Viruses, spyware, hackers, phishing sites - the web is a dangerous place, and every PC owner needs effective, reliable antivirus software to keep them safe. But this can be expensive, especially as you'll pay again to update the package, each and every year.
Fortunately there is plenty of free antivirus software, many of which are just as capable as their commercial cousins. So if you're tired of annual subscriptions, read on - we've picked 5 out of the best free Antivirus Software tools to deliver great security at no cost at all.
1.Avast! Free Antivirus
AVAST Software's avast! Free Antivirus 2014 most certainly deserves to be on any list of the best free antivirus programs. avast! Free Antivirus has fully functioning antivirus and antispyware engines protecting your PC from threats from the Internet, your files, emails, and even instant messages.
avast! Free Antivirus 2014 (version 9) supports Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
One big reason I included avast! Free Antivirus 2014 as a best free antivirus program is because of its "heuristics engine" which can detect previously unknown viruses and other malware. Avast Free has some useful extras, too. A Software Updater alerts you to program updates you've missed, for instance, while its Browser Cleanup tool provides a simple way to remove unwanted add-ons from your browsers.
You can download the Avast! Free Antivirus here (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Avast-Home-Edition.shtml)
2. Panda Cloud Antivirus Free
Small and simple, Panda Cloud Antivirus is a lightweight tool which provides free real-time antivirus protection, and can be used alongside many other security tools without problems.
It's the free version of a commercial product, and so has a few missing features. The Pro edition helps to protect you at public wifi networks, for instance, while its "USB Vaccine" function reduces the risk of malware infecting a USB drive.
The core antivirus protection remains the same, though. And while that doesn't deliver the top detection rates, independent testing shows it's very capable, with the program winning certification in AV-Test's latest report.
You can download the Panda Cloud Antivirus Free here(http://filehippo.com/download_cloud_antivirus)
3.AVG Anti-Virus Free
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is also a decent choice for a free antivirus. Although this venerable antivirus has had some shaky results in detection in the recent past, it now offers a high level of protection. My analysis of the results, as discussed in the methodology section, does show that it does a decent job of protecting your computer. However, it appears that the above Antivirus products tend to do better. Also, it comes with advertisements (but they can be disabled).
You can download the AVG Anti-Virus Free here(http://filehippo.com/download_avg_antivirus_32/)
4.Avira Free Antivirus
Avira Free Antivirus provides two main areas of protection.
A strong antivirus engine (rated highly by independent labs for its file detection rates) constantly monitors your PC, looking for and eliminating threats.
If you choose to install the Avira toolbar then you also get some web tools (an antiphishing tool, ad blocker, social networking protection), although this also replaces your default search engine with an Avira page.
Problems? The interface can seem a little complex, just at first. And the program has more impact on your PC's performance than some other tools. Still, on balance Avira Free Antivirus remains a capable and effective security package.
You can download the Avira Free Antivirus here(http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/AntiVir-Personal-Edition.shtml)
5. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
Bitdefender's antivirus engine is one of the best around, and a favourite of the independent testing labs, so getting a free version sounds very appealing indeed.
The program is ultra-compact, downloading and installing in less than a minute on our test PC (although it does demand removal of any incompatible products first). A very basic interface then provides effective on-demand and automatic scanning, real-time antivirus and antiphishing protection.
You can download the Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition here(http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html)
Fortunately there is plenty of free antivirus software, many of which are just as capable as their commercial cousins. So if you're tired of annual subscriptions, read on - we've picked 5 out of the best free Antivirus Software tools to deliver great security at no cost at all.
1.Avast! Free Antivirus
AVAST Software's avast! Free Antivirus 2014 most certainly deserves to be on any list of the best free antivirus programs. avast! Free Antivirus has fully functioning antivirus and antispyware engines protecting your PC from threats from the Internet, your files, emails, and even instant messages.
avast! Free Antivirus 2014 (version 9) supports Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
One big reason I included avast! Free Antivirus 2014 as a best free antivirus program is because of its "heuristics engine" which can detect previously unknown viruses and other malware. Avast Free has some useful extras, too. A Software Updater alerts you to program updates you've missed, for instance, while its Browser Cleanup tool provides a simple way to remove unwanted add-ons from your browsers.
You can download the Avast! Free Antivirus here (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Avast-Home-Edition.shtml)
2. Panda Cloud Antivirus Free
Small and simple, Panda Cloud Antivirus is a lightweight tool which provides free real-time antivirus protection, and can be used alongside many other security tools without problems.
It's the free version of a commercial product, and so has a few missing features. The Pro edition helps to protect you at public wifi networks, for instance, while its "USB Vaccine" function reduces the risk of malware infecting a USB drive.
The core antivirus protection remains the same, though. And while that doesn't deliver the top detection rates, independent testing shows it's very capable, with the program winning certification in AV-Test's latest report.
You can download the Panda Cloud Antivirus Free here(http://filehippo.com/download_cloud_antivirus)
3.AVG Anti-Virus Free
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is also a decent choice for a free antivirus. Although this venerable antivirus has had some shaky results in detection in the recent past, it now offers a high level of protection. My analysis of the results, as discussed in the methodology section, does show that it does a decent job of protecting your computer. However, it appears that the above Antivirus products tend to do better. Also, it comes with advertisements (but they can be disabled).
You can download the AVG Anti-Virus Free here(http://filehippo.com/download_avg_antivirus_32/)
4.Avira Free Antivirus
Avira Free Antivirus provides two main areas of protection.
A strong antivirus engine (rated highly by independent labs for its file detection rates) constantly monitors your PC, looking for and eliminating threats.
If you choose to install the Avira toolbar then you also get some web tools (an antiphishing tool, ad blocker, social networking protection), although this also replaces your default search engine with an Avira page.
Problems? The interface can seem a little complex, just at first. And the program has more impact on your PC's performance than some other tools. Still, on balance Avira Free Antivirus remains a capable and effective security package.
You can download the Avira Free Antivirus here(http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/AntiVir-Personal-Edition.shtml)
5. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
Bitdefender's antivirus engine is one of the best around, and a favourite of the independent testing labs, so getting a free version sounds very appealing indeed.
The program is ultra-compact, downloading and installing in less than a minute on our test PC (although it does demand removal of any incompatible products first). A very basic interface then provides effective on-demand and automatic scanning, real-time antivirus and antiphishing protection.
You can download the Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition here(http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html)
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