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Which antivirus is better? Review of paid and free products! The best free antiviruses What is the best antivirus for your computer

There are about 50 companies in the world that produce over 300 antivirus products. Therefore, it can be quite difficult to figure it out and choose just one. If you are looking for good protection against virus attacks for your home, office computer or phone, then we suggest you familiarize yourself with the best paid and free antiviruses of 2018 according to the independent laboratory AV-Test.

Basic requirements for antivirus

The main tasks of antivirus programs are:

  • timely recognition of computer viruses and malware;
  • recovery of infected files;
  • preventing virus infection.

Did you know? Every year, computer viruses around the world cause approximately $1.5 trillion in damage.

Internal protection

An antivirus must protect the internal contents of the system of a computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet.

There are several types of antiviruses:

  • detectors(scanners) - scan RAM and external media for the presence of malware;
  • the doctors(phages, vaccines) - search for files infected with viruses, treat them and remove viruses;
  • auditors- remembering the initial state of the computer system, they can compare it in case of infection and thus find malicious programs and changes made by them;
  • monitors(firewalls) - are installed on a computer system and begin to operate when it is turned on, periodically performing automatic checks of the system;
  • filters(watchmen) - are able to identify viruses before they multiply, reporting actions that are inherent in malicious software.

The combined use of all of the above programs minimizes the risk of infecting your computer or smartphone.

The following requirements are put forward for an antivirus designed to perform the complex task of protecting against viruses:

  • ensuring reliable control of workstations, file servers, mail systems and their effective protection;
  • maximum automated control;
  • ease of use;
  • correctness when restoring infected files;
  • affordability.

Did you know? In order to create a sound warning about the detection of a virus, antivirus developers at Kaspersky Lab recorded the voice of a real pig.

External protection

There are several ways to infect an operating system:

  • when opening an e-mail with a virus;
  • via the Internet and network connections, when opening phishing sites that remember the entered data and plant Trojans and worms on the hard drive;
  • through infected removable media;
  • during the installation of pirated programs.

It is very important to protect your home or office network, making it invisible to viruses and hackers. For these purposes, programs of the Internet Security and Total Security classes are used. These products are usually installed in reputable companies and institutions where information security is very important.

They are much more expensive than conventional antiviruses, since they simultaneously perform the functions of a web antivirus, antispam, and firewall. Additional functionality includes parental controls, secure online payments, backups, system optimization, and a password manager. Recently, a number of Internet Security products have been developed for home use.

How the rating was compiled

The independent laboratory AV-Test, when assessing the effectiveness of anti-virus programs, puts three criteria at the forefront:

  1. Protection.
  2. Performance.
  3. Simplicity and ease of use.

When assessing the effectiveness of protection, laboratory specialists use testing of protective components and program capabilities. Antiviruses are tested by real, current threats - malicious attacks, including web and e-mail varieties, and the latest virus programs.

When checking using the “performance” criterion, the impact of the antivirus on the speed of the system during normal daily activities is assessed. Assessing simplicity and ease of use, or, in other words, Usability, laboratory specialists test for false positives of the program. In addition, separate testing of the effectiveness of system recovery after infection is carried out.

Every year at the beginning of the new year, AV-Test sums up the results of the outgoing season, compiling ratings of the best products.

Important! Please note: the fact that the AV-Test laboratory has tested any antivirus already indicates that this product is worthy of the user’s trust.

Rating of the 5 best antiviruses for Android smartphones

So, according to AV-Test, after testing 21 antivirus products for the quality of threat detection, false positives and impact on performance, conducted in November 2017, 8 applications became the best antiviruses for smartphones and tablets on the Android platform. All of them received the highest score of 6 points. Below you will find a description of the advantages and disadvantages of 5 of them.

One of the most popular antivirus products, with over 130 million installations worldwide. Scans the device, cleans it and protects it from viruses. Protects against malicious applications used by hackers to read passwords and other confidential information.

Has a battery status warning system. Helps speed up your work by automatically closing programs that are running in the background. Additional functions include: reducing processor temperature, checking Internet connection speed, remotely blocking a lost or stolen device, blocking unwanted calls.

The product is provided for a fee.

After testing PSafe DFNDR 5.0, the AV-Test laboratory gave the product 6 points for its level of protection and 100% detection of malware and the latest programs, and 6 points for usability. The product received a rating of 4.5 from Google Play users.

A free program made in the UK that performs anti-spam, anti-theft and web protection functions. Protects against mobile threats and keeps all data safe. Suitable for Android 4.4 and above system. It has an English interface and a size of 9.1 MB.

Using cloud technologies, SophosLabs Intelligence scans installed applications for malicious code. If you lose your mobile device, you can block it remotely and thereby protect information from unauthorized persons.

Also, thanks to the anti-theft function, it is possible to track a lost mobile or tablet and notify you when the SIM card is replaced.

Using reliable web protection, the antivirus blocks access to malicious and phishing sites and access to unwanted sites, and detects applications that can access personal data.

Antispam, which is part of the antivirus program, blocks incoming SMS, unwanted calls, and sends messages with malicious URL links to quarantine.

When testing AV-Test, it was noted that this application does not affect the battery life, does not slow down the device during normal use, and does not generate a lot of traffic.

This is an antivirus program for Android devices with version 4.0 and above, provided to users free of charge.

It has the following capabilities:

  • scans applications that are installed;
  • scans applications and files stored on the memory card;
  • blocks unwanted calls.

Important! Does not scan ZIP archives.

