Quite a large number of antivirus vendors make free antivirus software available for home and SOHO users. But how do you choose the best free antivirus? For starters, don't just consult some random Web list advertising the best free antivirus. You need to make sure the free antivirus has been properly tested and is ranked according to its detection and protection capabilities. Remember, the best free antivirus is really only the best if it keeps your computer safe from viruses, spyware, and other malware. Here are the best free antivirus programs for Windows - based on how well they detect and protect.
1. Avast! Free Antivirus
This is my new top pick for the best free antivirus software in light of recent developments. Avast has steadily been improving its detection rates over the past few years and now ranks with the some of the best. Avast has the most features of all the free antivirus with full real-time capabilities including web, e-mail, IM, P2P and network shields, boot-time scanning, and a behavioural blocker. Version 6 brought even more features including an internet site ratings plugin, script malware protection and a limited (non-configurable) sandboxing feature. It's arguable whether their ratings plugin offers comparable levels to WOT, but the script malware protection can prevent certain browser exploits, a feature not available in any of the other free AV's. Although the sandbox is a very useful semi-automated security feature, the default settings involves a pop up to ask whether a software should be sandboxed for not - for the typical average user this can be slightly confusing though it can set to sandbox the software automatically. Avast is also relatively light on resources. Note that Avast requires a free registration to function after 30 days.
Avast! Free Antivirus earns its spot as one of the best free antivirus because it not only offers standard scanning, it also provides scans on bootup. This can greatly increase the chance of removing stubborn infectors, particularly those that use resuscitators to thwart removal attempts. Avast! Free Antivirus supports Windows 95/98/Me, 2000, XP, Vista, 7 and 8.
Vendor’s site: http://www.avast.com/en-eu/index
2. Avira AntiVir Personal Edition
This is another high quality free antivirus, and formerly most peoples’s top pick. The primary reason it lost it status involved the recent controversy of AntiVir including a re-branded Ask toolbar in their installer, and a temporary spate of advertisements promoting a possible 'scareware' company. In spite of the negative press though AntiVir is still a top notch antivirus scanner with outstanding detection rates of malware, higher than almost every other antivirus according to tests. AntiVir is still a good choice for a free antivirus scanner, particularly for high risk users.
However, there are some minor reservations. First, AntiVir does not include web or e-mail scanning capabilities; this is only available in the paid version. The lack of an e-mail scanner is not a disadvantage, it just means that AntiVir won't warn you of infected emails before you open them. But should you open an infected email, AntiVir will still spring into action, so it doesn't mean that you're not protected from email-based infections. Also, AntiVir contains a rather intrusive advertisement every time it updates. Although AntiVir had signature updating problems in the past, this issue seems to be fixed now. Avira AntiVir routinely nabs some of the highest scores from AV-Test.org and other antivirus testing agencies.
Vendor’s site: http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus
3. Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Security Essentials is a favourite of mine with great detection rates, particularly for rootkits. Even more impressive is the fact that Microsoft Security Essentials has very few false positives, is light on resources and is good at removal of existing malware. MSE is a great choice for average users because of the minimal user interaction required. It automatically updates and removes threats. No registration is needed, apart from a quick validating of Windows, and there are no nag screens or advertisements.
The main downsides are the slow scan speeds and the lengthy amount of time it takes to quarantine malware, though in my opinion these are rather trivial concerns, as for example a scan just be run overnight. MSE also is not available in certain countries so users there will have to look elsewhere. Note that Microsoft Security Essentials requires a genuine copy of Windows to install.
Microsoft Security Essentials earns its spot as one of the best free antivirus as it has consistently performed admirably on third-party antivirus certifications and detection tests. Microsoft Security Essentials is not only free for home use, it's free for small businesses with up to 10 computers to protect. Microsoft Security Essentials runs on XP, Vista, and Windows 7 and 8 but can only be installed on genuine Windows installations (i.e. those that are properly licensed).
Vendor's Site: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download
4. Panda Cloud Antivirus
Panda Cloud Antivirus is not only one of the best free antivirus programs, it’s also the only free cloud-based scanner, Panda antivirus software takes all the processing off your PC, giving you a lighter, faster, and more proactive antivirus protection. Or for a very low price you can upgrade to Panda Cloud Antivirus Pro and gain additional features as well as 24/7 tech support.
Panda Cloud Antivirus is an excellent choice for average users with a simple interface and completely automated features with automatic updating and removal of malware. The detection level is generally very high, but according to the latest test data, detection of zero day threats is slightly lower. PCA uses 'cloud' technology to provide for a much quicker release of updates as all definitions are stored in the cloud and thus the moment Panda updates their blacklist all users of PCA with an internet connection are protected from it.
Panda Cloud Antivirus has a behavioural blocker and web protection, which will certainly increase your security. However as you can simply use one of the other free AV's with a separate behavioural blocker (for further details see our Security Wizard) to achieve possibly even better protection, this is not necessarily an advantage.
One minor reservation with Panda Cloud Security is that it seems to erroneously detect certain browser/system-related applications, for example VideoCacheView, and because of the automatic quarantine this made it a fraction bothersome.
Vendor's Site: http://www.cloudantivirus.com/en/#!/free-antivirus-download
5. AVG Free Edition for Windows
AVG Free Edition is a classic, one of the longest running free antivirus packages available for Windows 8/7/XP/2000/NT/ME/98. Installing only 30Mb of files and 4 running processes, AVG Free Edition is the smallest antivirus scanner we've tested and may well be the best free antivirus choice for an older PC that has limited system resources.
Although AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is also a decent choice for a free antivirus this venerable antivirus has had some shaky results in detection in the recent past, however it now offers a high level of protection. This is probably due to the inclusion of a fully-fledged behavioural blocker that is the "Identity Protection" protection. This provides a very important additional layer of protection, on the other hand though a similar protection level can be achieved by using one of the free antivirus above alongside a separate behavioural blocker. Unfortunately AVG free has grown considerably in size, has very slow scan speeds and also advertisements (but they can be disabled)
Vendor's Site: http://free.avg.com/ww-en/homepage
6. Comodo Internet Security
Comodo Internet Security is the free, multi-layered security application that keeps hackers out and personal information in. Built from the ground upwards with your security in mind, Internet Security offers 360° protection by combining powerful Antivirus protection, an enterprise class packet filtering firewall, advanced host intrusion prevention and automatic sandboxing of unknown files. Unlike the stripped down versions of commercial software that other software vendors offer for free, this is the full, completely functional version of the product. Most of the best free antivirus only provide an antivirus scanner. But what if you need antivirus software and a firewall? Comodo Internet Security is the best free Internet security suite you need. Unlike most free antivirus which is free for home use only, Comodo Internet Security is free for both home and business use - and it even includes 90 days of free tech support. Comodo Internet Security supports Windows 7 / Vista / XP SP2/ Windows 8.
Vendor's Site: http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/free-internet-security.php
The aforementioned free antivirus programs are excellent software that provide a real alternative to the major commercial antivirus products, try them today and you’ll be glad with the results you’ll see!
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