I have been slammed with building computers the past few weeks. Sadly, I practically get paid with meatballs as most people want a super cheap web surfing pc and are on a fixed income (or are just really cheap). I let their machines run all night and update everything and I usually throw on virus protection (avg free) firefox or chrome, restore points and a few other things that they may enjoy. I noticed that Avg is now calling their protection "zen". The last few years of putting Avg on peoples computers as well as my own rigs, I am getting annoyed with Avgs pop ups during movies, ads wanting me to upgrade or 20 different options to scan my emails and everything else. I have people calling me asking what they should do when all this crap pops up. Is there another free program that will scan for virus and malware with out a lot of user input? I also use spybot and malware bytes to fix peoples gummed up computers but I don't usually put those on for other people unless they are click happy, interweb trouble.
 
I would love a simple virus protection I can put on that basically runs itself for older folks or those that are computer illiterate. I was reading up on Panda scan and a few others. Any suggestions?

How about for me? Is that also good for a semi tech guy?

Ive always used superantispyware and malwarebytes. Ive never had anything worse than tracking cookies. The key is to have common sense when browsing the internet which most people dont have. 

I have to agree with Z, MSE has worked well for me and the wife, one thing i do like about Win10 is the integration of Defender, if nothing else it avoids confusion for some. 
 
as posted above, the key is "use common sense"
especially when opening emails from people who have been attacked and don't know it
they usually have titles like "Hey You" or "Whats up?" or "check this out" etc.
but these can be identified in the preview as a link or any attachments
if you don't know its coming, don't know who its from, don't open it!
and most of all, banks and financial institutions NEVER ask for info through emails!
 
 
bcool

Windows Defender has one more level of protection than MSE, and they have stepped it up. No, it's not the best AV, but it's significantly improved as a free AV.
 
If you go with Defender (or any AV for that matter), I suggest also using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (free or better yet, paid).

I try to stay neutral when offering windows 10 but after about 2 minutes of them telling me how much it spys on them among other things, they want 7 installed. One person so far has requested windows 10 and just recently, they asked me to switch it to 7. I just tried Bit defender buy I didn't want to register it after 30 days. Gonna try MSE now..

That's correct, pgcmoore. I'm just stating the advantage Defender has over MSE. The OP didn't state for a specific OS. But, I agree with you.

I always put Microsoft Security Essentials on my builds for people, it's fine and really no complaints so far.

MSE is complete trash.
 
https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/

ilukeberry
MSE is complete trash.
 
https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/

That same test rated Norton super high too. Because of that alone, I declare it invalid.

 
I still use and love my Norton Security.     =)

XrayMan
 
I still use and love my Norton Security.     =)

I use Norton 360, but I install MSE on my builds for others that don't want to pay for virus protection.

Sorry to resurrect my old thread but I felt it was relevant to mention AVGs new privacy policy which is almost as bad as Windows 10....
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2984639/privacy/avg-s-new-privacy-policy-is-uncomfortably-honest-about-tracking-users.html
 
Time to find a new anti Virus FOR ME. Tracking what I do to sell to a third party? No thanks.