Internet is the main area of ​​activity and leisure modern man. It is online that we now communicate, order food, buy equipment, etc. But, unfortunately, a huge number of scammers are developing malicious software for the purpose of extortion Money or espionage.

You may not even plan to click on unreliable links or install dubious software; modern programming allows you to introduce viruses using the “play” button in the video player. Nowadays there are many different tricks that can infect your PC without you even suspecting it. Vigilance alone is not enough; you need to protect yourself with antivirus software.

In this article we will try to figure out which free antiviruses are the best. After all, not every application can be completely effective and capable of protecting your computer from infected files. When installing any program, you would like to be sure of its quality.

Antivirus selection criteria

It is worth understanding that the task of these applications is not only to identify and remove viruses. In addition to the main goal, antiviruses can significantly secure surfing the Internet by blocking malicious sites, as well as advertising. In general, it is worth noting the main tasks that the software you choose should perform:

Protective monitor- this function directly examines the folders and files you use while working.

Scanner - this function, can be considered the basis, because it allows you to scan the entire memory of your PC (both RAM and hard drive), thereby identifying infected files, and you can also scan removable media, which is also important.

Self-defense - this opportunity, is aimed at preventing attackers from disabling the installed antivirus software. After all, many infected objects are aimed precisely at disabling the protection of the computer being used.

Program activity control- this task controls everything installed programs and reveals increased activity or changes made, which may be caused by infected files.

Network control and web antivirus- this component ensures safe operation on the Internet by blocking malicious sites and scripts on them.

Constantly updating databases with information about malicious files- it is worth understanding that more and more new viruses are created every day, and it is very important that the antivirus databases are regularly updated, otherwise, even very good app, simply may not recognize the recently created painful file.

Low resource consumption- also an important factor by which the quality of antivirus software is determined. The fact is that many such samples can significantly reduce the speed of your machine. this is due to the fact that this option consumes too many resources random access memory. Therefore, it is very important that the software you choose consumes as few resources as possible.

It is also worth paying attention to the popularity and reputation of the samples in question, because if it is good, then most likely it will have many users.

Video: antivirus for PC

Description of programs

Let's look at each antivirus and find out how to choose security software for any computer.

Dr. Web is a very popular antiviral product that is produced in Russia. There are 2 versions of this software: the first is standard - Dr.Web, and the second is aimed directly at protecting work on the Internet - Dr.WebSecuritySpace. This software has some drawbacks related to the number of functions, however, its resource consumption is quite low, which appealed to a large number of users.

Avast- the Czech version of protection against malicious files is also quite popular, it can be noted that this application has big amount awards in various categories. It is one of the fastest representatives of protection against malicious files. Its resource consumption is quite low, but there are some shortcomings in functionality, but its free version is very easy to find, and in principle it is quite suitable for use.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus- perhaps one of best options made in Russia. It is very powerful and functional, its database of malicious files is updated regularly, but it is only suitable for fairly powerful machines due to its high resource consumption. But with such protection, you can be absolutely calm.

AVG Anti - Virusfree- one of the very popular “defenders” that can be comfortably used at home. It has low system requirements, and the database is updated regularly. It will provide you with secure computer operation and you won't have to pay anything. Of course, in demon paid version there are some limitations, but overall it is very reliable.

AVIRA AntiVir Personal- an excellent antiviral proposal for non-commercial use. With it you can easily protect your system personal computer, from all known types of viruses. A fast and reliable application, perfect for any computer and absolutely free.

This is of course not the entire list of existing free offers, but it forms its basis.

The best free antivirus for Windows 7

It is difficult to say definitely which is the best antivirus for Windows 7, however, by analyzing the proposed options, you can identify the three leaders: Avast, Kaspersky and Dr. Web. These options are also the most popular among users, if you carefully analyze downloads and consumer reviews, in general, it all depends on your personal preferences and the capabilities of your personal computer.

