The best free antiviruses for Windows

Along with the development of computer technology, the Internet and the emergence of a variety of useful software for modern devices, viruses have also evolved, with many facets today. Malicious programs are capable of much, including stealing important information, gaining access to bank data, destroying information from the device’s memory, etc. In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, the issue of computer or laptop protection should be approached seriously by installing a reliable anti-virus program on your device, which allows you to escape from possible virus threats. Among the many offers of security software, each user is looking for the best antivirus for his computer, and, moreover, is preferably free, since purchasing license packages is impractical because protection is intended for home use. The choice of software today is quite wide, and it can be difficult to navigate, but even reliable protection can be installed for free. The choice of antivirus for Windows will help determine the rating of free antiviruses in 2018. Here are the best options for effective protection for the operating system Windows 7, 8, 10 versions, which are designed to protect your computer from the parasitic software and external attacks.

Choosing the best free antivirus for Windows.

Top 10 best free antivirus in 2018

In this case, the statement that the good does not go for nothing, is not relevant. In our collection there are the best free antiviruses, which, despite the lack of a price tag, delight in the quality of their tasks. Many copies of the collection have a rich functionality, which is often absent in paid security solutions, and you will not have to pay for one of the software products. Free distribution is not surprising, since all major developers provide users with trial versions with limited functionality, however, those options that are present are enough to provide high-quality protection.

Avast Free Antivirus

Avast free antivirus software has been one of the most popular for several years now and is not inferior in terms of device protection to the well-known commercial antivirus software. The product is deservedly located on the top lines of the tops of the best free antivirus in 2018, and is not going to take positions. The updated version is equipped with an automatic game mode, which implies blocking of pop-up notifications and reducing the load on the OS during the game process.

Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Android.

Functional:

  • Protection against viral invasion;
  • The maximum number of anti-virus-detected spyware, trojans, worms and other pests;
  • Heuristic analysis of probable threats;
  • Protection of system data, mail, messages and downloads from the network or from removable media;
  • Adding a WebRep add-on to browsers that controls search results and surfing sites.

Advantages:

  • High degree of protection;
  • Fast scan of the computer;
  • Constant automatic updates of databases and programs;
  • Silent operation without PC performance loss.

Disadvantages:

  • The presence of annoying pop-up notifications;
  • Periodic registration requests (free).

Antivirus developers presented the mobile version of the free Avast Free application for Android, which is no worse than PC software. The functionality of the software protects the device and also allows you to backup.

Kaspersky Free

Products from Russian developers have already earned a good reputation and a free version of the antivirus, which has a reduced functionality of the option that is distributed on a commercial basis. Kaspersky Free perfectly copes with the task. Despite the laconic functionality, the program has everything you need, reliably protecting your computer from malware. The Anti-Virus is deprived of all those additional promotional offers that other free software like to stuff, but it also offers to buy an enhanced version with a higher level of protection.

Operating systems: Windows, Android.

Functional:

  • Automatic blocking of supposedly dangerous files;
  • Protection against malicious software of various types, scanning in real time;
  • Email scanner;
  • Reliable web browser protection from online threats;
  • Cloud technology.

Advantages:

  • Reliable protection against heterogeneous virus threats;
  • The simplicity and convenience of the interface, nothing superfluous;
  • Flexible settings.

Disadvantages:

  • Limited set of options;
  • High consumption of device resources.

AVG AntiVirus Free

Another popular product on our list of the best free antiviruses, which has already earned the trust of users. The AVG program prevents viruses by blocking them before they even hit the device. So, besides the standard functionality, the antivirus stops suspicious, in its opinion, downloads. There is also an opportunity to expand the set of tools by switching to the paid version, which the software constantly informs the user about.

Operating systems: Windows, Mac.

Functional:

  • Protection against malicious software, spyware, etc .;
  • Block unsafe links, email downloads, etc .;
  • Check OS for vulnerability in real time;
  • "Game Mode".

Advantages:

  • Effective computer protection;
  • Low resource consumption;
  • Convenient interface, nice design;
  • Availability of additional options.

Disadvantages:

  • Persistently imposing a paid software version;
  • According to some tests, it is inferior in protection against phishing to other non-commercial products.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

Young, but already proven from a good side software from the Romanian manufacturer, suitable as well as possible for Windows 10, 8.1, 7 and offering high-quality protection against viral infection of the system. The engine from paid software solutions of the company is used as an anti-virus kernel. The product received high marks on the results of testing independent laboratories and occupies the first lines of many international ratings of the best security software.

Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Android.

Functional:

  • Protection of the system against the penetration of viruses of various types in real time;
  • Quickly identify and block phishing attacks;
  • Protection of personal data;
  • Detection and obstacle hacker intrusions;
  • Identify unknown threats.

Advantages:

  • The effectiveness of antivirus protection;
  • High speed detection of threats;
  • Accuracy of detection of infected objects;
  • Minimum consumption of PC resources;
  • Ease of use;
  • No annoying ads.

Disadvantages:

  • Limited functionality in the non-commercial version;
  • No scheduling capability.

Sophos home

One of the best solutions for Windows 7, 8, 10, as well as other operating systems, Sophos Home is equipped with useful additional options without imposing paid functionality on the user. The product is positioned as a powerful corporate antivirus for home use with administrative functions that you will not meet in a free security software.

Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Android.

