This kind of information can be found all over the internet, but for content sake I thought I’d give it a go.
Here’s my list for the Top 5 of best freeware antivirus applications, along with the proper links to download them.
Contents
1. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
With well over 200 million downloads (!!) this beast has been one of the top download on Download.com for 244 weeks and counting.
This antivirus program offers rock-solid protection. AVG Free provides the bare necessities, including a real-time shield to prevent infections, anti-virus and anti-malware wrapped up in one engine, and a link scanner for Web surfing with care.
2. Avira AntiVir Personal – FREE Antivirus
Also a top download on Download.com, but this one has a measely 60 million downloads. Yeah.
Avira AntiVir Personal – FREE Antivirus is a reliable free antivirus solution, that constantly and rapidly scans your computer for malicious programs such as viruses, Trojans, backdoor programs, hoaxes, worms, dialers etc. Monitors every action executed by the user or the operating system and reacts promptly when a malicious program is detected.
Avira AntiVir Personal is a comprehensive, easy to use antivirus program, designed to offer reliable free of charge virus protection to home-users, for personal use only, and is not for business or commercial use. Available for Windows or UNIX.
3. avast! Home Edition antivirus
This one requires some kind of registration before the end of the trial period, which will give you a one year license for non-commercial use. Whatever..
avast! antivirus is a collection of award winning, high-end technologies that work in perfect synergy, having one common goal: to protect your system and valuable data against computer viruses. It represents a best-in-class solution for any Windows-based workstation. avast! antivirus incorporates anti-spyware technology, certified by West Coast Lab’s Checkmark process, as well as anti-rootkit and strong self-protection capabilities to ensure that your valuable data and programs are always protected.
4. Microsoft Security Essentials
Never heard of this one before.
Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.
Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times.
5. a-suared Free
Last in the list of best free antivirus programs is this piece of software by Emsisoft.
Not just any scanners, but a combination of two world class products – the a-squared Anti-Spyware, and the Ikarus Anti-Virus engine. Latest tests approve that both are cutting edge in Malware detection.
No doubling of the scan duration as it would be the case with two separate scanning programs. Considerable performance improvement is possible thanks to the integration of the two engines on the lowest level.