the program to get the latest virus definitions and keep this tool effective. Avira is a lightweight anti-virus program when it comes to consuming resources and I would go with it over Norton or McAfee ANY DAY!

[bobelinho]

Originally Posted by namo

I read somewhere that best protection to have :

1. Antivirus: Avira or Avast.

2. Antispyware: Malwarebytes, Iobit 360 or Spyware Doctor.

3. Firewall: We now recommend Outpost or PC Tools Firewall Plus.

4. Secure web browser: Explorer 8 and/or Firefox.

5.Anti-hack tools: SnoopFree Privacy Shield, Keyscrambler for Firefox and KeePass.

6. Fraud and phishing filter: We recommend that you use both WOT (Web of Trust) and Site Advisor.

7. Sand Box: This is for for added safety, virus protection, etc. We recommend Sandboxie.

Are all of these nessasery?

Avira would be enough. Also you could use http://www.virustotal.com/ for very suspicious files or web pages

[ErikAlbert]

Reading this report might help :
http://www.av-comparatives.org/image...od_aug2010.pdf

[lo_ol]

PCWorld Magazine tested the top free AVs and here are the results:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/17058..._software.html

[Stoner]

That article is over a year old.

[Old Rich]

I've been loading Microsoft Security Essentials on machines for a while and like it . . very light on resources and no infections so far

[Anon B]

Another vote for Microsoft Security Essentials from me
echoing the reasons given above