Component comparison table

There are many such applications, in general, most of them are quite similar, however, there are also differences. They mainly differ in the virus base (the number of studied viruses that the program can detect during scanning), as well as in the impact on the performance of your PC.

First, let's look at the list of TOP 5 offers:

1. Dr Web
2. Avast
3. Kaspersky Anti-Virus
4. AVIRA ANTIVIR PERSONAL
5. АVGAnti-VirusFree

To understand in more detail the capabilities of the applications under consideration, we present a comparative table where they will be rated on a scale from 1 to 5 according to such characteristics as: performance, interface and functionality.

NAME
FAST
INTERFACE
FUNCTIONAL
Dr Web
4
5
4
Avast
5
5
3
Antv. Kaspersky
3
5
5
AVIRA ANTIVIR
4
3
4
AVG
5
4
3

Of course, the five options presented are very effective and popular. Despite all the assessments presented, it is worth understanding that any of the representatives virus programs will do a great job protecting your PC.

The purpose of this article was to familiarize readers with the main options for antiviral protection. First of all, we strongly advise you to never neglect the protection of your computer. Try to choose the most suitable protection for your specific case.

Take into account all the factors considered, because if you miss even one, the reliability of your PC will immediately decrease.

Make sure that the virus database is constantly updated, because every day attackers create hundreds of viruses for their own profit.

Scan your hard drives and RAM regularly. Do not visit dubious sites, and especially try not to click on suspicious links. Do not forget to check removable media, they are very often infected. For users who spend most of their time in front of a monitor screen, it is simply necessary to take care of the level of security and protect their computer. For these purposes, there are anti-virus programs, of which there are quite a large number in the world, and in order to figure out which one antivirus for Windows

is the most optimal, you will have to spend a lot of time and effort. In this article we described the most popular antivirus programs for Windows today, which are well suited for home computer

. After all, computer security is one of the significant components of the security of our lives.

• What you first need to pay attention to before purchasing an antivirus: Reliability
• . The antivirus program must be in correct relationship with other programs installed on the computer in order to avoid interruptions in operation. Practicality and comfort in use
• . Any user, even a beginner, should be able to easily understand the functionality of the antivirus. Multi-level security
• . An antivirus is only good if it can easily detect and block any malware intrusion. Protection level

. Anti-virus programs must be mobile and flexible enough to integrate into modern information reality, where more and more computer network pests can appear every day.

7 best antiviruses for Windows

#1 Kaspersky Anti-Virus Good, quality brand , which has long held a leading position in the ratings of computer protection against virus programs. Studies have repeatedly proven its effectiveness in reflecting.

malicious attacks

Among the functionality of this antivirus, we can separately note its work to ensure the safety of user information in banking applications of online systems; it is possible to connect additional control over children, although these are additional. functions come for a fee, but the price is commensurate with the benefits in question.

• Pros of Kaspersky Anti-Virus antivirus:
• Easy to use;
• Free trial period for 30 days.

#2 Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019

Antivirus program Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019 is equipped with an excellent engine, and in combination with a large number of technological additions and functions embedded in it, it efficiently and quickly copes with any attempts by malicious attacks to strike computer system user.

A special scanning device for detecting vulnerabilities clearly reacts to malicious programs from the outside and alerts your PC. Unfortunately, the program does not yet support the Russian language.

Pros of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019:

• High level of manufacturability, confirmed by a number of studies;
• Includes the maximum possible package of functionality;
• The main license covers three computers at once;
• The cost of a 1-year license is only 1,390 rubles.
• Again, there is a 30-day trial period.

#3 ESET NOD 32

This multifunctional antivirus also includes Internet security with comprehensive cloud and proactive technologies. Works great at protecting PCs from unauthorized intrusions over all types of networks. Also contains the entire set necessary tools for conducting various types of transactions via the Internet, ensures security at all levels home network, and also, in ESET NOD 32 the option is connected parental controls.

