What is the best antivirus for your computer? Rating of free antiviruses: review, description and reviews Which is the best antivirus to download to your computer.

09.11.2022Heading: Link

This article presents the best free antiviruses for the Windows operating system. The review of the best antiviruses is based on tests from leading antivirus laboratories and my personal experience.

Many antivirus manufacturers software They release, along with paid antiviruses, free versions of their products. Quite often, free versions of antiviruses from well-known manufacturers turn out to be no worse than their paid counterparts, and often even surpass paid antivirus solutions from lesser-known manufacturers.

This review of the best free antiviruses for the Windows operating system includes the following programs: 360 Total Security, Avast Free Antivirus, Kaspersky Free, Panda Free Antivirus, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition, AVG AntiVirus FREE, Avira Free Antivirus.

It should be taken into account that users have different preferences and their own security requirements, it is also necessary to familiarize yourself with system requirements to the computer hardware, because on different hardware, antivirus programs can work differently (faster or slower).

All free antiviruses presented in the article have been time-tested, so you can be sure that these antiviruses will reliably protect your computer from viral and malicious threats.

360 Total Security is one of the most powerful free antiviruses produced by the Chinese company Qihoo 360 Software. This antivirus has wide functionality, which even many paid competitors do not have. Protection is provided by five antivirus components that can be used together or separately.

Provides real-time protection, the following security components are built into the program:

protection using multiple antivirus engines
system protection
Internet protection
sandbox for running programs in an isolated environment
fixing vulnerabilities, protecting personal data
safe online shopping
protection of popular browsers from hijackers (hijackers of browser home pages)

To ensure network security, you can install a special GlassWire module - a firewall. In addition to security modules, the antivirus has built-in tools for cleaning and optimizing the system.

360 Total Security has support for the Russian language, provides a high level of protection, read the detailed article about the antivirus.

Avast Free Antivirus

Avast Free Antivirus - powerful, popular demon paid antivirus from the Czech company AVAST Software. The antivirus contains all the necessary components to fully protect your computer.

Avast Free Antivirus includes:

antivirus
anti-spy
smart scan
home network protection
HTTPS scanning
phishing protection
application update
password manager
SafeZone secure browser
other protection components

With Avast Free Antivirus, your computer will be reliably protected from malicious threats.

Avast Free Antivirus works in Russian; you can read more about the program in the article.

Kaspersky Free is a free antivirus from the famous Russian manufacturer Kaspersky Lab. The free antivirus is based on the company's paid product. Currently, Kaspersky Anti-Virus occupies a leading position in all independent tests, so it makes sense to turn your attention to the free Kaspersky Anti-Virus.

Kaspersky Free includes the following modules:

file antivirus
web antivirus
IM antivirus
Anti-Phishing
Screen keyboard
used cloud service Kaspersky Security Network

The free Kaspersky antivirus contains all the basic components necessary to protect your computer.

Kaspersky Free works in Russian, reliably prevents your computer from becoming infected, detailed review antivirus you will find on the page.

Panda Free Antivirus is a lightweight cloud antivirus from the Spanish company Panda Software. The main actions to protect your computer are performed in the cloud; the application works on the “set it and forget it” principle.

Panda Free Antivirus provides real-time protection using cloud-based “collective intelligence” technology, Internet traffic filtering with behavioral analysis, protection against new and unknown threats, anti-spyware, anti-rootkit, vaccination USB flash drives to protect against autorun (you can use this component on your computer regardless of the antivirus, read more about this), the computer is protected offline.

The antivirus program Panda Free Antivirus works in Russian and ensures computer security.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is a simple, very lightweight antivirus from the Romanian manufacturer Bitdefender, which provides automatic system protection. The Bitdefender engine is used by many antivirus software manufacturers in their antivirus programs. Judging by tests from leading antivirus laboratories, Bitdefender is consistently among the best antiviruses, and this moment time, it is possible that its engine is the best.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition supports real-time computer protection, the application uses cloud technologies, Active Threat Control, anti-rootkit, early boot scan, active virus control, intrusion detection, web traffic scanning, protection against phishing and fraudulent sites, scanning during just me.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition works in English. The program is optimally configured by default; the user only needs to install the application on his computer to protect it using security technologies from this manufacturer.

