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February 23, 2024
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8 Best Free Antivirus Software for Your Windows PC
When your precious data needs protection, compromise should be the last thing on your mind. Antivirus is one of the most crucial pieces of software you can install on your any Windows PC, if not the most important. On the internet, there are several risks ranging from phishing scams to malware, viruses, and more. Installing an antivirus program is strongly advised, and in some cases, required, but the question is which one to choose. There appear to be as many antivirus software as there are computer viruses lurking on the internet. We published this post to help you in choosing the best free antivirus software for your Windows PC.
Disclaimer: The list presented here is not based on any rank criteria. Listed as First could not be the best or listed as Last in the list is not the worst by any means. This is not a complete product review. Please don’t go with the order of the tools. We clarify that the order doesn’t carry any rank. We are not here to judge the rank of the tools. We created this post to share the best options available in the market. Let’s get started.
What Should You Consider When Choosing the Best Free Antivirus Software for Your Windows PC?
It should go without saying that you should download an antivirus program that is compatible with Windows 11. If you choose the wrong one, your system may experience performance issues. These tips will help you choose the best free antivirus software for your Windows PC. With so many options available, you’re sure to find one that meets your needs and provides the protection you need.
Scanning Capability: You should also search for one that has the scanning capability to probe every inch of your computer for viruses hiding in the corners.
Protection: Firewall protection and a file deletion feature are two other wonderful features to check for.
Features Offered: Don’t forget to take a look at the different features each antivirus software program offers. Some programs may offer a more comprehensive feature set, while others may be lighter in feature set. Choose the one that best fits your needs.
Resource Utilization: If you go for high-performing antivirus software with greater protection capabilities, your may end up burning more amount of computing resources. So, if you have a lower-end or low-budget PC with limited computing resources, you should consider a program that utilizes fewer resources.
Frequency of Updates released: New threats are constantly emerging, so it’s important to have the latest protection at the earliest. Antivirus software is only effective if it’s up to date. So, it is very important to see how soon your antivirus software receives updates for a new threat in general what is the frequency of updates the antivirus vendor release.
These tips will help you choose the best free antivirus software for your Windows PC. With so many options available, you’re sure to find one that meets your needs and provides the protection you need.
There are a plethora of premium antivirus programs available that provide top-of-the-line security. But what if you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford to pay for a recurrent antivirus subscription?
This guide will show you the best free antivirus software for your Windows PC. Some of these offer a premium version that you can buy for additional features, but it’s not necessary because you’ll still get excellent protection.
What Protection the Best Free Antivirus Software Should Offer?
There is numerous protection that free antivirus software provides. The following are a few of the most notable protections:
Malware Protection
Antivirus software primarily serves as a preventative measure. It looks for any possible infection and then attempts to eradicate it. Keep in mind that much of this is done before the virus causes any damage to the system. As a result, the majority of infections are detected and blocked before they can cause any damage to your computers. Without your knowledge, an antivirus program may fight multiple viruses in a single day. Avast and Norton are two of the most widely used antivirus programs on the market these days.
Blocking Spam
If you do a brief scan of how viruses get into the computers of their victims, you’ll be surprised at how many infections use pop-up adverts and websites to get into machines. Viruses exploit pop-up advertising and spam websites as one of the most common ways to infect your computer and destroy your files.
Bullguard Internet Security, for example, acts against harmful virus-infected adverts and websites by denying them direct access to your computer network.
Protect Against Data Theft
To gain access to their victim’s computer, hackers typically utilize malware or virus applications. They install malware on the victim’s PC without the victim’s awareness. Hackers achieve this by sending victims infected emails. The hacker can then quickly gain access to the files and programs that they desire.
After that, they can do whatever they want with the victim’s data; they can destroy, damage, or steal it in order to demand ransom later. Antimalware- ware solutions like Malwarebytes either impose an antihacking lock on the computer network or run frequent scans to detect the presence of any hacker or hacking-based apps.
Removable Devices Scan
Consider how many times you’ve used devices like USBs to move data to and from your computer. Isn’t it countless?
