AVG FREE: Trying not to beat a dead horse...

Here I go again with a dumb question that really isn't as I am asking it

Reading the AVG Free forum today (03-03-11) I have come to the conclusion that AVG Free has definitely gone bloat...CPU usage being drained from 20 - 60 %... I cannot upgrade to the new version...here's the question:

What do I use ? AVG ?...No. Avast ?....No. Do I drop my standards and go with ( shudder ) Microsoft's security essentials ? I require a program that's easy to use and install and does the Job and it's gotta be free.

Since MA's statement on AVG..I have searched, read, searched, read and, find myself back here home to the Geeks I trust... I patiently await.
Apologies in advance for asking ....yet again.

Blades :major

 

Hi,
I have on many occasions been pointed in the direction of Comodo AV and Firewall, I haven't used myself but I have put it on many of my friends machines and they are more than pleased with it, it's free also so thats an added bonus.

http://majorgeeks.com/Comodo_AntiVirus_d5109.html

http://majorgeeks.com/Comodo_Personal_Firewall_d5033.html

iain.t :major

 

Why the hate on security essentials? You ever actually used it? It works great for a free anitvirus and is usually ranked one of the top performers as well. I mean no offense but just cause its from ms doesn't make it bad.

 

Not hating MS They have improved over the years. Thank you for your input because I am leaning toward MSE.

 

I love Avira

 

Me too.

 

You may also like to check out Panda....

http://majorgeeks.com/Panda_Cloud_Antivirus_d6144.html

 

Whats wrong with Avast?

 

I have to add my vote for Avira's free antivirus also. I have been using it for YEARS, and I have nothing but awesome things to say about it. The only minor negative is that it has a "buy the 'Pro' version now" splash screen when the daily updates are downloaded, but this is VERY easy to disable. I run the free Avira, the paid MalwareBytes, the free PeerBlock (using the Spyware/Adware block lists) and the free Spyware Blaster, and it's an awesome combo: lots of protection, no resource loss. For free protection other than Avira, I personally recommend Avast (requires email registration), and Comodo Internet Security (the free version combines antivirus with their top-notch award winning firewall).

 

Question...will msse work with Fire Fox? maybe a dumb question but I have to updates with IE ....

Blades:major

 

I like MSE and Avira, and rotate them out pretty regularly...Avast too works good for me. I Don't like AVG anymore, and I actually really liked PandaCloud when it first came out, and posted a few times on here about it, but I think they started pushing a toolbar or something I didn't like, and I didn't like Proxy setup anymore, so I switched back to Avira....

I do remove AV programs, tho, with Revo, when I'm switching out, so they don't leave remnants...nowadays for me the hard part is just keeping it simple, not putting conflicting apps on my computer. That's why I no longer run other antispyware additions...since the antivirus programs cover that too. I use these with all browsers, no worries, including FF.

Lately I've really liked PrivateFirewall too, as it's a good 2-way firewall without a lot of junk added. I have Windows 7 (64bit) so I could probably get by without the added firewall now, and just use Windows, but I like trying out stuff too, and so far these combos have worked good for me...

 

I put MSE on every computer I come in contact with that doesn't have a AV.

I shudder seeing AVG since it is so bad. MSE is very slim.

 

Works fine, I've never had a problem.