Pros of ESET NOD 32 antivirus program:

• This version of the antivirus now has a subsection informing about the protection status;
• The software has enhanced, double authentication;
• In the event that a user forgets their login password, the antivirus has a special option to restore it as quickly as possible;
• ESET NOD 32 contains a more correct protection scheme against data loss and various types of theft.

#4 BullGuard Internet Security 2019

The antivirus of this series is also included in the list of top security computer programs this year and includes a comprehensive solution to ensure Internet security. He takes operating rooms under his protection Windows systems and reflects all types of threatening factors that may exist in the Internet space. Threats such as: theft of user personal data, all types of criminal actions with banking products, hacker intrusions of various ranks, introduction of viral and spyware and other illegal actions.

Pros of BullGuard Internet Security 2019 antivirus:

• The antivirus is equipped with a Game Booster, which allows you to block all possible interruptions gameplay, as well as eliminate pop-up windows;
• Improved vulnerability scanner. Now protection problems are solved much faster with it. Autoloading is faster and smoother over the network;
• An additional option, Sentry from BullGuard, allows you to more accurately and quickly recognize the threat of harmful attacks.
• Trial version - 60 days!

#5 Avira Antivirus Pro 2019

The security program of this brand is a convenient and easy to install and use antivirus for Windows. Avira Antivirus Pro consists of a suite of computer security features high level protection. Also, its effect extends to all types of cloud-based virus recognition mechanisms.

Thanks to the absence of advertising, it is very easy to work in background. In case of any failures in performing tasks to monitor malicious systems, the user can contact technical support this brand. The call is free.

Pros of Avira Antivirus Pro:

• New levels of security (protection from ransomware);
• Web protection (network security and increased control over third-party programs);
• Convenient interface and application process.

#6 Avast Free Antivirus 2018

A free antivirus that includes all the most necessary functional components for well-functioning and efficient PC protection. The load from the operation of this security program is minimal on computer resources. And security is maintained at the proper level.

The interface is supported in both English and Russian.

Advantages of Avast Free Antivirus 2018:

• Improved design, an additional option that makes it possible to be online and not have interference while playing or watching videos;
• Comprehensive pest protection, individual detection
• threatening content in the “here and now” mode;
• Free installation and use.

#7 Trend Micro Internet Security

Another popular antivirus, Trend Micro, is a very easy-to-use program, although it provides full security. The basis of the program is the cloud component Smart Protection Network, which copes well with such main tasks as filtering all types of spam, blocking spyware web connections, and security against vulnerabilities throughout the entire network. The antivirus reacts to “bad” links of all currently existing communication networks social networks and eliminates them instantly.

Pros of Trend Micro Internet Security:

• Strengthened level of authentication;
• Includes an additional option - the PayGuard browser for conducting secure financial transactions over the network;
• Improved scanning process, displaying not only the presence of a virus, but also its type.

In conclusion, I would like to add that using an antivirus is simply necessary. As practice has shown in service center, most people ignore this important component. As a result, they still had to purchase a license + pay for the work to restore the PC.

This article will show which antivirus is actually better for Windows 7. A lot of antiviruses on the Internet have been sold out, everyone praises themselves and considers them the best, but we’ll see if this is true.

What is a virus

To put it simply, a virus is a program, like everyone else on your computer. This program looks for security holes in your computer, especially if it does not have an antivirus. Eat standard systems protection, like in Windows 7 and higher, when you install the program, you are asked about your intention.

But the virus is looking for loopholes to bypass the system and quickly register itself on the computer, in the same registry, which is very problematic when removed.

Which antivirus is best for Windows 7

To answer the question which antivirus is best for Windows 7, an article was written. The post will be aimed at both types - free and paid antiviruses, because each representative has both service options.

Kaspersky.

The giant that everyone knows about is Kaspersky antivirus. Popular and reliable software that protects against everything possible. At one time it was on my computer, everything is fine, but there is one drawback, more about it below. I won’t say anything bad, I warned and caught everything with lightning speed. There were also false positives, but it was better than non-functioning computer or laptop programs.

