I use Avast and AdAware on my XP netbook, my wife's Vista laptop and my W7
notebook. PC Mag and PCworld give Avast top ratings. No mention of
AdAware, although last year PC Mag said both were top picks. Both mags give
Microsoft Security Essentials mediocre ratings.

Consumer Reports gives Microsoft Security Essentials thumbs up, but what do
they know compared to PC Mag or PCworld.

I would like to have real-time mal-ware protection - not have to run AdAware
frequently (a very slow process), and do the update 1st. Is there a better
free alternative?

TIA, Paul