Free Antivirus Software

Avast! Free Antivirus

Our rating:

9

 

Gizmo's Freeware award as the best product in its class!

Product type: Runs as a stand-alone program on a user's computer

Pros:

Top pick for best free antivirus program, full real-time capabilities, behavioural blocking features, sandboxing, low rate of false positives

Cons:

default settings not certain user interaction

Developers website: http://www.avast.com/en-au/free-antivirus-download

Download page: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Avast-Home-Edition.shtml

Version: 7.0.1407

Download file size: 71.45 MB

64 Bit compatibility: 32 bit but 64 bit compatible

License type: Feature limited freeware

Portable version available: There is no portable version of this product available.

System requirements: Windows 2000 - Windows 7, Mac OS

Additional information:

Quick Start Guide: http://www.avast.com/download-documentation
Forum: http://forum.avast.com/

Microsoft Security Essentials

Our rating:

9

Product type: Runs as a stand-alone program on a user's computer

Pros:

Very low rate of false positives, easy to use

Cons:

Detection rates slightly lower than AntiVir, slow scanning

Developers website: http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

Download page: http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

Version: 4.0.1526

Download file size: 7-9 MB

64 Bit compatibility: 32 and 64 bit versions available

License type: Unrestricted freeware

Portable version available: There is no portable version of this product available.

System requirements: Windows XP - Windows 7

Avira AntiVir Personal Edition

Our rating:

9

Product type: Runs as a stand-alone program on a user's computer

Pros:

Outstanding detection of malware

Cons:

Nag screen

Developers website: http://www.free-av.com/en/products/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html

Download page: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/AntiVir-Personal-Edition.shtml

Version: 12.0.0.1125

Download file size: 94.6 MB

64 Bit compatibility: 32 and 64 bit versions available

License type: Free for private use only

Portable version available: There is no portable version of this product available.

System requirements: Windows 2000 - Windows 7

Additional information:

Forum: http://forum.avira.com/wbb/index.php?langid=1
Online help: http://www.avira.com/en/support/kbsearch.php

Panda Cloud Antivirus

Our rating:

9

Product type: Combines a web service with a stand-alone program

Pros:

High detection rate of malware, web protection, some behavioural blocker features

Cons:

Detection rates of real-world malware is slightly lower

Developers website: http://www.cloudantivirus.com

Download page: http://filehippo.com/download_cloud_antivirus

Version: 1.5.1

Download file size: 33.08 MB

64 Bit compatibility: 32 and 64 bit versions available

License type: Free for private use only

Portable version available: There is no portable version of this product available.

System requirements: Windows XP - Windows 7

AVG Anti-Virus Free

Our rating:

8

Product type: Runs as a stand-alone program on a user's computer

Pros:

Behavioural blocker

Cons:

Slightly lower signature detection rates

Developers website: http://free.avg.com/au-en/homepage

Download page: http://filehippo.com/download_avg_antivirus_32/

Version: 2012.0.1913

Download file size: 158.61 MB

64 Bit compatibility: 32 and 64 bit versions available

License type: Free for private use only

Portable version available: There is no portable version of this product available.

System requirements: Windows 2000 - Windows 2007

Additional information:

Forum for support