Which free anti-virus software do you recommend?

[Rainbow Dash]

I'm going to buy Windows 7 for my iMac so I can run both on the same machine. I used to use Avast! on my old laptop and scan it with Malwarebytes every 1/2 weeks. Does this seem like a good idea again? I've never had a problem with viruses whilst using both of those applications.

[The Morrigan]

I use Avast, I've never had any problems with it

[Rainbow Dash]

I've always had good experience with Avast! too it isn't that big a program either. I don't want to install an awful lot of programs on Windows as my primary OS will be OS X Lion.

[BBECK DeChamp]

I use Avira AntiVir Personal. And I've never had a problem with it.

[chook14]

Originally Posted by BBECK DeChamp

I use Avira AntiVir Personal. And I've never had a problem with it.

Same. I find it really good actually...it automatically updates, so you don't have to remember to do it, and whenever there's been something sus on my comp, it's caught it!

[FlyingTrue]

I'd recommend Microsoft Security Essentials:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/secur...s/default.aspx

[Crimsonkin]

I like AVG free its what i use on the windows side of my mac!

[Digilodger]

Originally Posted by Mudkip

I'm going to buy Windows 7 for my iMac so I can run both on the same machine. I used to use Avast! on my old laptop and scan it with Malwarebytes every 1/2 weeks. Does this seem like a good idea again? I've never had a problem with viruses whilst using both of those applications.

Yep, perfectly fine idea. Using this combination again, I doubt you would have problem.


Currently, Microsoft Security Essential, Avast, Panda Cloud Antivirus, Avira, and AVG are the 5 most popular free antivirus programs. Each of them has some pros and cons, but my recommendation would be either MSE or Avast. You can read a quick review about each of them here, if you wish.

Since you already have good experience with Avast, I definitely recommend you stay with it. After all, currently, Avast offers the most features out of all free antivirus programs: full real-time and on-demand malware protection, website reputation ratings, boot-time scanning, basic sandbox, gaming mode; shields features including email, web, IM, network, script, and behavioral shield.



You can also look through AV Test and AV Comparatives to see how each program performs. Both of which are reputable independent antivirus software testing firms.

Originally Posted by BBECK DeChamp

I use Avira AntiVir Personal. And I've never had a problem with it.

Originally Posted by chook14

Same. I find it really good actually...it automatically updates, so you don't have to remember to do it, and whenever there's been something sus on my comp, it's caught it!

I will admit that Avira's detection rate is top-notch; in fact, it has the highest detection rate in all free antivirus around here. But that also comes with higher false positive as well.


Besides that, Avira also has many negatives and controversies behind it. One such negative is that every time Avira updates, it pops up an intrusive ad, which gets rather annoying over time.

As of now, Avira includes an Ask toolbar in its installer, which would install the Ask components (ApnIC.dll, ApnStub, and ApnToolbarInstaller) anyway, REGARDLESS of whether you untick the option or not.

Also as of the time of this writing, Avira frequently advertising Uniblue’s Registry Booster, which is a scareware. This scareware try to make you think that your registry is messed up and the only way to fix it is to buy their software.


Honest opinion: Until Avira straightens up its act, I wouldn’t recommend using it.

Originally Posted by Crimsonkin

I like AVG free its what i use on the windows side of my mac!

Thanks for bringing this up, Crimsonkin! I have a note on AVG for everyone else out there: MAKE SURE that you have the REAL AVG!

In recent years, AVG has suffered serious defamation from a rogue program name AVG Antivirus 2010 and AVG Antivirus 2011.

These are NOT the real AVG. These rogues pretend to be AVG, even going as far as using AVG logo, AVG name, and mimic its interface. Please be extra careful and only download AVG from the official website.

So, just a warning to everyone out there, if you have never install AVG but suddenly see it popping up on your computer, chances are that’s the rogue pretending to be AVG. Use caution!

[Rainbow Dash]

Thanks guys I ended up installing Windows 7 last night, it was easier than I thought. I have Avast! and Malwarebytes again I like the new Avast! interface.

[how.we.operate.]

I've bootcamped my Mac with Windows 7 and I agree with the above.
Side note-make sure to keep up to date with drivers (I bootcamped with Snow Leopard and have upgraded to Lion, so I had to update bootcamp/drivers)

[Rainbow Dash]

Windows 7 is on a virtual machine (using VMware Fusion) for me

[Digilodger]

Originally Posted by Mudkip

Windows 7 is on a virtual machine (using VMware Fusion) for me

Oh, virtual machine? Then you probably don't need an antivirus program at all, or maybe you can use Avast-only and forget about Malwarebytes.


1. Snapshot: I use Virtual Box for my virtual machine needs; so I don't know much about VMware Fusion. However, most virtual machine applications allow you to create snapshots of the system. When something happened (like a system error or a malware infection), you can always revert to a "snapshot" and undo all damage.

2. Isolated Environments: The virtual machine (Windows 7, in this case) is running separately from the host (your Mac). Things are not allowed to jump between the two environments, unless sharing is enabled. So malware infecting your virtual machine will not be able to jump to your host.

3. Mac vs. Windows: Your host is a Mac; your virtual machine is Windows 7. No software (including malware) is capable of running on both Windows and Mac, at least not without changing its code or adding a compatibility layer. Even if a malware somehow jumped from your virtual machine to your host, it cannot do anything at all . . . because your host is a Mac.


Now, I know that it's generally recommended to have an antivirus program on a virtual machine anyway. But personally, in your case, I see it as unnecessary . . . because even if you have an antivirus program, once your virtual machine is infected, you STILL have to revert to a previous snapshot anyway.

So if you need to save some resources (because running antimalware programs on virtual machines do use more resources), I think you can go without Malwarebytes on this virtual machine; just Avast alone should be adequate. Or you can just forget about using antivirus program on your virtual machine.

[Rainbow Dash]

Oh, really? I suppose you are right. I am taking the odd snapshot. I made the Virtual Machine more isolated and I'm only sharing my music folder at the moment.

Thanks