AVG AntiVirus

[Broadback]

I am still in the process of building my new machine. As a fan of AVG I have downloaded the free version. 2 things, first the little logo has changed, instead of the spinning one when working it has a coloured square, I miss the old one. Secondly it keeps telling me that there is a Trojan when I am trying to load some Microsoft programs, which I think is very unlikely. Any reliable free options out there? It was provided with Macfee, which is not cheap and I don't like it anyway.

[Steve]

Microsoft  Security Essentials for Windows 7 (free), Windows 8 contains Windows Defender for AV and malware protection so no real need to add to it. Two separate AV products on one machine is never good news.

[Simon]

Further, I've heard of more people having viruses and malware, having used AVG, than with any other security product.  For a free product, I've heard good things about MSE, so although I've never used it myself, I would agree with Steve. 

[Broadback]

Thanks, I've got rid of AVG, I'd read that Windows 8 had built in protection, but no idea if i need to do anything to activate them.

[Ray]

Have a look in 'Action Centre' under 'Security' that will tell you whether it's active or not, it probably is if you no other AV installed or you would be getting a warning message from Action Centre on the Taskbar notification area.

[Simon]

If you need to install it:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download

[psp83]

Don't install MSE

Microsoft have themselves recently said MSE is just for BASIC protection and is aimed at the lower end of AV charts & misses quite a lot.

If you want a good FREE AV, install Avast Free. Its what I use on most of my PC's

[Simon]

Have to be honest, I've never really trusted any of the free products.  I simply don't 'get' the claims that a free product offers the same protection as a paid one, especially from the same company. 

You can pick up dirt cheap (legit) licences for Bitdefender on eBay, which is an all encompassing security suite, and comes top in most ratings for detection and protection.  Support for the product is poor, but once installed, it's very much 'set and forget'. 

[peterbeaumont]

I'd be a bit wary of the latest version of Avast (2014 v9...) there are numerous issues with it, according to their users forum http://forum.avast.com/
I've had to revert to the last version 8.0.1497 until the new one settles down - it seems to be struggling to cover the whole spectrum between Windows XP and 8.1

[psp83]

I'd be a bit wary of the latest version of Avast (2014 v9...) there are numerous issues with it, according to their users forum http://forum.avast.com/
I've had to revert to the last version 8.0.1497 until the new one settles down - it seems to be struggling to cover the whole spectrum between Windows XP and 8.1

Working fine for me on 8.1 and 7

[J!ll]

Fine with me. 

[cavillas]

Been using MSE and now defender on 8 for years.  Never picked up a virus etc.  Mind you I am careful what I download and what my emails contain.  It only takes a bit of common sense.

[talos]

Fine with me. 

And me