Which anti-virus software do you use?

I personally use Windows Security Essentials. Its free, doesn't bother you all the time with unnecessary crap, and has caught everything trying to get into my computer.

So what are you using?

I use AVG 2011 it's the best!

I recently caught something from Facebook. Though i am not sure how since i don't click links unless a friend has posted it and i usually ask before i click it. I uninstalled everything on my computer when i got the virus and then installed Avira and some other programs. My computer was clean in no time. I do not intend to use another antivirus program unless this one somehow craps out on me.

I use Microsoft Security Essentials, when I made the switch from AVG. Microsoft Security Essentials picked up on a virus the AVG missed. Needless to say I will not be using AVG ever again.

Right now, using McAfee Total Protection 2011, with firewall and all other accessories. Using McAfee for the last 4-5 years. Never had a security issue. Kaspersky is the best, but I can't afford them. As of now, McAfee seems more than enough for my laptop.

Using MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials). It's great, you don't need to pay for it (albeit, your windows license, which you probably got with your computer anyway...). It takes minimal resources, so it doesn't make your system slow at boot. It's also pretty low-key and that you don't have to worry about it until it needs a update or detects something.

Hmmm... if it is free, then I will be definitely interested. How good is it? Is it having a good firewall? (I don't trust windows firewall that much, that is why I pay $59 every year to McAfee to protect my system). I do have a valid Windows 7 licence. So I'd like to try out this anti-virus.

It does not include a firewall. This post was made about under two years ago. http://lifehacker.com/5433229/microsoft-security-essentials-ranks-as-best performing-free-antivirus .

I trust the Windows Firewall, but you prefer McAfee for that. The anti-virus does work pretty well from what I've seen from it (I don't get viruses normally, but it has detected a few.).

I can't believe people use Microsoft Security Essentials! FFS, it's one of the worst protections on the market! I use Avira (they also have FREE product, and it doesn't expire - only downside is that there's no firewall included in free version), and I can't remember when was the last time I got a virus! In my opinion, people shouldn't use built-in Microsoft antivirus because it really sucks. Instead, use Avira, Avast, AVG, McAfee...

Thanks for the quick reply. So there is no need to try out Microsoft Security Essentials. I just thought about giving it a go, as he wrote that it is completely free of cost. Looks like I will have to stick with my McAfee for a few more years.

Maybe you should try free Avira in combination with free firewall. Paying $59 every year isn't very easy for average people. Of course, if you can afford yourself to pay for antivirus, it's recommended to pay for a decent AV program.

I can't take any chance. I am having lot of confidential data from my workplace in my laptop. In any case if I lose some of these data, then I will be in huge trouble. That is why I am paying so much money for McAfee's service. At least gives peace to the mind.

I use right now, Avast Free 2011. I was using AVG Free 2011 it was great AV, but I wanted to change to Avast . Free Antiviruses are enough for normal users.

I am currently using free Avira anti virus and my firewall is enabled.
I also do not easily click on suspected sites or unknown sites and hardly download from the web online to avoid acquiring virus to my PC.

In the beginning, i was addicted to Avast anti-virus because I've been using it since i bought my new laptop, but lately when i was surfing the internet, i found many people talking about Windows Security Essentials who also recommended me to try it.
So after reading a lot of reviews i decided to check it out, in fact the first thing to notice is that it's very quick to download because the file isn't very big, and it's very easy to install and use without any other unnecessary complications.
Now, Windows Security Essentials is my number one anti-virus.

Very quick, fast to download, lightweight and useless

No it's not useless, i can give you proofs that Windows Security Essentials caught some viruses that Avast anti-virus couldn't catch, it really did during the first scan after the installation and there are many reviews from other users that say that Windows Security Essentials is very effective than any other free anti-virus available on the market.

A month ago I was "playing with" (read developing) viruses, and one of the steps after you create a virus is crypting which means you try to hide it from antivirus programs. Avira is the hardest antiviruses to bypass, and Windows Security Essentials is, along with other not-so-popular AV's, pretty easy to bypass. Of course, it's not THAT easy, but anyone with a little bit of skill could do it. That's the reason why I use Avira (+ her firewall that is impossible to bypass), and why I think WSE is useless.

I see what you meant, but don't you think that Avira is too perfect for that, because i have to admit that none of the anti-virus programs are that perfect, maybe a virus can bypass without being noticed, but we as people are looking for the most efficient anti-virus that almost catch most of the viruses, not all.

I never said Avira is perfect. But when you compare it to other AV's on market, it's one of, if not really the best. Yes, viruses can bypass Avira too, but it is less likely that they'll bypass it than, for example, WSE.