The Best Free Anti-virus Programme?

[purplepeopleeater]

Hi all
Anyone with experience of the free anti-virus programmes you can download from the web? I've used AVG in the past but it got annoying from what i remember. So any help would be appreciated.
Cheers

[O.C.D.]

I love AVG, but Avast is another that many swear to.

[TheDrunknmonky]

AVG is good. I use it at work and also on all my home computers. For added security check out also Tor. Google tor project. It's freeware and helps with safe surfing.

[jeremy_nash]

I used to like avg, but when u can get a 3-user license for norton for 20 bucks, it doesn't seem worthwhile to take the chance with free utilities.

[purplepeopleeater]

I just stuck the free avast programme on, but think i'll have to pay out as jeremy advises if i want full protection. It's not cheap here but was offered Kapersky 2010 at half the price of norton-this was difficult to use when i had it before so will steer clear.

[MajorMalphunction]

I run both avast and AVG at the same time. No conflicts here

[jserio]

I use AVG and also have SpyBot as well. Has worked fine for me. No matter how you slice it, free is better. Seriously, how sensitive is your data though? NO program, computer system, security system is 100% hack-proof. Time and access are the things you need to limit. Our college uses Trend for it's computer security stuff. But all of my instructors use/advocate AVG or similar programs. Why....because they're free. It's my understanding though that apparently the college got some kinda kick ass deal/contract or whatever to use Trend. 

[TheGoodGuy]

If you have a LEGAL copy of windows, download microsoft's security essentials antivirus

ONLY do it if you own a legal copy of windows

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

[average]

What's the difference between this and Windows Defender?