Free Anti-Virus Software
In this section you'll find reviews of the Internet's best free antivirus software. We recommend that all computers have some form of virus protection, whether that's a freeware or commercial solution. Viruses can wreak havoc on your system and those who neglect to secure their computers with suitable software find themselves wishing they had, but only when it's too late. With this in mind, you'll be pleased to hear that you don't necessarily have to pay for antivirus software. The antivirus programs we review below are all completely free and provide effective protection against viruses, trojans and in some cases, even spyware. You may also be interested in our Free Security Software section, which features anti-spyware, free firewalls, file shredders and more. If you happen to stumble across an outdated link, we'd very much appreciate it if you could report it.
SUPERAntiSpyware"Remove all the spyware, not just the easy ones". This is the claim of SUPERAntiSpyware and from our experience with the program, it has not broken its promise. Adware, spyware, keyloggers, worms, and various other threats are identified and easily dealt with. You are able to schedule quick or more complete scans (daily or weekly), and real-time blocking ensures no rogue applications are installed in the first place. When used in conjunction with an anti-virus program, you will catch most, if not all, Internet nasties.
Avira AntiVir Personal Edition
This version of Avira AntiVir is one of the best freeware anti-virus programs we've seen and offers effective protection against almost all computer viruses on the stand alone PC. This version detects over 50,000 different types of virus (rootkits, macros, trojans, etc.), and can identify and repair these quickly. AntiVir is made in Germany and is freely available to people using it non-commercially. They also provide free and regular updates.
PC Tools AntiVirus Free EditionThe free edition of PC Tools AntiVirus is a user-friendly, feature-rich and highly capable antivirus program. Once activated, it guards your PC and begins looking for threats, such as trojans, worms, etc. You can also run a full system scan whenever you feel the need. Any viruses on your system will then be quarantined, disinfected or removed at the click of a button. Regular and free virus pattern updates are included so your system will be able to deal with the latest threats.
> The program includes "Email Guard", which checks incoming e-mail messages for viruses and then takes the necessary steps to prevent the files from compromising your system.
Spyware Blaster
Are you wary about spyware? You needn't be if you install SpywareBlaster. Unlike similar programs that scan, detect and then clean your computer of any programs attempting to monitor your actions, SpywareBlaster takes a different route and prevents them from being installed in the first place. Nobody has to put up with spyware thanks to this clever little program.
AVG Free Anti-Virus
An excellent program that's perfect for guarding your computer against viruses and other harmful files that can be acquired from removable disks or via the Internet. AVG is very complete for a freeware program and additionally to the "Resident Shield", which offers real-time virus protection, AVG also provides an e-mail mailbox scanner and a task/update scheduler. Free and regular virus definition updates are provided.
> A commercial version with additional features is also available.
Celframe Free Antivirus
A feature-packed free anti-virus package from Celframe Security Labs, offering protection against general viruses, spyware, Trojans and rootkits. The software provides reliable virus protection thanks to Community Protection, where every user is connected to one another, thereby increasing detection rates. The program protects against threats from social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter, and even has a silent/gaming mode for when your computer is at its most vulnerable.
CoviroSoft AntiVirus
A free and effective anti-virus program, providing protection against a wide range of threats, including spyware, Trojan horses, keylogging tools, rootkits and of course, general viruses. CoviroSoft updates its threat database on a daily basis to constantly keep you protected. The software features a user-friendly interface with plenty of scanning options.
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Returnil System Safe
A free system security download that combines a system rollback feature with anti-virus protection. Returnil offers a high level of protection from threats such as viruses, malware, trojans and Internet worms. In the event a serious error occurs, simply restore to a previous point in time. The "virtual mode" is ideal for use as a testing environment for unknown applications.
Avast Free Antivirus
A reliable free anti-virus program for non-commercial (home) use. Avast is excellent at detecting and dealing with harmful viruses. The program provides a simple interface, e-mail mailbox scanner and resident protection shield. It also provides P2P (peer to peer) program and instant messenger shields. Free, automatic updates are provided as and when new virus threats are discovered.
