computer virus protection and removal program?

April 13, 2010 7:11 AM

Can anyone recommend an affordable, effective computer virus protection and removal program?
posted by tangyraspberry to Computers & Internet (17 answers total)

I'm not certain what operating system you use, but if you're on a Windows based system you can use the free Microsoft Security Essentials program.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
posted by BrianJ at 7:15 AM on April 13, 2010

Avast or Microsoft Security Essentials as mentioned above.
posted by deezil at 7:17 AM on April 13, 2010

other free virus software: Avira and AVG (dunno why they all start with AV)
posted by askmehow at 7:21 AM on April 13, 2010

(AV = antivirus.)
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 7:23 AM on April 13, 2010

This report gives benchmarks and rates different vendors in several different categories. The home page give several more anti-virus comparisons. It is the most definitive site I have found after looking at countless other sites which are simply personal recommendations that aren't scientific.
posted by chinabound at 7:29 AM on April 13, 2010 [2 favorites]

For anyone running Windows, I always recommend HouseCall. It's free, and it's web-based so there's no need for updating anything.
posted by xbonesgt at 7:30 AM on April 13, 2010

Windows XP here. I switched from AVG to Microsoft Security Essentials after reading the various positive posts in this Slashdot thread.

I got sick of AVG constantly telling me to upgrade this or that. Security Essentials works quietly in the background.
posted by exhilaration at 7:31 AM on April 13, 2010

I switched from Avast to Microsoft Security Essentials and am very satisfied with it. Can't beat free.
posted by DWRoelands at 7:35 AM on April 13, 2010

RE Housecall: I wouldn't rely on a non-memory resident / non always-on scanner (or one that requires net access to work, for that matter). The last thing you want to do is find out you have a virus after the fact, rather than when it first tries to install itself, and if infected the very last thing you want to do is to connect to the network and spread the infection while trying to fix it.

Trend Micro agrees with me (emphasis mine): "HouseCall 7.1 provides an easy, on-demand check for active viruses and other malware. It complements, but is not a substitute for, existing security software that provides proactive protection and continuously scans and monitors for threats."
posted by caution live frogs at 7:36 AM on April 13, 2010

nthing Microsoft Security Essentials. AVG gave me nothing but problems on multiple computers. Very happy once I switched.
posted by puritycontrol at 8:32 AM on April 13, 2010

Seconding exhiliration on Microsoft Sec Essentials. My default used to be AVG as well. Security Essentials is much better.
posted by jasondigitized at 8:42 AM on April 13, 2010

I like Trend Micro Internet Security Pro. Sometimes it's not totally on the ball when something new comes along, but the same might be true of any of them. Whatever you do, install only one active program on your PC. It might seem that two will do a better job than one, but they will end up fighting each other and slowing things down seriously.
posted by beagle at 9:40 AM on April 13, 2010

I finally got fed up with AVG. MSE has made me happy.
posted by pointless_incessant_barking at 10:25 AM on April 13, 2010

I've used Avira for over a decade now, and I have been virus free for the entire time. There is a free version, for personal use. (the free version launches a pop-up ad no more than once a day. In my opinion closing a window for good free AV software is well worth it.
posted by oddman at 11:04 AM on April 13, 2010 [1 favorite]

One more for Microsoft Security Essentials. I moved my Mum over to it from AVG a couple of months ago after yet another phone call worrying about AVG's warnings that she was out of date on something or other. It works fantastically.
posted by IanMorr at 11:38 AM on April 13, 2010

In my opinion closing a window for good free AV software is well worth it.

You can disable the window too. Google for it.
posted by Obscure Reference at 1:31 PM on April 13, 2010

Best way is too avoid viruses is to prevent them coming anywhere neer your pc. Windows 7, avg and a bit of common sense is all you need. That software you downloaded looks abit dodgy? do some research on it.
posted by Julio34 at 5:20 AM on April 18, 2010