It has a clear and simple interface. Significant advantages also include the absence of advertising and pop-ups. The program size is 2.4 MB.

The testing determined that out of 436 Tencent WeSecure 1.4 malware, 100% were detected with an average performance of 94.8%.

When exposed to 2,643 of the latest malware detected over the last month prior to testing, 100% of them were detected, with an average performance of 96.9%. Tencent WeSecure 1.4 does not affect battery life, does not slow down the system and does not use traffic.

This product from a Japanese manufacturer is free and has a paid Premium version. Suitable for Android versions 4.0 and higher. Has Russian and English interface. Weighs 15.3 MB.

The program allows you to block unwanted voice calls, protect information in case of device theft, protect yourself from viruses while using the mobile Internet, and make online purchases safely.

The developers have tried to ensure that the antivirus blocks unwanted software before installation. It has a vulnerability scanner that warns about applications that can be used by hackers, application blocking, and a Wi-Fi network checker. Additional functions include: energy saving and battery status monitoring, memory consumption status.

Did you know? Many viruses are named after famous people - "Julia Roberts", "Sean Connery". Virus developers, when choosing their names, rely on people’s love for information about the lives of celebrities, who often open files with such names and infect their computers.

The premium version allows you to block malicious applications, disinfect files and restore the system, warn about suspicious applications, filter unwanted calls and messages, as well as track the location of the device, save battery power, and help free up space in the device’s memory.

The premium version is available for review and testing for 7 days.

One of the disadvantages of the program is incompatibility with some device models.

As with other programs that received the highest ratings during testing, it was noted that Trend Micro Mobile Security & Antivirus 9.1 does not affect battery life, does not slow down the device, does not generate a lot of traffic, and does an excellent job of providing warnings during installation and use BY.

Among the usability features, the anti-theft system, call blocking, message filter, protection against malicious websites and phishing, and parental control function were noted.

Paid product from Romanian developers with a trial version for 15 days. Suitable for Android versions starting from 4.0. Has English and Russian interface.

Includes anti-theft, card scanning, cloud antivirus, application blocking, internet protection and security check functions.

This antivirus is located in the cloud, so it can constantly protect your smartphone or tablet from virus threats, advertising, and applications that can read confidential information. When visiting websites, protection is provided in real time.

Can work with built-in browsers Android, Google Chrome, Opera, Opera mini.

The test laboratory staff awarded the highest scores to the security and usability system of Bitdefender Mobile Security 3.2. The program showed 100% success in detecting threats, did not generate a single false positive, and did not affect the operation of the system and did not slow down the use of other programs.

The best solutions for a home PC on Windows

The best antivirus software for Windows Home 10 users was last tested in October 2017. Security, productivity and usability criteria were assessed. Of the 21 products tested, two received the highest ratings - AhnLab V3 Internet Security 9.0 and Kaspersky Lab Internet Security 18.0.

Avira Antivirus Pro 15.0, Bitdefender Internet Security 22.0, McAfee Internet Security 20.2 also received high marks. All of them are classified as a TOP product, which is especially recommended for use by an independent laboratory.

Windows 10

AhnLab V3 Internet Security 9.0.

The product's capabilities were rated 18 highest. It showed 100 percent protection against malware and detected malware 99.9 percent of the time that was detected a month before the scan. The program did not make any errors when detecting viruses, blocks, or incorrect warnings about the presence of a threat.

This antivirus was developed in Korea. Based on cloud technologies. It belongs to the category of comprehensive anti-virus programs, protecting the PC from viruses and malware, blocking phishing sites, protecting mail and messages, blocking network attacks, scanning removable media, and optimizing the operation of the OS.

The program from German developers allows you to protect yourself from local and online threats using cloud technologies. Provides users with the functions of protection against malware, scanning files and programs for infection, including on removable drives, blocking against ransomware viruses, and restoring infected files.

The program installer takes up 5.1 MB. The trial version is provided for a month. Suitable for Windows and Mac OS.

In laboratory testing, the program achieved a 100% success rate in protecting against malware attacks in real time and was able to detect malware that was detected a month prior to testing in 99.8% of cases (with an average performance of 98.5%).

Did you know? These days, approximately 6,000 new viruses are created every month.

What Regarding the effectiveness assessment, Avira Antivirus Pro 15.0 received 5.5 points out of 6. It was noted that it was somewhat slower in launching popular websites, installing frequently used programs and was slower in copying files.

Bitdefender Internet Security 22.0.

The development of the Romanian company successfully passed testing and received a total of 17.5 points. It did an excellent job of protecting against malware attacks and detecting malware, while having little impact on the computer's speed during normal use.

But it made one mistake, labeling legitimate software as malware in one case, and twice incorrectly warning when installing legitimate software. It was because of these errors that the product fell 0.5 points short of the best result in the Usability category.

Bitdefender Internet Security 22.0 is an excellent solution for workstations, including antivirus, firewall, spam and spyware protection, as well as parental controls.

Kaspersky Lab Internet Security 18.0.

After testing, the development of Russian specialists was awarded 18 points, receiving 6 points for each of the assessed criteria.

This is a comprehensive antivirus against various types of malware and Internet threats. It operates through the use of cloud, proactive and anti-virus technologies.

The new version 18.0 has many additions and improvements. For example, it now protects the computer from infection during its reboot, notifies about web pages with programs that can be used by hackers to access information on the computer, etc.

The version occupies 164 MB. It has a trial version for 30 days and a beta version for 92 days.

