Free virus protection for your PC?

[NatureBoy]

Does anyone know of a good free virus protection for your computer? I just spent 60 bucks renewing my XBox Live membership and really don't feel like paying 44 bucks to renew my McAfee anti virus software. Thanks for any help you can pass my way.

[gschwendt]

Microsoft Security Essentials or AVG

Both are free and I've used each without any problems. I use the Microsoft one only because when I'm gaming on my PC, you can't kill the program AVG at all.

[psuexv]

We use Avira, I like it.

[ram29jackson]

Microsoft Security Essentials or AVG

Both are free and I've used each without any problems. I use the Microsoft one only because when I'm gaming on my PC, you can't kill the program AVG at all.

I use Trend Micro...would/could you compare that to something free/
does it only work as long as you dont make a mistake ? does it actually block a site right as you click on it ?

[mrh61988]

Microsoft Security Essentials or AVG

Both are free and I've used each without any problems. I use the Microsoft one only because when I'm gaming on my PC, you can't kill the program AVG at all.

I 2nd the Microsoft Security Essentials, it's lightweight on your system resources and it does a pretty good job.

[JBHuskers]

For the past four or so years, I haven't gotten away from Norton 360. You can get old versions brand new for very cheap off eBay. I typically get the newest version for around $40-$45 and it is money, it tunes my CPU among other things...so I'll never get away from using that I don't think.

[skipwondah33]

If you want to go cheaper but much more effective than McAfee and alot others, try Vipre. The past 2 and half years I have no complaints with it. I've installed it on our network here at work and I have a site license for all of my computers at home. Lightweight and effective. I also combined this with frequent scans with MalwareBytes as a 2nd measure.

If free is the route you want to go. Check out Avast as I have used that in the past. It is solid as well as a few others that were mentioned above.

Oddly here is an article I just finished reading earlier.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372364,00.asp

[NatureBoy]

Thanks for all of suggestions everyone.