anti-virus prducts

[flowerbud]

I now have Panda virus control protection It is about to run out the end of this month. I do pay for it. I'm just not sure if this is the way to go now. I couldn't find the products Bigfoot uses, that he said were so good and free.
Thank you

[bigtoe]

Excellent AV programs can all be found at filehippo.com at this link http://www.filehippo.com . I help out at and learn from several different forums, where the two most recommended free AV programs are either Avira AntiVir or Avast Free for Home.... I currently use AVAST on my systems, and just for a change of pace will likely soon go to Avira AntiVir ..... Kind of like changing between brown shoes and black shoes for a man.... LOL .... both rate at the top in independent testings.... If you wanted to go with a pay program again, then the top rated one is ESET's NOD32 . And actually Kaspersky pay program has been near the top again after being down in the standings for a bit....

With pay programs, you sometimes are also given a suite of programs including anti spyware or anti malware programs..... I tend to stay away from the all purpose do everything programs, but others like the "convenience" - even if the results aren't as good as they can be.....

Direct to the site links for the 2 free AV programs:
Avira AntiVir: http://www.free-av.com/
Avast Free for Home: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

Can't go wrong with either....... Suggest download first, disconnect from the Internet to uninstall your expiring Panda, and install your choice AV program.... then reconnect to the Internet and go to the website for the AV program and get the latest updates to the data protection files..... after this, they either one will update at least once a day..... Happy Puterin'......

[Sandy Berger]

Flowerbud,
As usual BigToe gives excellent advice. I just want to add my two cents. I also like Avira and Avast and will add one additional free program -- AVG, which can be downloaded at http://free.grisoft.com. The only thing that I don't like about AVG is that they make it a little difficult to find the free version in hopes that you will instead download the version that you have to pay for.

All three of these free antivirus programs have great ratings and so I don't see much need to pay for antivirus.

Bigtoe is also correct. You should disconnect from the Internet before you uninstall your old antivirus program and install the new one. You will want to download the new antivirus program before you disconnect from the Internet and note the download location so you can install it after you disconnect.

If you want to pay and are considering the Kaspersky program, you may want to stick to their Anti-Virus 2009 rather than their Internet Security 2009.The newer versions of Kaspersky are rated highly in antivirus circles, I must tell you  that I have already seen several instances of the Kaspersky Internet Security being a little too ambitious and knocking out people's ability to receive email.