I've been using AVG free for a while now, and it's an excellent AV solution. It auto-updates regularly and seamlessly, it's simple to use and it just works without any hassle or being a system hog.

However, they are ditching the free version in January 2007

So the question is: what do people think is the best free alternative to AVG?

OK, ignore the above post - after a little more digging it seems that they are still offering a free version, but I have to upgrade to version 7.5.

In anti virus segment, i don't find any alternative to AVG. All the other programs are also equally good but they offer the paid subscriptions.

you can find good free anti viruses here list of free Anti Viruses

however they are not gonna be as good as nod32

Try Avast! Free, BitDefender (Free Version), and I think AntiVir has a free version. Google them - and navigate to the free versions.

Avast! free - tried it - very good.
BitDefender (free v.8. ) - tried it - not bad but will not remove viruses efficiently.

AVG free ... now that's what I call good freeware! it is simply fantastic.

fyi the link I provided has both of those you mentioned and more all in one place .

I've seen reviews in the pc world. There are many anti virus programs. the top ones are from BitDefender, Kaspersky, AVG, eTrust EZ Antivirus , Panda Titanium, McAfee Virus etc. But the only one available freeware is AVG.

follow my other links for free anti viruses, and the reviews in pc world dont' mean crapp. from tv's, to pc's to software, I don't find one of their reviews correct or on the money.

I use AVG Free myself--however it is NOT the only freeware alternative as someone mentioned earlier.

AVG Free (I use this)
Avast Free (my best friend uses this)
AntiVir
BitDefender 8 (however there is NO background scanner for this--only on demand scanning).

But with ANY security program the best thing you can do is to 'layer' you defenses and run multiple security programs. Run a HIPS (Host Intrusion Prevention System) to stop something from getting in the first place, and run speciallized Anti-Spyware / Anti-Trojan scanners as well to detect things you AV program may have missed (I use AVG Ant-Spyware Free and Emsisoft's A-squared Free).

BS - BitDefender has a free version, so has Avast! and AntiVir. Let google be your friend - or check this forum a bit more carefully. I use BitDefenders free on-line scan (requires IE, Active X based). It DOES remove viruses, except those that attach to system files ... in that case, scan in "safe mode with networking" - it will clean/delete them that way, but it takes up to an hour or more. I have free Avast! installed as my AV right now.

But don't say that AVG is the only free AV - that's just not correct! (and it's not the best)

See this thread: Anybody still using Avast? - especially my last post in that thread.

Even nod32 offers a good value.

I have switched to AVS: Active Virus Shield. It is endorsed by AOL and free to use for non AOL users too. I have used it for the last few months and it is fine.

For a full report about my findings see:
http://www.oraxcel.com/cgi-bin/yab [...] 67314633/1

Gizmo over at Techsupport Alert mentions AOL's program as well. I'm hesistant (based on prior experience) to touch anything that has to do with AOL.

what SQLXL left out and does not know is that the aol anti virus is nothing but Kaspersky Lab’s anti virus base and touched up a bit for aol Active Virus Shield 6.0.0.308

none of them are as good as nod