I used to have McAfee. I found it to be too big for my computer. I have limited memory and an older machine. I replaced it with Defender and noted a few problems briefly as when MS Security Essentials came out, I moved to that (I shouldn't have left them both loaded, right?). I find that when I logon, Essentials is very slow installing, even to the point the Security Center will give an unprotected notice. If I leave it alone, for 5 minutes, Essentials will finally start itself. As with Defender, some malware will slip through and I have to run other anti-malware to catch and remove it. I do like that these MS software options are free and don't seem to need much of the computer to run. In spite of the slow loading, I think it's ok so far. I know not one catches everything, I have several other manual anti-malware programs, giving me a good arsenal.But I'm looking for opinions on auto-protection, as I've heard of several other free versions like Avast and AVG and K.......,..... , and am curious. How do they stack up? Which is better. Is Essentials better than Defender, or is Avast? How about any others? Can each of you give a sort of Consumer's Report of the software and especially the free software out there? Even if it's not free, I'd like to hear it.X Since posting, I've read many of the other reviews. I'd still like to see If there's any out there that might want to give a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,....rating, but I do like Dr. Strangelove's answer:Better is a relative term. No product on the market today will protect you from everything.The answer you will get here is that you should use Security Essentials.Security Essentials just received an "advanced+" rating:http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/ondret/avc_report24.pdfMy opinion is this: With a fully updated OS, Security Essentials, Windows Firewall on, and IE8 SmartScreen filter on, you will have a well protected platform.But the Doc also said that a drawback to using Essentials in XP is that Defender would be uninstalled. I wonder if he might say why it's a drawback and how does he rate the two?

Personally I like Spysweeper, I'm pretty sure that's what its called. Not sure what company it's by, but it's a DAMN good all in one program.BUT since I am broke, lol I run these three free programs:http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.phpThis will check for malware, AND registry key errors, or so most of the forums say. >.>http://superantispyware.com/You can download the free version and it will check for spyware as well.http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/This is a free all in one program, but I still reccomend the other two.I have a GF that runs AVG instead of the Security Essentials, and that does it's job pretty well.ALTHOUGH, I found this ONE program the kicked the ____ out of this Alureon virus that we found the other day that a TON of scanners missed.Hitman Pro is a second opinion scanner, designed to rescue your computer from malware(viruses, trojans, rootkits, etc.) that have infected your computer despite all the securitymeasures you have taken (such as anti virus software, firewalls, etc.).http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanproYoung and Learning... Have Mercy.

On Wed, 7 Jul 2010 22:34:17 +0000, GregW. wrote:I used to have McAfee.  I found it to be too big for my computer.  I have limited memory and an older machine.  I replaced it with Defender and noted a few problems briefly as when MS Security Essentials came out, I moved to that (I shouldn't have left them both loaded, right?).  I find that when I logon, Essentials is very slow installing, even to the point the Security Center will give an unprotected notice.  If I leave it alone, for 5 minutes, Essentials will finally start itself.  As with Defender, some malware will slip through and I have to run other anti-malware to catch and remove it.  I do like that these MS software options are free and don't seem to need much of the computer to run.  In spite of the slow loading, I think it's ok so far.  I know not one catches everything, I have several other manual anti-malware programs, giving me a good arsenal.But I'm looking for opinions on auto-protection, as I've heard of several other free versions like Avast and AVG and K.......,..... , and am curious.  How do they stack up?  Which is better. Is Essentials better than Defender, or is Avast?  How about any others?  Can each of you give a sort of Consumer's Report of the software and especially the free software out there?  Even if it's not free, I'd like to hear it.For an anti-virus program, I recommend eSet NOD32, if you are willingto pay for it. If you want a free anti-virus, I recommend one (onlyone; never install more than one) of the following three:AviraAvastMicrosoft Security EssentialsYou also need anti-spyware software. I recommend that you download andinstall (both freeware) MalwareBytes AntiMalware andSuperAntiSpyware. Ken Blake

Chosing a good Anti-Virus is really depend on you and you are the best one to chose, but remember the best strategy is that when you get into trouble such as infection or slow performance then contact technical support.Have a look at this article:http://cyberdefend.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!2033D634A61595B3!186.entryIt will give you some idea.