AVG AntiVirus FREE (AVG Free Antivirus) is a popular free antivirus from the Dutch (Czech) company AVG Technologies. AVG AntiVirus Free provides basic protection for your computer without affecting its performance.

Part AVG antivirus AntiVirus FREE includes the following components:

antivirus
anti-spy
anti-rootkit
protection of confidential data
protection Email
Internet protection
real-time cloud protection
fast smart scanning

AVG AntiVirus FREE antivirus supports the Russian language and provides basic computer protection.

Avira Free Antivirus is a free antivirus from the German company Avira Operations. The application provides real-time protection; the program uses cloud technologies for a faster response to known and unknown threats; the antivirus is not demanding on computer resources.

Avira Free Antivirus includes:

antivirus to protect against virus threats
anti-spy
anti-rootkit
Avira Protection Cloud

The program implements control Windows Firewall To protect against network threats, to protect the Internet, the Avira Browser Safety toolbar is installed in popular browsers.

Avira Free Antivirus supports the Russian interface language, the program provides basic computer protection.

Conclusions of the article

The best free antiviruses: 360 Total Security, Avast Free Antivirus, Kaspersky Free, Panda Free Antivirus, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition, AVG AntiVirus FREE, Avira Free Antivirus will reliably protect your computer and users’ confidential information from all types of malicious software in Windows 10 operating systems, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7.

Anyone who has ever suffered from a virus attack on their computer understands perfectly well that the choice of antivirus must be approached with the utmost responsibility. We don't want to scare you, but if you don't properly protect your PC, important files can be damaged by ransomware Trojans, banking Trojans can steal money from your cards or electronic wallets, and the botnet will try to involve the computer in a DDoS attack. There are dozens of antivirus programs, but the expensive solution, alas, is not always the best. Fortunately for you and me, today there is a lot of free software, which in terms of functionality and security level is not inferior to paid and expensive ones, and sometimes even surpasses it, as confirmed by tests of specialized laboratories. We present to your attention the 10 best free antiviruses of 2017: the rating includes products with different functionality - there is plenty to choose from.

Does an antivirus guarantee 100% protection against malware? Unfortunately no. Recent events with massive attacks on the computers of private users and entire organizations indicate the imperfection of the existing system, but this does not mean that we should remain inactive and ignore protection. To protect yourself as much as possible, you must not only install reliable antivirus, but also constantly update it, because the databases are constantly updated with new viruses.

Everyone has heard and knows about Avasta, even those who are not very computer literate. Free, easy to learn and configure, effective– these key features ensured the antivirus enormous success and popularity. In independent tests by specialized laboratories, Avast Free Antivirus shows results that are very close to the leaders among paid antivirus programs: recognizing 99% of threats in Windows 7/8 and 97% in Windows 10. When setting up, you must register by entering your email in order to use the program for free for a year , then the free license can be renewed.

pros:

simple and intuitive interface, even a beginner can understand it;
truly effective protection against viruses, Trojans, worms, spyware, analysis of potential threats;
a huge number of additional protection tools, so you can customize the program completely for yourself;
scanning of files accessed by the user, scanning during download, scanning of browser extensions and add-ons, web protection - the user remains safe on all fronts;
presence of a gaming mode. When running resource-intensive games, the antivirus can stop some non-critical diagnostic modes so as not to load resources;
protection when connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks;
built-in password manager;
Frequent updates.

Among the disadvantages:

the free version is available only for home PCs and not for commercial use;
the need to repeat registration once a year, periodic offers to buy a paid version.

Avast is best suited for home use. In terms of efficiency and ease of operation, the program can be called the best free antivirus for Windows, and you can download it from the link.

Dr.Web Curelt

Dr.Web Curelt – not a full antivirus. This is a solution to completely scan your system for malware and infected files. Computer security experts recommend running Dr.Web Curelt at least once a month and use along with your regular antivirus. In our subjective opinion, Avast and Dr.Web Curelt are a perfect match, which will provide reliable protection for your computer. Dr.Web Curelt will see and neutralize everything that Avast accidentally misses.

pros:

no need to install the program;
there is no connection to the full-fledged Dr.Web antivirus;
effective detection and removal of email worms, Trojan spies, stealth viruses, polymorphic, incorporeal and macro viruses;
neutralization of dialer programs, advertising, keyloggers, malware;
the ability to heal damaged files;
databases are constantly updated.