You may have experienced computer slowdown or even a computer crash after attaching a friend’s USB drive. This is because the USB or detachable device was used as a viral dissemination device. So, should you avoid using portable devices because you never know which USB can be infected?d?
No! Simply install antivirus software that will scan any removable devices for potential viruses, ensuring that no viruses are transported. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at all the anti-virus software that you should consider.
8 Best Free Antivirus Software for Your Windows PC
There are a lot of great free antivirus software programs available, so you should have no trouble finding one that meets your needs. Just remember to consider what you need protection from, what features you want, and to keep your software up to date. With these tips in mind, you’re sure to find the best free antivirus software for your Windows PC.
Avast
Avast Antivirus for Windows 11 includes all of the most crucial security features you’ll need. It provides real-time protection against all types of malware, including viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other threats.
The software has numerous layers of assault protection and is extremely active in its defense. It’s so aggressive that it can prevent you from downloading apps and programs..
Avast will shut down and protect your computer if it detects anything suspicious. It contains a Smart Scan tool that scans the security of your web browser for malware. The software will delete any garbage files it finds and clean up other places on your computer. A PC Speed up improves system efficiency, and a Targeted Scan allows you to filter through certain files.
A VPN a secure connection, Password Protection, and a Data Shredder to get rid of important files are all included in the premium edition. For Android and iOS, there is a mobile version. With such a high level of protection, it’s no surprise that Avast has remained popular for so long.
Bitdefender
BitDefender’s free edition is the next best free antivirus software for your Windows PC on the list. It monitors viruses, malware, and ransomware threats in real-time. Real-time monitoring is a feature that you’ll see a lot of in anti-virus software, and it’s a popular one.
Bitdefender’s driver is updated automatically, so you won’t have to worry about keeping up with it. Bitdefender has numerous levels of security, and if it is attacked, it will “remember” what attacked it and have a stronger defense against it.
The level of security is determined by your requirements. Bitdefender will make recommendations on how to safeguard your machine based on its requirements. When you run an assessment scan, it figures this out. It will then make recommendations for modifications.
Bitdefender has a premium edition with more features, but the security quality remains the same. Bitdefender will provide you with anti-virus, advanced threat defense, and online threat prevention for free. You’ll have to utilize Windows Defender Firewall because the Firewall capability isn’t included.
Avira Free Security
Another popular computer security program is Avira Free Security. It has a similar look and feels to Avast. It has a comparable user interface and offers the same real-time virus and malware protection.
Avira’s virus detection feature is updated often to keep up with the latest malware advances. You may rest assured that Avira will never let you down and leave your computer unprotected.
It’s also lightweight, like Avast, so it won’t hog too much of your computer’s resources, allowing the rest of your software to run without lag or slowdown. Versions for Android, iOS and Mac laptops are also available.
Avira is compatible with Windows Security, which disables the protection of native software. Avira Crypto, a unique feature for cryptocurrency miners, safeguards your machine while you mine for cryptocurrency.
Avira, like Avast, has similar capabilities that are behind a barrier, such as the VPN but aren’t really necessary. The only significant drawback is that Avira’s free version lacks active ransomware protection.
Kaspersky Free
Kaspersky Free is a simple antivirus program. Thanks to its well-optimized code. It is one of the least taxings on CPUS. Kaspersky is recommended if you have a PC with limited resources.
If your computer’s CPU consumption becomes too high, the software will automatically cease scans and limit animations. When you walk away from the computer, Kaspersky enables for idle scanning.
Kaspersky is excellent at safeguarding your computer from phishing schemes and various sorts of malware. It can look for adware that is slowing down your computer as well as rootkits, which can provide a bad actor illegal access to your computer.
Self-Defense is a feature of the software that stops anyone from altering or removing the app’s registry items or installation files. And it doesn’t end there. Antivirus programs have a poor history of interfering with other software, particularly video games. Kaspersky fixes this problem by enabling a specific gaming mode that disables notifications while playing in full-screen mode.
To run Kaspersky, you’ll need 1.5 GB of free disc space, 2 GB of memory. and 1 GHz processor. You may also test out a whole suite of other protection programs from the same business that erected the antivirus.
