Windows 7: Best antivirus for Windows 7?

Since you asked... Lately, MSE has been getting bad reviews for missing infections. How valid those reviews are has been hotly debated. The reason I quit using it after using it for six months was over update issues. Thanks to a glitch that kept MSE from downloading definitions both automatically and manually, prompting an alert here, I found out the only time MSE was downloading definitions to my computer was just before I ran my weekly full scan and I told it to. It was then I learned that MSE can be set to automatically download definitions only before doing a scheduled scan, either quick or full. Since I'm on my notebook at random times, scheduled scans would be hit or miss at best. For that reason (besides being thoroughly P.O.ed at MSE), I ditched it and went back to AVAST! free. I don't notice my computer working any slower than before and AVAST! automatically updates at least twice a day, no matter when I'm on the computer.

I'm not expert, but when I did a thorough search of paid and free AV programs, AVG was in top 5 almost in every single review I saw, and most of the time, was in the top 3.

I use Avast only because I got it when they had a promotion for it for 2 years and 3 machines.

It works well with Malwarebytes and Superantispyware which I also have.

When this runs out in 2014, from all the reviews I've seen, I would go with AVG Free or MSE before I'd pay for one.

I also have Spyware Blaster free version and, outside of identity theft, I pretty much have the internet fairly secure.

Andy,
Do you have the AV or Internet Security version of Bit?

Many of the paid anti-malware suites offer a free trial period. (If you find a company that doesn't offer a free trial period I'd be suspicious. What are they trying to hide?) The free products are ... well, free. So you could certainly test different products to see which one(s) work best on your machine. It may help you make a more informed decision rather than relying on the very subjective opinions of other people.

After you evaluate one product, make sure you completely remove it before installing a different product. Many anti-malware products have their own official uninstall utility. If you fail to remove all remnants of one product, it could interfere with the successful install or operation of another product. Here's a list of official uninstallers. If you're testing something that's not listed, or if you're using a newer version, you could always visit the product website for the latest uninstall info.

Security Software | SingularLabs

Nice find!

What an excellent reply...This post alone would demolish several A vs B threads ive encountered.

Good stuff marsmimar and I do like the other sites too very handy.

As for Bears comments on the money again there is no perfect AV a lot of it is up to what you do anyway be stupid and you get shafted I mean it isn't rocket science. The scumbags will always be ahead of what they put out because you would have be a mind reader to know whats coming.

Same old thing though mention certain areas of computing and you open the flood gates of the fifth dimension and out they come swinging.

Having said that after a few "unforunate" experienceswith some AV's there are a few I would not poke with blunt stick.

ESET Smart Security 6 - lightest and best, IMO.

See my post in security news some surprises there although I guess it really depends on those sites testing methods but I have always thought AV comparatives were close on the money.

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