It is essential to have good anti-virus software to secure your system. Unless you install security software, your PC will always be vulnerable to malware such as viruses, ransomware, and spyware, which continue to become smarter and more dangerous as technology develops. Hackers are always inventing new ways of gaining access to your PC. The only guaranteed way to protect your computer against such threats is by installing anti-virus software. A strong anti-virus will ward off malware attacks, safeguard your personal information and online identities, and keep your Windows PC running effectively.
Antivirus doesn’t have to cost you a thing. There are many free antivirus options which can help you secure your PC. Here are the best free antivirus options that can give you an all-around protection.
Avast acquired AVG in 2016 and merged the two companies’ malware-detection engines. This brought remarkable improvements to the Avast Antivirus software, making it one of the best security options. Avast Free Antivirus is a leader in the protecting systems from different threats such as malware and hackers. It has an easy-to-use interface and many extra features, including a network scanner and a password manager. Program and definition updates are performed automatically hence you don’t have to worry about the version you’re running. It is also customizable and allows you to make changes to your convenience.
Avast antivirus runs on Windows XP (SP3) all through Windows 10. Unlike some other antivirus options, Avast doesn’t hide its free version. Apart from basic protection, Avast also offers protection from unknown threats. It has great usability and performance hence solid antivirus software.
Other key features include:
Pros:
Cons:
Bitdefender is a popular internet security software company based in Romania. The company has a reputation for providing simple, robust and reliable products, and their antivirus is no exception. The antivirus software has one of the broadest arrays of protective features, from the ability to customize most aspects to ultrafast quick scans. It provides not only protection against malware, viruses, spyware, rootkits, etc. but also anti-fraud and anti-phishing protection.
Bitdefender Antivirus is simple to install and has a user-friendly interface. It offers some of the best protection against threats and has a fast response when it detects a malware or antivirus. In addition, it provides protection against new and emerging threats like ransomware.
Pros:
Cons:
Avira is another solid free antivirus option for Windows PC. Founded in 1986, it has established itself as a leader in the field of security solutions. It has a well-designed and easy to use interface and runs on Windows 7 (SP1) and newer. Avira uses its signature-based malware scanning to protect your PC by actively operating in the background. It protects against spyware, Trojans, ransomware, and other types of malware. It can scan and remove existing threats and also stop new ones. Avira also gels well with other programs such as VPN clients and web browsers. Avira has a wide range of extra features, including a password manager and a VPN client that offers 500MB of traffic.
Some of its key features include:
Pros:
Cons:
Kaspersky is one of the most widely known brands in the computer security industry, and its antivirus software is very effective in detecting and removing all types of viruses on PCs. It offers great protection for PC users for all Windows from Windows XP through Windows 10. It provides optimized security without slowing down your system’s performance. Some of its features include self-defense, file, web and email antivirus, automatic updates, quarantine, and many more. However, with the free version, you won’t get online payment protection, parental control, or VPN functionality.
Kaspersky Antivirus has an easy to use interface. Unlike many other free antivirus options, its firewall doesn’t bother you, and it doesn’t show many pop-ups. It scores well in AV-Test’s reports, with almost 100% threats detection and protection as well as top scores in usability and performance.
Pros:
Cons:
Panda Antivirus is a malware protection software developed by Panda Security, a Spanish company that creates IT security. It is one of the best protection software at stopping malware attacks. It is available for all Windows, from Windows Vista and XP, all through Windows 10. It provides one of the easiest-to-use software for your PC, protecting it against spyware, viruses, hackers, root-kits, and online fraud. Panda Safe Web feature protects users against phishing websites and fraudulent sites that steal personal information such as email logins and bank credentials. If you borrow USB drives regularly from your friends and colleagues, Panda will give you the best protection. It offers USB protection that vaccinates every USB drive you connect to your computer. Panda also allows you to create a bootable USB drive for extra cleaning purposes.
Panda Dome has advanced technologies that offer an intelligent protection system which makes the software faster, safer, and more complete. It distinguishes between known and newly discovered threats and allows you to control what it does about them. The software combines the two functions of antivirus software and firewall to simplify your security. The security news and alerts sections are unique as they show critical warnings of things that could affect your personal information.
Pros:
Cons:
