The best free antiviruses: TOP-10

Good day everyone!

Among ordinary users, there are now very different opinions about antivirus programs:

some users believe that there is little use of antiviruses, and the defender built into Windows is quite enough (the OS does not slow down and there is minimal protection - why something else?);
others who have encountered viruses that spoil documents (and in general, can paralyze work), use not 1, but 2-3 antivirus products at once, arranging cross-checks;
still others do not think about it at all, and remember about antiviruses when a banner appeared on the screen and the computer began to behave unnaturally ...

From my own experience, I can say that those who do not use antivirus software are sooner or later punished for their carelessness (later they use at least one antivirus product and start making a backup).

It's good if after a virus attack only meaningless files are deleted, but what if a diploma for six months of work, or working documents (the cost of which is higher than the cost of a PC)? 👀

Moreover, I'm not talking about the time that will have to be spent to bring the PC into working order: delete all the "evil spirits", configure (sometimes reinstall) the OS, restore some of the files, etc. Is it worth neglecting protection (and spending 5-10 minutes. to set up now - to save hours in the future)?

In this article, I want to recommend a few free antiviruses that, in general, provide a fairly good level of protection (and some of them compete with paid products on an equal footing!).

And so, closer to the topic ...

Choosing a free antivirus (TOP 10 best)

Kaspersky Free

Official website: //www.kaspersky.com/free-antivirus

Main window - Kaspersky Anti-Virus (free version)

One of the most famous antiviruses in our country. I would like to note that the product received quite often high marks abroad and is rightfully considered a reliable protector.

The free version is somewhat curtailed in functionality, but it has everything you need: a web scanner, real-time protection, cloud technologies.

I will also add that the antivirus has a very well thought-out interface: it is convenient to use for both beginners and experienced users.

Features:

effective web protection on the Internet: all dangerous sites will be blocked (you will also not be able to download infected files, or they will be isolated immediately after downloading);
there is a cloud technology Kaspersky Security Network (helps to quickly detect and neutralize not only viruses, but also potentially dangerous software);
phishing protection, email scanner;
protection against spyware * (however, protection against this is very weak. In this regard, I would recommend this software);
the ability to quickly and fully scan your computer for viruses;
constant and regular updates;
does not get bored with messages about switching to a paid product (no ads);
Russian language is supported in full, compatible with all the most popular OS Windows 7, 8, 10 (32/64 bits).

AVAST Free Antivirus

Official website: //www.avast.ru/

AVAST Free Antivirus - main window / clickable

Despite the fact that the program is free - its variety of functions is simply amazing ... It controls everything you touch when working on a PC: with documents, files, e-mail, web resources, Wi-Fi connections, etc.

Special security is provided when working with passwords, confidential information, payment systems ...

Features:

in 1 click - the program will completely scan your PC for viruses, security of passwords and confidential data;
one of the leaders in various AV tests;
relatively low load on system resources;
minimalist design: nothing superfluous!
there is a game mode: it turns off all notifications of Windows and Avast, frees up all PC resources for game files (so that it slows down and freezes less);
behavior screen: Avast not only looks for viruses, but also monitors the behavior of all programs on your PC.If suspicious activity is detected, the program may be suspended!
check and control of Wi-Fi connection;
CyberCapture: cloud protection (all suspicious files are sent to the cloud, which increases the speed of detecting even potentially unwanted software, not to mention viruses);
detection and elimination of vulnerabilities in your Windows operating system that "help" malware to penetrate.
Avast Passwords: the antivirus can store all your passwords in its secure storage (so you do not need to worry about losing them or remember each of them - you just need to know one password from the Avast storage!).

Avira Free Antivirus

Official website: //www.avira.com/en/free-antivirus-windows

Avira Free Antivirus - main window / Clickable

Avira Antivirus is also one of the leaders in various tests. In general, the antivirus stands out for its reliability (after all, German quality *), and relatively low system requirements.

Perhaps the only drawback that I would note in the free version: in the new versions of Avira, a lot of notifications, sometimes advertising ones, began to pop up. Previously, it was much better with this, but nevertheless, you can use the product.

