If I have a PC, what is the best anti-virus software I can get online?

[applegrove]

[Egnever]

1. There are several

Eset and Bit defender spring to mind.

This is a link of recent tests run by av comparables that shows the levels of protection. Nothing can protect your computer from you though.

https://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/avc_factsheet2016_09.pdf

[Wilms]

3. Thanks for that resource.

https://www.av-comparatives.org

[applegrove]

4. Thanks.

[BootinUp]

2. Avast is pretty solid. Nt

[applegrove]

5. Thanks for your help.

[canetoad]

6. Honest?

Ditch the AVs. They are resource hogs and fekkin annoying. Grab either Malwarebytes (used to be my choice, but like everything else has sort of gone to the dogs) or SuperAntiSpyware. Good value, scheduled scans, lots of features with no fuss.

Never click on anything that offers to scan your computer. Don't open emails from strangers and avoid flashing text.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

7. OT...

Long time no see, good to see you back...hope things r ok w you

[canetoad]

8. Hey EBM

Became so tired of the anti Obama shit going on here in general, plus moved from the city to a country town which was a big but very good culture shock.

Election time - couldn't stay away. Enough about me, how the hell are you mate. Hope life's been treating you well.

[Galileo126]

11. I agree

Anti-virus has become a resource hog scam. I ditched mine. (Avast became a resource hog like all the others, too bad for them.)

I just don't go to questionable websites.

"Walking naked on the internet..."

[hlthe2b]

9. I've used several in the past... currently I use Kaspersky and Malwarebytes

I've been impressed at how responsive both have been with any issues and how hard they try to keep their users aware of any upcoming threats.

BTW, I now pay for the premium versions of both and get access for the price on three computers. I have come to believe that paying for it is probably worth it, rather than the minimalist free versions of other products out there--that are good for a while but don't seem to be as comprehensive nor keep quite as up to date.

[Denzil_DC]

10. I also use the Kaspersky three-license version

along with the free version of Malwarebytes for occasional use as insurance. Kaspersky's yearly subscription is good value, IMO.

As borne out by the chart in the factsheet linked above - https://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/avc_factsheet2016_09.pdf - we've found it very effective, and (touch wood) I can't recall the last time it let anything through, having switched to it for past four or five years. Prior to that, my partner was getting infections just by clicking on news/politics sites that were a bit off the beaten track, and I appreciate not having to waste time cleaning up after them, along with the worry that something else might have gone undetected. (OTOH, I did learn a lot about malware-busting, which has helped when friends' systems have been compromised!)

Kaspersky can occasionally be a bit resource-hoggy and slows down startup on our older systems, though all this seems to have improved with newer versions. A bit of tinkering with the settings (e.g. I've disabled System Watcher as it was causing too many problems) doesn't go amiss. It's worth it for the peace of mind, and avoidance of waste of time we experienced in the past.