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Antivirus software has been around since the early days of computers. It was initially used to protect against viruses on floppy disks and other storage media.
Today, antivirus software protects computers from malware, spyware, and other types of malicious software.
Antivirus software is an essential part of any computer user’s life. But, as with anything else, there are different types of antivirus software out there.
Some are paid, while others are entirely free. And, some offer additional features that make them worth considering.
We’ll look at some of the best free antivirus software options available.
What is Antivirus Software?
An antivirus program scans your computer for viruses and malware, protecting your system against malicious programs.
Antivirus software is essential for keeping your computer safe from hackers who may try to steal your sensitive data.
But what does “antivirus” mean?
An antivirus program scans your computer for viruses, malware, spyware, and other malicious programs.
Antivirus software protects your computer against threats that may harm your system or steal your private information.
You should install antivirus software on every computer you own, even if you don’t think it’s necessary.
If you don’t have antivirus protection, you risk exposing yourself to dangerous threats.
Features and Benefits of Antivirus Software
Antivirus software protects against viruses, spyware, malware, Trojans, rootkits, worms, and other malicious threats.
Antivirus programs are used by millions of people every day.
They protect computers from harmful files like computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, and spyware.
Antivirus protection helps keep your PC safe from harm.
Security: Security is a top priority for businesses today.
Antivirus security protects your company from hackers and cyber criminals who would steal valuable intellectual property, financial records, and confidential information.
Antivirus is also essential for protecting your network infrastructure.
Network Protection: Network protection is another key component of keeping your organization secure.
Antivirus protects your network from attacks by viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and other malware.
Network protection allows you to monitor activity on your network and detect unauthorized access attempts.
Best Free Antivirus Software Programs
TotalAV Antivirus
TotalAV is one of the few free antivirus programs that can detect and remove viruses without slowing down your computer.
The program has a complete set of virus definitions, including a few useful extras such as a web shield and a file shredder.
However, it lacks any kind of real-time protection or sandboxing, which means it’s vulnerable to zero-day attacks.
The product is easy to use and comes with a built-in scanner, which scans all files and folders on your hard drive.
You can also add custom locations to scan. It’s not perfect, but it’s good enough for most users.
Moreover, TotalAV is a reliable choice for those who want to protect themselves from malware without spending money.
TotalAV is one of the oldest antivirus programs, having first appeared in 1989.
TotalAV Free Edition is a stripped-down version of the full product.
You get the same scanning engine without the ability to remove threats, perform scans, or use the built-in scanner.
The program also lacks real-time protection, so it can’t stop malware before it gets onto your computer.
And while it includes a few useful features, such as a web filter, it doesn’t offer any additional protection beyond what’s available in the standard version.
[affcoups id=”10857″]Best For Basic protection against viruses and phishing attacks
Why we like it: It’s free, and it works
Key Features and Benefits:
- A stripped-down version of the full TotalAV
- No removal, no scanning, no real-time protection
- Basic web filter
Compatibility: All platforms supported by TotalAV
Avast Free Antivirus
Avast is an excellent option if you’re looking for free antivirus protection that can keep your computer safe from malware and ransomware.
Also, Avast Free Antivirus has been around since 2012 and has proven effective at protecting against viruses, malware, and spyware.
Avast Free Antivirus is a free version of Avast, one of the world’s leading antivirus products. It offers basic protection against viruses, spyware, and malware.
Moreover, Avast Free Antivirus includes many of the same features as the full version of Avast but without any limitations.
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You get the same protection against viruses, spyware, malware, phishing attacks, and online fraud.
The software has a robust spyware and spam filter and includes parental controls to help you protect your kids online.
Avast can detect viruses hidden in email attachments and fishing attacks on your web browser.
In addition, Avast Free Antiviruses has built-in parental controls that allow parents to set limits on what their children can do online.
Avast provides a lot of value for free, including automatic updates, cloud scanning, and real-time protection against viruses, malware, phishing attacks, and other threats.
You can download the program directly to your device, install it through Google Play, or scan files using the cloud.
Further, you can install it on any PC running Windows 7, 8, or 10.
Best for: Keeping your computer safe and secure.
Why we like it: Avast is free, easy to install, and keeps me safe from malware.
Key Features and benefits:
- Protects against viruses, spyware, and malware
- Easy-to-use interface
- Offers parental control
- Free
Compatibility: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Avira free antivirus
Avira Free Antivirus is a free version of Avira AntiVir Personal Edition.
Moreover, Avira Free Antivirus is a free antivirus tool designed specifically for users who don’t want to spend money on a paid antivirus solution.