Features:

the classic scanner is supplemented by artificial intelligence, cloud technologies Protection Cloud (which significantly increases the level of security: some viruses will be blocked, even if they are not in the database);
a separate blocking module for ransomware;
ensures high security of confidential data;
Browser Tracking Blocker is a new technology that blocks any attempts by ad networks to track your actions;
Safe Browsing is a web surfing module. Blocks dangerous sites even before they are loaded (which significantly increases security);
simple and convenient design (there is nothing superfluous);
the product is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10 (32/64 bits).

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

Official website: //www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition - main application window and tray notification

One of the most popular foreign antiviruses (in our country I have not found such fame, perhaps because a free product appeared not so long ago, and a paid one is quite expensive).

Antivirus is very reliable: in terms of protection, it often occupies leading positions in the ratings of AV tests.

Of the minuses, I personally would note that the interface is not very convenient, and the absence of the Russian language (although there are ways of Russification on the network, I would still like to be automatic 😎).

Features:

automatic protection in real time: all launched and downloaded files are checked, the operation of applications is monitored, etc.;
there is an artificial intelligence module that analyzes the behavior of all programs on a PC, and can recognize a threat in time, even if there is nothing about it in the anti-virus databases;
web protection module: makes browsing the Internet safe;
anti-phishing, anti-fraud (protection of your online payment transactions: especially important now, when the popularity of Internet bans is growing);
automatic and regular updates of anti-virus databases;
compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10.
Among the minuses: the lack of a normal translation into Russian; the free version is heavily stripped down compared to the full product (but nevertheless, even it provides a relatively high level of security!).

Panda Free Antivirus

Official website: //www.pandasecurity.com/russia/homeusers/solutions/free-antivirus/

The company's slogan: Panda Free Antivirus protects you when you play computer games, work with documents, or surf the Internet!

Panda Free Antivirus - main antivirus window

An excellent antivirus for a home PC (especially if you already have an old one and many antiviruses slow down on it). The fact is that in Panda Free Antivirus "clouds" are very actively used - due to which the load on the CPU is reduced (which has a positive effect on performance).

What about the degree of protection: it is at a very high level (the antivirus has occupied high places in AV tests more than once or twice). In addition, in addition to classic viruses, the program is also capable of detecting adware modules, potentially unwanted software, spyware, etc.

Features:

anti-virus protection of your PC in real time;
in addition to classic viruses, antivirus is able to recognize and remove malware and spyware;
USB protection module: all connected drives are checked by "Panda", auto-run files are blocked (which prevents virus infection via USB);
the ability to create an emergency flash drive to boot and scan the computer if the system is infected with a virus and refuses to boot;
the presence of a game mode (the antivirus will not load the PC during the game);
automatic and regular updates of anti-virus databases;
most of the operations are performed in the "clouds", due to which the antivirus is very "lightweight" and does not load the system;
compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10 (32/64 bits).

AVZ

Official website: //z-oleg.com/secur/avz/download.php

AVZ - antivirus utility

Despite the fact that the AVZ utility cannot be called a full-fledged antivirus, its capabilities are simply amazing, and it is not so rare when it is possible to "cure" the system only with its help.

In its arsenal, in addition to searching and neutralizing viruses, SpyWare and AdWare modules, there are quite a few useful functions (such as restoring system settings, unlocking the registry, etc.), without which it is not there, and not here (besides, a similar arsenal of possibilities not found in any antivirus!).

Features:

detection and removal of SpyWare and AdWare modules (very popular recently);
neutralization of Trojans, network worms;
search and elimination of vulnerabilities in Windows;
the ability to restore many system settings (even if they were blocked by a virus);
the ability to restore a locked system registry;
restore the HOST file (make it what it was when Windows was installed). Approx. : many viruses by changing this system file - block entry to popular sites on the Internet, including social sites. networks, antiviruses, etc.;
Analyzer of running processes (helps to identify a virus among system processes (often, they are disguised as them));
the ability to execute your own scripts (for advanced users. The option helps to frequently restore the system and remove many types of viruses when other utilities are powerless).
completely in Russian, works in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10.

Note: AVZ is a very multifunctional utility, and everything that I have given above is only a small part of its capabilities.

AdwCleaner

Website: //toolslib.net/downloads/viewdownload/1-adwcleaner/

AdwCleaner - main window

One of the best free utilities for cleaning ads from not only the system in general, but browsers in particular.

