Any good up to date free antivirus programs?

I did a search query on antivirus programs here but noticed the thread was about 5 years old. I hope no one minds dredging up an old topic, but I'm on the lookout for a good antivirus that is freeware. I was liking Panda, but noticed it has not been updating itself lately, so I changed to Immunet because it seemed light, but now it seems to bog things down especially when I do image searches.

I like the idea of cloud based antivirus programs, but it seems to me you have to put your faith in the fact that since the updates that are coming from multiple sources (if I'm not mistaken), they are all valid. If anyone here has any suggestions please feel free to share. I have a Dell Dimension 4400 Pentium 4 processor, Windows XP 32 bit home edition if that helps any. Thanks!

 

Microsoft security essentials!

 

Avast Free - Microsoft Security Essentials just bombed a BIG certification.

 

Really?

 

x2 on Avast. I put it on my Mother-in-law's computer a couple years ago and the computer's still working. Myself, I switched to Linux long ago so no real need for anti-virus.

 

Unfortunately. They were fantastic and top of the game this time last year; however the last few months the quality of the protection has just tanked. Pretty much every tech website had it as front page news about 4-5 days ago.

 

LINUX

 

avast! Free Antivirus along with MalwareBytes free version. MalwareBytes will detect some malware that antivirus utilities miss. Just run it every week or two.

 

AVG free Ive been running it for years.

 

I use a free antivirus called Unthreat Antivirus and I really like it. It doesn't slow down my computer like many other antiviruses do and my computer has been clean since I got it. I totally recommend it!

 

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'm currently using AVG, however, if I find in time that its slowing down my computer, I will try both Avast and Unthreat; not at the same time however.

 

Absolutly.

 

That's strange. It never affected my computer's performance. How old id your computer? Maybe downloading a later version may help...

 

I really don't know how old it is. I'm guessing that it must have been something back in 2005, or 06, or 07, but with computer tech evolving almost every day, its probably not too far from becoming obsolete. From what I have read on computer forums, having 2 full (or more) antivirus suites on your pc at one time may cause conflict and can slow down your computer.

I have read about supplemental suites, like Immunet free version, or Malware-Bytes, that can compliment a full suite. However, I just want to have one good all around antivirus as my computer is far from cutting edge technology and am keeping only essential (to me) programs on it.

 

1) What you read is true, not sure why though.

2) Try uninstalling it and re installing it. I had the same problem with something else and it helped.

3) I forgot to mention malware-bytes. If you install this make sure it is not running all the time as it will interfere with your normal protection.

4) It may not be the internet protection that is slowing your performance. Delete old programs you do not use any more to boost performance

5) Try running a disk cleanup. This gets rid of excess temporary files. before you run it, make sure to go through the checklist on the top so you do not delete temporary files you need.

6) If it is still not working, defrag your hard drive. This is crucial to performance and takes a few hours. This will help your computer locate commands and software quicker. I do this every month or so.

7) If you need to go to extremes, you can perform a system reboot. I have had my computer for four years and last year it had bluescreens. let's face it, people are jerks and they put viruses on your computer. A system reboot will remove EVERYTHING off of your computer. BE AWARE YOU WILL HAVE TO RE INSTALL EVERYTHING THAT DOES NOT COME WITH THE FACTORY SETTINGS.

 

They're right. 2 antivirus programs will conflict and cause you endless amounts of headaches. AVG and Avast are your best bets for free; Comodo Antivirus is another good one and uses probably some of the least amount of resources for a Windows computer.

You can also clean out your system quite a bit using CCleaner, and finish it up overnight with their defragmentation software (The built in Windows one is garbage).
Link for CCleaner
Link for Defraggler

 

I would avoid using any clean up system that has a commercial on the TV. My mom made the mistake and it took me all day to uninstall it with her yelling at me for not forewarning her. What a day that was!! Anyway, the clean up system would not let her go online and surf the web unless she bought their software. Just a warning, and her computer is not the only computer I have fixed with that same problem. I think the name was clean PC now or PC sweep. Just remember, a company would not put an advertisement on TV for a free antivirus or performance booster unless there is a catch.

 

I use CCleaner and Defraggler on a daily basis when overseeing 30,000+ computers. It's safe to use

 

I'm sure it is safe to use. This is just mine and my friends experience with performing boosting programs. and what do you mean by over seeing 30,000 computers? Do you work for a computer company? If you do, props to you... it is a hard job. I get flustered sometimes when I have to install a program. I hate technology!!