However, Avira Free Antivirus doesn’t include many additional features as most commercial antivirus programs do. Instead, it focuses on keeping your system safe from malware threats.
Avira Free Antivirus includes basic protection against viruses, spyware, adware, malware, phishing attacks, and online threats. It also includes parental controls to help protect children online.
Avira is slightly different from other free antiviruses because it doesn’t scan files locally. Instead, it scans them online against its database of known malware.
This means that it won’t catch every virus, but it will catch most. You can download Avira’s desktop version to scan local files.
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You get full virus definition updates monthly, so you always know what’s new.
And since it’s free, there’s no risk of losing any money when you download it.
Avira Free Antivirus has been tested by independent labs and is effective at protecting against known and unknown threats.
However, it does not include some features in the paid versions of Avira antivirus software. For example, it does not have a firewall or the ability to schedule scans.
Best for: Checking websites for malware.
Why we like it: Avira is reliable, fast, and easy to use.
Key Features and benefits:
- Basic protection against viruses, spyware, adware, malware
- Full virus definition updates every month
- No risk of losing money when downloading
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Android devices
Malwarebytes Protection
Malwarebytes is a free anti-malware tool that protects against viruses, spyware, adware, malware, and other malicious threats.
Moreover, Malwarebytes is a powerful anti-malware tool designed specifically for smartphones and tablets.
Malwarebytes works by scanning apps before they’re installed and removing any malware found within them.
If you’ve ever had trouble installing an app because it contained malicious code, Malwarebytes will be able to remove it before it takes root.
Additionally, the software scans files, emails, websites, and removable media for malicious code and removes it before it can do any damage.
In addition to protecting your system, Malwarebytes will notify you whenever there are new updates to the software so you can be sure you’re protected against the latest threats.
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Malwarebytes is compatible with most major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Android.
Malwarebytes has been around since 2011 and has become one of the most trusted anti-malware programs.
It also offers parental control features to help keep your children safe online.
Best for: Protecting yourself from malware.
Why we like it: Malwarebytes is a trusted name in security, and it’s free.
Key Features and benefits:
- Protects against viruses, spyware, and adware
- Easy installation
- Removes malware before it does any harm
Compatibility: Windows 10, macOS, Android, iOS
Kaspersky Free Antivirus
Kaspersky Free Antivirus protects against viruses, spyware, and other malicious programs that may be downloaded onto your device through email attachments, websites, or social media platforms.
It’s been around since 2002 and has grown into a powerhouse in the security industry.
Kaspersky Free Antivirus uses a multi-layered approach to protect against viruses, spyware, adware, rootkits, and other malware threats.
It includes a firewall, anti-spam filter, parental controls, and a web browser extension.
Moreover, it offers robust protection against all sorts of online threats and has several features that make it ideal for families with children.
Kaspersky’s parental control feature allows parents to restrict their children’s access to specific websites and monitor their online activity.
The software also includes a spam filter to keep your inbox free of unwanted messages and a vulnerability scanner that detects and fixes any security holes in your system.
Kaspersky Free Antivirus is designed to be lightweight and easy to use. It’ll scan files and folders, remove malware, and protect against ransomware.
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They’re also free, so you don’t have to worry about spending money on a license to protect yourself against viruses.
Kaspersky Free Antivirus is worth checking out if you’re looking for a free antivirus solution for your phone or tablet.
Best for: Keeping yourself safe online
Why we like it: A free version is a good option for people looking to stay secure without spending money.
Key Features and benefits:
- Free antivirus protection
- Anti-spam filter
- Parental control
- Web browser extension
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Panda Antivirus
Panda Antivirus is a protection suite that helps protect your computer from malware, ransomware, spyware, and other online threats.
It offers real-time protection against viruses and other threats and parental control features to help you keep your kids safe online.
Panda Antivirus is also one of the few antivirus programs that can protect you from fishing attacks and spam emails.
The software includes a built-in firewall, parental controls, and a web browser extension.
You can also set up automatic scans and schedule them at specific times. Moreover, you can also get alerts when new threats are detected and quarantine suspicious files.
It’s fast, reliable, and easy to use. You can scan files, folders, or entire drives, and it’ll tell you if there are any viruses present.
If you want to scan a drive, you can simply drag and drop the file into the window.
Panda is intuitive and easy to use, so it’s perfect for novice users.
If you’re new to using antivirus software, Panda will walk you through the process step-by-step.
And if you’ve been using antivirus software for years, Panda will still keep you protected.
Best For Scanning files and folders for malware.
