Thanks for all the advice, some really good advice and sites there to decide upon. I'm now tempted to go for a free one but this won't protect me against online purchases will it??

if you have a firewall and AV online purchasing is fine just stick to the reputable sites like amazon, play ect check the little padlock is visable on the bottom right of your browser. also a good practice is to use a credit card for online purchases just in case as most are covered and its the banks money they have not yours

I would recommend AVG every time never let me down and "ITS FREE" run SPYBOT along side it also ......"ITS FREE" to......

Avast and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for me. Both downloadable for free too.

I have used Norton and Macfree in the past and then I tried Avast, I would not except paying to put Nortons on. I use Avast pro currently and its on all our PCs and lap tops, I have full confidence in it. I think it cost around £120 for three years for four copies a couple of years ago and it updates daily.

AVG (paid version) for me.

Paid for BullGuard; never had any problems with it.

we run a whole company off the AVG free one pal, cracking and free updates all year too!
never had an issue with AVG which is more than i can say for Norton who we had before

Nod32 all the way...Still some virus may get past but its one of the best out their. If your staying on normal sites most will be fine, but if your going underground stay away from most that have been stated above.

Welcome to 2008, Norton as since been stripped right down and is npw smaller and faster than AVG free it also auto updates every 5 to 15 minutes keeping you protected against new threats.

Once again really appreciate all your help. After much deliberation I've opted to go for the AVG free version. I'm then going to see how it goes and maybe upgrade later if I got any problems. Thanks

Avira Antivir PE Classic. You can download the free version and it is easily capable of dealing with viruses (no need to upgrade to the paid version).

Spyware - my experience is you have to pay for a good one but they can slow your system down. I would recommend PC Tools Spyware Doctor. You might think your PC is fine but you run this and find hundreds of infections (such as on-line banking phishing code).

Both of these are downloadable.

Anyone else been inundated with phishing emails over the Christmas period?
I've had emails from just about every banking organisation possible, none of them that I actually bank with. They have asked me to; forward my account details, renew my passwords, check my security details, submit new card details. All this was asked for in the title of the email mind and none of them were actually opened. Someone out there must fall for this or they would just give up.

Quote ="Sebasteeno"Avast and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for me. Both downloadable for free too.'" Have to agree, I use both and find them really good, also use spybot too. You can download all of them here, a really handy site for free software and updates: www.filehippo.com/

Quote ="Sebasteeno"Avast and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for me. Both downloadable for free too.'" Have to agree, I use both and find them really good, also use spybot too. You can download all of them here, a really handy site for free software and updates: www.filehippo.com/

Quote ="airliebird58"Have to agree, I use both and find them really good, also use spybot too. You can download all of them here, a really handy site for free software and updates: www.filehippo.com/'" That is a really useful site. So alongside AVG Free what else would you recommend downloading from that site??

Quote ="airliebird58"Have to agree, I use both and find them really good, also use spybot too. You can download all of them here, a really handy site for free software and updates: www.filehippo.com/'" That is a really useful site. So alongside AVG Free what else would you recommend downloading from that site??

yeah i can sympathise with this both my work and personal emails have been hit with a lot of these kind of emails.

also anyone interested in free software should look on [urlhttp://www.filehippo.com[/url

I've been using Bitdefender (paid for) for a few years and have never had any problems with it (or viruses/malware etc)

Quote ="Chris28"I've been using Bitdefender (paid for) for a few years and have never had any problems with it (or viruses/malware etc)'" Interesting you mention that one. Voted best on this review site I found.... anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

Quote ="Chris28"I've been using Bitdefender (paid for) for a few years and have never had any problems with it (or viruses/malware etc)'" Interesting you mention that one. Voted best on this review site I found.... anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

I use Norton and don't have a single problem with it. Never have had.

Which for reference is illegal

Should also add Microsoft's own free "Security Essentials". I have found its good on a "decent" machine but sometimes dosent start the services required on older/slow machines.

Indeed, knocks spots off MacAfee and Norton.

Quote ="Eric The Viking"That is a really useful site. So alongside AVG Free what else would you recommend downloading from that site??'" Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is really good. With the free version you have to manually update but that's no problem. www.filehippo.com/download_malwa ... i_malware/ Also something that isn't to do with PC security, but Ccleaner is brilliant for cleaning up all the rubbish on your comp. www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

Quote ="Eric The Viking"That is a really useful site. So alongside AVG Free what else would you recommend downloading from that site??'" Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is really good. With the free version you have to manually update but that's no problem. www.filehippo.com/download_malwa ... i_malware/ Also something that isn't to do with PC security, but Ccleaner is brilliant for cleaning up all the rubbish on your comp. www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

been using avast for years, its great and free

being an avid reader of pc pro magazine,i always take note of their anti virus testing,which they do every 4-6 months.according to their security expert,he recomends the following 2

1)kaspersky-£25 approx.-has the best detection rate of ALL (98%)

2)microsoft security essentials-free-the best free anti virus package around,beating avg,avast,avira hands down.

most packages will do a decent job,but for me i use kaspersky.for people who would prefer not to pay for one try the 2nd one.