what is the best anti virus protection for my new laptop with windows 8 operating system?

[demosincebirth]

Reasonable or free, if there is one. thanks

[JayhawkSD]

1. Iv'e used Avast free version for several years.

and have hed no problems. It has a light footprint and does not slow down the computer.

[JBoy]

3. +1 n/t

[In_The_Wind]

8. Avast gave me nothing but problems on two computers.

I advise against it.

[hobbit709]

2. Linux

[hunter]

6. Heh. Somebody had to say it.

I've become entirely intolerant of Apple and Microsoft products. When I have to use them it's like being in a cage.

[RC]

7. Beat me to it.

I was going to say Linux Mint.

[Pharaoh]

4. Avast is great n/t

[BlueJazz]

5. Windows 8 comes with anti-virus

[RoccoR5955]

9. Windows 8 IS a virus! n/t

[BlueJazz]

10. Blasphemy !!! Actually, I like 8 better than any previous windows.

[RoccoR5955]

13. Yeah, better if you have a tablet or a Windoze phone.

Oh, and how are those Windohs phones selling?

[BlueJazz]

14. I think it's much better for the desktop also. I know it's faster than 7

I just don't understand why so many people have trouble with it. If you learn how, it's a breeze.

I DO use Linux for a lot of things but for Video and Audio recording (Adobe cs or Protools or Soundforge, you can't beat 8.)

[RoccoR5955]

15. Surely you jest.

I have had it since the public betas came out, and still find it a chore to use.

I too use any OS that is put in front of me, but I find Windows Ate a dismal failure. It's like nothing else on the desktop, which is what I use mainly. It may be okay on a tablet or a phone, but AFAIC, that's it.

Oh, and for video/audio recording/editing, there's nothing quite like OSX.

[BlueJazz]

16. I like Apple stuff but I like a higher end machine, ASUS Rampage IV Extreme X for doing video work.

Something else....I'm a tech and HAVE to learn all the Operating systems in order to do my job. (My job is just me going to people's
houses) Probably why I like 8 is because I was forced to learn all the shortcuts when it first appeared. (The pre-release version)

I admit, the first day, I wanted to reinstall 7 (How in the FUCK do I turn this son-of-a-bitchin' thing off !!)

[RoccoR5955]

17. I know what you mean about having to learn it

I have been a tech for almost 30 years, and I know what I like and I don't like. Windohs Ate, I do not like, nor do it find it helpful to my job of educating people as to how to use computers. It only complicates things for them, when they should get more simple, and build on the old model, not throw it under the bus.

BTW- I prefer a Mac Pro to do video/audio. With 12 processors, and and 12 GB RAM, I will put it up against ANY Asus, or other Windows machine.
Yes, you can load the 64bit version, but how many times will it crash? I have had bad experience with 64 bit windows crashing, and burning, to make them seem useful to clients. If they want to professionally do video/audio, it'll have to be a Mac Pro.

[BlueJazz]

18. You have good points. For me though, I have the system set up and all that and the Asus board is

...not hooked to ANY internet, intranet or group thingy which is probably why it works so well.

The other thing...as you know so well, most people could use windows 98 (SE) or a similar Apple system and would do just fine.
Of course, I realize the browser problems and modern web code would get in the way...

[ptireland]

11. It depends

A little background. I'm a very senior level systems and network administrator with experience at some of the largest businesses on earth. I can offer you expert advice on all things involved with computers.

There are a few things I'd need to know before I can recommend a product.

How much are you willing to spend? Does the solution have to be free? Are you aware that the best products for anti-virus are ones that you pay for? Which features would you like to have? Integration with your email program and web browsers? Automatic scanning of all downloaded files? Do you need an internet firewall to protect you from outside attacks? Encrypted password and credit card information storage for all of the websites you visit where it automatically fills in the forms?


I'll have a different answer for you depending on what you're willing to spend and what you want, although I will say for most people Norton Internet Security does the trick and has all of the features I mentioned.

Here's a website that compares all of the features of the major anti-virus products. Do not pay attention to the prices they list because you can find them online for MUCH less money than you see on the graphic.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2369749,00.asp

[demosincebirth]

12. I'll try anyone that's free, first. If it works, fine -- if it doesn't then there is the uninstall

button. Thanks.