Why we like it: Panda is always up to date and keeps us safe.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Free antivirus protection
- Built-in firewall
- Web browser extension
- Free version limits blocking to ads and trackers
Compatibility: All platforms
AVG Free Antivirus
AVG Free Antivirus is one of the most trusted names in antivirus protection.
Moreover, AVG Free Antivirus protects against viruses, spyware, malware, worms, Trojans, keyloggers, rootkits, dialers, and other malicious threats.
It also protects against phishing attacks, spam, and online fraud.
In addition, AVG Free Antivirus provides real-time protection against new threats, so you don’t have to wait until the next update to keep your system safe.
It’s also compatible with many different operating systems, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues.
You get complete protection without any limitations or restrictions.
AVG is one of the most popular and well-known free antivirus software providers. It’s been in business since 1991, and its software is used by more than 200 million people worldwide.
AVG offers protection against a wide range of malware, including ransomware, spyware, and viruses. It also includes parental controls to help protect children online. The software is easy to use and can be installed in minutes.
One downside to AVG is that it doesn’t offer as much protection against spam as some other antivirus programs.
Additionally, it doesn’t include a built-in firewall as some other programs do. However, these are minor issues compared to the program’s many strengths.
AVG is one of the few companies that listens to its customers and updates its product frequently based on user feedback.
Best for: Keeping your computer safe from malicious software.
Why We Like it: AVG is one of the few programs listening to users and makes changes accordingly.
Key Features and Benefits :
- Free antivirus software
- Full virus protection
- No limitations or restrictions
Compatibility: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Linux, Blackberry, Symbian, WebOS
Comodo Antivirus
Comodo Antivirus Free Edition is a solid choice for those who want something simple and effective.
The program comes with several useful tools, including a web shield, which blocks known phishing sites, and a URL filter, which prevents access to dangerous or malicious URLs.
Comodo also provides a powerful spyware removal tool to remove unwanted applications and adware.
The program also includes a parental control tool, allowing parents to limit their children’s internet usage.
Comodo’s real strength lies in its ability to protect users from malware. Its sandboxing technology isolates suspicious programs so they don’t damage your computer.
You can also use Comodo to block ads, making it an excellent option for people who dislike pop-ups and banners.
Comodo also provides a decent amount of online safety, including a URL filter and a built-in VPN service.
However, there’s no cloud backup, and the program doesn’t offer advanced threat protection.
The free version of Comodo Internet Security comes with a few extras, such as a web filter, parental controls, and a built-in ad blocker.
The paid version adds several advanced features, including a sandbox for running untrusted code, a phishing scanner, and a full-featured antiphishing module.
Both versions offer excellent performance, and the paid version even works on mobile devices.
Best for: Basic protection, easy to use, and effective spyware removal
Why we like it: The program is easy to use, and it performs well in our hands-on tests
Key Features and Benefits:
- Basic scanner
- Phishing filter
- Sandbox isolation
- URL filter
Compatibility: All platforms supported by Comodo Internet Security
BitDefender Antivirus (Free)
The BitDefender free version of antivirus software provides essential protection against viruses, spyware, and adware.
BitDefender claims it uses “advanced technology” to detect and remove threats. It scans all files and programs installed on your computer, looking for suspicious activity.
This process requires a fair amount of resources, so if you’re running multiple applications, you may experience slowdowns.
The program also scans emails sent to you and alerts you when you receive messages containing attachments.
The program’s built-in firewall blocks access to known malicious sites and can be configured to block access to any website you choose.
Moreover, the free edition lacks the advanced features of the paid product but offers a few extras.
For example, it includes a password manager and a Rescue Environment to help you recover from malware attacks.
You can use the free edition without any limitations, but you must be careful about what you download.
When you visit suspicious sites, Bitdefender warns you don’t accidentally install malware. But you can’t block known bad sites outright.
There’s no option to whitelist trusted sites, either. So if you want to surf the web safely, you must take care of yourself.
The free version comes with all the basics, such as virus scanning and file shredding, along with a few extras.
You can remove unwanted applications, manage updates, and even set up automatic scans.
BitDefender free is easy to use and works well enough to earn a spot on our Editors’ Choice list.
You can also use BitDefender to protect your mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets.
Best For Basic protection against viruses, spyware, and adware
Why we like it: Good scores from independent testing labs
Key Features and Benefits:
- Basic protection that’s identical to BitDefender Antivirus Plus
- No limitations on usage
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Android, iOS
Adaware Antivirus (Free)
Adaware Free Antivirus is one of the few free antivirus programs that can be used without any limitations or restrictions.
