Need a free AV for mom's computer.

I'll be giving my old computer to my mother soon. I'll be installing Windows 7 64 home premium, Sandboxie Paid, Firefox w/no add-ons and setting her up with a limited user account. I'll also be installing HitManPro for on demand scanning.

I need a free AV that will stay out of the way. She mostly posts on Facebook and plays games. In the past I have used Avast and Avira on her machines without any problems. Do the newer versions nag users? Do you have other free AV suggestions that meet my criteria?

 

For no nagging has to be MSE [Microsoft Security Essentials]

 

Panda Cloud Free AV also doesn't bother you at all, and offers a far greater protection as MSE.

 

what about avg and avast? are they still good?

 

Avira free does not have ads now.

 

I should have mentioned that I want something with a little more protection and control than MSE. I will keep it in mind though if the others have gotten to "naggy".

I'll also have a look at Panda Cloud and see what it offers. Does it use much bandwidth while surfing? She uses a wireless adapter and is always complaining about the speed.

Also, the computer is a Q6600 quad core with 4GB RAM. The HDDs are 7200 RPM but only 16MB cache.

Edit: Great to hear Avira doesn't have ads now.

 

I would highly recommend Avira Free.
You will be well protected against malware, viruses and other threats

GL

 

Regarding Avira free, check AV-C latest real world protection score

 

i don't notice any lags, and also use a wireless connection. my computer is a single core. PCAV has all needed options and is maintenance free. as for the protection, just check the real world dynamic test on av-comparatives.

 

+1 because MSE is simplest. not as good as avira or avast in terms of protection, but good enough for most people with minimal nags and almost always out of the way.

 

I did not find the free version, but is it assumed the free has the same protection as the paid AV?
Jerry

 

Any help here?

 

Yes, except the cloud.

 

Thanks.
Jerry

 

what about WSA AV? It's light, quick and you can monitor it online. Either that or Avast. Both are fairly light and both have remote features.

 

I've recently tried every free antivirus out there. I was using Avast for about a year and noticed major boot time slowness and overall negative system impact. I don't like Bitdefender or Panda's use of automatic cleaning; false positives that get auto cleaned can mess up a computer. I've gone back to Avira free and I still think it's the best. Competitive detection, fast, and a traditional quarantine system. You can even configure it to get the web protection without using the toolbar.

 

Just to check

Avira Free does not show an update every day with a message (screen prompt) to upgrade to the paid?

 

avast! 2014 with enabled Hardened Mode (Aggresive). Total win. It's almost a combination of CIS without the annoying questions about every single bloody thing. Seems like avast! has a far bigger whitelisting database or something.

 

avast (Hardened=Moderate) has just blocked HitmanPro.Alert update.....
Comodo let it through with no popup.

 

Panda gives users the option in Advance settings to choose 'ask before neutralizing a threat.' Otherwise in my experience, Panda quarantines the threats found to its recycle bin where you can verify if FP(s), and or, restore if necessary.

 

MOM...

Will not download/install softwares?
Will only use browser & installed softwares?
Will play online games only?

If Yes...

I think Comodo Internet Security would be good. No need of Limited User Account & Sandboxie. HitmanPro & MBAM free are good ondemand scanners.

CIS config...

Default Settings.

Few changes in the default settings...

Set AutoSandbox level to "Blocked"
Disable Scheduled Scan.
General - User Interface - Uncheck all, only check notification & password protection.
Firewall Settings - Uncheck detect new private connection & trustconnect option.
Set AV database to 1 hour.

 

Not everday, I see once in 3-4 weeks. Its like an update notification near system tray clock, which is fair considering a free product with good detection and minimal impact on system. But they have completely got rid of large pop-up ads.

 

Grab Eset Smart Security from Newegg for $5.

 

I think the $5 Eset is AV only. Don't think I saw the Smart security.

 

while not free i am now using webroot for both my own mom and my mother in law. they love it and i have had NO calls about them being infected and i do check the systems whenever i go over there. it doesnt annoy them and my mother in law is a happy installer she installs all kinds of "games" all the time with no issues. otherwise imo eset. its not intrusive light and never annoys any of my clients and is stable and works great. nod32 is only 4.99 at newegg right now.