As well, you’re probably looking for a program that monitors your interactions with your operating system, to ensure that if a malicious program is detected it will be stopped dead in its tracks.

Finally, you’re looking for a free program that allows you to repair, delete, block, rename and quarantine programs, or files.

Well you’re in luck. Avira AntiVir Personal will meet, and even exceed, all of your requirements with the latest release of Avira AntiVir Version 9, which now includes anti-spyware and anti-adware features. This free anti-virus program offers all of this comprehensive protection within an easy to use interface.

In the 18 months I have been running previous editions of Avira on my systems, I continue to be impressed with its performance, and I have come to rely on it as my primary anti-virus application.

As an indication of this programs popularity, Download.com reports, it is the second most popular antivirus software (out of 305 products), offered for download on this site. Avira AntiVir Personal has been downloaded almost 34 million times, from this site alone.

Fast facts:

• Highly Configurable
• Protection from viruses, worms and Trojans
• Protection against expensive dialers
• Protection from hidden rootkits
• Extensive Malware Recognition
• Version 9 includes anti-spyware and anti-adware features
• New User Interface
• Faster Scanning up to 20% faster than previous versions
• Protection from phishing

Note: Free for home-users only.

System requirements: Windows 2000/XP/Vista

Download at: Download.com