Free Malware, Spyware, and Adware Protection
When you throw a few bucks into a slot machine, you're gambling on the possibility of a big payout. Leaving your computer without the defense of an antivirus software is another kind of gambling, but it's a game you can only lose. Don't be a mug; get an antivirus running on all your computers. You can still play the slots with the money you'll save by choosing a free solution. Plenty are available, and the best of them beat out all but the top for-pay competitors. We've evaluated more than a dozen free antivirus tools, so dig into our reviews and pick the one that speaks to you.
Your antivirus should definitely have the ability to root out existing malware, but its ongoing task is to prevent ransomware, botnets, Trojans, and other types of nasty programs from getting a foothold. All of the antivirus programs in this collection offer real-time malware protection. Some take the fight upstream, working hard to ensure you never even browse to a malware-hosting site, or get fooled into turning over your credentials to a phishing site.
Free Antivirus vs. Paid Antivirus
Avira Review. Avira is one of the best antivirus solutions out there, with great lab results, a fantastic interface and good pricing. In fact, it would give Bitdefender a run for its money for the.
- Avira can scan and remove existing threats as well as automatically detect and stop new ones. It protects you against ransomware, Trojans, spyware, and other kinds of malware. You can even choose which ones to actively watch out for, and disable others (though it's not recommended) like dialers, jokes, adware, etc.
- We test the top contenders to identify those offering the best Mac antivirus protection. The Best Mac Antivirus Protection of 2018. (for Mac), Avira Free Antivirus for.
- Avira Free Security 2018 Review Free Download For Windows Protects against harmful websites, blocks browser trackers for better internet privacyGet antivirus that is award-winning that runs silently in the history to secure your information, protect your privacy, and keep your computer malware-free.It’s easy to use – just download and install, then sit back and relax.
- On August 23, 2018 By 2018reviews In MAC, Software AnyTrans Crack is a multifunctional management tool for making the soar from Android to iOS. With it, you can effortlessly migrate a good deal greater varieties of statistics than the usage of a general control.
If free antivirus tools are so great, why should anybody pay? For one thing, quite a few of these products are free only for noncommercial use; if you want to protect your business, you have to pony up for the paid edition. At that point, you should probably consider upgrading to a full security suite. After all, it's your business's security on the line.
Even for personal use, most for-pay antivirus tools offer more than their free counterparts—sometimes a lot more. For example, ZoneAlarm's paid edition adds protection against malicious and fraudulent websites that the free version lacks. And Panda reserves quite a few features for paying customers, among them firewall protection, application control, cross-platform support, and detection of insecure Wi-Fi connections.
In addition, many companies don't offer full-scale tech support for users of the free edition. The first time you need extra help digging a particularly stubborn piece of malware out of your system, you might regret the lack of support.
Independent Antivirus Lab Test Results
Around the world, researchers at independent antivirus testing labs spend their days putting antivirus tools to the test. Some of these labs regularly release public reports on their findings. We follow four such labs closely: AV-Comparatives, AV-Test Institute, SE Labs, and MRG-Effitas. We also take note of whether vendors have contracted for certification by ICSA Labs and West Coast Labs.
Security companies typically pay for the privilege of being included in testing. In return, the labs supply them with detailed reports that can help improve their products. The number of labs that include a particular vendor serves as a measure of significance. In each case, the lab considered the product important enough to test, and the vendor felt the price was worthwhile. The labs don't necessarily test a vendor's free product, but most vendors pack full protection into the free product, enhancing premium versions with additional features.
We Test Malware Protection
In addition to carefully perusing results from the independent labs, we also run our own hands-on malware protection test. We expose each antivirus to a collection of malware samples, including a variety of different malware types, and note its reaction. Typically the antivirus will wipe out most of the samples on sight, and detect some of the remaining ones when we try to launch them. We derive a malware blocking score from 0 to 10 points based on how thoroughly the antivirus protects the test system from these samples.
