• in the whole world there is only one best free Antivirus/antispyware software and that is AVG8 FREE,
AVG has got the following features
ANTIVIRUS PROTECTION:
The AVG virus database contains known virus definitions. AVG virus experts work hard to identify and describe the latest viruses as soon as these emerge (which happens every day), and add the definitions to the AVG virus database. Via the update process, these new definitions are downloaded to your computer so that you are always reliably protected even against the latest threats
ANTISPWARE PROTECTION:
The Anti-Spyware component allows you to fully scan your computer for malware/spyware using the Anti-Spyware scanning engine. It also detects sleeping and non-active malware, i.e. malware that has been downloaded but not yet activated.
EMAIL SCANNER:
The E-mail Scanner component is responsible for scanning every e-mail message, sent or received.
Basic principles of the E-mail Scanner
The E-mail Scanner works through e-mail plugins for all common (SMTP/POP3 based) e-mail clients. A specific plugin is available for the following clients:
MS Outlook
The Bat!
A general e-mail plugin will work for other e-mail clients, such as Outlook Express, Eudora etc.
Encrypted connections using SSL are also supported.
When a virus is detected in an e-mail, it is removed to the Virus Vault immediately.
What the E-mail Scanner can do:
Scan incoming and/or outgoing e-mail messages, as specified, see Settings in the Main Screen
Add customized certification text to the end of virus-free messages, see Certification
Report specific e-mail attchments, see E-mail Scanner settings (section E-mail attachments reporting)
Filter specific e-mail attchments, see Mail Filtering
Use advanced scanning features, see E-mail Scanner settings
LINK SCANNER:
scans all links in search results of Google, Yahoo, MSN, if there is any harmful link then it give u an alert
RESIDENT SHIELD:
The Resident Shield component gives your computer continuous protection. It scans every single file that is being opened, saved, or copied, and guards the system areas of the computer. Normally, you do not even notice the process, as it runs "in the background", and you only get notified when threats are found; at the same time, the Resident Shield blocks activation of the threat and removes it.
The Resident Shield is loaded in the memory of your computer during startup, and it is vital that you keep it switched on at all times.
What the Resident Shield can do:
Scan for specific kinds of possible threats
Scan removable media (flash disk etc.)
Scan files with specific extensions or without extensions at all
Allow exceptions from scanning – specific files or folders that should never be scanned
UPDATES:
regular 100KB-200KB updates
DEFINITIONS:
Total ANTIVIRUS definitions up-to-date: 1639237
Total ANTISPYWARE definitions up-to-date : 116166
DISADVANTAGES:
NO ANTIROOTKIT PROTECTION:
Dont worry about this, for anti rootkit protection u can use a separate antirootkit software called as Avira Antirootkit software which is just of 1MB http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Avira-AntiRootkit-Tool.shtml
NO FIREWALL:
No problem windows firewall is more then enough
NO CUSTOMER CARE SUPPORT:
no need becoz The entire heldesk is available in AVG software itself
NO ONLINE WEB PROTECTION:
dont worry Internet Explorer is more then enough it has also got a phishing filter in it, to check fake sites
NO MULTIPLE LANGUAGE SUPPORT:
I think everyone knows English
BENIFITS
1) remember AVG will never slow down your PC,
2) I used Avg for 2 years no problems yet,
3) simple to use