Is there a free/open source anti-virus software as good as ones you would pay for?

AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 – Comes with Spyware as well

AVG

I like AVG 8.0, but the paid version is WAY better

Hi,

It’s unanimous thus far! AVG work extremely well, the best among the free offerings…very highly rated.

http://free.avg.com/

Some highlights:

AVG Free provides you with basic antivirus and antispyware protection for Windows and is available to download for free.

* The most downloaded software on CNET’s Download.com
* Protection against viruses and spyware (antivirus and antispyware)
* Fast, effective security that is kind on resources
* Compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista

D

avg free

Yea windows live one care ut it’s only a 90 day free trial and you find it online

AVG Free Edition works a lot better for me than any other anti virus program that I had to buy for, so I would suggest getting AVG.

yes, its called AVG anti-virus. it can be downloaded for free at cnet.com. this software is just as good as many costly ones, and is constantly updated.

I think AVG is fantastic–I update it every day, it works like a champ, and they also have a paid version (but I haven’t really needed it).

Highly recommended.

Probably AVG Free Edition. It’s not open-source but it’s completely free, and is a very powerful anti-virus.

You can download it here:

http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html?tag=contentBody;mostPopTwoColWrap&cdlPid=10891365

Hope it helps!

A good antivirus and spyware software should give you periodic updates. Some freeware is as good as those in the store, but none is perfect.

Keep updated and check anything before downloading or opening it.

i use threat fire… its wored better for me than norton lol

There are many free anti-virus programs out there, but the best program I have come across is AVG Free edition. AVG has been around for a long time and I have never had a problem with their software. They update virus databases often and the program is solid – no bugs or spyware.

You can download it for free on their website. Just make sure you click to download on the free version, as they do offer extra features for a fee.

http://free.avg.com/

As far as spyware goes (most anti-virus programs do not catch a lot of spyware), I use Ad-Aware. It is completely free and available on their website.

http://lavasoft.de/

Hope this helps!

AVG 8.0. I have used it for quite a long time. It is great.

I do not know of any open source antivirus.
A few good free ones are
AVG version 8+[has new engine,very similar to Avast]
Avira [aka AntiVir]
Avast

All 3 are good and I have never had any complaints about any of them.
My favorite is Avast but the new AVG 8 is just as swell.

I hope this can be of help to you

Because free programs are never completely as secure as the programs you are paying for I always recommend not to install either AVG free or Avast free, but one of those 2 in combination with 2 other programs.
AVG free
http://free.avg.com/
or
Avast free
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.ht...

Then the 2 programs you should install togehter with one of the above.

Threatfire is an anti virus, that can be installed next to any other anti virus program on the same computer
http://www.threatfire.com/

There is a lot of mal ware you have to protect your pc against.
This is a very good program, that completely runs in the background
http://www.comodo.com/boclean/boclean.ht...

When you do not have a good firewall yet, you could install this one
http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
The firewall is optional, only install it, when you are not happy with the one you have now

Installing these programs, will not use any extra RAM or CPU usage.

Your computer will be very well protected and it does cost you nothing