Since we use the same samples month after month, the malware-blocking test definitely doesn't measure a product's ability to detect brand-new threats. In a separate test, we attempt to download malware from 100 very new malicious URLs supplied by MRG-Effitas, typically less than a few days old. We note whether the antivirus blocked all access to the URL, wiped out the malicious payload during download, or did nothing. Bitdefender and Trend Micro hold the top score in this test, but Sophos Home Free is close behind.
If you're interested in learning more about our testing techniques, you're welcome to read more about how we test security software.
Useful Features
Just about every antivirus product scans files on access to make sure malware can't launch, and also scans the entire system on demand, or on a schedule you set. Once that cleaning and scheduling is done, blocking all access to malware-hosting URLs is another good way to avoid trouble. Many products extend that protection to also steer users away from fraudulent websites, phishing sites that try to steal login credentials for financial sites and other sensitive sites. A few rate links in search results, flagging any dangerous or iffy ones.
Behavior-based detection, a feature of some antivirus products, is a two-edged sword. On the one hand, it can detect malware that's never been seen before. On the other hand, if it's not done right, it can baffle the user with messages about perfectly legitimate programs.
Any antivirus should eliminate spyware along with other types of malware, but some products include features designed specifically for spyware protection. Features like encryption to protect your sensitive data and webcam control to prevent remote peeping typically show up in commercial products, not free ones. But some free products include features like a simple on-screen keyboard to foil keyloggers.
One easy way to keep your PC protected is to install all security updates, both for Windows and for browsers and other popular applications. Windows 10 makes it easier than ever to stay up to date, but there are plenty of security holes in older Windows versions, in popular apps, and in add-ons. Scanning for vulnerabilities in the form of missing updates is a feature most often found in commercial antivirus products, but it does turn up in some free ones. In the chart above you can see which products include these useful features.
What's Not Here?
This article reports only on free antivirus products that received at least a good rating in our reviews—three stars or better. Now that Microsoft Windows Defender Security Center has maintained a three-star score for a while, we've let it join the party. Yes, it's more of a Windows component than a free product. Yes, the very best free antivirus utilities offer many more layers of protection. But Windows Defender protects everyone who can't be bothered to install a third-party antivirus tool.
Several free utilities devoted entirely to ransomware protection joined the party in the last year or two. Cybereason RansomFree, CyberSight RansomStopper, and Acronis Ransomware Protection, among others, exist for the sole purpose of fending off any ransomware attack that your regular antivirus misses. Bitdefender Anti-Ransomware works by fooling ransomware to think that your computer is already infected. These are useful companion products, but they don't do the job of a full-scale antivirus utility.
There are also numerous free antivirus utilities that work solely to clean up existing malware infestations. You bring out these cleanup-only tools when you have a nasty malware problem. When the malware's gone, they have no further use, since they offer no ongoing protection. Our favorite in this category is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, and it's definitely one you should try if you've got a malware problem. But since they're free, you can keep trying others if the first one doesn't do the job. When the scare is over, you'll need a full-blown antivirus for ongoing protection.
What's the Best Free Antivirus?
Our current Editors' Choice products for free antivirus utility are Avast Free Antivirus and Kaspersky Free. Avast gets very good scores from the independent labs, and Kaspersky took near-perfect scores in recent tests. On the other hand, Avast includes some useful bonus features not found in Kaspersky, including a password manager and a network security scanner. If you do have a little cash in your budget for security, the best paid antivirus software does offer more and better protection. If not, try a few of these free tools and see which one you like best.
Worried you might already be infected? Check out our article on the signs you have malware.
Editors' Note: We are aware of the allegations of Kaspersky Labs' inappropriate ties to the Russian government. Until we see some actual proof of these allegations, we will treat them as unproven, and continue to recommend Kaspersky's security products as long as their performance continues to merit our endorsement.
Best Free Antivirus Protection Featured in This Roundup:
Avast Free Antivirus Review
MSRP: $0.00
atPros: Very good scores from independent testing labs and our hands-on tests. Network security inspector. Password manager. Many useful, security-related bonus features. Free.
