free antivirus download?

[danetter]

What is a good free antivirus I can download that won't slow my computer down ? I have been running the free Norton provided by my Comcast but since yesterday it won't update nor scan so I deleted and tried to redownload and now it won't fully download unless I pay. I have 2 other laptops using free Norton and as of right now they are scanning and updating. I have windows 8 and running windows defender right now. Is windows defender strong enough to protect.

 

[crazelion]

Avast or AVG is both good free anti-virus . Plus I got Avast or AVG mobile on all my smartphones too.

 

[Mouse3Dad]

Windows Defender is a protection from Malware/Spyware and should be used as a compliment to an antivirus application.

For Free, I'd 2nd the suggestion above of AVG or Avast. Both are free, free updates to the application, and can be set up relatively easily to scan on a defined schedule.

 

[manning]

What brand computer do you have and how old is it

 

[Alesia]

This is a pretty good breakdown of yor options: http://www.pcworld.com/article/259876/antivirus_on_windows_8_looking_at_your_options.html

 

[rock_doctor]

Windows 8 comes with an antivirus but it turns itself off when you install an aftermarket antivirus. Just search google how to turn it back on. IMHO Microsoft Essentials is just about the best antivirus you can get. It runs in the background and updates automatically. Plus it is free. Just google how to turn essentials back on. It came with win 8.

 

[Sadie22]

Windows 8 comes with an antivirus but it turns itself off when you install an aftermarket antivirus. Just search google how to turn it back on. IMHO Microsoft Essentials is just about the best antivirus you can get. It runs in the background and updates automatically. Plus it is free. Just google how to turn essentials back on. It came with win 8.

Microsoft Security Essentials. I have Windows 7 but this is what I use. I also run the free Antimalwarebytes at intervals. No problems ever.

 

[cglaura]

Windows Defender is a protection from Malware/Spyware and should be used as a compliment to an antivirus application.

For Free, I'd 2nd the suggestion above of AVG or Avast. Both are free, free updates to the application, and can be set up relatively easily to scan on a defined schedule.

That is in old versions. In Win8 it is a full suite. I have been using it for about a year and a half now with good results.

Second what rock doctor said...google how to turn it back on, at least until you figure out what you want to do.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/windows8.aspx

Antivirus protection now included for your PC

In Windows 8, Windows Defender replaces Microsoft Security Essentials. Windows Defender runs in the background and notifies you when you need to take specific action. However, you can use it anytime to scan for malware if your computer isn’t working properly or you clicked a suspicious link online or in an email message.​

 

[michelleh1]

I switched to Avast from AVG because my computer was super slow/locking up whenever I ran a scan with AVG. We also use Malware Bytes on our machines.

 

[gibbow]

The combined use of MSE and Malwarebytes gets pretty much everything (nothing is perfect)

I've been building computers for years now and every time I download these two programs along with other programs such as spotify via ninite.com

I use this combination on my custom built desktop running Windows7 Ultimate, my work Lenovo Laptop running Windows 7 pro, and put it on the desktop I built for my parents running windows 8.1

You can always use Linux based operating systems too! I dual boot my desktop with Mint, but Ubuntu is very user friendly and fun without the fear of the windows viruses