Minuses, or rather, the features of the program:

does not work in web mode;
The free version does not have the ability to update the virus database, but the solution is simple - download the antivirus again each time.

We get an excellent free solution that can serve in conjunction with a regular antivirus and increase your level of security.

360 Total Security

This antivirus can be recommended to those who do not want or do not know how to deal with the settings, but want to get a reliable barrier. The program will do and for advanced users, since if necessary you can perform fine settings. In addition, this is a truly effective product in terms of fighting viruses, and most recently on the website Microsoft program was on the list of recommended products, so 360 Total Security simply had to be included in our rating of the best free antiviruses.

Tests from specialized laboratories have repeatedly confirmed that this software copes with its tasks no worse than many paid analogues, but the antivirus soon disappeared from the rankings of authoritative sources, as it was discovered that it activated the BitDefender and Avira engines during testing. However, any user of the program can enable these engines to provide themselves with the most complete protection, and this can even be considered an advantage of the software.

pros:

completely free and unlimited solution;
high level of protection both in real time and during scanning, the presence of optimization and garbage removal tools, which allows you to increase the speed of your computer;
Several modules are used for protection, which increases the effectiveness of the system;
convenience for beginners and advanced users;
thoughtful interface and excellent program optimization;
does not overload the computer.

Minuses:

Advertising banners may appear;
Sometimes it happens that an antivirus detects viruses where they cannot be, but this is a fairly rare problem.

We get an excellent free solution that can compete with Avast. Users who try to use 360 Total Security often stay with it.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

Bitdefender is considered one of the best paid antivirus solutions. Free version is characterized by reduced functionality, but it has everything you need, so the program can easily compete with its analogues.

pros:

minimalistic and clear interface. Users call this program an antivirus without bells and whistles and note that it does not bother you with constant pop-ups;
high work efficiency. One of the special laboratories (AV-Test) says that the program showed a 100 percent threat detection rate;
the ability to perform scheduled scans, quick scans, and a quarantine module for monitoring suspicious objects;
large and constantly updated virus database;
low demands on system resources, no system slowdowns.

Minuses:

the presence of only complex scanning - you cannot scan a separate disk or folder;
There is no Russian language, but basic knowledge of English should be enough.

Even despite the lack of Russian language, the program can be called one of the best solutions - it’s too bad it works quickly, quietly and efficiently.

Avira Antivirus

Avira was once one of the most popular antivirus programs and is still actively downloaded. The software copes well with viruses that try to appear as a normal program; it has some functions that are only available in paid antiviruses. In fact, the program is only a basic level of protection against viruses; in addition, you can download plugins (also free) that will allow you to build an individual and effective protection system.

pros:

the most simple and intuitive interface;
sufficient performance and saving of system resources;
the use of cloud technologies, which not only save space on the computer, but also provide the user with protection from the latest viruses;
the anti-virus database is constantly updated;
detection of suspicious objects that are not yet in the database.

Minuses:

Web protection works only in Chrome and Firefox;
It happens that the program misses viruses, usually Trojans, but this is not common;
pop up when updating advertising windows with an offer to buy a paid version.

Due to convenience, functionality and high speed A working antivirus can be considered a completely worthy means of protecting a computer.

AVG AntiVirus Free

This antivirus is inferior in popularity to many other programs, but in terms of threat detection, AVG AntiVirus Free is not inferior to the famous Avast, and all because it uses exactly the same databases as the paid version.

pros:

highly effective real-time protection;
the ability to comprehensively scan and check individual files or disks, there is a function to scan a file on first launch;
the presence of a game mode;
quick installation and system scanning. In terms of scanning speed, AVG is the leader;
constant updates;
simple interface;
low consumption of system resources;
the presence of additional useful modules that are not available in all free antivirus programs. e-Mail Scanner will allow you to secure your email, and Link Scanner will help you check all the links on the site.

Minuses:

Kaspersky Free

Probably, in the post-Soviet space, the most popular antivirus has always been Kaspersky. By the way, in terms of efficiency it can be compared with Bitdefender (its paid version). Skilled users quickly turned paid versions of Kaspersky into free ones, and everyone else could find fresh keys and enjoy protection. Not long ago the company released officially free version of the antivirus, which immediately attracted the attention of users. Of course, it received stripped-down basic functionality.

pros:

familiar and understandable interface;
a virus database is used, as in the paid versions;
The program works faster than a paid product;
effective file and web protection.

