Anti-virus software recommendations (PC)

After using AVG Free as my anti-virus software for a long time, they are finally closing down their free service, and encouraging me to pay for the next upgrade.

I've always been happy with it, and I might end up staying with them.

What free and paid anti-virus programs does everyone use on their PCs? If I'm going to spend money, should I go for one of the "big" names like Norton?

Ta for the advice.

Stay away from products like Norton and McAfee...they are very intrusive and use up a fair amount of your computer resources. The best anti-virus software I've used is ESET Nod32.

I also have AVG, free edition. I don't see any encouragement or reason to upgrade to their fee version.

Avast is also a good choice.

They're closing down their free service? Really?

I use Avast 4 Pro if that's any help.

tomd wrote in post #5698092
I also have AVG, free edition. I don't see any encouragement or reason to upgrade to their fee version.

What? Haven't you been getting the daily notices that the free service will end on June 25th? Gee, perhaps I'm being conned ...

Damo77 wrote in post #5698120
What? Haven't you been getting the daily notices that the free service will end on June 25th? Gee, perhaps I'm being conned ...

read carefully, do you have version 8.0?

It is free and a big improvement from 7.x

I'm using trend at the moment, it seems to use quite a lot of resources from time to time, more than norton even. Usually I don't notice it, except for the annoying reminders to scan every week. I never found norton that bad. Mine expires soon, I'll probably look around when my subscription expires in a few weeks, but i've not had good experiences with uninstalling antivirus products.

tomd wrote in post #5698138
read carefully, do you have version 8.0?

It is free and a big improvement from 7.x

Thanks, maybe that's it. I'll look into it.

Damo77 wrote in post #5697978
After using AVG Free as my anti-virus software for a long time, they are finally closing down their free service, and encouraging me to pay for the next upgrade.

I've always been happy with it, and I might end up staying with them.

What free and paid anti-virus programs does everyone use on their PCs? If I'm going to spend money, should I go for one of the "big" names like Norton?

Ta for the advice.

If you look closely on AVGs site, you can actually DL AVG 8.0 - it's free and I have it on three machines (my wife's and my two).

I think it's hidden down near the bottom of the screen.

Thanks Glenn!

I now use Eset Nod32 and think it is the best I have ever used. Very small footprint and doesnt slow down my apps or games at all.

Thanks for the recommendations about NOD32 - I'll definitely look into it. Is it expensive?

Been using Avast for 3 years. Hasn't skipped abeat.
it's free.
Pat

Damo77 wrote in post #5698120
What? Haven't you been getting the daily notices that the free service will end on June 25th? Gee, perhaps I'm being conned ...

I think AVG 7.0 (or support of it) is being discontinued on June 25th. I can't find anything about AVG 8.0 support or free availability ending anytime soon on the Grisoft web site.

There are two other free antivirus programs that are just as good as AVG. Avast! and Avira AntiVir.

If I had to pay for a antivirus, I would use NOD32. It's $40 for the first year and $28 a year after that.

Samanax

I believe you can just uninstall your version once its 'up' and then just download the latest free version again. You shouldnt ever have to pay for free AVG.