I was in a Avast computer a day or so ago via remote desktop. Went to C drive and up popped avast with Virus found.
So it worked ? But I was the guy that installed Avast on it two months ago and ran the full scan when I left. How did it get there was my wonder?

Do you realize that your computer was probably not made in the USA? If you still have the box it came in, take a look. Chances are it was made in China or Malaysia or somewhere else. Even though MS headquarters is in Redmond, WA, they have a presence and employees (including engineers and programmers) all over the world. For heaven's sake, don't let the country of origin be the deciding factor in your choice of security or any other type of program. I have AVAST on one computer and I'm trying MSE on the other one. AVAST is strictly an anti-virus program, whereas MSE has both AV and anti-spyware.

None of us can really tell you which is the best. We can relate our own experience and perhaps news we have read on geek forums. Over the years I have used AVG, Avast, Avira, Comodo and MS Essentials with similar success. If you install any of these and do not get a virus is it because the program works or because you are lucky?

AVG was top dog for many years but seemingly with version 8.5 the changes were too drastic for many users and we moved away. That does not make AVG a bad choice either.

I read many years ago that all anti virus and anti malware companies share the data they find on new problems, after all it is in everyone's interest to protect us all as much as possible. Sadly I have also read more than once that the bad guys seem to be winning this 'competition'.

I currently use AVAST and like it very much, have used AVG in the past but prefer AVAST now.
MSE the only thing I would caution about is that it is still quite new and that there is a known problem many people are having that is being discussed on the forums about the program not updating as it should daily and in some cases going a week with out updating, which is a definite concern as all AV programs do need the latest definitions to work well. I am sure this will be resolved soon.
If I were faced with choosing one today my order would be
AVAST, AVIRA, MSE.

And always with a layered protection along with malwarebytes, superantispyware, spywareblaster and firewall, and of course an updated system.

My suggestion is to pick one and try it, if you find it is not what you like, uninstall it and use a different one.

The way NOT to get an infection of course is not to depend on the programs and not hope for luck, but to be very smart and careful in your practices, practice safe HEX as the saying goes, that is the best of all layered protection.

grandmas....I will not let country of origin make my decision, but I do still believe in buying made in the USA if possible, and that's hard, but another subject. I too am a "Grandma" and not that computer savy. That is the reason for my two posts about virus scans. I was looking for other peoples ideas and experiences, since mine are so few and I feel I am not qualified to make a good decision based on my knowledge alone (which is little). I probably will go with Avast from the comments posted. I do want something that updates daily. Maybe you could tell me of your experiences with MSE since you are trying it on one of your computers and have Avast on the other. I only have one computer and it's all I need, it's a Gateway and I will have to look at the box to see where it is made. I know my old Gateway was made in America, not sure about this new one, well 1 year old. I'm just trying to get as much info as possible before the 12th, when I have to decide. I have looked at websites that compare virus scans but that can be confusing. I want real answers from real people, it makes more sense to an old Grandma like me. LOL Thanks everyone for your help, I appreciate it so much. It's nice to have a forum to ask for help.

Both computers in my home are Gateway.

Both are 64 BIT.

Had an XP 32 BIT.

I had and used, in what is my opinion The Finest anti-virus anti-malware "Paid" software that can be found. Eset's Nod32.

When Security Essentials came out .. I ran it head to head against my "paid for" nod32 software.

I used different 'false virus', 'false mal-ware' programs that I have on disks to test the programs.

(These disks were bought through a pc security firm here in Virginia for that purpose).

Believe it or not .. Security Essentials caught and removed items that nod32 missed!

I've also tested Avast, Norton, Malwarebytes, AVG Antivirus and Security Software, Kaspersky Antivirus Software and McAfee.

I now use Security Essentials on all the pc's.

You never have to worry about updating it and it runs silently in the back-ground.

Very small footprint, it works and .. Best Of All .. 'It's Free'!
Microsoft Security Essentials is every bit as good as people say it is.

OMG!!!

I really didn't mean to sound like a shill for microsoft in my post.

I have never been a big microsoft fan but .. when they get something right .. That is an accomplishment to be talked about. 8)

BTW .. My OS systems on the Gateway pc's are Windows Seven (64BIT) and Vista (64BIT).

For those with MSE or considering it here are some of the many articles concerning the updating issues being seen and reported. If you have MSE it is advised that you actually check your definitions themselves and not just see if it says it is up to date, that is one of the problems it will say it is up to date when in fact it can be up to 7 days out of date. Hence you may not realize it is happening on your system with out knowing to check for it.
this article is pretty current and dated Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
Fix Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) Not Auto Update Virus and Spyware Definitions Signature Problem

Fix Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) Automatic Update Problem

there are work around hacks and stuff mentioned for those that feel comfortable with that.
Just good to be aware that there is this issue happening for some so everyone knows to be on alert for their system.

I haven't had enough experience with MSE to really evaluate it as yet, but I have checked just to be sure that it is updating, and it is. One thing I always liked about AVAST was the voice announcing that it had updated. The only problem I ever had with AVAST is that is does show false positives once in a great while. I have had this happen a couple of times. On the other hand, it caught a Trojan that I picked up after using an unsecured wireless connection. So that's why I am keeping it on once computer and trying MSE on the new Windows 7 computer.