Minuses:

Panda Free Antivirus

The program became the first free antivirus to actively use cloud technologies, which allows scanning to be more efficient while using a minimum of computer space and resources.

pros:

beautiful and user-friendly interface. Here they moved away from the strict screen and used a mountain landscape as a background image. The arrangement of the elements is thought out so well that both a novice user and even a child can figure it out;
high level of threat detection;
malware detection, blocking of malicious sites, automatic scanning of connected devices;
frequently updated virus database;
There is a special mode for games and multimedia launch.

Minuses:

Comodo AntiVirus

Comodo AntiVirus is not the most popular antivirus program, but it is still found on the computers of domestic users. The software has a lot of additional functions and add-ons, but these are most likely for experienced users.

pros:

identifying potential threats;
intrusion prevention system;
there is a virtual desktop;
a lot of powerful tools for system administrator level users;
frequent updates.

Minuses:

SecureAPlus

pros:

Minuses:

resource requirements (2 GHz processor, RAM from 1 GB);
On weak computers there may be slowdowns.

Looking for the best free antivirus is a thankless task, since everyone has their own opinion on this matter, which they consider undeniably correct. We tried to find the most effective and convenient solutions that currently exist - you may need to try several programs to find yours. More detailed information on all antiviruses, ratings, comparisons and reviews can be found on the website antivirusy.softok.info, where all the described and many other antiviruses are available for free download.

Provided special programs- antiviruses. Ratings of the best free antiviruses, amateur and completely reputable tests are published with enviable regularity, but choosing a high-quality and functional product is not so easy.

In addition, it is believed that free programs do not provide the same protection as paid software. In fact and in the segment free applications you can choose the optimal solution. The ratings of free antiviruses are presented below.

Standard antivirus from Microsoft: prevalence and performance

Windows Corporation is the undisputed leader among suppliers of operating systems and related software. As of 2016, Windows 7 was installed on 55% of all devices, while Linux and Apple's OS X 10.11 accounted for 2% and 7% of users, respectively.

It is quite rare to include in the rating of free antiviruses standard solutions, but they are also acceptable programs to provide the required level of security. Windows Defender, which comes with Windows 8 and 10 systems, recognizes and eliminates up to 95% of common threats and about 85% of so-called zero-day attacks, i.e. the latest viruses against which protection algorithms have not yet been developed.

Is Windows Defender enough for the needs of the average user?

In general, along with compliance with basic security rules, the use of a modern browser and regular software updates allow you to successfully use a standard antivirus (reviews and the Windows Defender rating confirm this possibility) as the main security solution. But for those who often download pirated content, are an active Internet user, or store important data on their hard drive, it is better to take a closer look at other, free, but somewhat more functional programs.

Testing in independent antivirus laboratories

Comparative tests with a large number of samples are regularly carried out by leading antivirus laboratories. Test results allow developers to improve their own products, so participation is usually paid. Mainly in the ranking of Windows antiviruses ( operating system is the most common, which is why tests are carried out on it) include paid versions of programs, but if a free solution provides complete protection, the software is also evaluated.

In May 2016, AV-Comparatives conducted dynamic testing of 19 antivirus programs. The Windows 7 platform was used for the study (with current third-party programs, for example, Adobe Flash or Java) and 350 malicious test samples. Below is the rating of free antiviruses according to AV-Comparatives.

Results of practical research

The “Free Antivirus” rating (Windows 10 and other corporate-based operating systems) was topped by Bitdefender and ThreatTrack Vipre, which did not miss a single threat and worked without false positives. Trend Micro and F-Secure also took leading positions with a 100% malware recognition result, but 7 and 15 false positives, respectively. Rounded out the top five Kaspersky Internet Security, which missed 0.3% of threats, but passed the test without false positives.

Free analogues of tested antivirus programs

Bitdefender's free counterpart, Free Edition, is used as an alternative to many paid applications, provides background virus protection and is capable of detecting spyware. ThreatTrack Vipre is not available in free version. Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus+ is distributed freely only in the form trial version(6 months free use), as well as F-Secure (90 days). An analogue of Kaspersky Internet Security is Kaspersky Free Anti-Virus (Free) with free license, which has somewhat limited capabilities compared to KIS or Total Security, but remains the optimal solution.

