Antivirus For Windows 8

[boingo]

My Norton has expired. Could anyone recommend a reliable, and preferably free, antivirus for Windows 8 please. Thank you.

[sir.prize]

Here are three
AVG Free
Avast Free
Microsoft Security Essentials

[diddlydo]

It's Windows Defender for Windows 8 - it works fine.

[boingo]

That was quick! Thank you sir.prize and diddlydo.

[Buenchico]

Questions like this one always seem to get people arguing!

Let's start with the straightforward bit. Before installing any alternative anti-virus solution, you need to uninstall Norton. That can't be done directly from your Control Panel. You need to download and run a special program:
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/uk/home/current/solutions/kb20080710133834EN_EndUserProfile_en_us

Up until recently, Microsoft Security Essentials was probably the most widely recommended anti-virus program here (largely because ChuckFickens, who works in IT, gave it his backing). However Microsoft have recently admitted that it's not as good as they'd like it to be, so we can probably rule it out from consideration.

I used AVG (which is also popular) for many years but I gave up on it when it seemed to be slowing my computers down. My current preferred program is the free version of Avast!, which I'm happy to recommend:
http://www.avast.com/index

[boingo]

Thank you Buenchico, that's why I'm having trouble getting shot of Norton!

[Alex_Higham]

Just get shot of Norton and leave it at that. You Do Not need to install another Anti Virus Programme; Windows 8 has its own 'built-in' Windows Defender.

Check it out here :-

http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/windows8.aspx

[Alex_Higham]

@Buenchico......You mentioned ChuckFickens and, not knowing to whom you were referring, I Googled his name and came-up with the following :-

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/members/chuckfickens/

It appears that he hasn't posted anything since September 16th although his last activity is listed as being 9th November 2013. Can you throw any light on matters.?

[BevBabes]

Hi Authors
How do I remove my free now sluggish AVG (vista), so I may try your recommended Avast free anti virus.
Plus could you recommend which anti virus to purchase for new Samsung tablet (part of a gift)?
Thanks for all informative info given and awaiting :/

[Alex_Higham]

Do Not, I repeat, do not buy an Anti Virus programme when you can get one for nothing. If you are planning to put Avast into into your computer you could do likewise and put the Android edition into your Tablet. :-

http://www.avast.com/free-mobile-security

To remove AVG from Windows Vista :-

Control Panel > Programmes and Features > click AVG in List > click Uninstall and follow on screen instructions.

[Noe-schitt]

Bitdefender the highly rated antivirus programme is now available in a free version

http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/solutions/free.html

[Buenchico]

For Alex (with apologies to Boingo):
ChuckFickens is one of this site's most revered members (being one of only 13 people to have achieved 500 'Best Answers'). He's also a moderator here.

However he no longer has as much spare time to spend on AB as he used to, so his contributions aren't as frequent as they once were.

If he's shown as being active (but not posting) on 9th November he probably just logged in to look around (or, quite possibly, to get rid of a spammer).

[Alex_Higham]

Thanks Buenchico for having responded to my digression in this thread.

My apologies also to boingo, whom I hope has cleared out Norton and now has everything in order.

[galeck1947]

No need to use any other antivirus program as Windows 8 and 8.1 have Windows Defender already as part of the OS . It will do all you need but also download Malware Bytes as a malware detect and removal tool.