McAfee Internet Security 20.2.

Released in the USA. Provides comprehensive real-time PC protection against viruses, spyware and malware. It is possible to scan removable media, launch parental control functions, report page visits, and a password manager. The firewall controls the information received and sent by the computer.

Suitable for Windows/MacOS/Android systems. Has a trial version for a month.

McAfee Internet Security 20.2 received 17.5 points from AV-Test specialists. 0.5 points were deducted from performance evaluations for slower file copying and slower installation of frequently used programs.

AV-Test, an expert organization in the field of information security, tested antiviruses for Windows 8 in December 2016.

For the study, 21 were selected from over 60 products. The TOP Product then included Bitdefender Internet Security 2017, receiving 17.5 points, Kaspersky Lab Internet Security 2017 with 18 points, and Trend Micro Internet Security 2017 with a score of 17.5 points.

Bitdefender Internet Security 2017 did an excellent job of protecting itself - it repelled 98.7% of attacks from the latest malware and 99.9% of malware detected 4 weeks before testing, and also did not make a single error when recognizing legitimate and malicious software. but it slowed down the computer somewhat.

Trend Micro Internet Security 2017 also received lower scores due to its impact on day-to-day PC operation.

Important! The worst results were found for Comodo Internet Security Premium 8.4 (12.5 points) and Panda Security Protection 17.0 and 18.0 (13.5 points).


Testing of antiviruses for Windows 7 was carried out in July and August 2017. The choice of products for this version is huge. Users can give preference to both paid and free programs.

According to the testing results, Kaspersky Lab Internet Security 17.0 & 18.0 was recognized as the best. According to three criteria - protection, performance, user convenience - the program scored the highest 18 points.

Second place was shared by Bitdefender Internet Security 21.0 & 22.0 and Trend Micro Internet Security 11.1. The first antivirus missed 0.5 points in the Usability category, making mistakes and labeling legitimate software as malware.

And the second one lost the same number of points for slowing down the system. The overall result of both antiviruses is 17.5 points.

Third place was shared by Norton Security 22.10, BullGuard Internet Security 17.1, Avira Antivirus Pro 15.0, AhnLab V3 Internet Security 9.0, but they were not included in TOP Product.

The worst results were from Comodo (12.5 points) and Microsoft (13.5 points).

Let us remind you that, unlike owners of Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, who can use the antivirus already included in the installations, “Seven” users must install it manually themselves.

The best solutions for your home PC on MacOS

MacOS Sierra users will be interested to know that 12 programs were selected for antivirus tests in December 2016, including 3 free ones. Overall they showed very good results.

Thus, 4 out of 12 programs detected all malware without errors. We are talking about AVG AntiVirus, BitDefender Antivirus, SentinelOne and Sophos Home. Most packages did not place significant load on the system during normal operation.

But in terms of errors when detecting malware, all products were at their best, showing ideal productivity.

After 6 months, AV-Test selected 10 commercial antivirus programs for testing. We will tell you about their results in more detail.

Important! Despite the widespread opinion of Apple users that their operating systems are well protected and do not need antiviruses, attacks still happen. Although much less common than on Windows. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of additional protection in the form of a high-quality antivirus that is compatible with the system.

This product was one of the four, which showed a 100 percent result in detecting 184 threats. Its impact on the operation of the OS is somewhat worse. It took him 252 seconds to copy and load.

This means that the additional load on the OS was 5.5%. The base value, which shows the OS without additional protection, was 239 seconds.

As for false alerts, the program from Bitdefender worked correctly in 99%.

This product showed the following results during testing:

  • protection - 98.4%;
  • system load - 239 seconds, which coincides with the base value;
  • false positive - 0 errors.

ESET Endpoint Security 6.4 was able to detect the latest and month-old malware in 98.4% of cases, which is a high result. When copying various data of 27.3 GB in size and performing other various loads, the program additionally loaded the system by 4%.

ESET did not make a single mistake when recognizing legitimate software.

American developers released a product that showed the highest results in repelling attacks and protecting the system, but was an outsider in terms of performance - it reduced the performance of test programs by 16%, executing them 10 seconds longer than a system without protection.

Kaspersky Lab once again did not disappoint, but showed consistently excellent results - 100% detection of threats, zero errors in identifying legitimate software and minimal load on the system, which is absolutely invisible to the user, since the slowdown is only 1 second more than the base value.

MacKeeper 3.14 showed the worst result in detecting virus attacks, detecting only 85.9%, which is almost 10% worse than the second outsider - ProtectWorks AntiVirus 2.0. As a result, it is the only product that failed AV-Test certification when last tested.

Did you know? The first hard drive used in Apple computers had a capacity of only 5 megabytes.

The antivirus managed to protect the computer from 184 attacks and malware by 94.6%. When set to test mode, standard operations took 25 seconds longer - copying completed in 173 seconds with a base value of 149, and booting in 91 seconds with a base value of 90.

The American manufacturer of information security products Sophos has released a worthy product to protect devices running MacOS Sierra. He took third place in the category of defense level, repelling attacks in 98.4% of cases.

As for the load on the system, during copy and download operations it took an additional 5 seconds for the last action.

Symantec Norton Security 7.3 became one of the leaders, showing ideal protection results without additional load on the system and false positives.

Its results are as follows:

  • protection - 100%;
  • impact on system operation - 240 seconds;
  • accuracy in detecting malware is 99%.