Antivirus rating for Windows: functionality

“Antivirus for free” (the rating is compiled by many reputable sources and amateurs) often differs in functionality from paid versions. However, this does not mean that free software is not capable of protecting your computer from viruses, malware and spyware.

In general, antivirus programs provide the following capabilities:

scanning for threats upon user request;

Constant system protection in the background;

scanning file system while the computer is booting;

an algorithm for detecting the latest malware, methods of combating which are not yet included in the general version of the application;

working with cloud storage;

network traffic control ( firewall or Firewall);

third-party intrusion detection system;

Recognition of malicious attachments;

web protection;

interactive analysis and spam recognition;

automatic update.

At the same time, the best free antivirus for Windows 7 (ranked by functionality) does not necessarily have to include the entire set of features. The main thing is that the chosen solution meets the requirements and subjective ideas of a particular user.

Rating leader: ESET Nod32 Smart Security

All of the above features include a comprehensive antivirus with multi-level protection ESET Nod32 Smart Security. In addition to standard protection against phishing, file system security, Internet access, email in landline mail clients ESET has some other interesting features. Among these additional features:

A serious disadvantage of the antivirus is the lack of protection in the free version against software that records user actions (mouse movements, keystrokes, clipboard, snapshots, and sometimes video recording of the screen).

Rating of free antiviruses: performance and tests

Another rating of free antiviruses is based on testing results and analysis of program performance. Panda Antivirus Pro and 360 Total Security have a slight effect on the loading speed of the system; AVG Antivirus Free, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition and ESET NOD32 Smart Security are not far behind. Avira Free Antivirus significantly slows down loading (more than three minutes).

Scanning system folders(with equal detection of malware) takes about ten minutes for Avast Free Antivirus, AVG Antivirus Free, Avira Free Antivirus and ESET NOD32 Smart Security. Comodo Antivirus showed the worst result - the scan took more than half an hour.

Avast Free Antivirus and Panda Antivirus Pro use the least amount of memory (only 40 MB), and the real heavyweights are Avira Free Antivirus (175 MB), AVG Antivirus Free (130 MB) and 360 Total Security (120 MB). At the same time, Avira uses the processor by only 5%, while the smaller AVG Antivirus Free uses as much as 16%.

Distribution of places based on rating results

In general, free antiviruses for Windows XP (rating by performance), as well as for other platforms (Windows 7, 8, 10), are ranked as follows:

Panda Antivirus.

360 Total Security.

AVG Antivirus Free and Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition.

Avira Free Antivirus and Comodo Antivirus.

Brief review of Panda Antivirus Pro

One of the main advantages - the low load on the system from Panda Antivirus, along with providing sufficient protection - is explained by the fact that the program is The software has most of the necessary functions, USB scanning is additionally available, but there are quite a lot of significant disadvantages that can be listed.

For example, a free antivirus (rated as the best solution based on test results) does not provide any protection against data interception by third-party programs, requires an active Internet connection to scan the system, and does not provide web protection. In addition, some users find malware in the installation files of the antivirus itself. The unsightly interface is another drawback of Panda Antivirus.

Antivirus apps for Android

If Windows occupies a leading position in the computer equipment market, then for mobile devices the Android operating system is almost a monopolist: 80% of smartphones run on Android. Mobile antiviruses are represented both by analogues of the already mentioned extended versions, and by programs that operate exclusively on smartphones.

The AV-Test laboratory tested mobile antiviruses. The rating of free antiviruses for Android is topped by the AhnLab application. The application carries out a comprehensive scan of the mobile device, prevents Internet threats, and allows you not to worry about the security of files and other personal data. At the same time, most of the programs presented in this rating are not common in the Russian-language segment, so you should rely more on real user reviews - there are no authoritative laboratories that would evaluate Russian-language applications.

Quite good solutions for choosing active users are CM Security, Dr.Web Light and free antivirus (reviews, rating below). CM Security does not load the system and effectively copes with its duties, Dr.Web Light provides powerful protection, but irritates many users with frequent advertising. AVG AntiVirus is also a universal solution, in addition, in the Pro version of the application many useful additional functions become available, but this build consumes a large amount of resources, which is why the device may work slower.