Panda Free Antivirus
Panda Free Antivirus has a lot of the same functions and is built in the same way as most antivirus software. You can use other programs while it searches because it isn’t a resource hog.
The user interface is simple and straightforward, with options for changing the configuration that isn’t immediately evident. Panda has the disadvantage of requiring you to search through menus in order to configure it.
It will also force you to download and install the Opera web browser on your PC. Opera isn’t dangerous in any way, yet it adds unnecessary fat to your computer. However, it is simple to uninstall.
Panda Antivirus, on the other hand, provides real-time protection from viruses, online fraud, malware, and rootkits. It will automatically scan your files as soon as you install it to guarantee that everything is in order.
Scanning is permanent, and it will keep your Windows 11 machine safe for as long as you use it. A news stream at the bottom of the window notifies you of the newest cyber security incidents, which is an interesting feature.
The news feed is not found at the bottom of any other antivirus software. Other important features include USB protection, which scans detachable discs when they are connected, as well as the ability to exclude specific files from scans.
ZoneAlarm
Originally, ZoneAlarm was known for supplying organizations with software and cyber security. Now it’s applying what it’s learned in that industry to a whole new set of customers.
ZoneAlarm, like the other programs, provides active real-time protection against viruses, malware, spyware, and other forms of malicious software. The presence of a firewall, on the other hand, is unique to this program. The bulk of antivirus software, such as Windows Defender’s firewall, relies on your computer’s own firewall, but ZoneAlarm goes a step further.
The ZoneAlarm firewall is fully programmable, allowing you to block public server and VPN protocols. It also has the ability to filter IP traffic and provide ARP protection. You can customise scan modes with the firewall to meet your specific requirements.
The firewall can be set up to safeguard your local network as well as monitor all programs. Other features include a Gamer Mode that, like Panda Antivirus, blocks alerts, as well as the ability to back up and restore its settings at a later time.
It evenprovides Identity Protection Services to safeguard your information from unscrupulous actors and preserve your identity. However, this feature is only available to residents of the United States.
Windows Defender
When it comes to the best free antivirus software for your Windows 11, it’s worth noting Windows Defender and its overall security. Because the majority of the native programs on Windows 11 are mediocre at best, most consumers opt for a third-party alternative.
Defender defies the norm by providing real-time protection and a comprehensive set of security capabilities. It features excellent firewall and network security. The app will keep you up to date on system performance on a regular basis.
It receives frequent updates, so you’ll never be behind on security, and it’s light on the CPU. It has never been and will never be a resource hog.
Defender SmartScreen, for example, safeguards your Windows 11 computer from malicious files, websites, and downloads. There are family solutions for keeping track of children’s and other devices’ online behavior. It accomplishes a lot of the same things as third-party apps for a base program, but third-party software can do so much more. It’s also worth noting that Defender has been known to let some infections history and is one of the best free antivirus software for your Windows PC.
AVG
Last but not least, there’s AVG Antivirus. A sleek and easy-to-understand user interface continues the trend for antivirus software. Scanning is simple because you won’t have to look through menus to find the feature.
In the middle of the app, there’s a big green button. AVG will actively scan for dangers hidden among file archives, check USB drives for anything harmful, and boot malware from your computer, just like the other items.
You may customize the scanning feature by selecting what you want the antivirus to scan and when you want it to scan it. It can also detect rootkits, ensuring that no one else has access.
AVG has six levels of security and doesn’t slow down your machine at all. Email Shield is a feature unique to this software that detects and filters any weird links, phishing scams, or questionable email attachments.
People have stated that AVG’s first scan is slower than most other antivirus programs and that addressing certain bugs necessitates a service upgrade.
We hope this post would help you know eight best free antivirus software for your Windows PC. Please share this post if you find this interested. Visit our social media page on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Telegram, Tumblr, Medium & Instagram, and subscribe to receive updates like this.
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Arun KL
Arun KL is a cybersecurity professional with 15+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, cloud security, vulnerability management, Penetration Testing, security operations, and incident response. He is adept at designing and implementing robust security solutions to safeguard systems and data. Arun holds multiple industry certifications including CCNA, CCNA Security, RHCE, CEH, and AWS Security.
