Avast! concerns

[smoker]

So, here are my questions:

1. Is Avast! reliable?
2. If so, why didn't Spybot or AVG pick up anything?
3. Should I reinstall the system?
4. Am I ever going to be free from the badware???

what makes you think you have a virus, is your computer acting peculiar/unusual or sometwhat out of the ordinary?

in reality, good surfing and downloading habits are a more reliable way to avoid viruses than most antivirus apps. if you think you have a virus (in windows) do an online scan with this:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
and this:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm
do the free scans, don't download demos or trials!

i wouldn't reinstall the system only on the say-so of some application, not without confirmation from multiple other sources, and only if that was a last resort!

[aimpau]

I used to use avast in XP SP2. They do have low false reports occurences however, as we know that linux's files are scripted in such a way that a "natively" windows AV would detect as something malicious.

I had an experience where in I have a file created in such a way it would patch a certain .dll. aVast would always detect is as semi-threat.

if you're still concerned, go here:
www.virustotal.com

and check out the file.