Finally

Antivirus is necessary program, because the user’s needs are not always met by standard options for protection against viruses and malware (especially on mobile devices). The choice of the optimal solution here largely depends on individual needs and subjective judgments, so you can be guided by various ratings, but you should not rely entirely on testing. What is the use of an antivirus that, according to research results, copes with its tasks perfectly, but is extremely inconvenient to use or significantly slows down the operation of a laptop or smartphone? Many users need to first try several options in order to ultimately choose the only one that is convenient.

Antivirus reviews and tests

It is unlikely that your computer will be infected with a virus, but at the same time there is a risk of infection by other types of malware and online threats. Ransomware Trojans encrypt important files and wait until a ransom is paid before unlocking access to them. Banking Trojans interfere with online transactions and try to steal funds. Infection with a botnet will make your computer a link in the chain of devices used to launch DDoS attacks. For these and many other reasons, you should protect your computer with an antivirus. No need to worry about the price. The best free antivirus programs are more effective than some commercial solutions. The Internet portal PCMag has conducted a comprehensive review of more than a dozen free antiviruses and recommends the best products for choosing.

Many of the antiviruses presented are free for non-commercial use only. If you want to protect computers in your organization, you will have to purchase a paid version. In this case, it is worth considering switching to a full-fledged comprehensive antivirus. After all, the security of your business depends on it. If you need to protect large enterprises, then SaaS solutions come to the rescue, allowing you to centrally monitor and manage the protection of all computers in the company.

Your antivirus should reliably remove malware that has taken root in the system, but its main task is to prevent new infections from ransomware, botnets, Trojan horses and other types of threats. All antiviruses presented in this rating offer real-time protection against malicious attacks. Many products offer strong web protection that blocks access to malicious sources and prevents you from entering sensitive data on fraudulent sites.

Laboratory testing

Researchers from independent laboratories spend a lot of time and effort testing antiviruses. Some organizations regularly publish reports with test results. PCMag tracks results from 5 major labs: AV-Comparatives, AV-Test Institute, Simon Edwards Labs formerly Dennis Technology Labs), Virus Bulletin and MRG-Effitas. Certification from ICSA Labs and West Coast Labs is also appreciated.

Typically, antivirus developers pay for the opportunity to participate in testing. In turn, the laboratories provide vendors with detailed reports that help improve products. Thus, the number of laboratories that test a particular product is an indicator of the significance of this decision. In any case, to test an antivirus, two conditions must be met: the laboratory must consider the product important enough, and the development company must be satisfied with the cost of participation. Labs are not required to test free products, but many vendors include full protection in free solutions, adding only advanced features to paid products.

PCMag tests

In addition to in-depth analysis of lab test results, PCMag conducts its own amateur antivirus testing to block malware. Each antivirus encounters a set of different types of malware, after which the product's reaction to the threat is recorded. Typically, an antivirus removes most samples at once and detects several more instances of malware when it tries to launch. Based on the test results, the product can receive between 0 and 10 points for blocking, depending on how thoroughly it protects the system from the test samples.

The test collection has been in use for months, so the malware blocking test does not provide any indication of an antivirus's ability to detect the latest threats. A separate test attempts to download malware from online sources no more than a day old, provided by the MRG-Effitas laboratory. The testing process notes whether the product blocked access to a network location, cleared the malware payload during download, or ignored the threat. Norton received the highest score in this test, followed by Avira Free Antivirus in the final table.

Useful features

Each antivirus product in the collection scans files on access to prevent potential malware from running, and also scans the system on demand or on a set schedule. Blocking access to malicious links is a great way to stay out of trouble. Many products extend protection to prevent you from visiting fraudulent or phishing sites that try to steal your credentials. Some solutions assign rankings to search results by flagging suspicious and dangerous links.

Behavioral detection is featured in some products in the collection. On the one hand, this component can detect malware, which are unknown threats. On the other hand, behavioral analysis can lead to false positives for reliable programs.

One in a simple way For maximum protection computer is to install security updates for Windows OS, browsers and other popular programs. In Windows 10, updates are mandatory and fully automated, but there remain a large number of gaps in older Windows systems, popular applications and plugins. Vulnerability scanning in the form of missed updates is a feature often found in commercial antivirus products. However, some free antiviruses have similar functionality.

