VS.

Over the years I’ve used many different types of anti-virus software — everything from free up to $300 (outrageous, I know). I have to say both have worked about the same.

The best free anti-virus software that I have seen is called AVG (Free Edition). AVG also has a version that you can purchase, but I really don’t notice any big differences between the two other than the theme. I have used a lot of other free anti-virus products, but this one I would have to say is the best that I have found. I use this on my own personal computer.

Moving on from the free software is obviously the software you have to buy. The one I hear the most about is Norton Anti-Virus. Most people know of or use Norton because it usually comes as a trial version on most new laptops and desktops.

Norton is a pretty good. The only problems I have had is that it is VERY slow and takes up a lot of CPU usage. I read an article once where someone stated that since Norton is one of the most popular anti-virus programs out there it is more likely to miss a virus because they know what it specifically looks for. I’m not stating this is true, it’s just something I read that was kind of interesting. I have experienced something similar a while back. Something was really wrong with my PC and I couldn’t figure out why. I scanned with Norton and it found nothing, and then a friend recommended AVG (Free Edition). I scanned with AVG and found several problems and fixed it.

All in all I would recommend AVG over Norton any day. What are your thoughts? What anti-virus software would you recommend?