If you start to see advertising banners, teasers, ads, etc. "good" even on the wrong sites where they have never been - most likely, your browser is infected with a virus. As a rule, in these cases the classic antivirus will not find anything ... and this is where AdwCleaner will help ...

Features:

removal of advertising modules - Adware and Toolbars (it does an excellent job of cleaning browsers, which have recently become more and more infected);
elimination of potentially unwanted software from the system;
removal of Hijacker (note: these are special scripts that replace the start page in the browser);
regular utility updates;
compatibility with the latest OS Windows 7, 8, 10; support for all popular browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Opera, IE, etc.

👉 Note

More recently, this utility was bought by Malwarebytes, so you can immediately download the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware program, which will also include AdwCleaner - i.e. we get 2 in 1!

360 Total Security

Official website: //www.360totalsecurity.com/ru/

360 Total Security - main window

A fairly young, but rapidly gaining popularity antivirus. It contains 4 anti-virus "engines" at once: Bitdefender, Avira, 360 Cloud and its own, Qihoo (several more are planned to be included).

Thanks to this "assembly", the detectability of viruses, potentially unwanted software, adware, etc. is at a very high level.

What else captivates in this antivirus is the presence of modules for optimizing and cleaning the system (i.e. this 360 Total Security, in addition to its key task, also helps to speed up the system, which you will agree, it will not be superfluous!).

Features:

several anti-virus engines: Bitdefender, Avira, 360 Cloud and our own, Qihoo protect in real time from many types of threats;
web protection (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera and Yandex Browser are supported);
modules for protecting online banking, personal and confidential information;
intelligent protection: analyzes the behavior of software in your system. If unnatural activity is detected, the "guilty" program will be blocked (it helps in the fight against viruses that are not in the database);
modules for cleaning and optimizing the system;
a module for protection against ransomware programs (a new threat on the Internet, gaining popularity along with cryptocurrencies);
comfortable design in the style of minimalism;
full support of the Russian language, compatibility with Windows 7, 8, 10.

Comodo Internet Security

Official website: //www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/free-internet-security.php

Comodo Internet Security - main program window

Great free product from Comodo! It favorably differs from the rest in that you get not only an antivirus, but also a firewall in the kit (moreover, it is quite "suspicious": it will quickly put things in order and disconnect from access to the network all "unnecessary" applications that only "eat" traffic and do not are beneficial).

I would also like to note that the antivirus is very reliable and has won high awards on several occasions. Of the minuses: perhaps I would not recommend installing it on weak machines, the program is quite resource-demanding.

Features:

classic antivirus (protects in real time), supplemented with modules Anti-Spyware (against spyware), against network worms, adware add-ons, protection of boot records;
the presence of a built-in firewall: protects all network connections, making it safe to work on the network (there are very few programs where this add-on is free);
the presence of a cloud antivirus module: some of the scanning functions are carried out on Comodo servers, which has a positive effect on the speed of detection of new viruses and on the load on your CPU;
module for the protection of online banking, confidential information, etc.
the presence of a game mode: has a positive effect on the performance of the PC in games (besides, you will not be distracted by various notifications - the antivirus will turn them off);
user-friendly interface in the style of minimalism: you can quickly customize the program "for yourself";
regular updates of anti-virus databases;
compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10 (full support for the Russian language).

ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus

Official website: //www.zonealarm.com/software/free-antivirus/

ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus - main program window

Quite good antivirus (licensed by Kaspersky), coupled with a full-fledged two-way firewall. A kind of harvester for those who do not want to use two products separately.

Note: The product is free for home use only!

Features:

full anti-virus protection (Kaspersky license);
excellent two-way firewall (won high awards in independent tests more than once);
built-in anti-spy;
availability of cloud protection operating in real time;
the ability to quickly block manually access to the Internet for any of the applications;
protection of confidential information;
blocking phishing sites on the Internet;
checking all downloaded and launched files;
there is no support for the Russian (yet ...);
compatible with Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10 (32/64 bits).

The material of the article is based on independent tests of antivirus products (AV-test, AV-comparatives, etc.), and personal experience of working with such software.

Additions on the topic - welcome ...

That's all for now, good luck!

👋

First published: 14.08.2018

Correction: 01/15/2020