Functional:

  • Effective detection of virus threats;
  • Real-time scanning;
  • High-quality protection against phishing attacks;
  • Protection up to ten devices at the same time;
  • Service "Family Access";
  • Blocking shocking materials;
  • Remote administration via a web interface.

Advantages:

  • Excellent protection against virus programs and hidden threats;
  • Parental control;
  • Filtering Internet resources;
  • Remote control of devices;
  • Lack of annoying ads.

Disadvantages:

  • Inability to schedule a scan.

Avira Free Antivirus

High-performance product that perfectly protects against all kinds of viruses, with built-in firewall and support for cloud scanning technology. The Avira Free program has a rich functionality, which also includes monitoring the VPN connection with a traffic limit of 500Mb / month.

Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS.

Functional:

  • High-quality protection from pests of various forms;
  • Protection of personal user data;
  • Cloud scanning;
  • Integrated firewall;
  • Phishing attack barrier;
  • OS Optimization Tools;
  • Task Manager.

Advantages:

  • Quick scan;
  • Heuristic analysis, which eliminates potential and hidden threats;
  • There is a Russified version of the software;
  • Low resource use
  • Simplicity and ease of management;
  • The presence of interesting options (password manager, VPN client).

Disadvantages:

  • Excessive advertising, the imposition of various products.

Panda Free Antivirus

Panda’s smart and robust anti-virus software delivers impressive functionality, protecting your PC in real time and performing on-demand scanning. The product also has a concise interface design in Russian.

Operating systems: Windows.

Functional:

  • Protection against virus attacks, spyware and other pests;
  • Cloud scanning;
  • Scan removable media;
  • Automatic “vaccination” of removable storage devices, prevention of auto-release of the virus;
  • The ability to learn about current processes in the system and get information about their security;
  • Detection of unwanted software.

Advantages:

  • Built-in firewall;
  • Wide functionality;
  • Reliable protection against virus threats;
  • The function of "vaccination" of connected devices;
  • "Game Mode";
  • Simple and intuitive interface.

Disadvantages:

  • Effect on OS performance.

360 Total Security

Multi-functional antivirus, running on several engines, with the ability to install extensions for popular browsers, cleaning and optimizing the system. One of the best programs, honed under the "window". Antivirus for Windows 10/8/7 is suitable, after installation it immediately starts working, helping to get rid of temporary files, optimize the system and check how safe the Wi-fi connection is.

Operating systems: Windows.

Functional:

  • The use of multiple anti-virus engines;
  • Phishing Protection;
  • Malware scanner;
  • Protection against data interceptor viruses;
  • Cleaning and OS optimization.

Advantages:

  • Support for different versions of Windows;
  • Decent protection against virus threats;
  • There is a Russian language;
  • Optimize the use of PC resources;
  • Ability to change the theme of design.

Disadvantages:

  • Some features are not always effective;
  • A large number of advertising.

Comodo Internet Security

A convenient and effective universal tool that protects against viruses, Comodo allows you to protect your computer from most existing viruses, and also from malicious resources. This is a whole software complex combining different types of protection. The system is scanned automatically. Anti-Virus scans any disks or files, including suspicious mail objects, if it detects attacking programs, viruses, worms and other pests, eliminates them.

Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux.

Functional:

  • Integrated protection system;
  • Scan all files, including archives;
  • Cloud scanner;
  • Built-in firewall;
  • "Game Mode";
  • Sandbox.

Advantages:

  • High-quality protection against virus threats;
  • Opportunities, availability of options inherent in paid products;
  • Small use of resources;
  • Flexible settings;
  • Simple and comfortable interface in Russian.

Disadvantages:

  • Excessive vigilance firewall;
  • Insufficiently powerful anti-virus databases, when compared with others;
  • Persistent suggestion of extra products.

ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus +

The latest in our compilation, but not in terms of effectiveness, is an antivirus that uses Kaspersky Lab security technologies and combines the capabilities of antivirus and firewall. ZoneAlarm will be an excellent solution to protect the device and its data from viruses and other threats from outside.

Operating systems: Windows.

Functional:

  • Scanning for viruses and other malicious software;
  • The presence of two-way firewall;
  • Protection of personal data;
  • Heuristic analysis, which eliminates potential and hidden threats;
  • The possibility of cloud backup.

Advantages:

  • High speed;
  • Quality protection;
  • Low consumption of system resources;
  • Russian interface;
  • Regular updates;
  • Ease of Management.

Disadvantages:

  • Slow installation;
  • Imposing other products during installation.

The issue of device security is a key issue for any user using the Internet. Antiviruses for Windows 10, 8, 7, which compiled this rating of the best free protection programs, have all the necessary functionality to perform tasks for protection against virus threats. Despite the lack of many options with which commercial products are equipped, their capabilities make it possible to adequately deal with the protection of home computers. Determining what would be better for Windows 10 or another version is not easy if there is such a rich assortment today, but it is necessary to do this, because you can not install several antiviruses on the device at once to avoid their conflict between themselves and the system. Installing a new software solution is performed only after the complete removal of the old software with all its “tails”. But this rule does not apply to various treatment utilities (for example, Dr. Web CureIt), which can be installed in addition to the antivirus and firewall.

It is unambiguous to say which antivirus is better for Windows 7, 8 or 10, it is impossible for each user to decide for himself what to use, since the choice must be based on personal preferences as well. All products of this collection are free, so nothing prevents to personally test some of them to determine the best option.