I finally decided to write this. A guide on how to get a decent computer protection for free, and how you can put together your own security suite.
1. AntiVirus
Our "Editors' Choice". Easy-to-use interface,, high detection rates and low resource usage gains it a 93/100.
A close second, Avast! Home has all the features of Avast! Pro except scheduled scanning. Grab this if you think AntiVir's daily updates are to slow. The only downside is that you have to register for a key every year. 91/100
Probably the most popular free AV program in the States, AVG is 
recommended by a lot of security experts. It's also the most lightweight AV. In the testings, however, AVG had a few false positives. Also, by default, a screen pops in your face in every time it updates. The settings are also hard to change. The biggest downside of all: it splits into Control Center and Test Center. 78/100
We never tested this software as it's not a good choice anyway. Free antivirus programs not backed by big companies just doesn't look reliable. We would be watching for a change, though.
CAVS has everything you'd look for in an antivirus. Frequent updates, scheduled scanning, all that stuff. It would be worth trying once it gets out of beta.
@McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Special Edition
AOL dumped Kaspersky and doesn't look back. Looks like McAfee's the new choice. However we couldn't access the download page; leave a comment if you successfully downloaded it.
PC Tools made Spyware Doctor, probably the most effective antispyware available. We don't recommend the antivirus, though. It's not mature enough; sticking with the big ones seems like a better move.
2.AntiSpyware
Ad-Aware and SpyBot were 
once the champions of spyware fighters; they're getting outdated. The 2007 version of Ad-Aware is how Lavasoft plans to keep up with the on-going warfare. It's pretty much the same as the older version, except a few more issues, and if you have to get this mediocre protection, bundle it with something else. 72/100
Of all the choices, this doesn't really stand out. Don't get this unless you have a really good reason. It has daily updates and an easy-to-use interface. 75/100
The free version doesn't have automatic updates, nor does it give you real-time protection. But with a handy-dandy context-menu integrated scanner, it serves as a good on-demand second opinion- just remember to update it. 69/100
Probably the most well-know spyware fighter, SpyBot just can't keep up with time. The immunization is the most useful feature. Perhaps with some more donations, SpyBot can rise again? 70/100
SpyCatcher did turn out a decent performance in 2006 testings, and hopefully it would still remain good. 78/100
@Spyware Doctor Starter Edition
Yep, you read right, a free version of Spyware Doctor, the most effective antispyware on the market. High detection, real-time file guard, and automatic updates. Needless to say this is our top pick. 93/100
We actually used this for some time before getting rid of it. It had all the features we looked for, plus a nice interface, and it even has antivirus integrated (optional). It's recommended, though, to turn the real-time guards to the lowest setting, and to read the results before removing them. [Considering how low it scored against Neil J. Rubenking's tests, we lowered the rating.] 70/100
NOTE - Crawler no longer does adware business, and this is 100% clean. Quoting Spyware Warrior:
"we decided out of caution to impose a three month probation period before we would consider re-testing and, if warranted, de-listing the the product from the Rogue/Suspect list. During that three month probation period we monitored the behavior of IBIS and Crawler. At the end of the three month probation period we re-tested Spyware Terminator, again finding no problems serious enough to justify listing the program on this page. As the vendor involved has not been involved in the distribution of adware for many months, and as the program itself exhibits no problems serious enough to warrant mention on this page, we have decided to de-list Spyware Terminator from the Rogue/Suspect list and can no longer regard the program to be "rogue/suspect."
One of the most effective free antispyware products, SuperAntiSpyware has almost everything we looked for, except a good interface. The scanning was also way faster than Spyware Terminator. 80/100
Easy-to-use, unobtrusive, and gives you real-time protection. Mediocre detection, and doesn't help much. Recommended as a second opinion in XP, and for Vista, you have no choice; it's already installed. 67/100
3.Firewall
The best free firewall available. As tough as ZoneAlarm in resisting terminations, CFP also blocks all kinds of attacks. Although you would still be bombed with program permission dialogs, Comodo has a feature that could scan your system and pre-configure lots of programs. 94/100
A decent firewall featuring three layers of protection, but hard to use and configure. Takes time and patience to get used to. 81/100
This firewall is easy to use, and is highly customizable. Suitable for both beginners and experts. 83/100
Probably the most popular free firewall on the market, ZAF is only a basic firewall, and is surpassed by Comodo. 79/100
4.Others
This tool adds thousands of domains to the Internet Explorer "block" list, and greatly reduces your chance of coming across an unsafe site. Read carefully for instructions.
This program works in the same way IE-SpyAD does, but it works for both IE and Firefox. It also blocks tracking cookies. Just remember to update it every few weeks.
5.Recommendations
Now that you know which products are better, let's try out a few combinations.
(a) High-end machines
Avast Home + Spyware Doctor SE + SuperAntiSpyware + Comodo
AntiVir PE + Spyware Doctor SE +SpyCatcher Express + PC Tools Firewall Plus or Comodo Firewall Pro
(b)Mainstream machines
AntiVir PE +Spyware Doctor SE + Comodo
AntiVir PE + SpyCatcher Express + SuperAntiSpyware + PC Tools
(c)Old and slow computers
AntiVir PE +SuperAntiSpyware + AVG AntiSpyware Free + Comodo
AVG Free + Windows Defendor + a-squared Free + PC Tools
Notes:
Feel free to mix and match and find the best combo for you.
It's recommended to have more than 1 antispyware program, if your PC can support it.
This guide is backed by testings, research, and a lot of work.
3 comments:
wtf? avg free rox!
I'm not sure in free security applications. Look at Firewall Leak Tester, the free Comodo Firewall has ugly results. In case of security I prefer to pay a little to be sure I'm secured well while I'm online. I'm using Agnitum Outpost Security Suite with firewall, anti-virus, anti-spam, anti-spyware actually. Have no problems with all that Internet threats.
timur:
it's true that free protection can never surpass commercial products.
but if someone feels lucky (or broke), this post serves as a guide for them.
Also if you look at the test results carefully, the Leak Tester tested Comodo v1, which, indeed, was terrible.
But you'll see that the second version scored incredibly high against the leaks, if you do the tests yourself.
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