Who was not included in the rating

This rating contains information only about free antivirus solutions that have received at least a “Good” rating based on PCMag reviews. Among those products that were not included in this rating is Windows Defender, which was awarded 2.5 stars. Microsoft participates in tests from all monitored antivirus labs, but only for basic protection. If a product cannot exceed the basic level of protection, it is not worth considering.

Avast Free Antivirus 2017 combines highly effective antivirus protection with a comprehensive collection of additional tools.

AVG AntiVirus Free (2017) has received an updated interface and new security technologies. Tests from independent labs and PCMag's own tests show that protection is stronger than ever.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition includes the same antivirus protection as the paid Bitdefender antivirus, but lacks the additional functionality of the commercial version.

Kaspersky's free antivirus offers full-featured basic antivirus protection that scores excellent in lab tests.

ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus+ combines powerful antivirus protection from Kaspersky with a high-quality firewall. The product is an excellent choice for users who do not wish to install a complex solution.

Sophos Home allows you to provide the capabilities of a powerful corporate antivirus to ordinary home users absolutely free. The product performed well in independent lab tests and most of PCMag's own tests.

Avira Free Antivirus (2017)

Avira Antivirus gets excellent scores from independent labs, but in PCMag's amateur tests it was very slow to scan the test system. Additionally, web protection only works in Chrome and Firefox.

Adaware Antivirus Free 12 has a new name and a new appearance. However, its testing results are not the best, and competing free antiviruses offer more features.

Comodo Antivirus 10 received a new look and achieved a perfect detection rate in the malware blocking test. However, the product performed worse in other PCMag tests and in independent lab tests.

Panda Free Antivirus has an attractive user interface and an unusual USB vaccination feature. However, the product didn't perform the best in independent lab tests and PCMag's own tests.

Qihoo 360 Total Security comes with a powerful set of additional tools, but its core antivirus protection can't compete with the best free antiviruses.

The computer is an integral part Everyday life. For some it is a means of earning money, for others it is a means of spending leisure time, for others it is a means of communicating with friends and relatives through the computer, and for others the computer has even replaced going to the store. Therefore, people try to protect their computer and the data stored on it as best as possible. But how best to do this in the world of advanced technology? What guides people when choosing protection for their personal computer? How to achieve the maximum level of security? In this article we will help you understand everything and make the right choice.

So, in order to protect your “machine” you need to definitely install an antivirus on it. This is a program that will protect your computer from malicious software, scans the files and folders we work with to detect viruses, destroys the viruses found, and also disinfects infected files. There are a huge number of antivirus programs, and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Before you start choosing an antivirus, you should understand the fact that you need to install not two or three antiviruses, but only one. Since after installing several, a conflict of programs will begin, which will affect the performance of the system. If you want to install another antivirus, you must first uninstall the installed one.

Let's now look at the main antivirus programs. They are free and paid. Let's start with the free ones.

Free antivirus programs

Avast Free Antivirus;
AVG Antivirus;
Avira Free Antivirus;
MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials).

Avast Free Antivirus

1. Avast Free Antivirus is one of the popular antiviruses that not only protects your computer when viewing Internet content, but also protects against spam and hacker attacks. This program scans the entire OS for viruses at boot time. Adds suspicious or malicious files to quarantine. This program also has built-in self-defense, that is, no virus can remove it from the computer.

Advantages:

High functionality and level of protection;
Fast data scanning;
Does not load the processor;
Nice interface.

Flaws:

Triggering false alarms;
There is no blocking of pop-ups and banners.

AVG Antivirus

2. AVG Antivirus – protects Personal Computer from spyware and viruses, and also blocks web pages with suspicious content. This antivirus is updated free of charge and supports common operating systems. Mainly used by home network users.

Advantages:

Does not load the processor;
High level of protection;
User-friendly interface.

Flaws:

Slow computer scanning;
Intrusive advertising content.

Avira Free Antivirus

3. Avira Free Antivirus – reliably protects against viruses, worms, and Trojans. One click is all it takes to remove malicious software. Doesn't burden the system.

Advantages:

Low resource consumption;
Lightning-fast system scan.

Flaws:

The absence of a module that warns about visiting a malicious site;
A huge amount of advertising;
Lack of Russified menu.

MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials)

4. MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) is an antivirus program that will protect your computer from malicious files and spyware. The program is updated every 24 hours. After installation on your computer, you do not need to restart it.

