Best FREE light footprint Anti-Virus program for Windows?

[glenn1]

Been using AVG for a while and it just seems to be getting more annoying by the day. No, I don't want your damn toolbar update. No, I don't want your "complete internet security suite" even if it were free, which it isn't. I just want a nice, simple, anti-virus program that doesn't hog resources and the company isn't pestering me constantly with solicitations. Any suggestions?

 

[Binky]

If you search for "AVG remove ads," you can find instructions to remove the built-in ads from AVG free. It works until the next major update.

1. Disable AVG self protection:
Right click the AVG icon in the taskbar (near the clock)
Select to Temporarily Disable AVG Protection
Agree the default timeout - usually 10 minutes?​
2. Open My Computer or Windows Explorer and Navigate to:
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG201x\ ...... for 32bit systems (201x means 2013 or 2014)
C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG201x\ for 64bit systems​
3. Delete the following three folders: Awacs, Banners, Tuneup
Do not delete anything else you see inside the AVG201x folder.
If you accidentally delete anything else go to the recycle bin and restore it.
Note: If you have already paid for the Tuneup addon then keep this folder​
4. Close the My Computer/Explorer window
5. Enable AVG self protection:
Right click the AVG icon in the taskbar (near the clock)
Select to Enable AVG Protection - takes 20 seconds or so to fully activate.​

 

[smakme7757]

Security Essentials?

 

[kilnsea]

I second ^ MSSE is pretty lightweight and no ads. I use it myself.

 

[xgsound]

The free ones are Avira, AVG, Avast, and MSE. Which one is best or least irritating varies with time and your personal opinion.

I've settled in on MSE for now since it needs no periodic intervention or renewal to remain in effect and current. This is particularly good for the relatives that can barely work the computer.

No A/V is totally effective, so checking sometimes with your favorite Malware scanner is prudent. Lately I like Adwcleaner/ TDSSkiller for speed (10 minutes) and Malwarebytes for depth.

Jim

 

[lxskllr]

I was using Immunet at work before I switched to Xubuntu.

 

[MustISO]

I find avast to be extremely light weight. The new Avira is pretty good as well.

 

[thescreensavers]

Been using AVG for a while and it just seems to be getting more annoying by the day. No, I don't want your damn toolbar update. No, I don't want your "complete internet security suite" even if it were free, which it isn't. I just want a nice, simple, anti-virus program that doesn't hog resources and the company isn't pestering me constantly with solicitations. Any suggestions?

Bitdefender free

http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

It will not bother you at all and extremely light weight.

 

[John Connor]

I second Bitdefender Free. And you should use Sandboxie for your browser.

 

[MustISO]

And you should use Sandboxie for your browser.

Yes!

 

[nemesismk2]

another vote for Security Essentials

 

[imported_Irse]

I have Avira and can't uninstall it and it won't even update. Stay away from that one.

 

[balloonshark]

I have Avira and can't uninstall it and it won't even update. Stay away from that one.

https://answers.avira.com/en/question/how-do-i-uninstall-my-avira-product-8486

My current av license is about to expire and I'll probably be going with Avira free.

 

[imported_Irse]

https://answers.avira.com/en/question/how-do-i-uninstall-my-avira-product-8486

My current av license is about to expire and I'll probably be going with Avira free.

Did that. Didn't help. I uninstalled it through Windows and rebooted. Still there. I even deleted the Avira folder in Program FIles and it still came back.

 

[kilnsea]

An addendum to my above comment/recommendation for MSSE: I used Avira Pro paid for several years, eventually switched to the free version for myself and clients. However, the free version of Avira became very nagging, lots of popups and notices to buy. SO, I went back to MSSE, been there ever since. I also use Malwarebytes (also free) and run jrt and adwremover to supplement MSSE. No reminders. No nagging.

 

[balloonshark]

Did that. Didn't help. I uninstalled it through Windows and rebooted. Still there. I even deleted the Avira folder in Program FIles and it still came back.

I doubt I can help but what do you mean "it still came back"? Just the entry in add remove programs or the program itself came back and was running?

An addendum to my above comment/recommendation for MSSE: I used Avira Pro paid for several years, eventually switched to the free version for myself and clients. However, the free version of Avira became very nagging, lots of popups and notices to buy. SO, I went back to MSSE, been there ever since. I also use Malwarebytes (also free) and run jrt and adwremover to supplement MSSE. No reminders. No nagging.