This program was one of the four that showed a high level of detection, repelling 99.5% of attacks. It took her an additional 5 seconds to load the tested programs, which is also a very good result. When copied, it showed results within the baseline value of 149 seconds.

Thus, laboratory studies have shown that if the most important criterion for a user when choosing is protection, then one should pay attention to packages from Bitdefender, Intego, Kaspersky Lab and Symantec.

If you take into account the system load, then the best recommendations are packages from Canimaan Software, MacKeeper, Kaspersky Lab and Symantec.

We would like to note that despite complaints from owners of devices running MacOS Sierra that installing additional anti-virus protection leads to a significant reduction in system performance, anti-virus developers took their comments into account, as proven by testing results - when using most of the tested products, the user will not notice any particular load on the OS.

And only products from ProtectWorks and Intego reduce download and copy speeds by 10% and 16%, respectively.

Best solutions for business

Of course, every organization strives to reliably protect its computer system and information. For these purposes, global brands in the field of information security present several products.

In October 2017, AV-Test selected 14 of them for testing, which were developed for the Windows 10 OS.

We present for you a review of 5 that showed the best results.

Bitdefender Endpoint Security is designed for Windows, Mac OS and server against web threats and malware. Using the control panel, you can control multiple computers and additional offices.

As a result of 202 test attacks in real time, the program was able to repel 100% of them and protect the computer from almost 10 thousand samples of malicious software discovered over the past month.

Did you know? One of the errors that a user may see when going to a certain site is error 451, indicating that access is prohibited at the request of copyright holders or government agencies. This number is a reference to Ray Bradbury's famous dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451.

When launching popular websites, downloading frequently used programs, standard software applications, installing programs and copying files, the antivirus had virtually no effect on system performance.

As for usability and falsely detected threats, the product made one error during testing in October and 5 errors during testing a month earlier. Because of this, it fell short of the highest score and laurels of the winner by 0.5 points. The remainder is 17.5 points, which is an excellent result.

Products developed for business by Kaspersky Lab - Kaspersky Lab Endpoint Security 10.3 and Kaspersky Lab Small Office Security - received ideal results.

The first program is designed for workstations and file servers and provides them with comprehensive protection against web threats, network and fraudulent attacks using file, email, web, IM antivirus, system and network monitoring, firewall and network attack protection.

The following functions are presented here: control of the launch and activity of programs and devices, vulnerability monitoring, web control.

The second product is designed for small companies and is great for small businesses.

The product is designed to protect workstations, laptops, PCs, servers, smartphones that are connected to the corporate network and those located outside it. The program runs on a cloud infrastructure.

Based on testing results, Trend Micro Office Scan 12.0 received the following ratings:

  • protection against malware and attacks - 6 points;
  • impact on PC speed during normal operation - 5.5 points;
  • usability - 6 points.

The program provides protection for network endpoints. Protects workstations, portable devices and file servers with 8 components.

Unfortunately, the product didn't perform very well in the protection category, stopping only 97.2% of malware attacks, including web and email, in real-time testing, and detecting 98.7% of common malware.

As a result, I received 4.5 points from the AV-Test laboratory. It also had a noticeable impact on the operation of the system and was rated 5 points in this category. But I didn’t produce a single false alert.

The program provides multi-layered endpoint protection against attacks, malware and threats. According to AV-Test, it perfectly protects the PC, while somewhat affecting system performance.

Laboratory specialists rated the product for corporate clients from Symantec at a high 17.5 points.

Did you know? The most destructive virus, according to the Guinness Book of Records, was a malicious program called I Love You. It was launched on May 1, 2000 in Hong Kong via emails, and just four days later it caused $1.54 billion in damages. The virus affected the systems of 3.1 million computers around the world.

Based on the above information, we conclude that for each device, be it a home or office computer, a smartphone or a tablet on various operating systems, a number of programs have been developed today to effectively protect them from viruses and malware.

They are provided with special programs - antiviruses. Ratings of the best free antiviruses, amateur and completely reputable tests are published with enviable regularity, but choosing a high-quality and functional product is not so easy.

In addition, free programs are not considered to provide as much protection as paid software. In fact, even in the segment of free applications you can choose the optimal solution. The ratings of free antiviruses are presented below.

Standard antivirus from Microsoft: prevalence and performance

Windows Corporation is the undisputed leader among suppliers of operating systems and related software. As of 2016, Windows 7 was installed on 55% of all devices, while Linux and Apple's OS X 10.11 accounted for 2% and 7% of users, respectively.

The ratings of free antiviruses rarely include standard solutions, but they are also acceptable programs to ensure the required level of security. Windows Defender, which comes with Windows 8 and 10, recognizes and eliminates up to 95% of common threats and about 85% of so-called zero-day attacks, i.e. the latest viruses against which protection algorithms have not yet been developed.

Is Windows Defender enough for the needs of the average user?

In general, along with compliance with basic security rules, the use of a modern browser and regular software updates allow you to successfully use a standard antivirus (reviews and the Windows Defender rating confirm this possibility) as the main security solution. But for those who often download pirated content, are active Internet users, or store important data on their hard drive, it is better to take a closer look at other, free, but somewhat more functional programs.

Testing in independent antivirus laboratories

Comparative tests with a large number of samples are regularly carried out by leading antivirus laboratories. Test results allow developers to improve their own products, so participation is usually paid. Basically, the ratings of Windows antiviruses (the operating system is the most common, which is why tests are carried out on it) include paid versions of programs, but if a free solution provides complete protection, the software is also rated.