Advantages:

Ease of use;
Nice interface;
Doesn't load the system.

Flaws:

It is worth noting that to use a free antivirus you need to install it and go through the registration procedure. Some antiviruses, such as Avast, are available in both paid and free versions. After the free demo version of the program expires, you will need to purchase it, but after purchasing the program’s capabilities expand significantly. But if you have enough of the functions that the demo version is equipped with, and you have neither the desire nor the need to buy it, then after the program expires, the activation procedure should be repeated.

Now let's move on to considering the main paid antivirus programs.

Paid antivirus programs

Kaspersky
Dr.Web
NOD32

Kaspersky

1. Kaspersky is the most popular and revered antivirus. This program perfectly protects the system from worms, viruses and other “virtual nastiness”. It also has the following functions: protection when making payments, parental control, anti-spam and anti-banner.

Advantages:

High scanning speed;
Effective protection;
Instantly block threats.

Flaws:

Expensive license;
To scan your computer completely, you need to close all programs.

Dr.Web

2. Dr.Web is at the origins of antivirus programs. It effectively protects your computer and allows you not only to remove virus software, but also to treat and restore infected files. This antivirus restores important information. Dr.Web also has excellent self-defense; it will not be removed by a pest program.

Advantages:

Ability to check archives;
High level of self-defense.

Flaws:

High license cost;
Needs regular downloading of updates.

NOD32

3. NOD32 – perfectly protects the system from malware, spyware, and resists scammers. This program includes anti-spam protection and a personal firewall. There is an opinion that this is the best antivirus for experienced users, as it requires some settings.

Advantages:

High speed;
High level of protection;
User-friendly interface.

Flaws:

High license cost;
Some settings required.

We reviewed the main anti-virus programs, which, according to their criteria, occupy leading positions in the ratings. All of these programs are compatible with the Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems. Of course, the main indicator when choosing antivirus software is the security and protection of data stored on the computer. But when choosing antivirus software, you should also consider the power of your computer.

Which antivirus is better to choose for Windows 7?

operating room Windows system 7 was created in such a way that it has built-in functional protection, which is many times greater than previous versions of the OS. And everything seems to be fine, but the “evil geniuses” who develop malware are one step ahead, and their pest programs penetrate the system, infecting and destroying everything in its path. Therefore, like any other version of the OS, Windows 7 needs additional protection. This means that you definitely need to install an antivirus program on your computer.

But what is the best antivirus program to choose? There is no clear answer to this question. Of the programs we have listed, all are considered good, but none of them guarantees 100% protection for you.

When choosing an antivirus, keep in mind that the operating system can be 32- or 64-bit. Antivirus software is developed specifically for each type. And, of course, computer parameters. If they are very weak, then an antivirus like Kaspersky will simply slow down all the work.

Also, when choosing an antivirus, you need to decide what kind of work you need a computer for. If you use a computer to play games or surf the Internet, then Avast (free version) is suitable for you. If you also work on it, then, by the way, Kaspersky (paid) will suit you. So, the choice is yours!

Which antivirus is better to choose for Windows 8 and 10?

The Windows 8 operating system, like its predecessor, is equipped with a basic level of protection. Each a new version The OS has expanded and improved security features. Finally, we see that Windows 8 has reached the point where programmers claim that this system is so developed and debugged that it can easily protect itself without antivirus software. But after weighing all the pros and cons, we still recommend installing an antivirus on your computer.

Since Windows 8 is significantly different from previous versions, not every antivirus program is suitable for this system.

And yet, which antivirus is best to install to ensure stable system operation and protect your computer? Hand on heart, we can safely say that Kaspersky antivirus is ideal for Windows 8. It was this company that was the first to “conquer” and adapt antivirus software for Windows 8. The system’s operation with this antivirus is stable and safe.

Antiviruses such as NOD32 and Avast have also performed well in terms of system protection and stability.

To summarize, we can conclude that the choice antivirus program– this is your personal choice and we have no right to impose our opinion on you, but please give advice on choosing a particular antivirus program. There is no need to chase popularity and brand, this is not always an indicator of quality. And also follow the reviews of friends and acquaintances, because every user praises the antivirus that he uses. But, be that as it may, the choice is yours. Make no mistake, read, take a closer look, because the security of your computer depends on your choice.