The program has a built-in scanner, which can detect viruses, spyware, adware, trojans, worms, rootkits, dialers, keyloggers, and other threats.
You can use the program to remove detected threats, block dangerous sites, and protect your computer from online attacks.
The free version of Adaware comes with a few extras, such as a built-in web shield, a phishing filter, and a pop-up blocker.
But it lacks any real protection, so don’t expect to see any real results when you run it.
Adaware’s main purpose is to help you clean your PC of unwanted programs. It does this by scanning your computer for potentially harmful applications, then removing them.
The program is easy to use, and it works well. But it’s not particularly effective.
You can remove the program after running it once, but it won’t be able to catch new threats.
And while it’ll tell you which programs have been removed, it won’t let you know what those programs were doing.
So you’re left wondering whether the removal was successful.
The free version of Adaware is a stripped-down version of the paid product.
The main difference between the two versions is that the free one lacks the ability to remove spyware, which is why it’s not recommended for use by anyone who wants to protect themselves against malware.
Best for: Basic protection for home users
Why we like it: Good scores from independent testing labs and easy to use
Key Features and Benefits:
- Easy to use
- Removes unwanted programs
- No real protection
Compatibility: All versions of Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux
Immunnet malware and antivirus
Immunet is one of the oldest antivirus companies and is still strong.
The company was founded in 1994 by two computer scientists who wanted to build a better antivirus program.
They succeeded, and today Immunet is one of only three antivirus programs to earn AV-Test’s coveted Gold Award.
Immunet has remained true to its roots, offering traditional signature-based detection and heuristic scanning.
The app scans files and folders for viruses, malware, spyware, and adware. It also checks for vulnerabilities and blocks known exploits.
You can also use ImmunNet to block ads, trackers, and social media sites.
Further, you can choose between real-time and scheduled scans and set the level of intrusion prevention and behavioral analysis.
There’s even a built-in sandbox to isolate suspicious applications.
The program includes various tools, including a built-in antispyware tool, a firewall, and an integrated web browser.
Immunet’s antispyware tool is handy because it lets you search through all your programs and files for spyware and adware.
Immunet includes several extras, such as a phishing filter, a file integrity checker, and a tool to clean up temporary files.
And if you want to add cloud storage for your documents, images, and videos, you can use the optional Cloud Backup service.
Immunet also offers a variety of paid options. You can pay for additional cloud backup space, enhanced protection, and advanced threat response.
Best for: Basic antivirus protection for Mac and Windows users
Why we like it: Good scores from independent testing labs and easy to use
Key Features and Benefits:
- AV-Test Gold Award winner since 2012
- Fastest antivirus program available for Mac
- Built-in firewall, file shredder, and removal tool
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Zonealarm Antivirus
ZoneAlarm Free Edition is a great choice for home users who want to protect their PCs without spending any money.
The program includes a full suite of tools for protecting your PC from viruses, spyware, adware, and other threats.
Moreover, the program scans all incoming email attachments and can remove viruses before they reach your computer.
ZoneAlarm Free Edition also blocks phishing sites and protects your personal information.
You can use the program without restrictions or limitations, but you’ll miss out on some key features.
For example, you can’t set up automatic updates, and you can’t install third-party programs.
But the program is easy to use, and it’s one of the few free antivirus programs that offer real protection.
The free version comes with the same features as the paid version, including real-time scanning, automatic updates, and a built-in firewall.
However, it cannot quarantine or remove infected files, so you’ll need to delete them manually.
ZoneAlarm Free Edition also lacks the advanced threat detection capabilities of the paid version, such as behavior analysis and a heuristic engine.
Best for: Basic protection for Windows
Why we like it: The free version is easy to use and effective, and it includes all the features of the paid version
Key Features and benefits:
- Full suite of virus protection tools
- Easy-to-use interface
Compatibility: All platforms except Apple
Microsoft Defender Antivirus Free Version
Microsoft Defender Security Center is a cloud-based service that provides real-time threat detection, prevention, and response.
The free version comes with a few limitations. You can’t use it to detect threats or prevent attacks; it won’t clean up after itself when it detects a problem.
But if you want to protect yourself from ransomware, phishing, and other online scams, this is the best option available.
The free version of Microsoft Defender Antivirus provides basic protection that’ll help you avoid viruses, spyware, and phishing attacks.
Moreover, the free edition includes a real-time scanner, which scans files when you open them. It also checks for updates automatically.
You can use the built-in sandbox to run suspicious programs safely. You can even set up rules to remove threats automatically.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus also includes a web reputation service that helps you spot malicious sites before visiting them.