Pros:

1. High-quality and fast firewall.
2. The databases are updated frequently.
3. The speed of work is amazing.
4. A good function for blocking bad sites actually shows those sites with which something is wrong.

Minuses:

• Price 2000 per this moment, used to be 3000, the crisis played a role.
• The computer loads a lot, if the machine is weak then you can forget about Kaspersky. It requires a lot of resources, and there are reviews on this topic on the Internet.

All antiviruses from this collection can be downloaded and used for free, just read the entire post first.

Avast Antivirus

Avast antivirus is an oldie among antiviruses. I’ll say that I passed, they haven’t praised it lately, it lets viruses through. I was able to install it and evaluate it during use, and on the free version, which is no worse than the paid version, as the developers say.

Advantages

1. Quickly scans files on the system and installed applications.
2. The free period can be 1 year, which makes it stand out among others.
3. Scans and monitors startup, where viruses are usually registered.
4. Blocker of bad sites.
5. Fast operation and low resource consumption.
6. The cost is 1200 rubles at the moment.

Flaw

• The jamb is one and global. It lets viruses through. Most likely, the databases are updated slowly, and new threats are easy to deceive.

All programs provide a trial period without a license (or rather, purchasing one).

Antivirus ESET NOD32

Honestly, I did not use ESET NOD32 antivirus (I was only able to install the free version on virtual machine), but distinguishes itself from the rest as a tool not for housewives, but for advanced computer users. Reviews about it are different, about 60/40 the first number is good.

Advantages

1. Everything the others have.
2. Protection social networks your accounts, which I haven’t seen from others.

Flaws

• High cost, at maximum it is more expensive than Kaspersky, 2350 per year.
• The scanning speed is very low and the computer slows down (it’s difficult to get my 6 cores to a dead end, but ESET NOD32 antivirus did it), it’s not suitable for a laptop, only on a PC.

Antivirus Avira Antivir

The dark horse of my rating is Avira Antivir. This software It’s been on my computer for 2 years now, and in the free version. And I am very pleased, over the past 2 years I have caught one virus, only due to my stupidity, although Avira warned me.

Advantages

1. Many free add-ons, for example, checking for bad sites in the browser itself.
2. Does not load the system or computer, suitable for use on a laptop.
3. New databases arrive every day, even for the free version.
4. Quickly catches unwanted surges.

Minuses

• Not really a minus, the check occurs only after downloading the file (because the version is free).
• The price is 1900 rubles, and this is still on the day of the promotion, so the complete set costs 2900.

An excellent antivirus, it will show all its power on free products, and paid ones will be at their best.

Dr.Web Antivirus

Last on the list is Dr Web antivirus, but not least. The famous Doctor Web is Kaspersky’s main competitor, and it’s clear why. Many free programs that easily scan and remove junk and pests from your computer.

pros

1. A free antivirus works just as well as a paid one. There are only restrictions in terms of Internet protection.
2. Lots of extras.
3. Relatively low price, the most popular and powerful, only 1540 rubles per year.
4. It scans the system quickly and actually finds suspicious files.

Flaws

• Low computer speed. But this is more likely not a minus, but a consequence of reliability, you want good protection, then you will have to sacrifice or buy a more powerful computer.

All antiviruses support 32 and 64 bit Windows systems.

My choice is good and free

All are good, but my only choice is Dr. Web, but I won’t give up my Avira, I can handle it and that’s okay. This rating is not empty words; I installed and tried all the antiviruses myself. Plus I looked at reviews on the Internet, weighed and evaluated. You already know the winner. Moreover, Doctor Web is the best, both free and paid, the developers are great.

An article on the topic that contains a lot of safety tips will be useful.

This article showed which antivirus is best for Windows 7 - the most reliable and adequate of all on the Internet in 2016. I'll end here, good luck! Finally found cool video about antiviruses, see.