If I'm not mistaken Avira got rid of the nag screen. I believe they also changed the web protection bar. They lost a lot of users because of this.

I'll be installing Avira free this coming week. I'll post back if it still a naggy program.

 

[kilnsea]

Cool, thanks for your time, balloonshark.

 

[PliotronX]

Avira requires decent horsepower to make performance degradation unnoticeable. I would not classify it as lightweight, at least on the systems I have tried it with. My two choices are MSSE and BitDefender Free with an honorable mention for Panda Cloud. Stay far away from AVG. I haven't messed with Avast in a while after it got naggy. MSSE is going to be the least effective, but it's free with zero nagging and does not try to install crapbars nor sign you up for accounts you don't need. No AV is 100% bulletproof, if you rely solely on it you are asking for trouble which is why I personally just use MSSE and on-demand scanning with Malwarebytes/Adwcleaner. This combo is going to give you the most performance while maintaining a level of security a cut above any single AV free or paid.

 

[imported_Irse]

I doubt I can help but what do you mean "it still came back"? Just the entry in add remove programs or the program itself came back and was running?

Program was still there and the folder in Program Files returned after I deleted it.

 

[ringtail]

As you swim in the sea of www / email,

please recognize there's a stealthy, dense population of semi-intelligent HOSTILES (newly-nefarious ones are born about one per every 15 minutes 24 / 7, each persisting in the environment for a few YEARS)

They're intent on harming you, YES, YOU!!!!

Visual:
Imagine "The Matrix" movies, which depicted an endless avalanche of evil murderous metallic bots seeking to swarm the ship (the Ark) of Neo and Trinity.

THe Ark is YOU and YOUR bank/credit/school/amazon.com/facebook/optionsXpress/Scottrade/ticketmaster / Homedepot.com.Costco.com/ etc. etc. accounts.

YOU are freash meat TO BE HARVESTED for anything & everything they can get out of you - if not your account info then instead your browsing history.

The only part of you they throw away is your squeal.

When you deal with computer Security, GO BIG. GO REALLY EXPENSIVE. BUY THE ABSOLUTE TOP ULTIMATE BEST. IT'S WORTH IT!!!

Otherwise, probably you too will join my club. I've received letters of apologies from a major top 10 university, a FIdelity finance organization, 2 famous stock brokerages, and a couple of retailers, pleading "oh we're so soorrrrryyyyyy despite our state-of-art firewalls they got in and took your name, dob, social security number, mother's maiden name, credit card numbers and security codes on the back, your bank account numbers, login IDs and passwords, WE'RE JUST SO FRIGGIN SORRY (tough luck for you) and now we get a big fat BONUS that YOU fund!!! !!!

Get the absolute best security you can, whether that's simply a good internet security suite, or maybe also a top flight sandbox or other...DON'T SCRIMP in this area.

 

[LagunaX]

3rd Bitdefender free.

 

[mikeymikec]

I find avast to be extremely light weight

I agree, provided one does a custom install with only the file system shield. However, I've seen Avast being rather adverty/markety in recent years, which was run reason I went off it a bit. I also noticed some rather odd wording in the latest version's installer that suggested it going going to be doing more in terms of monitoring user activity.

Personally I use MSE as it isn't trying to sell you something.

 

[John Connor]

I have Avira and can't uninstall it and it won't even update. Stay away from that one.

This is one of the reasons why I stopped using Avira. You need to use their registry cleaner. Enter safe mode and run this: http://www.avira.com/en/download/product/avira-registrycleaner

 

[kilnsea]

RE: Bitdefender Free, it's so lightweight that you don't get options! I installed it yesterday to see how it acted: 1. you need an account with Bitdefender if you want protection for >30 days 2. VERY few options, i.e. On/Off exists, and you can exit the program, that's about it. 3. Uninstall did not remove all the installed bits - icon on taskbar remained and I had to manually edit the registry to remove it. 4. Exit survey was very long - and you can't skip the required questions unless you close the page. PASS
[IMO]
Free AV = get what you pay for; best _free_ set-and-forget WITH CUSTOMIZABLE OPTIONS is MSSE. Av-comparatives.org releases reports cards on many products, see how your free version rates.
[/IMO]

 

[John Connor]

Should have used Revo uninstaller.