And it includes a few extras, such as a tool to clean up your PC after a malware infection.
The new release includes improvements to the user interface, real-time threat detection, automatic updates, and a new “threat intelligence” module.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is one of the best-regarded antivirus programs around. It earned top marks from AV-Test Labs for several years and consistently scored well in our hands-on reviews.
The free version of Microsoft Defender Antivirus comes with all the essentials.
You can choose between three levels of protection, each different offering levels of scanning, email alerts, and cloud storage.
The paid versions add additional features such as a phishing filter, a ransomware scanner, and a vulnerability scanner.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is one of the most popular free antivirus programs around, and it’s easy to see why.
Microsoft Defender Security Center works with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, Server 2003, and Server 2008. It’s also compatible with Mac OS X and Linux.
Best For Basic protection from ransomware, phishing attacks, and other online scams
Why we like it: The best antivirus software for protecting your PC
Key Features and benefits:
- Real-time scanning
- Sandbox to run suspicious programs safely
- Automatically check for updates
- Web reputation service to spot malicious websites
- Cleanup tool to remove malware
Compatibility: All platforms supported by Microsoft Office 365
Norton antivirus (free trial)
Norton Security Premium is one of the best antivirus programs available.
Moreover, Norton Security Premium is a full-featured antivirus solution that protects your computer against viruses, spyware, adware, and other online threats.
The free version of Norton Security Premium includes a full year of protection, with plenty of time to see whether it meets your needs.
Norton Security Premium is easy to use, effective, and affordable.
Norton Security Premium is explicitly designed for business users who want to protect their computers from viruses, spyware, and other online risks.
It provides powerful virus scanning and removal capabilities and real-time threat detection and prevention.
The product comes with a 30-day free trial period, after which you can purchase a license key or continue using the product without any additional fees.
You can download and install the trial version immediately or wait until after the trial expires.
Afterward, you can continue using the trial version indefinitely or buy the program outright.
You can use it to protect your computer while connected to public networks such as hotels, airports, coffee shops, libraries, and schools.
You can also use it to protect your laptop when traveling by plane, train, bus, or automobile.
And you can use it to protect all your devices, including smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles.
Norton Internet Security Premium has several useful tools, including a built-in antispyware utility, a parental control tool, and a web filter.
These tools help you manage your online activity and block unwanted content.
You can also set up automatic updates, so you don’t have to worry about installing new software.
Norton also provides various additional features, including a phishing filter, a spam filter, a cloud backup service, a file shredder, and a password manager.
Best for: Comprehensive protection for PCs running Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, and Mac OS X
Why we like it: The combination of cloud-based threat detection and real-time protection makes this one of the best antivirus solutions.
Key Features and Benefits:
- A full year of protection
- Easy installation
- No registration required
- 30-day trial
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Chrome OS, Linux (Ubuntu), Android, iOS
McAfee antivirus (free trial)
McAfee provides free trials for all of its products.
The free version of McAfee Total Security is a full-featured product that includes antivirus, antispyware, firewall, and identity theft protection.
McAfee’s cloud-based threat intelligence service is included for free, which means you don’t need to pay for any additional subscriptions.
The most notable feature is a real-time threat scanner that alerts you when a new virus or worm appears.
McAfee says it uses machine learning to learn what works and doesn’t, so you don’t have to configure settings manually.
This means you can set up a new device without having to go through the hassle of configuring the product yourself.
[affcoups id=”10652″ template=”list” style=”standard” ]You can also use McAfee LiveSafe to protect your mobile devices and McAfee SafeZone to block phishing attacks.
McAfee also provides a web shield that blocks malicious sites and a parental control tool that lets you set limits on what kids can see online.
McAfee also includes a few extras that aren’t available in the free version. These include a cloud backup service, a remote PC manager, and a tool to help you find and remove adware.
McAfee’s mobile app is available for both Android and iOS devices. You can download the app directly from Google Play or Apple App Store.
Best for: Basic antivirus and antispyware protection
Why we like it: McAfee’s free trial is easy to use and gives you access to all of the company’s top-rated security tools
Key Features and Benefits:
- Real-time threat detection
- Web Shield to block malicious sites
- Parental control to restrict access to content
- Cloud Backup to back up data
- Remote PC Manager to manage PCs remotely
- Adware removal tool
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Android, iOS
Conclusion
It is essential to have antivirus software to protect your computer from viruses and malware.
Many free antivirus programs can be just as effective as paid programs.
While all of these programs have their own strengths and weaknesses, they offer protection against a wide range of threats.
So, if you are looking for a good, free antivirus program, check out the ones listed above.