In May 2016, AV-Comparatives conducted dynamic testing of 19 antivirus programs. The study used the Windows 7 platform (with up-to-date third-party programs, such as Adobe Flash or Java) and 350 malicious test samples. Below is the rating of free antiviruses according to AV-Comparatives.

Results of practical research

The “Free Antivirus” rating (Windows 10 and other corporate-based operating systems) was topped by Bitdefender and ThreatTrack Vipre, which did not miss a single threat and worked without false positives. Trend Micro and F-Secure also took leading positions with a 100% malware recognition result, but 7 and 15 false positives, respectively. Kaspersky Internet Security closed the top five, missing 0.3% of threats but passing the test without false positives.

Free analogues of tested antivirus programs

Bitdefender's free counterpart, Free Edition, is used as an alternative to many paid applications, provides background virus protection and is capable of detecting spyware. ThreatTrack Vipre is not available in a free version. Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus+ is freely distributed only as a trial version (6 months of free use), like F-Secure (90 days). An analogue of Kaspersky Internet Security is Kaspersky Free Anti-Virus (Free) with a free license, which has somewhat limited capabilities compared to KIS or Total Security, but remains the optimal solution.

Antivirus rating for Windows: functionality

“Antivirus for free” (the rating is compiled by many reputable sources and amateurs) often differs in functionality from paid versions. However, this does not mean that free software is not capable of protecting your computer from viruses, malware and spyware.

In general, antivirus programs provide the following capabilities:

    scanning for threats upon user request;

    Constant system protection in the background;

    scanning the file system while the computer boots;

    an algorithm for detecting the latest malware, methods of combating which are not yet included in the general version of the application;

    working with cloud storage;

    network traffic control (firewall or Firewall);

    third-party intrusion detection system;

    Recognition of malicious attachments;

    web protection;

    interactive analysis and spam recognition;

    automatic update.

At the same time, the best free antivirus for Windows 7 (ranked by functionality) does not necessarily have to include the entire set of features. The main thing is that the chosen solution meets the requirements and subjective ideas of a particular user.

Rating leader: ESET Nod32 Smart Security

All of the above features include a comprehensive antivirus with multi-level protection ESET Nod32 Smart Security. In addition to standard phishing protection, file system security, Internet access, and email in desktop email clients, ESET has some other interesting features. Among these additional features:

A serious disadvantage of the antivirus is the lack of protection in the free version against software that records user actions (mouse movements, keystrokes, clipboard, snapshots, and sometimes video recording of the screen).

Rating of free antiviruses: performance and tests

Another rating of free antiviruses is based on testing results and analysis of program performance. Panda Antivirus Pro and 360 Total Security have a slight effect on the loading speed of the system; AVG Antivirus Free, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition and ESET NOD32 Smart Security are not far behind. Avira Free Antivirus significantly slows down loading (more than three minutes).

Scanning system folders (even if malware is detected) takes about ten minutes for Avast Free Antivirus, AVG Antivirus Free, Avira Free Antivirus and ESET NOD32 Smart Security. Comodo Antivirus showed the worst result - the scan took more than half an hour.

Avast Free Antivirus and Panda Antivirus Pro use the least amount of memory (only 40 MB), and the real heavyweights are Avira Free Antivirus (175 MB), AVG Antivirus Free (130 MB) and 360 Total Security (120 MB). However, Avira uses only 5% of the processor, while the smaller AVG Antivirus Free uses as much as 16%.

Distribution of places based on rating results

In general, free antiviruses for Windows XP (rating by performance), as well as for other platforms (Windows 7, 8, 10), are ranked as follows:

    Panda Antivirus.

    360 Total Security.

    AVG Antivirus Free and Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition.

    Avira Free Antivirus and Comodo Antivirus.

Brief review of Panda Antivirus Pro

One of the main advantages - the low load on the system from Panda Antivirus, along with providing sufficient protection - is explained by the fact that the program is The software has most of the necessary functions, USB scanning is additionally available, but there are quite a lot of significant disadvantages that can be listed.

For example, a free antivirus (rated as the best solution based on test results) does not provide any protection against data interception by third-party programs, requires an active Internet connection to scan the system, and does not provide web protection. In addition, some users find malware in the installation files of the antivirus itself. The unsightly interface is another drawback of Panda Antivirus.

Antivirus apps for Android

If Windows occupies a leading position in the computer equipment market, then for mobile devices the Android operating system is almost a monopolist: 80% of smartphones run on Android. Mobile antiviruses are represented both by analogues of the already mentioned extended versions, and by programs that operate exclusively on smartphones.

The AV-Test laboratory tested mobile antiviruses. The rating of free antiviruses for Android is topped by the AhnLab application. The application carries out a comprehensive scan of the mobile device, prevents Internet threats, and allows you not to worry about the security of files and other personal data. At the same time, most of the programs presented in this rating are not common in the Russian-language segment, so you should rely more on real user reviews - there are no authoritative laboratories that would evaluate Russian-language applications.

Quite good solutions for choosing active users are CM Security, Dr.Web Light and a free antivirus (reviews, rating below). CM Security does not load the system and effectively copes with its duties, Dr.Web Light provides powerful protection, but irritates many users with frequent advertising . AVG AntiVirus is also a universal solution, in addition, in the Pro version of the application many useful additional functions become available, but this build consumes a large amount of resources, which is why the device may work slower.

