Best freeware AV & Anti-spyware apps

[ArkiStan]

What is the best AV/anti-spyware software setup that is free and doesn't hog system resources? I've used AVG and SUPERantiSpyware before.

[Devhux]

I used to use Avast quite often for antivirus, but after a recent incident with a friend of mine where Avast wasn't clearing out viruses properly, I switched to Microsoft Security Essentials. It promptly did a scan and found 15 viruses/trojans scattered across his hard drive (and external backup).

Needless to say, I quickly uninstalled Avast from all my computers at home too.

[mechmike0034]

Samer says Avira... (http://www.freewaregenius.com/2009/04/07/the-best-free-antivirus-a-comparison/)

PCWorld says Avira... (http://www.pcworld.com/printable/article/id,170587/printable.html)

MSE looks interesting, but I'll wait to see what AV-Comparitives (http://www.av-comparatives.org/) says.

[DarkFury]

For free spyware protection I use:

Advanced Systemcare FREE
Spybot Search and Destroy
ThreatFire

[renovation]

i have used AVG,Avast,avira on my main rig right now im running Microsoft Security Essentials. but to be truthful i think they all may miss a virus that the other may pick up on.and not all virus warning maybe true virus on your computer. and sometimes you need to run more then a normal virus scan software to get them all or stop.also you might need to run Malwarebytes AntiMalware.

[ArkiStan]

Avast seems to be recommended a lot. Just installed it and seems light and flexibly configurable. Using Malwarebytes as Reno suggested may be a good idea. I was told that before. Thanks for the suggestions everybody.

edit:
my bad. actually i meant avira. (all these similar names!) yes it gives me the ugly daily popup which looks like a huge netflix ad from the internet. we'll have to wait and see if the functionality outweighs that annoyance.

[ray]

I've used avira, avg, and avast before and I always return to avast because i like its simplicity. as far as avast missing viruses, i've never experienced that before. my biggest gripe with avira...was the fact that every night i'd get a stupid popup advertisment from them.

[mechmike0034]

it gives me the ugly daily popup which looks like a huge netflix ad from the internet.

You can kill that, you know: http://www.elitekiller.com/disable_antivir_nag.htm

I kill the splash screen as well...