What free AV do you recommend to your non tech savy friends/family?

Just as the title says, what do you recommend? I've been trying out a few while considering ease of installation, use, and security and I like Bitdefender Free, Panda Cloud Free, and Avast! with a configuration loaded. I figured sending them my configuration and telling them how to import it isn't too hard so I kept it in the running. What do you guys think?

 

Avast at defaults and all shields running.

 

Avast! free with PUP on all scans and sensitivity cranked up to high. Hasn't been an issue yet.

 

Bitdefender Free

 

Microsoft Security Essentials.

 

Avast or COMODO all on defaults

 

It will turn into A vs B

 

Which is why I only asked what people recommend instead of what I should recommend.

 

Might as well just look here to see what people prefer (and recommend):

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=339937

I personally think MSE is the easiest and most hassle-free for a non tech user...

 

Bitdefender Free

- Light
- No running scans
- No actions to take
- No settings to fiddle with
- Detection rates of paid version, which is top of the industry

The whole lack of a "no restore from quarantine" feature is overblown, as it is unlikely to quarantine the average user's files, and they would be restored automatically anyways after a definition update.

 

See, I was thinking that scheduled scans are a good thing. I'm not sure.

 

I might consider Bitdefender Free AV.

 

I would think that scheduled scans would be great since most people would most likely not run a scan and just have it run the way it is not checking up with scans to see whats on the system.

 

Bitdefender free, without a doubt.

 

For a non-techie who has low-risk browsing habits, I would recommend MSE because it generally runs quietly in the background and does not bother the user with prompts.

 

I am using, or have used everything mentioned so far. I would go with Avast at default settings. This is what I had on my wife's machine until we got Bitdefender Internet Security 2013 on sale. I have Panda Free on the machine I'm on, but I have had glitches with it so I don't consider it as reliable as Avast. I can stick with Panda on this machine because I have so many other barriers that I hardly need an antivirus.

 

@ CrusherW9,
a) Bitdefender Free.
b) Re Avast! with a configuration loaded:
RejZoR's Custom avast! Configuration Profiles

 

Avira Free.

 

problem, error, unable, hang, scan wont work, update not works, losing internet connection, etc.....
So many problems.
Also count the replies/help given by Avira support team.
Very limited.......

 

I am using Avira free in one of my machines. Was using Avast free, but can't stand the new interface of v8. In my case both are light. I don't have any experience with BD & AVG free. Also never tried MSE after seeing AV Comparative reports.

 

Off topic:

You are not using Avira alone.
You are using Avira free plus the ask crapware.

Check your Antivir Desktop folder
=
Program files --> Avira --> Antivir Desktop folder => apnic.dll / apnstub.exe / apntoolbarinstaller.exe
=
http://i.imgur.com/u5ITB1g.png

 

As for free AV I would offer for non tech guys Avast, Avira, AVG, Panda Cloud, MSE, Bitdefender, Kingsoft, Baidu. As for paid - Kaspersky, Eset and all paid versions of above mentioned freebies (Avast, Avira, AVG, Panda, Bitdefender).

 

You are right 7anon. But I have unchecked these installation options initially. And there is no "Ask Toolbar" in the browser. Is it okay?

 

try amazon for cheaper versions of webroot, better protection and i just got a 3 pc licence for £7 in the uk for a year, a real bargain and as i say much better protection, once installed you dont have to do anything, and i installed it on many non tech savvy peoples customers