The Best Free Antivirus Software

We’ve talked a lot in previous posts about how to keep yourself safe when you browse the internet. We’ve talked about avoiding malware, what to do if you get malware, and how to avoid phishing scams. In today’s post we’re going to go a little more in-depth with some of the tools you can use to protect your computer by giving you a quick rundown of some of the best antivirus software available for your computer. 

All of the programs we’re talking about today are completely free, full-featured anti-malware programs. There are plenty of other paid programs out there that are as good or better, and that have more features, but today we’re focusing on ways you can protect your computer for free.

Bitdefender

Bitdefender is excellent at detecting and removing malware, it offers real-time virus protection, and protects you from fraudulent websites and phishing scams. That said, there are a few features you might like that are missing from the free version, including a password manager, a file shredder, and more. If you need some of those features, you might want to consider paying for the full version of Bitdefender, or checking out some of the other entries on this list, but if what you’re after is top-of-the-line virus protection, then Bitdefender is one of the best options out there. You can get the free version of Bitdefender here.

Panda

While Panda doesn’t perform quite as well as Bitdefender in malware protection testing, it does perform well, and it also offers some unique features that deserve attention. While most malware is spread via the internet, some can be spread via USB drives. Panda scans every USB drive that is mounted to your computer, and can even vaccinate your USB drives against certain kinds of malware. Panda also offers a process monitor that can let you see which programs are doing what on your computer, and a rescue kit. Some malware infections can get so bad that they’ll prevent your computer from booting. Panda’s rescue kit allows you to boot up your computer in a special recovery environment so that you can clean up the infection. You can download the free version of Panda here.

Kaspersky Free

Kaspersky Lab is one of the top names in cybersecurity, and their paid antivirus software is among the very best. Fortunately for you, they also make an excellent free version of their software. In independent lab tests Kaspersky Free performs almost perfectly. It provides real-time protection for your system, and even helps protect you from malicious websites and phishing scams. It also includes a bandwidth capped VPN service (you can remove the cap for $4.99 per month). While there are several features of the premium version that are absent from the free version, you still get a solid feature set and nearly flawless protection. You can download the free version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus here.

Windows Defender

Microsoft’s built-in security software has gotten a bad reputation over the years, for one very simple reason: the older versions of it sucked. Beginning with Windows Vista, Microsoft started shipping Windows with Microsoft Security Essentials, antivirus software with real-time monitoring and protection. The problem was, it didn’t actually work very well. With Windows 8, Microsoft scrapped MSE, and replaced it with Windows Defender. Nowadays, Windows Defender performs about as well in testing as many other third-party antivirus programs. While you should definitely explore your options when it comes to security software, the truth is that for most users, the combination of safe browsing habits, Windows Defender, and a secondary virus scanner like the free version of Malwarebytes, is enough to keep you safe.

Honorable Mention: Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes doesn’t make this list for the simple reason that the free version doesn’t offer real-time protection, which means it shouldn’t be your primary antivirus solution. That said, it’s really good at finding and removing malware from your system, which makes the free version a great backup scanner.

A Word to Mac Users

There’s been a common misconception out there for years that Macs are immune to viruses. Unfortunately, Apple’s marketing hasn’t done much to dispel this notion. In reality, though, the situation is a little more complex. It is true that the architecture of macOS makes it more difficult for malware to sneak onto a user’s computer and to do certain kinds of damage. It’s also true that Apple has a much smaller share of the PC market than Windows, meaning that writing malware for them isn’t as profitable. Neither of those facts mean that Macs are immune to viruses. Malware that targets Macs does exist, and can get onto your system if you aren’t careful. If you’re a Mac user, you still need a decent anti-malware program - like the macOS versions of Bitdefender or Avast - installed on your computer.

At Phone Medics Plus, we handle all sorts of computer repairs, including virus removal. But we also know how frustrating it can be to have your computer in the shop. That’s why we want to make sure you have the tools to keep your computer healthy. With safe browsing habits and a good virus scanner, you can protect yourself from most of the nasty things lurking out there on the web.