Free Anti-virus software for Windows? Recommendations please

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Yep, agreed - and I don't think I'd like to trust that.
All it can reasonably know is what some magic number derived from the file is "now" - and if that's all it uses, it's easily spoofed.

Another approach might be to essentially duplicate the contents of your whole disk in some encrypted archive file, creating master "reference" copies with which to compare bytewise the "live" files on the disk - but the problems with that malarkey are legion and obvious...

Not heard of that one. I'll read up about it...

I use Avast and Malwarebytes. They seem fine, I guess.

For your specific situation, you may be better off going back to AVG if you prefer free antivirus.

But between you and me, you may need some extra security features (since it seems like it's for business usage) and that often only comes with paid security software.

It's been around for about as long as Avast. However, it's a pain in the arse to install, since it was written for Linux/UNIX/BSD systems. You can only get it as source code for those systems.

Mac OS X systems use the usual drag and drop procedure into /Applications. However, when you run the app for the first time, it's a resource hog.

Windows users uses the normal PITA installer and reboot procedure. It also fscks up the registry big time, and is an even bigger resource hog than Norton and McAfee.

I've gone back to AVG; better the devil you know.

I use AVG, Malwarebytes and ZoneAlarm and I haven't looked back. I was recently notified of two ad-wares that somehow got in when I was going through some mp3s within my files and deleted them both.

Microsoft Security Essentials and safe browsing habits?
Keep it simple, malicious software being offered thru emails and sketchy websites easily avoided. A real virus is prolly going to mean a re-install of your OS.