That kinda sucks. I use MSE. Looks like I'll have to dig into my backups and see If I still have BitDefender. Oh well.....

That's the version I have. You know me and freebies. But thanks anyway Doc.

Well, all I can say is this: I'm using Kaspersky Internet Security since beginning of 2009, and never changed. Meanwhile, I tested many security software, and still I do (I'm very interested in PC security) :BitDefender (good one), Norton(good one), F-Secure (good one), the new Comodo Internet Security (good one, besides freeware), Avira (excellent on detection the antivirus, probably the best one, but the security suite must be still improved a lot in many sector, starting from the firewall. At the moment, it simply can not be compared with Kaspersky one), and many others.

I can assure you at the moment there is nothing like Kaspersky available. Please, NOTE : I'm talking about Kaspersky Internet Security 2011, also known as KIS (last version is 11.0.2.556, soon will be available the first build of Kaspersky Internet Security 2012, now in beta testing) and not about Kaspersky Antivirus, known as KAV. Of course the anti-virus engine is same, but there is an absolutely big "GAP" between the 2 Kaspersky products.

KIS has got a lot of real time protection modules( e-mail, websites, phishing..), HIPS, an excellent firewall(probably the best one available at the moment, it doesn't matter free or shareware), geographical filter (introduced in 2011 version) that allow you to select additional checking for some country websites (for example Yemen, Iran, China..) or totally block the access. This feature can seem not so rilevant, but can be very useful, especially in case of some unwanted re-directing, antirootkit scanner, vulnerabilities scanner based on Secunia database and much more...

Besides all this security features, highly configurable, there are some very important security tools, such as Safe Run for Websites, Safe Run for Application, Virtual Keyboard Anti-Keylogger (absolutely great; everything is typed from there can not be "seen" from the O.S.,it doesn't matter what kind of info-stealing malware is stored in the machine. All happens like in a "separate", virtual O.S. and when you close the Safe Run or the Virtual Keyboard everything disappear, leaving no any traces in your PC. That's absolutely excellent if you have to introduce important info in a website, like in a on-line banking operation; of course if the website is a fake one you get warning at once).

well, there could be many other things to say. but then it could go too much technicals...

All I want to say is this: if you have to spend some money for security software (today is probably becoming  increasingly necessary) my suggestion is 1, and only 1: Kaspersky Internet Security

Oh, last thing: I'm just a Kasperky customer, not a worker... and thanks to DOC for providing always interesting and useful info.

Same here.

I thought MSE is a good one.

Well, I used Norton 360 for a couple of years but it's so damn expensive, but it was good.

I think you are right. There is always a hook in freeware, i think. Well there are some good ones but i don't have much of them.

KeePass is one of my favorite freeware because it works with every browser and Windows Live Movie Maker works great to upload videos on YouTube. But that's it.

So, I thought i would not spend my money in security suites anymore, but i think i was wrong...

Maybe i will try Kaspersky for a change.

Thanks Doc, for this info.

First of all, one question: what kind of knowledge have you got about Kaspersky Internet Security? Average, good or very detailed one? This is very important; many people that has got KIS use no more than 40/50% of all his features.Kaspersky settings are very important and they can radically change the software behavior in some situation, increasing or decreasing the global security level.

Well, Avira,  as I wrote in previous post is an excellent antivirus; Lavasoft is a very good one NOW (in the last few years 2008-2009 software development had got some "stops"), so this could be a good solution, but you are talking about NO spending money for security.

Of course the main point is which kind of use you make of your PC. Above all, if you don't make on-line operation you can be quite safe. But  NOTE: Lavasoft + Avira can be good, but can not be compared with Kaspersky Internet Security; a lot of features and tools are missing (for example, Kaspersky firewall, vulnerabilities scanner and much more).

About freeware software, my suggestion is Emsisoft Emergency Kit (ex A-Squared free), probably the best one in his sector. It's same as the shareware version( A-Squared Anti-malware); just missing the real time protection. Excellent in detection of every kind of malware, included virus.The new version doesn't require installation.

@inthebloodofeden thats why i mentioned Adaware pro

Norton was a RAM hog in the past, and was murder to try and uninstall. Needed a special tool to do it. That's not the case anymore.

It's an excellent product. I'm using Bitdefender Internet Security 2011... just my preference.

Well, although the software has been improved , I know there has been still some users getting big trouble with Norton, and the Norton Removal Tool has been still needed. 

BitDefender Internet Security is a very good choice, but let me tell you something, DOC: have a look here http://www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge/results.php ; these are the results of an accurate test published on www.matousec.com (in my opinion, and not only mine, the best AV-comparative site available, the more credible and reliable). This test has been made around 6 months ago (Kaspersky Internet Security was still the version 11.0.1.400; the new version, 11.0.2.556, that brings lots of improvements, is available since around 1 month after the test, and for sure has got now a better product score in the test, probably 100%).

As you can see, 2 of the top rated Security Suite has got a free version :Comodo Internet Security (already known for the very good free firewall, of course included in the suite) and Outpost Security Suite.

On the site you can get very detailed info about methodology and rules of testing, products features and much more. 

On this page http://www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge/#latest-news, instead, you can get the latest news about security software,  all very interesting.

I'm sure you can find a lot of interesting and "surprising" info as well. 

I used to use Kaspersky Internet Security several years ago.  All the tests and many people said it was the top protector.  Then, my computer got a virus and my tech guy said it was so bad that my hard drive needed reformatting and Windows reinstalled.  I've always been very selective about my internet activities and don't vary from the "beaten path."  So, who knows.....

Well,I started to use Kaspersky Internet Security at the beginning of 2009, and never changed, although I tested many security software. There is one thing that is good to know about this Kaspersky software: settings are VERY important, and can change in a radical way the application behavior in some situation. I don't know about which version (year) of Kaspersky you are talking about, but I can assure you that since 2009 (when I started to use it; I can not speak about before) if you got a good knowledge of the software, and apply the right settings, no any virus but only a nuclear conflict, an earthquake or a tornado could make reformatting necessary.

ONce burned twice shy.  Plus their firewall really sucked too (past tense).  But that is why many do not like it now.