Absolutely all users, from computer gurus to beginners, know about such a terrible concept as “computer viruses.” Newbies are afraid computer viruses, since for them they are fraught with a lot of myths and unknowns, and advanced users know the scale of the consequences of such an unpleasant event as a PC being infected with viruses, and are afraid of its occurrence. In any case, both beginners and advanced users want to reliably protect their data and their computer - that’s why they need an antivirus. Antivirus will protect your files on your computer: documents, photos, music, videos and other data, including passwords and other personal data. IN this material Our experts will try to help you choose the best antivirus of 2013 for your home computer.

Danger and types of viruses

To choose the best antivirus for yourself, you must understand that by the term “virus” we mean a complex of malicious files, programs and scripts that, one way or another, harm the computer. There are several types of computer viruses:

• Worms

This type of virus does not pose any danger to data, but at the same time “clogs” the computer by copying itself. As a result, the computer begins to work very slowly, in other words, it begins to “slow down”. It is worth noting that even a fairly powerful computer can work very slowly: windows take a long time to open, programs start after a long pause, videos slow down during playback, etc.

• Trojans

Trojan horses are one of the most dangerous types of computer viruses. The danger of Trojans is that they can steal data (most often passwords), change files, and also delete them, masquerading as harmless and simple files.

• Manipulators

Manipulative viruses, as a rule, do not harm user data; their main goal is to turn the computer into a zombie so that it performs the desired action at a certain time. In the vast majority of cases this type viruses are spread by hackers to use zombie computers to attack websites.

• Blockers

Blockers are a type of virus that blocks entry into operating system, requiring the user to transfer, under various pretexts, a certain amount of money to unlock.

Antivirus effectiveness

It’s worth saying right away that no ideal antivirus. Yes, antiviruses protect your computer, but no antivirus will protect your computer 100%. Why? The fact is that the essence of the work of an antivirus lies in its algorithms, thanks to which the presence of viruses on the computer is recognized. Viruses are detected by their activity or certain actions. When the antivirus knows the virus and its features, then when it enters the computer, the antivirus notices it and informs the user about the danger. This is what applies to well-known antiviruses, but there are also new viruses that are not yet known to antivirus developers and are not included in the antivirus databases. This situation has also been thought out. To do this, antivirus algorithms monitor the activity of files and applications and, if there are suspicious actions, inform the user, suggesting a certain list of actions. All this is good, but there are viruses that the antivirus may not notice; these are, as a rule, new viruses or updated old ones. There are other reasons why an antivirus misses viruses, but we probably won’t touch on them.

Protecting your computer on the Internet

Modern antivirus programs include not only the ability to detect and remove viruses, but also the ability to protect your computer from various undesirable consequences: hacker attack, intrusive advertising on websites, spam, etc. Thus, an antivirus includes a firewall, which most of you have probably heard of. If earlier there was an antivirus and firewall different programs, then now, as a rule, the best and most advanced versions of antiviruses include comprehensive protection, that is, antivirus + firewall.

What criteria do you use to choose the best antivirus?

The best antivirus for your own computer should initially include basic functions and have the features that we list below:

• Antivirus scanner

The scanner function scans hard drive and RAM to search for viruses in them. It is very good if the scanner periodically automatically checks changed and added files, for the so-called passive security.

• Antivirus monitor

This antivirus function continuously monitors the activity of your computer, that is, it monitors all events that occur on the computer, preventing viruses from entering the computer.

• Program control

Quite often, viruses penetrate programs or are pseudo-programs; this is precisely why the program control function was created. If there are any suspicious actions by programs, this control immediately notifies the user and determines the type of threat.

• Network control and web antivirus

Another function of an antivirus that is necessary in our opinion is to control local network and Internet traffic. This way, you will be protected from computer attacks from the local network and the Internet, as well as from the negative consequences of malicious codes and infected sites.

