Best free Anti-Virus master thread

[Sowhat]

Update to Windows 10...

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/upgrade-to-windows-10-free-heres-how/

So I did this.  Not sure how, either the computer timed out or someone touched the computer, but its stuck for three days at 90% download.  There is a broad warning not to disconnect while its downloading, but its dead.  What do I do?

Thanks.

[Yisroel Tech]

So I did this.  Not sure how, either the computer timed out or someone touched the computer, but its stuck for three days at 90% download.  There is a broad warning not to disconnect while its downloading, but its dead.  What do I do?

Thanks.

At what step is this? Can you post a picture/screenshot?

[Sowhat]

At what step is this? Can you post a picture/screenshot?

It's the blue screen with a circle that supposed to be circling but it's frozen and says 90%. Says working on updates 90% don't turn off your. PC this will take awhile. But the screen is Frozen like that for three days.

[Yisroel Tech]

It's the blue screen with a circle that supposed to be circling but it's frozen and says 90%. Says working on updates 90% don't turn off your. PC this will take awhile. But the screen is Frozen like that for three days.

But is Windows still On (pressing the Windows key brings up the Start Menu, etc.) or this is after restarting once?

[Sowhat]

No, I tried three times, and it gets stuck at the 90% mark of the install.  I would manually shut it down, it would restart, undo the changes of W10 and revert to W7.  I would download again, and it would not fully install.   

I had also posted to the troubleshooting board and it seems this is not atypical.

[ziv716]

No, I tried three times, and it gets stuck at the 90% mark of the install.  I would manually shut it down, it would restart, undo the changes of W10 and revert to W7.  I would download again, and it would not fully install.   

I had also posted to the troubleshooting board and it seems this is not atypical.

It's stuck at download or install?

Best would be to wipe and do a clean install of W10.

[ziv716]

Haven't installed it in a while, but check the avast forums.  Also,

Be very wary of Avast (and most free products for that matter).

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3516502/report-avast-and-avg-collect-and-sell-your-personal-info-via-their-free-antivirus-programs.html

[Boruch999]

Nothing is preventing paid services from doing it.

Any recommendations for an Avast replacement?

[ziv716]

Nothing is preventing paid services from doing it.

Any recommendations for an Avast replacement?

I personally am very happy with Webroot. Don't forget that antivirus is not enough. We need something like internet security to monitor internet traffic.

[DanH]

Nothing is preventing paid services from doing it.

Any recommendations for an Avast replacement?

Kaspersky Free

[ziv716]

Kaspersky Free

It is only antivirus. Not internet security.

[DanH]

It is only antivirus. Not internet security.

I'm pretty sure he was asking for a free alternative to the free avast antivirus...

[Boruch999]

I'm pretty sure he was asking for a free alternative to the free avast antivirus...

Correct.  Any reason to believe Kaspersky are more scrupulous than Avast?

I'm aware that taking a free product gives me less reason to complain but I still think a company should be up front about what their "free" product is costing.

@DanH Do you believe "Internet Security" is necessary on top of a decent AV? 

[DanH]

Correct.  Any reason to believe Kaspersky are more scrupulous than Avast?

I'm aware that taking a free product gives me less reason to complain but I still think a company should be up front about what their "free" product is costing.

@DanH Do you believe "Internet Security" is necessary on top of a decent AV?

No reason to assume more scrupulous than Avast.  Does have less false-positives though (random fact).
I personally don't see a reason to get Internet Security.  Although it may be better at preventing unknown ransomware.  I don't know.

[aygart]

Correct.  Any reason to believe Kaspersky are more scrupulous than Avast?

I'm aware that taking a free product gives me less reason to complain but I still think a company should be up front about what their "free" product is costing.

@DanH Do you believe "Internet Security" is necessary on top of a decent AV? 

KIS has a feature where they monitor for virus-like activities such as code trying to inject itself into other software even when it is not yet in the virus defs. This has saved me in the past.

[purple_rain]

free Avast is great, I've been using it for some time, but all these ads asking to buy an upgrade were much annoying. then i dropped and now don't have any

[ziv716]

free Avast is great, I've been using it for some time, but all these ads asking to buy an upgrade were much annoying. then i dropped and now don't have any

Don't use Avast. They've been collecting personal data for a while now.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2019/12/09/are-you-one-of-avasts-400-million-users-this-is-why-it-collects-and-sells-your-web-habits/#14c48832bdc5

[Yisroel Tech]

Don't use Avast. They've been collecting personal data for a while now.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2019/12/09/are-you-one-of-avasts-400-million-users-this-is-why-it-collects-and-sells-your-web-habits/#14c48832bdc5

Maybe unpopular opinion... But who really cares?

[jose34]

Any update to what the best free anti virus is?
Does not take up system resources.

When is it worth it to pay for Anti Virus?

[Yisroel Tech]

When is it worth it to pay for Anti Virus?

It's not a "when" question, paid will always be more protection (usually Internet related things) so if you're willing to pay you should pay.