Spyware, viruses, & security forum: What anti-virus programs do you use?

I've been using AVG for years, ever since it first came out, but I was really unhappy with the company the last time I renewed (I don't have anything against using free programs, but I like to pay the companies that provide good apps that I feel I have to have and use every day). First, I couldn't order the renewal of AVG AV/Anti-malware without also paying an extra US$10 for a CD, which I did not want and which was never delivered. Second, when they stopped supporting 7.5, I was forced to go to 8.0-free (Sorry, but no more money for undelivered CDs). Recently, however, I switched two of my PCs to Sunbelt Vipre AV and anti-malware. I'm happy with it so far, especially because I could install it on the D drive in my Asus Eee-PC 900. That's important when the C drive is only 4 GB. I also switched from ZoneAlarm-free firewall to Comodo Firewall Pro-free because it, too, will install on the D drive, unlike ZA, which insists on the C drive. I'm happy with that too.

I use Nod32 with Sandboxie and comodo. I'm very satisfied. I've been running this combo for about 2 years. Nothing has got on to my computer.
For back up scanners I use Avira, Superantispyware, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. I run them once a week or so and never find anything.
I run Secunia PSI once a week. It's free and no matter which anti-virus program you have you need Secunia. When people ask me what's the best anti-virus program it's liking asking what's the best color. There are a
lot of good ones find one the runs good on your computer and keep it.

I opened a brokerage account at Scottrade and they have a deal with McAfee for a free year-long trial run. The McAffe security suite seems ok as I haven't had any problems that I know of. Of course, sometimes it can be hard to prove a negative. However, it updates itself automatically and if you suspect something is not working properly you can go to the McAfee website and run their virtual technician. If you use their firewall be sure to disable any others running on your system. Use the security panel in the control panel to check all your security settings. Not too long ago Consumer Reports recommended the Trend Micro suite. I tried their free trial package but it put so much overhead on my PC it was slow to respond. Likewise Microsoft's Live One. Hope this helps.

Working with computers over 20 years; had all the A/V nightmares until I discovered NOD32.
eSet has kept all of our machines clean for the past 5 years with no issues, light on resources and easy for end-user with the new friendlier interface -- All good.
Price-wi$e, if you read the fine print in the renewal pages, they offer discounts for multiple licenses and longer subscriptions. We're paying $15/machine for peace of mind, satisfaction, and an AMERICAN 800# that answers any questions/issues immediately.

NOD32 is all about efficiency. It does what it's supposed to by being smarter and smaller. It uses minimal resources. It is unobtrusive. It doesn't permeate every sector of your hard drive. It is heuristic (eset calls it ThreatSense), meaning it doesn't rely solely upon known signature files to compare and react to known threats (although they update signatures several times daily), it can detect new variants, mutants, and even altered components of undocumented viruses designed to slip past typical Virus detection softwares comparative database signatures and threats. In short, it's PRO-active whereas most are simply RE-active. It detects and prevents infection so you never find them during a scan. NOD32 can be purchased as an Anti Virus only solution to detect and protect from Viruses and Malware, or Smart Security is a complete integrated suite of AV and Anti-Spyware with a simple and effective Firewall and an Anti-Spam module for effective email filtering. I appreciate NOD32's reasonable pricing and multi-user license that makes it an excellent value. I have a 3 user license to protect my Desktop/Gaming PC, Media Center PC , and Laptop for one affordable subscription. Free protection is better than nothing, but they typically leave real-time and pro-active features off from their free versions, sometimes you really do get what you don't pay for.

Lightweight, efficient, free, updates daily, configurable, easy uninstallation if you decide to.

Not that I go to bad websites or anything, but so far I have yet to have a virus. As as computer tech, I would also recommend AVG, Malware bytes, and spybot search and destroy all together.

Malware bytes www.malwarebytes.org is an anti malware program what will get out problems and antivirus can't get out and that antispyare programs can't get out. AVG is a free antivirus program and spybot search and destroy is a good antispyare program.

First, a preface: My laptop was originally purchased by a Marine in 2004, who sold it to my son, also a Marine. During this time it did not have any virus/spyware protection installed. My son sold it to me some months ago, and when I first turned it on, a warning flashed on the screen telling me it was about to crash due to a number of viruses. I went on line and downloaded a free anti-virus, don't remember which one, and it found and removed about 20 viruses, trojans and worms. I deleted it and installed another free anti-virus program, and it found and deleted about 80 problems. I was still getting indications of problems, so I deleted the second program and did some research. I settled on and purchased Bit Defender 2008, which found and deleted over 600 viruses, worms, trojans, and various other problems. Some viruses were a bit stubborn and required a little time to get them out, but my laptop is entirely free of problems. The purchase price allows me to install it on up to three computers, so I removed and replaced the anti-virus program that was on my wife's desktop.

For anti-spyware I run, independently, AVG Anti-spyware and Ad-Aware 2008.

This may sound a bit silly, however, I have had great results with this method for keeping viruses off my main home computer. I do not allow the kids to use the computer I use for online payments, and for storing pictures and important documents. Also, I refrain from using computer games on my main home computer.
There are two other computers that the kids use, and these seem to be under constant virus attack.

I have been using the free version of Avast for over 3 years now and am very satisfied. I like the no hassle way it auto updates and it has got rid of any virus I picked up along the way. I used Norton prior to the Avast and it didn't do near the job that Avast does and slowed down my computer. I also had to format my hard drive a couple of times when I was using Norton. I have not had to format my hard drive in the 3 years I have been using Avast. That alone makes it stand out for me. I would gladly pay for Avast if need be.
B.Miller

Flawless protection, but be sure to -only- use it's anti-virus protection.

Had Norton for years and always complained how long my computers would take to boot up. A highly respected tech service person from an authorized repair dealership recommended AVG after I had a major problem while on vacation. Turned out the problem was caused by Norton. Best computer advice I have ever got. My 3 computers run so much better since I removed Norton. AVG runs smoothly in the background. I always do updates and best of all, it's a free download from CNET.

I use Norton 360, I tried Kerperski but it made my computer crash ever time I connected to hte internet. The 360 has worked quite well.

I use three different anti-virus software on three different computers. Overall they have been good to me, although I have had the least experience with Kaspersky 7.0

-Pros
AVG-Free: It's free and even provides some anti-spyware capability.
Norton 2008: Simple interface. A previous version of Norton prevented a virus from getting to my laptop.
Kaspersky: Very frequent updates

-Cons
AVG-Free: You don't get the same level of tech support from AVG as you do with their paid product (although they have responded if the problem is bad enough.)
Norton 2008: It's a system hog. However this was on a single-core processor so I don't know about performance on Dual-Cores and up.
Kaspersky: The scans seem a bit slow to finish (who knows). The proactive defense is a little too proactive. Regular settings are more than adequate. Strangely enough Kaspersky thought the AOL Desktop browser was a Trojan! lol

After reading the posts until now, i found many people here mentioned Nod32 as number one recommendation and the second one would be Bit Defender...AVG also were mentioned frequently but with uncertain reputations...Also Avast(i'm currently using) was mentioned a couple times(it detected and deleted Keylogger viruses mine was infected recently)...

All the best