" but now it wants me to create an account. Why do I need to do that? I just want a free one that runs in the background. "

Because they require it so they can send you advertising trying to see you there premium service, even free comes with a price.

" I believe Windows comes pre-loaded with Windows Defender, but is that good enough "

Typically as good as any of them, different people have different ones they swear by and others they hate. Try it and see how it works for you.

That was my thought, so they could bombard me with ads Come to think of it, I was always getting pop-ups telling me to increase to premium. I stopped using it, so I clicked on the shortcut to see if it was still active, and I got the log-in page.

Here's an objective and independent review of free ones, choose the one you like best. Read through the ratings and pick the one that seems most suitable for you.

PC Mag antivirus ratings

"Creating an account" is not signing a contract for lifelong membership and fidelity when security software or any other legit product site is concerned. Don't back off or worry about doing it when requested.

Thanks, Elmer.

My computer came with McAfee and the subscription is coming to an end. I have found it annoying with popups. I've always used free Avast in the past and was happy with it. Worked in the background and didn't keep annoying me with what it was doing.

So, I'm trying to make a decision whether to pay up for McAfee or switch to the free Avast.

Jane

I've been using the paid version of Norton for many years. It has a very light footprint (works only when the PC is idle) and can be set up to be nearly invisible.

I gave McAfee a try with a new PC that had a limited subscription and I found I liked it much less.

To see the reviews by the same source of not-free antivirus programs, Google:

PCMag Best Antivirus Software for 2022

If you want a "free" program, you still need to pay for it somehow -- and that's by giving them your email address.

"Free" in this context means no payment in money, time or property is required. Free antivirus programs are indeed free. Should marketing emails be received from any source, they're easily declined by unsubscribing.

" Free antivirus programs are indeed free. "

Nothing is free - it all requires something that is of value in exchange - in this case, it's an email address. What the person does with the solicitations doesn't make it any less valuable to the company. It's the same on "free" TV (it doesn't matter if you leave the room during the commercials) or in direct mail (it doesn't matter if you throw out the flyer).

Free is free, no payment is required. Sorry, seems to be another concept you don't understand.

Information IS valuable, some people could use more of it.

It's mostly not possible to do any "business" over the internet without giving an email address. For those needlessly (and uninformatively) paranoid about such things, a fictitious name and an additional email address solves the unnecessary concern.

Hint - my name really isn't Elmer J Fudd.

" Hint - my name really isn't Elmer J Fudd. "

And I think you're really not a guy, either, in spite of you choosing a masculine moniker ;)

Doesn't anyones internet provider offer FREE virus protection? I have it with my provider. I haven't paid for a separate anti virus in over 20 years and have never (knock on wood!) had a virus. Have you checked to see if you already have it?

" And I think you're really not a guy, "

Sorry, incorrect.

Windows Defender works great for me. Knock on wood. lol Every time I ever added a purchased antivirus, it always slowed down my computer or caused other hiccups. I also occasionally use the free SuperAntiSpyware.

Windows Defender was a dog for many years, a system many experts advised to not use. It's apparently better now but normally rated lower than other choices. Here's what PCMag said about it in its latest reviews, link is above:

" That’s not to say we’re super-enthusiastic about using Defender for your protection. It gets good scores in some lab tests, but tanks others. Likewise in our hands-on tests it earns some high scores and some very low ones. In typical Microsoft fashion, its protection against fraudulent and malicious websites only works in Edge. It’s good, but you can do better. "

And a PS - there's a Russian-based antivirus software company named Kaspersky. Long a good performing product, there are doubts surrounding its bona fides and possible connection to the Russian government. It's use is considered to be potentially risky and is advised against.

" Doesn't anyones internet provider offer FREE virus protection? "

My internet provider doesn't, but Windows does -- but (like Norton and MacAfee) it's pretty big. I'm personally not a fan of free security (whether at home or on my computer), but billions of people haven't paid for anti-virus protection for decades.

You seem to have missed the conversation, Windows Defender as discussed above is the Microsoft product provided for free.

One of my ISPs (Comcast) used to provide Norton for free but stopped doing some years ago. I was buying extra copies anyway because it limited the number of PCs that could be covered. The other, Spectrum, formerly provided McAfee and discontinued that. It now provides a system they call "Spectrum Security Suite". I'm not sure what company is behind this product. It seems competent and has a desirable light touch as some others do but I can't say I prefer it. I use it on PCs that get only light use.

@Toronto Veterinarian Technically, it's not "free' as I do pay an arm and a leg for internet and cable through my provider. lol What I like about it is, it's antivirus on the server itself so it's rare to break through to my computer. Knock on wood: I've used two different internet providers anti virus for 25 years and have never had a problem.

If the bill is the same whether you do or don't download the antivirus software, then it's free. Provided at no additional charge.

Wittynickname; my internet provider is a third party using Rogers cable. They don't offer security protection.