I've been using Microsoft Security Essentials
for the last couple of years, in combination with MalwareBytes Antimalware as
"on demand" scanner, no issues, have caught a couple of attempted browser
shenanigans. Prior to MSE, I used Avira Free and didn't have any problems
outside of rather slow scan times. Although some of the ratings have lowered
the rank of MSE late last year, I'll probably stick with it. If things don't improve
however I will go back with Avira. I've read good reports about Avast as well,
and may give it another go. I gave up on Norton around 2005 or so, and
McAfee even earlier, though I did use it some in 2008 only because it was
provided as part of service with my ISP. It just seemed to slow everything
down and want to take over everything, the same reason I gave up Norton
(after being a beta tester for Norton for ages). Some of the antimalware rating
sites have given new version of Norton high marks, but after years of being
a resource hog, I'm skeptical. Many years ago I used AVG...it was pretty good,
but sometime in like 1999 or so, it too started slowing everything to a crawl.
AVG also wants to install browser toolbars, search helpers etc. and from what
I've read these can be a hassle to remove. My recommendations:
1. Microsoft Security Essentials or Avira
2. Avast
3. Norton (if provided by ISP, otherwise weigh the cost/benefit carefully)
Along with any of these, use the free version of MalwareBytes as an on demand
scanner on a regular basis (weekly) just to be sure.
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