Finally

An antivirus is a necessary program, because the user’s needs are not always met by standard options for protection against viruses and malware (especially on mobile devices). The choice of the optimal solution here largely depends on individual needs and subjective judgments, so you can be guided by various ratings, but you should not rely entirely on testing. What is the use of an antivirus that, according to research results, copes with its tasks perfectly, but is extremely inconvenient to use or significantly slows down the operation of a laptop or smartphone? Many users need to first try several options in order to ultimately choose the only one that is convenient.

The computer is an integral part of everyday life. For some it is a means of earning money, for others it is a means of spending leisure time, for others it is a means of communicating with friends and relatives through the computer, and for others the computer has even replaced going to the store. Therefore, people try to protect their computer and the data stored on it as best as possible. But how best to do this in the world of advanced technology? What guides people when choosing protection for their personal computer? How to achieve the maximum level of security? In this article we will help you understand everything and make the right choice.

So, in order to protect your “machine” you need to definitely install an antivirus on it. This is a program that will protect your computer from malicious software, scans the files and folders we work with to detect viruses, destroys the viruses found, and also disinfects infected files. There are a huge number of antivirus programs, and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Before you start choosing an antivirus, you should understand the fact that you need to install not two or three antiviruses, but only one. Since after installing several, a conflict of programs will begin, which will affect the performance of the system. If you want to install another antivirus, you must first uninstall the installed one.

Let's now look at the main antivirus programs. They are free and paid. Let's start with the free ones.

Free antivirus programs

  • Avast Free Antivirus;
  • AVG Antivirus;
  • Avira Free Antivirus;
  • MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials).

Avast Free Antivirus

1. Avast Free Antivirus is one of the popular antiviruses that not only protects your computer when viewing Internet content, but also protects against spam and hacker attacks. This program scans the entire OS for viruses at boot time. Adds suspicious or malicious files to quarantine. This program also has built-in self-defense, that is, no virus can remove it from the computer.

Advantages:

  • High functionality and level of protection;
  • Fast data scanning;
  • Does not load the processor;
  • Nice interface.

Flaws:

  • Triggering false alarms;
  • There is no blocking of pop-ups and banners.

AVG Antivirus

2. AVG Antivirus - protects your personal computer from spyware and viruses, and also blocks web pages with suspicious content. This antivirus is updated free of charge and supports common operating systems. Mainly used by home network users.

Advantages:

  • Does not load the processor;
  • High level of protection;
  • User-friendly interface.

Flaws:

  • Slow computer scanning;
  • Intrusive advertising content.

Avira Free Antivirus

3. Avira Free Antivirus – reliably protects against viruses, worms, and Trojans. One click is all it takes to remove malicious software. Doesn't burden the system.

Advantages:

  • Low resource consumption;
  • Lightning-fast system scan.

Flaws:

  • The absence of a module that warns about visiting a malicious site;
  • A huge amount of advertising;
  • Lack of Russified menu.

MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials)

4. MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) is an antivirus program that will protect your computer from malicious files and spyware. The program is updated every 24 hours. After installation on your computer, you do not need to restart it.

Advantages:

  • Ease of use;
  • Nice interface;
  • Doesn't load the system.

Flaws:

It is worth noting that to use a free antivirus you need to install it and go through the registration procedure. Some antiviruses, such as Avast, are available in both paid and free versions. After the free demo version of the program expires, you will need to purchase it, but after purchasing the program’s capabilities expand significantly. But if you have enough of the functions that the demo version is equipped with, and you have neither the desire nor the need to buy it, then after the program expires, the activation procedure should be repeated.

Now let's move on to considering the main paid antivirus programs.

Paid antivirus programs

  • Kaspersky
  • Dr.Web
  • NOD32

Kaspersky

1. Kaspersky is the most popular and revered antivirus. This program perfectly protects the system from worms, viruses and other “virtual nastiness”. It also has the following functions: payment protection, parental controls, anti-spam and anti-banner.

Advantages:

  • High scanning speed;
  • Effective protection;
  • Instantly block threats.

Flaws:

  • Expensive license;
  • To scan your computer completely, you need to close all programs.

Dr.Web

2. Dr.Web is at the origins of antivirus programs. It effectively protects your computer and allows you not only to remove virus software, but also to treat and restore infected files. Using this antivirus, important information is restored. Dr.Web also has excellent self-defense; it will not be removed by a pest program.

Advantages:

  • Ability to check archives;
  • High level of self-defense.

Flaws:

  • High license cost;
  • Needs regular downloading of updates.

NOD32

3. NOD32 – perfectly protects the system from malware, spyware, and resists scammers. This program includes anti-spam protection and a personal firewall. There is an opinion that this is the best antivirus for experienced users, as it requires some settings.

Advantages:

  • High speed;
  • High level of protection;
  • User-friendly interface.

Flaws:

  • High license cost;
  • Some settings required.

We reviewed the main anti-virus programs, which, according to their criteria, occupy leading positions in the ratings. All of these programs are compatible with the Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems. Of course, the main indicator when choosing antivirus software is the security and protection of data stored on the computer. But when choosing antivirus software, you should also consider the power of your computer.

Which antivirus is better to choose for Windows 7?

The Windows 7 operating system was created in such a way that it has built-in functional protection, which is many times greater than previous versions of the OS. And everything seems to be fine, but the “evil geniuses” who develop malware are one step ahead, and their pest programs penetrate the system, infecting and destroying everything in its path. Therefore, like any other version of the OS, Windows 7 needs additional protection. This means that you definitely need to install an antivirus program on your computer.

But what is the best antivirus program to choose? There is no clear answer to this question. Of the programs we have listed, all are considered good, but none of them guarantees 100% protection for you.

