[PugetSoundSoldier]

I tried AVG, ripped it out, too abusive of CPU; Avast is pretty good. I agree that Win7 can be run pretty safely without A/V if one is careful. However, I've run Windows for two decades... and running it in the modern internet without A/V just feels so.... so.... naked...

Try Microsoft Security Essentials. It's free, it's incredibly lightweight in terms of memory and CPU (just checked - 2.4 MB for the process, and 0.0% CPU), and seamless to install and run.

[dayglored]

> Try Microsoft Security Essentials. It's free, it's incredibly lightweight in terms of memory and CPU...

I've read mixed reviews of the Essentials. Some recommend it, but most seem to feel it is the barest minimum, intended only to sweep up the home-computer laggards who would not otherwise run any A/V, even the free third party ones.

It's surely better than nothing.

I ran OneCare for two years. It was too damn big, but it sure did a job. It was also abusive of the CPU at times.

Tell ya what, I'll give Essentials a try and let y'all know how I like it. Nothing to lose.