Cons: Password manager features limited. Some bonus features require separate purchase.
Bottom Line: Avast Free Antivirus combines an antivirus engine that scores very well in testing with a surprisingly extensive collection of bonus features.
Read ReviewKaspersky Free Review
MSRP: $0.00
atPros: Perfect scores from four independent testing labs. Perfect score in our phishing protection test. Good scores in our malware-blocking and malicious URL blocking tests. Free.
Cons: No direct tech support.
Bottom Line: Kaspersky Free offers full-scale malware protection that gets perfect scores from the independent labs, and it won't cost you a penny.
Read ReviewAVG AntiVirus Free Review
MSRP: $0.00
atPros: Very good scores in multiple independent lab tests and our own hands-on tests.
Cons: Initial scan slower than average. No longer offers web protection browser extension.
Bottom Line: AVG AntiVirus Free offers precisely the same antivirus protection engine as Avast Free Antivirus, but lacks the impressive collection of bonus features that you get with Avast.
Read ReviewBitdefender Antivirus Free Edition (2017) Review
MSRP: $0.00
atPros: Same antivirus protection as for-pay Bitdefender. Excellent scores from independent testing labs. Top antiphishing score.
Cons: Lacks all features of the for-pay Bitdefender beyond core antivirus protection.
Bottom Line: Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition includes precisely the same antivirus technology found in the commercial Bitdefender Antivirus, without the paid edition's many useful bonus features.
Read ReviewCheck Point ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus+ Review
MSRP: $0.00
atPros: Antivirus protection licensed from Kaspersky. Tough, effective two-way firewall. Free. Bonus features.
Cons: No antivirus lab test results. Lacks some antivirus features. No protection for malicious or fraudulent websites. Behavioral detection tars good and bad programs in testing. Personal data protection fails in testing.
Bottom Line: Check Point ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus+ combines Kaspersky-powered antivirus with an effective firewall, but it lacks protection against malicious and fraudulent websites, and some of its bonus features don't work.
Read ReviewAvira Antivirus Review
MSRP: $0.00
atPros: Excellent scores from independent testing labs. Good score in our malware blocking test. Free. Option to install many related Avira products.
Cons: Slow on-demand scan. Browser protection only for Chrome and Firefox. So-so antiphishing score. Real-time protection missed some malware EXEs, identified some valid programs as malware.
Bottom Line: The free Avira Antivirus gets excellent ratings from the independent labs, but it doesn't fare as well in our antiphishing test, and its browser protection only works with Chrome and Firefox.
Read ReviewSophos Home Free Review
MSRP: $0.00
atPros: Very good scores in our hands-on tests. Decent antiphishing score. Remote management. Free.
Cons: No test results from independent labs. Parental content filter ineffective. Slow full scan.
Bottom Line: Sophos Home Free gives consumers antivirus protection built for business, including remote management, but no testing labs vouch for its accuracy.
Read Reviewadaware antivirus free 12 Review
MSRP: $0.00
atPros: Full scan flags safe programs, speeding up subsequent scans. Free.
Cons: Mixed scores in independent lab tests. Low scores in our hands-on tests. No protection against malicious or fraudulent URLs. Lacks features found in competing free products products and in its own previous edition.
Bottom Line: In a complete makeover, adaware antivirus free 12 has a new name and a new look. Under the hood, though, its test results aren't the best, and competing free products have much more to offer.
Read ReviewMicrosoft Windows Defender Security Center Review
MSRP: $0.00
atPros: Built into Windows 10. Good hands-on test scores. Simple ransomware protection. Easy access to Windows security features. Always on if no other antivirus is present.
Cons: Mixed results from independent test labs.
Bottom Line: Microsoft Windows Defender Security Center protects Windows 10 PCs that have no other antivirus protection, and it has significantly improved in our hands-on tests since our previous review.
