I tested and ranked each free antivirus listed here for malware detection, ease of use, and additional cybersecurity features. Read the full Norton review here. Plus, Windows Defender consistently ranks below the top antivirus scanners in our independent lab testing.
The free downloads on this list are from top-notch cybersecurity companies that are offering their premium antivirus protection for free. And some of the free programs on my list also include additional cybersecurity protections.
Free antiviruses like Avira and Bitdefender are pretty good, but their paid versions are way better — to begin with, they come with all of the internet security protections you need to stay as safe as possible online. Together with a malware scanner, these tools are crucial to building a good online defence against hackers, scammers, and predators. Here are a few of them:. Avira Free Security for Windows is my favorite free Windows antivirus in — it has one of the best anti-malware engines on the market, includes more free features than any other competitor, and is really easy to use.
Paid programs like McAfee and Norton are equally effective at detecting malware, but their full disk scans will slow down your system much more than Avira will. The Safe Shopping browser extension for Firefox and Chrome is really good — it blocks suspicious phishing sites, web trackers, and unwanted advertisements.
The extension also automatically recommends links to better deals when shopping online. Download Avira Free Now. Malware scans, detection, and removal all happen automatically, unless you decide to adjust the settings.
Bitdefender also scanned my device faster than any other product on this list. Bitdefender also alerted me when I was asked to enter private data onto 3 different suspicious web forms. Can Macs Get Viruses? Privacy Report vulnerability Contact security License agreements Modern Slavery Statement Cookies Accessibility Statement Do not sell my info All third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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See all Performance articles. The Best Free Antivirus Software for Link copied. Top picks:. Avast Free Antivirus One of the oldest antivirus companies, Avast has been protecting people since and is trusted by more than million users around the globe. What is Spyware?
What is a Trojan Horse? Is it Malware or Virus? Award-winning internet security Over million protected devices and counting. Beyond Just Antivirus Among our McAfee security solutions, McAfee Total Protection stands tall with its combination of antivirus, privacy and identity tools and features, built to protect you from all kinds of threats.
Free Antivirus for Mac While Apple devices are generally less susceptible to hackers, malicious websites and unsecured networks still pose serious threats to your device and privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions. How can I get McAfee for free? What is included in the free antivirus software trial? Does the free antivirus version of McAfee include the same features as the paid version? How long is the McAfee free antivirus trial? Can I use antivirus for mobile? What happens when the McAfee free trial ends? How do I cancel the McAfee free antivirus trial? Will I lose the remaining days in my trial if I purchase before the expiration date?
What are the requirements and specifications? Identity Theft Insurance. Read this ultimate guide to find out what malware is, how it works, how it spreads and what you should do to protect yourself. Have you noticed your Windows PC behaving strangely?
Find out how to detect and remove viruses and other malware in this complete guide. Is your router infected with malware? Learn how to check a router for malware and viruses, and how to remove any malicious software you find. Find out how to check for and detect keyloggers. Then learn how to remove them to protect your personal information and sensitive data. Ransomware is a serious threat to individuals, businesses, and even hospitals.
Learn how ransomware works and block hackers from holding your files hostage. How do you report identity theft? If you think your identity has been stolen, find out how to report it to the FTC, the police, or the government. The dark web isn't indexed by search engines. Learn how people access the dark web and what they do on darknet browsers in our guide. Worldwide English. In order to view this page correctly, you must have a JavaScript-enabled browser and have JavaScript turned on.
We apologize for any inconvenience. This removes that chance. This feature scans for sensitive documents and then applies controls to which applications can touch them. Nothing to do with security but a neat option to give your PC a tune-up. One-stop shop to update your system drivers. After a quick install it identifies any number of drivers on your PC such as your video card, PCI express port, wireless adapter, and recommends an update. Requires Avast Internet Security package to execute the updates.
When you're presenting in fullscreen, gaming, or watching a movie, you won't receive any pop-up messages from the client. You activate this feature per application so you can pick and choose where to implement it.
Similar to the Driver Updater but for software applications, e. You have plenty of similar options to Avast. Don't neglect the built-in Microsoft Windows Defender.
It scores well for basic antivirus protection and won't try to install all sorts of extra software on your PC that frequently remind you to upgrade or bog down your performance in the background.
Kaspersky and Bitdefender are other great options that keep it simple and score high on malware. It takes no time to download and get scanned, does the basics antivirus and malware scans just as well as anything else, and there are so many modular options.
We thought it could be a little less invasive on the pop-ups and more up-front on what exactly is hidden behind the paywall before you get excited to run a feature. While your native Microsoft Windows Defender likely takes care of most threats, it's always good to get a second opinion, especially if you want to be extra secure with the Avast pay-to-play options that Windows Defender will never have.
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