Any recommendation for a free virus protection software?

[Inazuma]

Microsoft Security Essentials.

When compared with AVG, you realize what a huge strain on your system resources AVG is -- not to mention, you get better protection with Security Essentials. Any computer that comes into my shop with AVG, it's one of the first things I remove to improve system performance. When they get their computers back, it's always "wow, what did you do?!".

This is what I use and it works great. No complaints.

[sevin0seven]

Microsoft Security Essentials.

When compared with AVG, you realize what a huge strain on your system resources AVG is -- not to mention, you get better protection with Security Essentials. Any computer that comes into my shop with AVG, it's one of the first things I remove to improve system performance. When they get their computers back, it's always "wow, what did you do?!".

This is what I use and it works great. No complaints.

same here. i also used to use AVG, but for some reason the newest version slows down my PC..

[Rurouni_Fencer]

Toss up between AVG and Microsoft Security Essentials.. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but you really won't go wrong choosing one over the other..
Also note: Since MSE is a Microsoft product, it checks for an authentic copy of Windows upon installation. So if you're running something else, you're in better hands with AVG or Avast!.

Finally, I recommend everyone bookmark this link: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
It's a website that utilizes a program by Trend Micro called 'House Call', and after downloading the launcher for your 32 or 64-bit OS, it will run a scan against it's constantly updated definition-database and diagnose and/or remove most threats your primary AV might miss. You will need to be able to get onto the net either through normal startup or Safe Mode w/ Networking, depending on your situation..
I've used it as a backup to my current AV, (never a substitute!) as well as when diagnosing my clients' machines for many years now and have had nothing but great success with it! A really nice backup for when you run into a jam...

[Dakinggamer87]

I'm currently using Avast! and Malwarebytes as my anti-virus/malware solution. I have also used Microsoft Security Essentials which also works well so I would recommend either of them.

[the7k]

I used to use AVG, but yeah - it slowed my computer to a crawl. I've been using MSE ever since, and it's done its job pretty damn well, considering I haven't been paying it.

[Bradtemple87]

considering I haven't been paying it.

the key phrase there

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows

iAntiVirus for Mac (not much of a use for it at least now, but, just in case...)

[ChuChu Flamingo]

Avira for me. I have always liked the interface.

I also recommend to boot into safe mode+Rkill for any virus you do happen to come across.

[AznKhmerBoi]

Okay after all the suggestion i went with AVG but then it would install and didnt wanna mess wtih it too much so i just got Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows.

Not bad at all .

Thanks everyone for your suggestion
And Happy Cambodian, Laos, and Thai New Years

[s1mplehumar]

Avira Antivir.

Out of the free ones, it has the best detection rate and the shortest scanning times. Also, it has a set of rules to detect a virus even if it hasn't been added to the database yet.

Avast is slightly worse, but AVG is definitely slower and detects less. On the plus side, AVG gets less false positives, but I don't think it's a worthy trade-off.

This. Luke Filewalker pwns all.