• Possibility of flexible settings

How more settings has an antivirus, the better. Thanks to this, you can choose the level of control of a particular antivirus function: low, medium or high, or disable it completely unnecessary functions in order to remove unnecessary load on your computer resources. In addition, you can create your own rules for searching and detecting viruses, as well as the actions taken by the antivirus when detecting virus activity on your computer.

• Updating anti-virus databases

Anti-virus databases are a so-called file of viruses and a repository of algorithms for their detection and neutralization. To reliably protect a computer, anti-virus databases must be constantly updated and up-to-date, so that when a new virus appears on the network, developers will create a neutralization algorithm and add it to the anti-virus database. By frequently updating your antivirus databases, your antivirus will have the latest algorithms to neutralize new or updated viruses.

• Antivirus self-defense

An antivirus must ensure not only the security of the computer, but also its own security. That is, the antivirus must have self-defense, thanks to which viruses will not be able to disable it, neutralize it, or block it from launching. This is another reason why an antivirus may not detect or remove a virus.

• Rational consumption of resources in passive mode

Well, the last important factor when choosing an antivirus is to analyze its consumption of computer resources. Despite the fact that modern antiviruses use computer resources sparingly when working in passive mode, some unsuccessful versions of antiviruses may have this problem, so you need to pay attention to this. It should be noted that it is necessary to distinguish between the passive mode of operation of the antivirus and the active one. Passive mode is when the antivirus is minimized to the tray and monitors the operation of the computer, and active mode is when you independently run a virus scan on your computer or perform another active action.

These are the so-called basic functions that your antivirus must have. The only exception may be network control, which refers to a firewall.

Which antivirus is the best?

All users have their own criteria and preferences in antiviruses, which is why each user will have their own best antivirus. Before you touch the list best antiviruses, according to site experts, it is worth saying that the vast majority of antiviruses have 2 types antivirus programs for computers and laptops: simple antivirus and antivirus + firewall (with additional functions). For a home computer, a regular antivirus will be enough, but if we speak in the spirit of our topic, then the best distribution can be called one that includes an antivirus + firewall. If your computer does not have an Internet connection, then, in fact, you do not need a version with a built-in firewall, but if you have access to the Internet, we recommend installing an antivirus with a firewall.

1. Kaspersky (Kaspersky Anti-Virus)

In our opinion, Kaspersky Anti-Virus is the best anti-virus solution at the moment. Kaspersky Anti-Virus is available in many versions, but we will highlight the two most popular of them: Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Kaspersky Internet Security. The difference between these two versions of the antivirus is that the first version is a simple antivirus, the second is an antivirus + firewall. Despite the existing disadvantages, this antivirus has many more advantages and they are more significant. Now let's analyze all the pros and cons of Kaspersky Internet Security.

Advantages:

• High degree of protection against viruses;
• Beautiful and convenient interface;
• High functionality and customization;
• Worldwide popularity;
• Availability of traffic control, site checking and anti-banner.

Flaws:

• Quite a high price;
• Extra “independence” of the antivirus in some situations;
• During active scanning, it consumes a large amount of computer resources.

Antivirus prices:

A 1-year license for Kaspersky Anti-Virus costs 1,200 rubles.

A 1-year license for Kaspersky Internet Security will cost you 1,600 rubles.

In our opinion, second place among the list of the best antiviruses is rightfully taken by Dr.Web antivirus. In principle, Dr.Web and Kaspersky go hand in hand, but, nevertheless, Dr.Web is somewhat inferior to its main competitor. Dr.Web antivirus has two versions Dr.Web Antivirus and Dr.Web Security Space, simple antivirus and antivirus + firewall, respectively. Let's analyze them.

Advantages:

• Good protection against viruses;
• Internet monitoring, site checking and anti-banner;
• Simple interface.

Flaws:

• Despite Good work antivirus, sometimes misses viruses when scanning a PC;
• IN latest versions there were deficiencies in the antivirus that led to some problems in working with the program;
• Compared to Kaspersky it has low price for a license, but not very affordable;
• Lack of customization options as in the previous product.