When choosing an antivirus, keep in mind that the operating system can be 32- or 64-bit. Antivirus software is developed specifically for each type. And, of course, computer parameters. If they are very weak, then an antivirus like Kaspersky will simply slow down all the work.

Also, when choosing an antivirus, you need to decide what kind of work you need a computer for. If you use a computer to play games or surf the Internet, then Avast (free version) is suitable for you. If you also work on it, then, by the way, Kaspersky (paid) will suit you. So, the choice is yours!

Which antivirus is better to choose for Windows 8 and 10?

The Windows 8 operating system, like its predecessor, is equipped with a basic level of protection. Each new OS version has expanded and improved security features. Finally, we see that Windows 8 has reached the point where programmers claim that this system is so developed and debugged that it can easily protect itself without antivirus software. But after weighing all the pros and cons, we still recommend installing an antivirus on your computer.

Since Windows 8 is significantly different from previous versions, not every antivirus program is suitable for this system.

And yet, which antivirus is best to install to ensure stable system operation and protect your computer? Hand on heart, we can safely say that Kaspersky antivirus is ideal for Windows 8. It was this company that was the first to “conquer” and adapt antivirus software for Windows 8. The system’s operation with this antivirus is stable and safe.

Antiviruses such as NOD32 and Avast have also performed well in terms of system protection and stability.

Summarizing what has been said, we can conclude that choosing an antivirus program is your personal choice and we have no right to impose our opinion on you, but please give advice on choosing a particular antivirus program. There is no need to chase popularity and brand, this is not always an indicator of quality. And also follow the reviews of friends and acquaintances, because every user praises the antivirus that he uses. But, be that as it may, the choice is yours. Make no mistake, read, take a closer look, because the security of your computer depends on your choice.

Anyone who has ever suffered from a virus attack on their computer understands perfectly well that the choice of antivirus must be approached with the utmost responsibility. We don't want to scare you, but if you don't properly protect your PC, ransomware Trojans can damage important files, banking Trojans can steal money from your cards or e-wallets, and a botnet will try to involve your computer in a DDoS attack. There are dozens of antivirus programs, but the expensive solution, alas, is not always the best. Fortunately for you and me, today there is a lot of free software, which in terms of functionality and security level is not inferior to paid and expensive ones, and sometimes even surpasses it, as confirmed by tests of specialized laboratories. We present to your attention the 10 best free antiviruses of 2017: the rating includes products with different functionality - there is plenty to choose from.

Does an antivirus guarantee 100% protection against malware? Unfortunately no. Recent events with massive attacks on the computers of private users and entire organizations indicate the imperfection of the existing system, but this does not mean that we should remain inactive and ignore protection. To protect yourself as much as possible, you need to not only install a reliable antivirus, but also constantly update it, because the databases are constantly updated with new viruses.

Everyone has heard and knows about Avasta, even those who are not very computer literate. Free, easy to learn and configure, effective– these key features ensured the antivirus enormous success and popularity. In independent tests by specialized laboratories, Avast Free Antivirus shows results that are very close to the leaders among paid antivirus programs: recognizing 99% of threats in Windows 7/8 and 97% in Windows 10. When setting up, you must register by entering your email in order to use the program for free for a year , then the free license can be renewed.

pros:

  • simple and intuitive interface, even a beginner can understand it;
  • truly effective protection against viruses, Trojans, worms, spyware, analysis of potential threats;
  • a huge number of additional protection tools, so you can customize the program completely for yourself;
  • scanning of files accessed by the user, scanning during download, scanning of browser extensions and add-ons, web protection - the user remains safe on all fronts;
  • presence of a gaming mode. When running resource-intensive games, the antivirus can stop some non-critical diagnostic modes so as not to load resources;
  • protection when connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks;
  • built-in password manager;
  • Frequent updates.

Among the disadvantages:

  • the free version is available only for home PCs and not for commercial use;
  • the need to repeat registration once a year, periodic offers to buy a paid version.

Avast is best suited for home use. In terms of efficiency and ease of operation, the program can be called the best free antivirus for Windows, and you can download it from the link.

Dr.Web Curelt

Dr.Web Curelt – not a full antivirus. This is a solution to completely scan your system for malware and infected files. Computer security experts recommend running Dr.Web Curelt at least once a month and use along with your regular antivirus. In our subjective opinion, Avast and Dr.Web Curelt are a perfect pair, which will provide reliable protection for your computer. Dr.Web Curelt will see and neutralize everything that Avast accidentally misses.

pros:

  • no need to install the program;
  • there is no connection to the full-fledged Dr.Web antivirus;
  • effective detection and removal of email worms, Trojan spies, stealth viruses, polymorphic, incorporeal and macro viruses;
  • neutralization of dialer programs, advertising, keyloggers, malware;
  • the ability to heal damaged files;
  • databases are constantly updated.

Minuses, or rather, the features of the program:

  • does not work in web mode;
  • The free version does not have the ability to update the virus database, but the solution is simple - download the antivirus again each time.

We get an excellent free solution that can serve in conjunction with a regular antivirus and increase your level of security.

360 Total Security

This antivirus can be recommended to those who do not want or do not know how to deal with the settings, but want to get a reliable barrier. The program will do and for advanced users, since fine adjustments can be made if necessary. In addition, this is a truly effective product in terms of fighting viruses, and quite recently on the Microsoft website the program was in the list of recommended products, so 360 Total Security simply could not help but be included in our rating of the best free antiviruses.

