I'm looking for the best, completely FREE anti virus program that I can download from the internet?

Question

Something that works great but has absolutely NO fees or subscriptions to be paid EVER.

Answer 1

There are several popular antivirus programs available, but they all seem to have one or two flaws in them. Here's my thoughts:

AVG: Probably the most popular Free AV there is. Problem: Only for personal use - not business use. Most other "Home Editions" have this restriction as well.

ClamWin: *Great* program and it's *excellent* at detecting viruses. It can also be used in commercial (business) situations. In fact, Clam AV is the software that most ISP's and web hosting companies use to filter viruses from email. Problem: It doesn't *clean* viruses, it just removes them. THis is a problem if something you value gets infected.

The best free, commercial, and non-restricted Antivirus program I found is from Comodo. Here's a link:

http://antivirus.comodo.com/

It's completely free. It can clean viruses. And it can be used free in commercial situations. You won't find anything better anywhere. ;)

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

There is no shortage of good free antivirus software programs. The three most commonly used are: Avast, AVG and Antivir. All are absolutely free. Each has it pro's and con's. I prefer Antivir over the other two because in my experience it has better detection and removal. About.com has published an excellent article reviewing the three programs, so you can judge for yourself:

1. "Review: Free Antivirus Software" -- by about.com (http://antivirus.about.com/od/antivirussoftwarereviews/a/freeav.htm)

"Free antivirus software may be the only option for those on a limited budget. The question, of course, is how well free antivirus software protects your PC, how easy is it to use, and if something goes wrong will you be left out in the cold? The answers may surprise you. This review looks at three free antivirus solutions: AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic, AVAST 4 Home Edition, and AVG Free Edition." -- excerpt from article

If you asked me a month ago, I would recommend you download and use Antivir. However, AOL has released its free antivirus program called "AOL Active Virus Monitor." When anyone hears AOL, they all run in the opposite direction. However, this time, AOL contracted Kaspersky to develop the antivirus software. I can not tell you how good Kaspersky products are. Kaspersky, prior to this release, only offered a commercial suite. Kaspersky is a very respectable security software maker, who consistently ranks as one of the top three best antivirus software program. The only drawback is that you need to register for it. But, people usually use fake id's without any problems.


You can read its review here: http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp?

You can download it from: http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp?

Answer 3

The following are all FREE. Be sure and download the free version, the pay versions only add auto updates in some cases. AVG and Zone alarm come with FREE auto updates.

I use all of the following Free software with Windows XP SP2 and Internet Explorer with MSN toolbar and the pop-up blocker turned on and have never had a single problem with my computer sense Microsoft came out with SP2. (knock on wood.) (And be sure to keep Windows and the following software Updated)


The best Anti-virus is: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. (www.grisoft.com)http://www.grisoft.com/doc/289/lng/us/tpl/tpl01

The Best Spyware defense is: SpyBot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html)<--English version

AND: AdAware SE (www.lavasoft.com)
AND Spyware Blaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.info/kb/)
The best Firewall besides the one that comes with Windows is: Zone Alarm (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/co... or just (www.zonelabs.com) and select the FREE version.

These are all FREE and are all that are required. There is no reason to pay for this kind of software, except to give a donation to the writers if you can.
ALL the above programs are recommended and should be run on a regular basis. With some the free versions they must be run manually.

The best way to avoid getting any Malware (virus, Trojan's, spyware, etc) is to practice safe computing. Microsoft and many others have countless articles on the subject of safe computing. (something I think should be taught in schools)

for further information on computer safety.
NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL -> http://www.ncpc.org/media/Internet_Safety.php

http://all.net/journal/50/cybercop.html
And here...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses/zombies_and_botnets.mspx

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

CNET these 10 programs comprise the best free security software
http://www.download.com/Best-free-security-and-spyware-software/1200-2023_4-5163183.html?tag=nl.e497

Answer 4

I've been using AVG Anti-Virus (free version) for several years, and it works great. You can set it up to automatically download updates at whatever frequency you like. You can also schedule automatic virus scans whenever you like. It also checks email attachments and any files you download. You can get it from www.grisoft.com

Answer 5

Things to download if you are going for free.
AVG Anti-Virus
Spybot-Search and Destroy
Ewido
Ad Aware
(Download all of those) Free trials.

Also for regular desktop clean up try to go to google.com and search Download EasyCleaner (Amazing program, run it once every two weeks, do all the options, delete everything that comes up(dont worry you can undo it)

Answer 6

The best antivirus hands down is etrust antivirus.

www.ca.com to download the trial

it gets rid of viruses but after 30 days no more updates unless u pay.

still the best antivirus and they deserve 20 bucks or whatever for this program.

avg is no where near as good as this program.

Answer 7

I have heard of

AVG:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

Avast:
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

Clamwin:
http://www.clamwin.com/

All are supposed to be pretty good.

Some articles:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/26/AR2005112600170.html
Personal Tech from Washington Post which talks about Avast and AVG.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2006/07/a_look_at_windows_98mefriendly.html
(scroll down to free anti virus) which mentions all of the above.

Answer 8

hello and welcome to Q & A your looking for the best free anti virus i can tell you this is not a best free anti virus many will say go download avg anti virus its no 1 and its free yes it is free but its crap even if you pay for the avg anti virus or nortons or macfee there all crap you know why coz many have come to Q&A and said i have avg anti virus oh i have a virus and a trojan and avg anti virus cant remove it and others have have come to Q&A and said help i have nortons anti virus i have a virus & a trojan and my nortons cant remove it what can i do ? and others have come to Q&A and said help me please god help i have macfee anti virus and i have a virus & a trojan on my comouter and macfee cant remove it what can i do people have said remove macfee and try >>>>nortons its no 1 >>>>>>no try avg anti virus its better <<<<<<>>>>>>>> zoneAlarm internet security suite
all in one firewall / anti virus/ anti spyware
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jp

and that will auto kill as virus as it try to enter your computer it keep all virus out and kills them as they move

Answer 9

I understand that AVG is a good free program. I haven't used it, but I have heard good things about it.

******
....and I obviously hadn't read anybody else's answers when I wrote this. I'm glad that what I've heard is accurate.

Answer 10

not one of the main significant 3, unfastened antivirus courses (Avast, AVG , Avria) hit upon lots of something yet viruses. the recent Avast 4.8 (unfastened version) would be detecting secret agent ware, notwithstanding it has no longer been released yet, because it continues to be in beta sorting out.