Windows 7: Which Is the Best Free Anti-Virus Software? Other Security Software?

Which Is the Best Free Anti-Virus Software? Other Security Software?

Windows 7 x64


Which is the best free-for-home-users anti-virus software?


What other free-for-home-users security software do you recommend using in conjunction with Windows 7 x64 these days?


If I'm not mistaken, this version of Windows has a built in Firewall. Does that make Zone Alarm redundant or problematic?

Visit the System Security board - this has been asked and answered quite a few times.

Best in what way?
Same as above

It does have its built in firewall, and ZAP is problematic.


Have you tried searching here for the answers to the questions?

The most recommended freeware AV here now is Microsoft Security Essentials with the Windows 7 firewall, Malwarebytes on demand scanner.

Yep, just follow basic good security practises and you're good with MSE.

I wanted to link to an article detailing good security practises, but I couldn't find one. But basically keep everything up-to-date and avoid downloading and running suspicious files. The sandboxing in Google's Chrome browser helps a lot, too.

As far as I know, MSE has a low detection rate compared to other free antivirus software. Avira has a high detection rate but for some cases it tends to lead to a false alarm (i've experienced this a few times), also it will slow down your PC performance a little bit, especially on startup.

You should check this thread for more info : What's the Best Anti-virus?

I'd like to find reliable ratings. I don't really trust most of them since there is often a big banner ad for one of the products being rated on the same page. If you once thought CNET was trustworthy, have you tried to install software lately that's been bundled with their sneaky crapware downloader?

Consumer Reports which normally has ethical ratings is behind a paywall. Does that mean we'd each have to subscribe or can the list be quoted here as a newsworthy article?

We also all judge by our own perspective. I go by performance since I don't get infected. For the Typhoid Mary's of the web I suggest Malwarebytes real time protection. How about you?

Here is another strong vote for MSE.
If you read technical articles, then the names Fred Langa and Paul Thurott may ring a bell.

They, like many of us here, use exclusively Microsoft Security Essentials, MSE.

they also use Windows Defender Offline (WDO) as an "offline" scanner.

Your will find links to both in my signature.

Here is a link to an article from a Security blog which I recommend reading.
Understanding Microsoft Anti-Malware Software 2012 ~ Security Garden

The article is excellent and sorted the MS choices perfectly for me. It's also by our own Corrine.

corrine does very nice work.
I've got her blog feed in my list of feeds that google reads for me.