I still use Avira Antivirus at home on Windows 7. It seems to work ok, no idea if it is the "best".

At work I've grown to hate Windows 10 default (MS) antivirus as it keeps removing certain work-related Java-files, claiming they are malware. So I have to copy those files back over and over again, a couple times per week at least.

Our IT support was notified and they claimed they have added an exception to those files... but they still keep disappearing. I don't know if Avira would similarly consider them malware, and I don't feel like uploading them to online services like Totalsomethingsomething.com for close inspection, as they are related to work.

Is your computer infected? Maybe this would help you or you could ask for more help from the subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/33evdi/suggested_reading_official_malware_removal_guide/

Not much.

It may get high marks from big tech blogs/etc. but dig a bit deeper into things and you'll uncover stuff that puts it a close second to Norton on the crap-o-meter.

I was a user until, among other things, one of their updates caused my system to fail to boot properly. I moved to Avira after that, because it was either that or gamble with essentially nothing and no matter how cautious I'd like to think I am, I'm not confident enough to ride the risk for the latter option.

AVG is owned by Avast. Formerly used AVG years (and years) prior to that fact and it was a sensible and highly recommended free option. Then it gradually became less and less sensible, starting with the obnoxious UI updates. I dread thinking of what it's like now under Avast's ownership.

Well,this is a surprise.Seeing this many people here relying on freeware to protect their pc.All I can say is good luck with them.

Have you considered The Innernette? It is 100% secure and you can kiss your email viruses and worms goodbye.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIA17H-b7Qs

Some of us are even relying on freeware to RUN our PCs. Like, running Linux Mint on my laptop.

On topic: I've always used Nod32 as my antivirus, which I unlocked using easily available product keys which you can find searching online. When the key was inevitably banned, I just uninstalled the antivirus, and reinstalled it for the 1 month free trial, while continuing to again search for keys online.

Off topic: I'm not here to advertise, but I'll just say this.

At the start of this summer, I noticed NOD32 had a sale. Three years of antivirus protection for 4 computers, all for about €100. Well I talked to some family members and we each put €25 and got it. THREE years of anitvirus protection for €25, that still sounds like a ridiculously good deal. Finally I can no longer be labeled a pirate, the antivirus being the last piece of software I still wasn't playing for.

EDIT: Actually the sale seems to still be going on. I'm not leaving a link, if you're interested you'll be able to easily Google for it.

Haven't looked at that for years and I'm sure it has improved to the old days.I think i tried whatever version was around about 15 years ago or longer but that's just a (timewise) guess.

Bitdefender and Malwarebytes Free Editions are working fine for me.

free edition of Avast does its job if you won't pirate games or click on suspicious links. Actually I even had the time when I had no antivirus at all, not a single virus in years. I just used that PC for games and gaming howtos, no other browsing, mail or anything else that can add to virus infestation. Kaspersky is Russian product, curated by Russian military and government. Recently they were caught by US on spying on users and taking their personal data. That's why Kaspersky is banned from usage in US. I wouldn't suggest to use it unless you want to open doors to Russian malicious activity on your PC

EDIT: I see what you meant by banned. Some government agencies were forbidden from using the software and the government wanted to ban it. But it is far from banned. As for spying, I think that's more FUD from the government over anything Russian than anything legitimate since no evidence has been found other than that Kaspersky has worked closely with their government.

if it's not a clear evidence for you then you should learn what Russians has been caught on in last 4 years. that would be messing with your elections, with Hillary emails, tryng to hack and disrupt electrical lines in neighboring country, attempts to hack and steal data from WADA (meldonium and olympics flop), MH-17 case (which they downed) and much more, including one area you might be active part of - spread out network of bots, automated bot posters, theft of credit cards data and funds (tho it looks like you finally caught them, or there's more Russian hackers with occupation in governmental structures?).

it is often an usual reply from US people "our government does the same" but think about it- no one insists to use tools your government provides to keep you at bay, we're talking about free and neutral tools, my government does not have any control or any software with attempt to control us therefore I assume people can be free on the web, if US people have lost this right it has nothing to do with all others who still have it.

Quit spreading misinformation and conjecture.
The only reported case of Kaspersky intercepting data comes down to some secret service hacker having the option to submit suspect files turned on, and having an entire archive of his hacktools and documentation sent to Kaspersky.

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/11/16/kaspersky_nsa_staffers_pc_was_riddled_with_malware_from_pirated_code/

Edit: Gog doesn't seem to handle long urls very well, copy the entire line and paste it in the address bar.

right, i listed what Russian government does, if you think it is misinformation keep using their products, if all news are lying and Russians have nothing to do with all these cases and it is indeed misinformation in your view then I see no reason to discuss it further.

Windows Defender + Emsisoft Emergency Kit in here .