Which anti-virus to use?

I work for a two-person nonprofit and somehow I have the most techy knowledge, which is VERY limited.  The anti-virus program that came with my dell laptop has expired and I am wondering what to get to protect my computer.  I don't do anything complicated on the web- we just have an internet connection- no network or anything- and I mostly use google on the web. Here are my questions- do I need to have an anti-virus program? (I am guessing yes) -What program should I get? (preferably something available here or open source). 

Thanks!

Unfortunately, most of the good free antivirus solutions that I've seen are limited to personal use (not business).

 I've had good experienct with the latest versions of Symantec/Norton. I'm running version 11 on my home computers (got it free through the local Univeristy).

TechSoup carries Norton SystemWorks Standard Edition 12.0 ($45 for 5 copies, or $25 for 1), here:
http://www.techsoup.org/stock/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=TechSoupMain&keyword=virus&product%5Fid=G-40735&cg=searchterms&sg=virus

Wow... just looked around a little more in the TechSoup stock and found both Norton360 and Norton AntiVirus @ $15 for 3 copies. Here's the full listing of Norton products available on TechSoup:
http://www.techsoup.org/stock/Category.asp?catalog_name=TechSoupMain&category_name=Symantec+Desktop+Products&Cat1=Symantec+Desktop+Products&CatCount=1&Page=1

You might want to look around on Symantec's website to compare the different versions.

Like I said, I've been happy with Symentec/Norton's recent releases. Years ago, their products were more of a hassle,  but they are at the top of my list now

I still hesitate on Norton AV and Norton 360.  I like the Symantec corporate editions, though.

Ditto on what Chris said.

If the Symantec product doesn't say "corporate on it", seriously consider ditching it.

Avast [.com] is available for free for home / non commercial use.  It has low "overhead" unlike Norton so machines don't tend to slow down.  Works with newer 64bit and legacy operating systems, automatically updates, includes antispyware and only requires an annual free registration.  You can move up to a corporate edition for servers and more sophisticated use.  I advise a large network of environmental / sustainability organizations in Ontario and the uptake to date indicates good success with minimal fuss and no cost.  I have contacted Avast in Czech republic about nonprofit partnership but they have not responded.

Sorry, but you're slightly incorrect.  This is a common misconception.  I cannot find any commercial anti-virus vendor that offers their product to free for non-profits.  Technically, avast.com home edition says:

Avast Home Free Page:

Free software for home use only

The only entirely free antivirus product I'm aware of is ClamAV (and its variants).  This does not have the same resident memory scanning that most commercial products have, so it may be less effective in a regular Windows workstation for an average user that won't think to manually scan every file before opening.

Vendors that I know that give discounts:

1. Symantec (here through TechSoup)
2. eset software, NOD32 50%
3. AVG AntiVirus, 30% (they will give you their academic discount if you ask them to)

Others might, I haven't researched them.

shipley.c:

I cannot find any commercial anti-virus vendor that offers their product to free for non-profits.

Looks like a new FREE anti-virus solution is being made available from Microsoft.  They recently announced they're releasing the free-to-use Microsoft Security Essentials software.  Right now, MSE is still in beta public testing mode.

As far as I can tell, when this solution is officially released it will be free for any organization to use.

Yann

I've been running AntiVir for a time now.  I used to reco AVG, but version 8 is balky.  Stay away from Norton unless it's Symantec Corporate versions.  AntiVir Avira only runs $26 a year, I believe.  It's good w/ spyware and malware.

Yann, nice find....  if only I didn't have a fundamental aversion to Microsoft for security.

Anyhow, I tried to go there and I was told

Microsoft Security Essentials Markets:

Not available in your country or region

You appear to be in a country or region where the Microsoft Security Essentials Beta is unavailable.

This beta is available only to customers in the United States, Israel (English only), People's Republic of China (Simplified Chinese only) and Brazil (Brazilian Portuguese only).

I'd love to hear from anyone that ends up using this.  I probably never will.

Chris, everyone is getting that same "not available" message from that site right now.  I read somewhere that Microsoft will make the beta available again some time in the near future, just not sure when.  So keep your eyes open on that one.

Myself, I was eager to try out this security solution and was disappointed when I found out that I can't get it because I'm in Canada.  But based on reports I've read from others who've tested it out already, two key observations were made:

1. It's VERY fast.
2. It provides very good virus protection.

On the very fast front, some people mentioned that an entire scan of their machine was completed by the software in under 6 minutes, which is incredible.  And in terms of virus detection, tests done by independent agencies rank this solution right up there with the likes of AVG and Avira (which I use).

Guess we'll have to see!

Yann

Who better to understand security threats to Windows than Microsoft?

However, I look at ani-virus software kinda like a referree. He does not work for either team, but is there to protect the integrity of the game. Microsoft is biased, to say the least.

I can't say that I wont consider it, though.

Anyone want to venture a guess what is going to happen to the anti-virus market now?

They can call it ZING! or STING! or BINGBING... or nauseat-ING.

Didn't Windows defender start out as a free product, then when it moved fully out of beta you had to buy it in a five pack to continue to use it on XP (or was it 2000)?  Of course it became integrated into Vista. 

Some how I don't tend to trust 'free' from Microsoft.

Dave

I used Windows Defender when it was called Microsoft Anti-spyware.  It worked pretty well.  I stopped using it when they forced you to upgrade it. 

It would be hard for anybody not to expect them to try to monopolize another corner of the software market. They may or may not plan to extract an additional monetary tribute directly from their subjects.

For the monetary tribute model we have Office, which they used to give away with every new major-brand computer, and not charge too much for purchases; once they nearly wiped out all competition, they give trial versions and charge a lot for a license.

OTOH, many products are incorporated into the OS for "free," like Internet Explorer, which they use to lead (or push) their subjects into using other MS products and services.

I'm sure they have a vast spreadsheet to figure out how to maximize profits from different pricing models