You hear me say it all the time: Watch out for "free" offers, they usually come with strings attached.
But you can download some really good security software for free.
Based on its most recent tests, Consumer Reports says a number of free security programs will protect your computer "as well as for-pay offerings, such as McAfee and Symantec's Norton."
Avira AntiVir Personal 9 was the top-rated free anti-malware program. But Avira AntiVir 9 does keep trying to get you to buy the upgraded version for $27. Of course, you don't have to.
Microsoft Security Essentials also tested well.
The editors point out that there are trade-offs for going this route. Don't expect to get tech support with a free program.
Since these tend to be standalone programs, you have to find one for anti-virus, one for anti-spam and so on. And you probably won't get firewall protection.
But Consumer Reports says its test show that the firewalls built-into Windows Vista and Windows 7 "do an adequate job."
If you want to buy a security suite, Consumer Reports recommends Symantec Norton Internet Security 2010 and BitDefender Internet Security 2010.