Antivirus prices:

A 1-year license for Dr.Web Antivirus will cost 990 rubles.

A 1-year license for Dr.Web Security Space costs 1,290 rubles.

NOD32 is also a popular antivirus among home users. This antivirus It protects your computer well from viruses and includes a number of useful additional functions. Like other antiviruses, NOD32 has two versions: ESET NOD32 Antivirus and ESET Smart Security(with firewall). After analyzing the antivirus, we can highlight the following.

Advantages:

• Good protection against viruses;
• Ad blocking;
• Safety in social media networks;
• Ease of use.

Flaws:

• Problems with complete removal antivirus from your computer;
• Occasionally, omissions of quite simple Trojan programs antivirus;
• High license cost (and unjustified);
• Problems with the speed of scanning your computer for viruses.

Antivirus prices:

A 1-year license for ESET NOD32 Antivirus will cost 1,080 rubles.

Well, at the end of the review of the best antivirus products, we should mention Avast! antivirus. As for its paid version - Avast! Internet Security, in our opinion, it occupies the last step in the ranking of the best antiviruses, which cannot be said about its free version - Avast! Free Antivirus, which is the best free antivirus available today. Avast! Free Antivirus is a full-fledged simple antivirus, and not a utility for checking your computer for viruses, which is what we will look at below.

Advantages:

• Free, and a full-fledged antivirus, not a utility;
• Good virus detection for a free antivirus;
• Blocking sites that can harm your computer;
• Nice interface.

Flaws:

• Low functionality;
• Compared to paid analogues, it sometimes misses viruses;
• Does not block advertisements and banners on websites.

Antivirus prices:

Avast! Free Antivirus is free.

1 year license for Avast! Internet Security costs 1,450 rubles.

Well, after all of the above and after describing the best antiviruses today, it’s worth summarizing. Whatever one may say, only a paid antivirus can reliably protect your computer from various types threats, and it will also include a lot of additional services, which is very convenient. To summarize, we will say that, in our opinion, the best paid antivirus is Kaspersky Internet Security, and perhaps the only high-quality free antivirus is Avast! Free Antivirus. Well, the final choice is yours.

PCMag tested all the popular solutions in the free antivirus category during 2016. This rating allows you to choose the best free antivirus for Windows protection computer

Antivirus vendors typically pay for the opportunity to participate in testing because lab reports help improve products. The number of laboratories that include a particular product primarily indicates its importance. 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 while adding advanced features to paid products.

PCMag's own amateur tests

In addition to its rigorous analysis of lab test results, PCMag performs its own amateur program-blocking testing of antivirus products. 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 from 0 to 10 points for blocking, depending on how thoroughly it protects the system from test threats.

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 load malware from online sources no more than a day old, provided by the MRG-Effitas laboratory. During the testing process, it is noted whether the product has blocked access to network location, cleared the malware payload during download, or ignored the threat. Avira Free Antivirus received the highest score in this test, followed by McAfee and Symantec 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 ratings to results search results, 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 computer protection, install security updates for Windows OS, browsers and other popular programs. Windows 10 has made updates mandatory for consumers, but many gaps remain in popular apps 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 article contains information only about free antivirus solutions, which received at least a “good” rating from 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 2016 scores highly in third-party lab tests and PCMag's own tests, especially in its anti-phishing test. Additional functions, in particular the new password manager and innovative router security check make the product an excellent choice for free protection.

Latest version AVG AntiVirus Free scores high in tests from independent laboratories, and also performed well in its own amateur tests. AVG remains PCMag's Editors' Choice in the free antivirus category.

Although Panda Free Antivirus is not superior to the best commercial solutions, many paid antiviruses are inferior in effectiveness. The product remains PCMag's Editors' Choice in the free antivirus software category.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition (2014) remains invisible on your system until a threat is detected. The tiny main window and automatic operating mode are perfect for users who value simplicity, efficiency and unobtrusiveness.

ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall 2016 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.