ZenOK Antivirus
This free anti-virus program ensures your computer remains free from harmful applications, such as trojans, spyware, worms, etc. ZenOK lacks the advanced features seen in other freeware anti-virus software, but offers a much simpler approach, ideal for novices. The program also has the added benefit of online backup (so you can safeguard your photos, music and documents), although to access this service, a small subscription fee is required.
Panda Cloud Antivirus Free
A unique, lightweight, and easy to use anti-virus solution from the reputable Panda Security company. If your current anti-virus program is causing your computer's performance to dip, try this for size. Cloud Antivirus works on the concept of "cloud computing" and as such aims to do much of its processing "in the cloud" (that's via remote servers rather than your computer).
Free NoVirusThanks Malware Remover
Download this freeware malware remover if you want to keep your computer free from security threats, such as spyware, trojans, worms, etc. There are two main options: Quick Scan (if you're in a hurry) or the more thorough Full Scan. The software is easy-to-use and takes few system resources, so you can even run this on slower machines. Functions on XP, 2000, 2003, Vista and Windows 7.
Rising Antivirus Free Edition
Here you can download Rising Antivirus Free Edition, an effective anti-virus program designed to protect your computer from viruses, trojans, worms, rootkits and other malicious software. It includes an e-mail monitor (a popular access point for viruses), anti-spyware protection, along with various other features.
Immunet Protect Anti-VirusA free anti-virus utility that can be used in conjunction with your existing anti-virus program, or alternatively on its own. Rather than taking information from a downloaded "virus pattern" (database), Immunet uses the concept of "cloud computing" - gathering shared information via the Web. In theory, this means the program has access to up-to-the-minute virus information. It is recommended as a fail-safe for anyone serious about protecting their computer.
Sophos Klingon Anti-VirusDo you speak Klingon? If you do, you're in luck. Sophos (a world leader in anti-virus research and technology) has created a free Klingon language virus scanner, which is highly capable at locating and cleaning general viruses, trojans, worms, and other malware. The program can function in tandem with your existing anti-virus software to add an extra layer of protection.
ThreatFireThis program claims to provide "up to 243% more protection" when running in tandem with traditional anti-virus software. ThreatFire is free, lightweight, fast and can improve the security of your PC by a considerable margin. The patent-pending "ActiveDefense" technology used by ThreatFire keeps a watchful eye for threats that have not even been officially classified by the major anti-virus research organisations.
Spyware TerminatorDon't fall foul of spyware (rogue programs that collect personal information and surfing habits), download Spyware Terminator and blast them into oblivion. The tool scans and removes anything identified as spyware, then provides a neat and tidy summary. This program is free for both personal and commercial use, and comes complete with automatic updates and free technical support.
Windows DefenderThis security program developed by Microsoft provides a range of countermeasures to help protect you from spyware and similar security threats. Windows Defender's simple interface is a joy to use and enables you to both monitor and protect vulnerable system areas. The program can detect spyware before it causes any harm or eliminate rogue files once they become installed on your computer.
> Microsoft provides automatic definition updates for Windows Defender to ensure the most recent security threats can be counteracted. To benefit from this, you must update the definition file regularly.
> Unlike other "anti spyware" programs, Windows Defender constantly runs in the background and springs into action if a security threat is identified.
The most popular free anti-spyware utility, this complete solution detects and removes all kinds of dodgy files, including trojans, worms and "malware" (malicious software purposely designed to harm computers). It even helps to protect you from identity theft. Ad-aware thoroughly scans your system registry and other folders to safely delete any rogue packages that may be attempting to relay information about your surfing habits to advertising companies. Inexperienced computer users will also find Ad-aware easy to use. Its "wizard style" interface allows for the step-by-step deletion of spyware.
> With over a quarter of a billion downloads, Ad-aware is one of the top freeware programs of its kind.
> You may download updates free of charge to ensure the program is capable of detecting the latest threats to your system.