Tests from specialized laboratories have repeatedly confirmed that this software copes with its tasks no worse than many paid analogues, but the antivirus soon disappeared from the rankings of authoritative sources, as it was discovered that it activated the BitDefender and Avira engines during testing. However, any user of the program can enable these engines to provide themselves with the most complete protection, and this can even be considered an advantage of the software.

pros:

  • completely free and unlimited solution;
  • high level of protection both in real time and during scanning, the presence of optimization and garbage removal tools, which allows you to increase the speed of your computer;
  • Several modules are used for protection, which increases the effectiveness of the system;
  • convenience for beginners and advanced users;
  • thoughtful interface and excellent program optimization;
  • does not overload the computer.

Minuses:

  • Advertising banners may appear;
  • Sometimes it happens that an antivirus detects viruses where they cannot be, but this is a fairly rare problem.

We get an excellent free solution that can compete with Avast. Users who try to use 360 ​​Total Security often stay with it.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

Bitdefender is considered one of the best paid antivirus solutions. Free version is characterized by reduced functionality, but it has everything you need, so the program can easily compete with its analogues.

pros:

  • minimalistic and clear interface. Users call this program an antivirus without bells and whistles and note that it does not bother you with constant pop-ups;
  • high work efficiency. One of the special laboratories (AV-Test) says that the program showed a 100 percent threat detection rate;
  • the ability to perform scheduled scans, quick scans, and a quarantine module for monitoring suspicious objects;
  • large and constantly updated virus database;
  • low demands on system resources, no system slowdowns.

Minuses:

  • the presence of only complex scanning - you cannot scan a separate disk or folder;
  • There is no Russian language, but basic knowledge of English should be enough.

Even despite the lack of Russian language, the program can be called one of the best solutions - it’s too bad it works quickly, quietly and efficiently.

Avira Antivirus

Avira was once one of the most popular antivirus programs and is still actively downloaded. The software copes well with viruses that try to appear as a normal program; it has some functions that are only available in paid antiviruses. In fact, the program is only a basic level of protection against viruses; in addition, you can download plugins (also free) that will allow you to build an individual and effective protection system.

pros:

  • the most simple and intuitive interface;
  • sufficient performance and saving of system resources;
  • the use of cloud technologies, which not only save space on the computer, but also provide the user with protection from the latest viruses;
  • the anti-virus database is constantly updated;
  • detection of suspicious objects that are not yet in the database.

Minuses:

  • Web protection works only in Chrome and Firefox;
  • It happens that the program misses viruses, usually Trojans, but this is not common;
  • When updating, advertising windows pop up asking you to buy the paid version.

Due to its convenience, functionality and high speed, an antivirus can be considered a completely worthy means of protecting your computer.

AVG AntiVirus Free

This antivirus is inferior in popularity to many other programs, but in terms of threat detection, AVG AntiVirus Free is not inferior to the famous Avast, and all because it uses exactly the same databases as the paid version.

pros:

  • highly effective real-time protection;
  • the ability to comprehensively scan and check individual files or disks, there is a function to scan a file on first launch;
  • the presence of a game mode;
  • quick installation and system scanning. In terms of scanning speed, AVG is the leader;
  • constant updates;
  • simple interface;
  • low consumption of system resources;
  • the presence of additional useful modules that are not available in all free antivirus programs. e-Mail Scanner will allow you to secure your email, and Link Scanner will help you check all the links on the site.

Minuses:


Kaspersky Free

Probably, in the post-Soviet space, the most popular antivirus has always been Kaspersky. By the way, in terms of efficiency it can be compared with Bitdefender (its paid version). Skilled users quickly turned paid versions of Kaspersky into free ones, and everyone else could find fresh keys and enjoy protection. Not long ago the company released officially free version of the antivirus, which immediately attracted the attention of users. Of course, it received stripped-down basic functionality.

pros:

  • familiar and understandable interface;
  • a virus database is used, as in the paid versions;
  • The program works faster than a paid product;
  • effective file and web protection.

Minuses:


Panda Free Antivirus

The program became the first free antivirus to actively use cloud technologies, which allows scanning to be more efficient while using a minimum of computer space and resources.

pros:

  • beautiful and user-friendly interface. Here they moved away from the strict screen and used a mountain landscape as a background image. The arrangement of the elements is thought out so well that both a novice user and even a child can figure it out;
  • high level of threat detection;
  • malware detection, blocking of malicious sites, automatic scanning of connected devices;
  • frequently updated virus database;
  • There is a special mode for games and multimedia launch.

Minuses:


Comodo AntiVirus

Comodo AntiVirus is not the most popular antivirus program, but it is still found on the computers of domestic users. The software has a lot of additional functions and add-ons, but these are most likely for experienced users.

pros:

  • identifying potential threats;
  • intrusion prevention system;
  • there is a virtual desktop;
  • a lot of powerful tools for system administrator level users;
  • frequent updates.

Minuses:


SecureAPlus

pros:


Minuses:

  • resource requirements (processor from 2 GHz, RAM from 1 GB);
  • On weak computers there may be slowdowns.

Looking for the best free antivirus is a thankless task, since everyone has their own opinion on this matter, which they consider undeniably correct. We tried to find the most effective and convenient solutions that currently exist - you may need to try several programs to find yours. More detailed information on all antiviruses, ratings, comparisons and reviews can be found on the website antivirusy.softok.info, where all the described and many other antiviruses are available for free download.