which anti-virus software is good?...

This question comes up once in a while and the best antivirus is still you. You decide what sites to go to and what to install.

Kees answers about the usual names at this next link.

http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6132_102-581091/mike-brassil-help-required-about-anti-virus-software/?tag=contentBody;threadListing

You didn't define best. Best as in number of virus in their database, best in system load, best in cost, the definition is not in your post. There has yet to be any antivirus made that protects again user actions. So if you want to install a pest all of them allow it.
Bob

This is Xmas time, there are online and local store vendors offering AV all over the place. Check those out and buy one at some bargain price. I suggest some name brand and sorry, you want the best, that varies from one user to another. However, you have MS security essentials, get one soon, that's basic protection. I use Avast free version and has worked well for yrs., and you can upgrade to fuller protection(suite) if you care to, but free does well and is better than MS essentials, period.

Check here: http://forums.cnet.com/spyware-viruses-security-forum/

tada -----Willy

Follow the links provided by the prior posters, there is so much software out there it is really hard to choose. Read some of the comparisons for a basic idea. Personally I wouldn't use Mcafee, regardless of what Dell says. Some of the free stuff is OK, to a point but it depends on what you do and where you go on the net and whether you are running a wireless network and/or using a laptop at large, travel etc. Wifi is more critical but again, follow the links and do a little research. Best of luck!

I have fixed many computers with a virus by using SuperAntiSpyware free or pay version. McAfee is losing favor because they are not keeping up with latest viruses. I also install Microsoft Security Essentials for a real time free program. Then I tell customer to run SuperAntiSpyware manually once a month to catch viruses that may have slipped by MSE. clembotech

You should check with your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to see if they offer you one free. Comcast offers Norton Security Suite free, AOL used to offer a free one (I don't know if they still do), and there're probably others too. A lot of folks like the free ones like MSE, AVG, and Avast; I've heard a lot of good things about all 3 and have personally used the free AVG for years with no problems on my desktops. I also have used the Norton Security Suite that I got free from Comcast on my laptop for the last year, and haven't had any problems with it. I'd caution against using the optional registry "cleaner" it has though. A lot of the trade magazines come out with ratings periodically, but I've noticed that every time they do, the top rated ones change from one time to the next. None of them will catch everything, so as some have already said, you have to think about what web sites you visit, what you download (I've never had a problem with download.com BTW), and what attachments you open.
It's really a lot like asking which is the best car. What's best for me might not be the best for you.

Good luck.

AVG and Norton are pretty good, though I personally use Vipre. I believe that AVG is free; Norton is not. I like Vipre because it doesn't use up much resources, and it never slows down my PC. I know it's not the very best, but so far it's worked for me. I am very careful, though, not to open emails I don't know, I never click on links I don't know, I never clicked on any ads on the internet...anywhere. I don't download things willynilly and I protect my wifi network. Of course one can still get a virus while using any antivirus, but being aware of what you should and shouldn't do helps a lot. At least it reduces your chances of getting one much more.