What would be a good free antivirus/spyware program?

Question

i am a college student, so i am broke right now.

Answer 1

There are a few choices when it comes to security, mainly in the AntiVirus department. Some very good, free anti-viruses available to download are:

1)AVG 8 AntiVirus. Easiest interface to use, very fast scanning and doesn't lag your computer at all. Only has a 78% detection rate, but cathes the most harmful of viruses. If you're a normal home user, you're not in too much danger of higher level viruses and this is the AV for you:

http://www.free.grisoft.com

2)Avast! 4 AntiVirus. Smaller, sleeker skin, average scanning speed, but reports alot of safe files as viruses, so you might need to watch out for that. 78% detection rate, but alot more complicated than most other free AVs. Use this if you are handy with a computer and you know what needs to be scanned:

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.ht...

3)Avira AntiVirus. Simple layout, which even the most basic of users can navigate. Incredibly fast scanning, with a 90% detection rate. Not as easy on the eyes as other AVs, and you need to know what you're doing to get the more advanced features, but it is definite a candidate:

http://www.free-av.com/en/download/index...

Personally I use AVG, but only because I go for looks. If you are paranoid about viruses then the only real option is Avira. But if you just want normal protection, then any of the three will do it for you.

And for any spyware problems, get SpyBot - Search and Destroy:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirro...

Also, for protecting your personal info and files, use Ad-Aware 2008 Free Edition:

http://lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_fr...

All of them are free, as powerful as paid programs, like McAfee and Norton (which only has a 6% detection rate!), and don't use up as many resources.

Just boot into Safe Mode (Press F8 when turning on the computer) and run full scans.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Avast anti-virus better definitions, anti-spyware and anti-rootkit built in, faster and more reliable:

http://www.download.com/Avast-Home-Editi...

Setup Guide:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/07/15

AV Comparison:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-compare-h...

http://free.avg.com/ww.download-avg-anti...

Free antispyware:

Spybot S&D:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/downl...

Download, install, update and Immunize, turn off Tea Timer then click 'Check for problems' then when complete select all and then 'Fix Checked'

Spyware Doctor Free Basic Edition - Realtime monitoring:

http://pack.google.com/intl/en/pack_inst...

Its free with Google pack, untick all boxes except Spyware Doctor. Download install, update and run.

SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition:

http://www.download.com/SUPERAntiSpyware...

Download, install, check for updates, then select Scan your Computer, select your drive and select Perform Complete Scan

Answer 3

Get one of these anti-virus listed below.All these anti-virus work very well,they are the leaders in the current market.

Kaspersky anti-virus:

http://kaspersky.anti-virus-download-onl...

MacroVirus anti-virus:

http://macrovirus.anti-virus-download-on...

The Shield Deluxe anti-virus:

http://shield-deluxe.anti-virus-download...

BitDefender anti-virus:

http://bitdefender.anti-virus-download-o...

Answer 4

SuperAntiSpyware will  Detect and Remove Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, Dialers, Worms, KeyLoggers, HiJackers and many other types of threats. you can download it at http://www.filehippo.com/download_supera...

AVAST for virus its free you can download it at http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_...

Answer 5

For a Antivirus Program that is Free, click on this link. (http://free.grisoft.com)  this is grisoft AVG. And for a very good Spyware Program click on this link. (http://www.superantispyware.com)  and it is Free. Both are very good and highly recommended.

Answer 6

There is no shortage of good free antivirus and anti spyware programs.  For an antivirus program, try AVG antivirus, Antivir or Avast.  All 3 are great programs.  My personal favorite is Antivir.  As for antispyware programs try the free Windows Defender, Spybot Search and Destroy or Ad Aware.  My preference is Windows Defender.  You can find all these programs at www.filehippo.com.