Since Windows 8 after installing the operating system directly protected against viruses. Unfortunately, the track record of Windows Defender insufficient there really your PC to trust. Who wants to protect its PC must install genuine antivirus software. Lots of money does not have to cost it, because even if you prefer not to pay for something “sufs’ as antivirus, you have ample choice of several free packages.
The free versions are always less elaborate than the paid versions, but when it comes to protection against malware they are no less good. This also confirms the well-known antivirus tester Andreas Marx of the anti-malware test lab AV-Test. “We test both commercial and free antivirus products and do so in exactly the same way. From our perspective as testers, it is also completely irrelevant whether a product is free or not, it just needs to secure the PC. In our experience, free antivirus programs are not better or worse than commercial software from the same vendor. “
Bitdefender
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For years, Bitdefender scored well in our tests and also offers free security tools, such as Bitdefender Antivirus Free. First weeks we managed not to download the product. Then after a week wait Bitdefender Free Antivirus or to download again was proved the Romanian version. And the button to change the language during installation or afterwards did not. We have of course informed Bitdefender and waited days and repeatedly asked, but heard nothing more. This allows BitDefender Free Antivirus is missing in this test.
Test
All tested products are installed on a PC running Windows 10 in a virtual machine. The true PC was otherwise virtually without additional software and meant to get an idea of the impact of the product on the performance of the PC and Windows 10. The virtual machine was equal for all products and involved a re-installation of Windows 10 but with if additional software Microsoft Office 2013, Oracle Java, Google Chrome and Firefox. This system is mainly used to test the functionality and integration with other products. The quality of each program as malware protection and remover of malware is left to highly reputable antivirus laboratories namely AV-Comparatives, AV Test, Virus Bulletin and NSS Labs.
Best virus hunter
Free Antivirus Panda gets the seal of approval Top tested. The product achieves high scores in most antivirus tests conducted by respected antivirus laboratories and does so with minimal impact on the speed of our test system. The interface is modern and very clear and the functionality it offers three types of scans: one full, one adapted where you can select the folders and an extra fast exclusively for critical areas such as memory, processes and cookies. Panda is entirely in Dutch and very pleasant to use.
More than virus protection
Avast Free Antivirus 2015 is a close second with adequate protection but the software is less transparent than Panda. With network vulnerabilities and scan it does offer extras Panda, but these functions with other programs such as Secunia PSI or Ninite be changed quickly and better. Only if you prefer those functions keeps restricted and integration with antivirus program sees the advantage Avast currently has advantage over Panda.
No fuss, just safe
Although the functionality of FortiClient limited – even in comparison to the other free security programs in this test – that the program what it should do, doing it well and without much fuss. It is clear that FortiClient will not be used to solicit customers for the paid version: except for a single banner in the program itself, Fortinet leave you completely alone. Disadvantages are not only limited functionality especially that the program is in English only and scores quite highly in the tests but never reaches to the very top.
Other devices
With the security of the Windows PCs have almost all risks are captured. OX S, iOS and Android have no or very different security needs than antimalware. A number of producers of free antivirus for Windows also offers products for the security of these other operating systems. Would you like your Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android tablet or smartphone yet secure, search the store for a security product that provides the options you need. Often that will not malware, but more monitoring of the rights of apps, the ability to locate the device when it is lost or stolen, and remotely erase any and all private data on the device. Range and quality of these applications varies widely.
No charity
Also providers of free antivirus programs need money deserve. They hope by giving a basic version of their product away, to later sell additional services or paid products. You will therefore find all free antivirus banners for the paid versions, upgrade options and features that are not in the free version but when clicked, open the shop. Unfortunately, none of the providers offer the possibility to pay by function, so for example, or for the firewall and antispam, but not to the network. Important for the free software license. This often has more exclusions and determine the license of paid software. Use in a commercial environment for example almost always excluded
Free antivirus software has a major advantage over pay packages that you do not have to go to look at it:. The license will expire after a year continues. Where you have to choose each year in paid packages if you again want for a year or switch the same package to other antivirus software, you are protected without hassle at the free packages.
Less extensive
If you opt for a free antivirus package, you choose the basic form of PC security. All the extras in addition to the antimalware sit in the paid products missing from your PC, increasing the risk of a security incident is bigger. That need not be a problem, but if you take the right measures. The first is a firewall and happy the Windows firewall is fine. The second is antispam this you can also use a mail program with its own spam such as Microsoft Outlook, or handle your email online (through Outlook.com, Gmail, for example).
as quickly as possible, install updates Windows and all programs. This is especially important for programs with an automatic update function like Java and Adobe software. You can also add an automatic updater as Secunia PSI deploy or update your software via Ninite.com. Finally, make sure you always have a good backup on hand, both Windows and your own documents and photos. Perhaps using a program such as True Image from Acronis
Conclusion
Free does not exist. If you do choose a free antivirus package, choose a package that does not skimp on security, not your personal selling and most cuts in less essential functions, or you occasionally annoy you with advertising. Our favorite free antivirus is Panda, which achieves good results in the tests, is user friendly and has little impact on system performance. Alternatives are Avast FortiClient with an outsider. The only product that we discourage is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware because it does not secure real-time. AVG you should be aware that this program on a large scale and sells personal harvest.
A list of all individual reviews can be found here.
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