REcommendations for free effective protection for Win7?

[BernieDD]

I'm trying out Windows 7 on a new build with an Asrock mobo and a Celeron Dual processor. I'm very paranoid about viruses and malware, and am asking for recommendations for free, good antivirus, antispyware and firewall for my machine. On my present, years old WinXP desktop (no Vista for me,thank you), I get good results with Avira, Superantispyware and ZoneAlarm firewall. Do they have versions good for Win7?

[Steve R Jones]

I would take a look on their web sites

[cat5e]

The Free Microsoft security essential download, is as good as any of the others.

http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

If you must have a 3rd party Firewall, this is free and better than the Behemoth security suits that their main is Brand marketing rather then providing protection.

http://www.pctools.com/firewall/

.

[OS-Wiz]

The Free Microsoft security essential download, is as good as any of the others.

http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

+1, lightweight, non-intrusive, and effective

[kent1146]

For Windows 7, I use Avast Anti-virus as a great free anti-virus tool, and the built-in firewall for the firewall application.

I prefer to rely on "smart" computer usage behavior to avoid most spyware / malware attacks, and those tools I mentioned above as an additional layer of protection. I hate loading down my computer with so much security software that it slows down my machine.