# Recmmend me a computer antivirus **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 20, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036 "2011-04-20T02:13:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/1 "2011-04-20T02:13:56Z")
My antivirus sucks. I currently have Trend Micro and I hate it. It absolutely shuts my computer down when it’s doing a scan, it finds 10-15 problems every single time, always the same stuff, but has no way to delete or quarantine it. My subscription thankfully ends soon so I want to know if anyone has suggestions as to what I should get next. ---
**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/2 "2011-04-20T02:35:16Z")
Take a look at Safe Eyes: [www.safeeyes.com](http://www.safeeyes.com) ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/3 "2011-04-20T02:40:22Z")
Microsoft Security Essentials. It’s free and good: [http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security\_essentials/default.aspx](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security_essentials/default.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/4 "2011-04-20T03:08:35Z")
For 2011, Norton internet security seems to be the highest rated from the most sources. Avira is also good and allows for a 60 day free trial. I think they also have a free version. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/5 "2011-04-20T03:54:44Z")
Since the answers will involve opinions, let’s move from General Questions to IMHO. **samclem** MOderator ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/6 "2011-04-20T04:59:43Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > Microsoft Security Essentials. It’s free and good: [http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security\_essentials/default.aspx](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security_essentials/default.aspx) Seconding this. Microsoft was way late to the game, but they’ve done well recently. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/7 "2011-04-20T05:11:33Z")
Between Security Essentials and AdBlock Plus I haven’t had any problems in a couple of years. ABP has a pop-up add-on too, and running no-script is also recommended to me by my more computer knowing people, but I find it to be a pain to run so don’t with knowledge of the risk. I’m no computer guru, though. ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/8 "2011-04-20T05:25:07Z")
No anti-malware suite catches everything so you really need at least 2 layers of protection. I would get one commercial program like norton and one free program like MSE (MS security essentials). I run 4 (NIS, Avira, MSE and Malwarebytes) but then I’m paranoid. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/9 "2011-04-20T07:04:46Z")
MSE. it’s the least intrusive in my experience. Symantec burned any chance they had with past versions of Norton. ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/10 "2011-04-20T11:27:45Z")
I currently use Avira and Avast on different computers. They work well and easy. Next up I’m going to try MS Security Essentials. ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/11 "2011-04-20T11:32:01Z")
Another vote for Microsoft Security Essentials here. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/12 "2011-04-20T12:06:27Z")
Started using Avast several years back when I still had dialup. One of the few products who’s definition updates did not require megabytes of data transfer. I have had a good experience with it and the latest version still seems to be pretty easy on system resources. I also run Spywareblaster as it is another low resource solution. Does the age of my computers show? :-S ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/13 "2011-04-20T12:23:44Z")
I’m about to switch to MSE for my own computer - I’ve installed it on a couple of others and I’m happy with it. I have used Avast and AVG in the past, but they seem to be bloating a bit now. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/14 "2011-04-20T12:25:01Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > MSE. it’s the least intrusive in my experience. Symantec burned any chance they had with past versions of Norton. Yep. Norton/Symantec is indelibly stained by its past misdemeanours, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/15 "2011-04-20T12:31:10Z")
[Emsisoft Anti-Malware 5.1](http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/antimalware/) previously known as A-Squared Anti-Malware ---
**Author:** ![fubbleskag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fubbleskag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fubbleskag)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/16 "2011-04-20T12:34:58Z")
Another vote for Avast. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/17 "2011-04-20T12:54:49Z")
MSE. Cheap, good protection, and doesn’t slow your computer. It’s as if they had some “in” with the OS manufacturer to make sure there were a minimum of conflicts. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/18 "2011-04-20T13:00:44Z")
> [@Al\_Bundy](#): > > I currently use Avira and Avast on different computers. They work well and easy. > > Next up I’m going to try MS Security Essentials. MSE still keeps [scoring rather low](http://www.av-test.org/reports/2011q1/avtest_report_microsoft_110968.pdf) (PDF) on [av-test.org](http://www.av-test.org/certifications?order=protection_desc&lang=en). But it’s also reviewing the paid versions of other software, and might be treating the bloat as necessary. Still, you can get Avira paid version free if you sign up for a free trial of some other software and then cancel. I’d assume it wasn’t legit, but it’s on [Avira’s own website](http://www.avira.com/en/free-download-avira-antivir-personal). (Warning, this will start a download of the free version. They’re sneaky: this offer is only available after you try to get the free version.) ---
**Author:** ![LionelHutz405](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lionelhutz405/32/536_2.png) [@LionelHutz405](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LionelHutz405)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/19 "2011-04-20T14:08:30Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Still, you can get Avira paid version free if you sign up for a free trial of some other software and then cancel. I’d assume it wasn’t legit, but it’s on [Avira’s own website](http://www.avira.com/en/free-download-avira-antivir-personal). (Warning, this will start a download of the free version. They’re sneaky: this offer is only available after you try to get the free version.) Wow, with all the free choices available, I’d stay away from any company that thinks that kind of sneaky crap is acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036/20 "2011-04-20T14:30:19Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > MSE still keeps [scoring rather low](http://www.av-test.org/reports/2011q1/avtest_report_microsoft_110968.pdf) (PDF) on [av-test.org](http://www.av-test.org/certifications?order=protection_desc&lang=en). But it’s also reviewing the paid versions of other software, and might be treating the bloat as necessary. > > Still, you can get Avira paid version free if you sign up for a free trial of some other software and then cancel. I’d assume it wasn’t legit, but it’s on [Avira’s own website](http://www.avira.com/en/free-download-avira-antivir-personal). (Warning, this will start a download of the free version. They’re sneaky: this offer is only available after you try to get the free version.) Isn’t that page saying you have to jump through some link/shopping hoops to get a free copy of the premium version? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recmmend-me-a-computer-antivirus/579036.md?page=2)