Read ReviewQihoo 360 Total Security 8.6 Review
MSRP: $0.00
atPros: 360 Connect smartphone app lets you remotely help friends and family use the product. Cleanup, tuneup, vulnerability scan, and many other bonus utilities.
Cons: So-so scores in our malware blocking and malicious URL blocking tests. Dismal score in our antiphishing test. Default configuration not optimized for security.
Bottom Line: The free Qihoo 360 Total Security 8.6 comes with a ton of bonus tools, but its core antivirus protection doesn't measure up to the best free antivirus tools.
Read Review
On Offer
- Avira free antivirus offers protection from malware, which includes worms, viruses, Trojans, and spyware
- Avira Pro includes offers protection from malware, along with anti-ransomware and anti-phishing software, device control, identity protection, safe banking and shopping, and data privacy
- Various other products, such as PC optimization tools, parental controls and VPN
- Complete packages such as Avira Prime and Avira Internet Security Suite
Package Features and Highlights
Ease of Use
Avira free antivirus is easy to use - just download it and follow the prompts for installation. The dashboard is fairly straightforward and the antivirus settings are easy to tweak. The settings can also be adjusted to suit how often you would like your computer scanned.While the free antivirus software is easy to use, some users report being unable to access certain websites unless they sign up for Avira’s paid version. While this is not the norm, and most users can access all sites, they will still be served ads for Avira’s paid version from time to time.Avira For Mac Review 2018
Avira Pro, the paid antivirus software, is also easy to use. Purchasers receive free tech support and a secure web browser. Pro scans email attachments, constantly updates its database of malware signatures, and blocks known malicious websites. All this is done automatically, but users can also adjust the settings to their own preferences - for example, turning on or off Real-Time Protection, Firewall, Web Protection, Mail Protection and Game Mode.When something is not right, a red exclamation point will appear next to the issue on the dashboard, which alerts users that they should run a scan or adjust their settings. The software will usually prompt the user toward the correct course of action.The main issue with Avira, however, is that it can slow down normal computer operation, especially when running the full computer scan. This may be the only downside, especially for people who need a fast-operating system.Value for Money
As far as a free antivirus goes, Avira is obviously great value for your money. Its anti-malware has consistently scored high results in tests run by independent companies. However, the protection is decidedly basic. This means that all of the features you receive with Avira Pro - anti-ransomware and anti-phishing software, device control, identity protection, safe banking and shopping, and data privacy - are missing from the free version.At $45/year, Avira Pro is a bit more expensive than its competitors, but the protection you get is top-quality. Avira Pro won Best Product of the Year in 2016 and has consistently scored high on the tests run by AV-Test. In short, while it does cost a few extra dollars, you are receiving an excellent product.Help & Support
Users who download the free version of Avira antivirus have access to Avira’s Help pages, customer forum, a threat landscape, and security wordbook. Free consultations with tech experts are also available. However, to receive premium customer support via phone and email, users must provide a license number, which is only given to paying customers.Help pages and customer support are offered in English, German, and Japanese.User Experience
Avira For Mac Review 2018 Honda
The free version of Avira antivirus is easy to install. Upon installation, you will also be offered a number of other free Avira products, such as a VPN, system speed-up, mobile security, password manager, software updates, and more. Installation takes a few minutes, and once installed, a little Avira icon will appear on the bottom right of your screen. You can then perform security scans and receive alerts when a suspicious website is blocked.Avira For Mac Review 2018 Chevy
Avira Pro, the paid version, has a similarly easy installation. While some users have reported that it slows down their computer operations, independent testing has showed that Avira software scans internet files fairly quickly, and is on par with most of its competitors, including Norton and McAffee.Review in Short
Avira free antivirus offers good, basic protection against malware, but for more comprehensive protection, Avira Pro is the better option. Both products can operate on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices, but only Pro includes anti-ransomware and anti-phishing software, device control, identity protection, safe banking and shopping, and data privacy. While Pro is a bit more pricey than its competitors, the price difference is not significant if you are looking for quality protection and accessible customer support.About Avira
