Top 5 free virus protection

If you find yourself in trouble, the go-to disinfectant for many is Malwarebytes. To get the antivirus company's free antivirus version, download this trial version , which "downgrades" to a no-fee on-demand cleaner with fewer features that detects and removes viruses and malware when you run an on-demand antivirus scan after 14 days.

In addition to the four antivirus apps we recommend above, a handful of other anti-malware tools are worth considering among the best antivirus protection if you find them at a better price or just prefer to use one over our picks above. It feels like McAfee Antivirus has been around forever, first on its own in the '80s, then as part of Intel starting in , and then again on its own when Intel spun it off in And McAfee Total Protection has been around forever because quarter after quarter it creates solid, modern antivirus software that protects your PC.

In recent evaluations by AV-Test, it had high scores on both protection and performance. Maybe this antivirus provider is not as well known to consumers because of its focus on enterprise security, Trend Micro antivirus quietly brings its business expertise to the home with its Trend Micro Maximum Security tools.

Trend Micro's software earns high marks from AV-Test -- consistently scoring well for detecting zero-day attacks and widespread viruses and malware. And Trend Micro does a good job of not taxing system resources. Free version? It earns high scores for usability and offers solid virus protection. The free antivirus version of Sophos Home gives you virus protection for three Windows PCs -- using the company's high-scoring anti-malware tool -- plus a day trial of the company's malware-removal tool.

Test after test, Avast Antivirus for Windows performs well for malware detection with options ranging from Avast free antivirus software to Avast Premium Security. And we've included its antivirus in our list of recommended security app options before. But Avast was in the news for several months for its non-antivirus business, so we looked at the company, specifically reports at the end of that Avast allegedly collected user data with its browser plug-ins and antivirus software and then sold data it collected through its Jumpshot subsidiary in early In response to the reports that his company gathered and sold the details of its customers' online activities, Avast CEO Ondrej Vlcek said in a statement that he understood that his company's actions raised questions of trust in his company.

To address that, Avast terminated Jumpshot data collection in January and closed its operations because the data collection business wasn't in line with Avast's privacy priorities. These newer reports follow another in from Avast that its internal network was breached , possibly to insert malware into its CCleaner software, similar to an earlier CCleaner hack that occurred prior to Avast's acquiring the Windows utility. Avast is now saying the right things about taking its customers' privacy seriously , but it only came to that point after reacting to investigative reporting that revealed the Jumpshot practices.

The CCleaner revelations, while concerning, were self-disclosed, which is important to building user trust. We hope Avast's more privacy-friendly policies mean that there will be no further Jumpshot-style activities and it returns to glory as one of the best antivirus software. In the meantime, we'd recommend using one of the many other solid choices in this realm listed above.

Because the company has been in the news the past few years, let's talk about Kaspersky Lab -- specifically about the federal ban that blocks US government agencies from using Kaspersky Antivirus products. Based in Moscow, Kaspersky Lab has for years produced some of the best antivirus software for business antivirus needs and home customers.

But in the US government prohibited Kaspersky security cloud software on federal government computers because of alleged ties between Kaspersky and the Russian government. But as with China-based Huawei , the question remains: If the federal government doesn't think the products are safe enough for its own devices, should consumers avoid them as well? In a statement sent to CNET, the company said, "Kaspersky Lab has no ties to any government, and the company has never, nor will ever, engage in cyber offensive activities.

Kaspersky Lab maintains that no public evidence of any wrongdoing has been presented by the US government, and that the US government's actions against Kaspersky Lab were unconstitutional.

In Kaspersky's favor, it continues to earn top scores and awards for virus and malware detection and endpoint protection from independent testing labs. And it's reasonably priced. In the end, even though no one has ever publicly produced a "smoking gun" linking the company to Russian intrigue, we think any of the options listed above are a safer bet.

And if you are a US government employee or work with the federal government, you'll want to steer clear of Kaspersky internet security products -- and perhaps use one of the antivirus software products mentioned here instead. To learn what you can expect from this antivirus, check out our extensive review. Avira is a strong contender for best free antivirus , especially as it protects you against ransomware, a particularly nasty variant of malware. This is impressive for a free antivirus, as the best features are typically locked behind a paywall.

Kaspersky Security Cloud Free provides you with complete ransomware protection and great phishing protection. This includes a strong malware-blocking solution for your device with this free antivirus program. The limitations of Kaspersky Security Cloud Free come in the form of no tech support for the free version and limited protection for the iOS version of the antivirus when compared to the Android application.

The initial start-up scan also takes longer than average to complete. Also, the protection the antivirus offers Android devices should cover your needs when it comes to keeping your phone or tablet running smoothly.

Antivirus software protects your device from potentially dangerous programs and files that can make their way onto your computer or phone while browsing online. Some of the things a good antivirus program will protect you from include viruses and malware such as Trojan horses , spyware , ransomware , and adware.

A reliable antivirus program will also safeguard your personal data against identity theft. This is especially important if you store personal information such as banking details or address data on your device. Some of the possible consequences of not using reliable antivirus software include dealing with annoying pop-ups and error messages , having your files or device taken hostage , and potentially having your money taken from your online accounts.

Another reason that antivirus scanners are so important is that they help to extend the lifespan of your device. The other potential issue with some free antivirus programs is that they will sometimes sell your user data to advertisers and third-party companies. In most cases, the biggest difference between paid and free antivirus scanners is the features that you have available to make the program more effective or convenient.

When it comes to choosing between paid and free options, you need to think about your budget and what features you actually need. While paid antivirus programs are important for a lot of people because they need those extra services, you may be okay with a free version of the program on your device.

Not every antivirus works well for everyone. What antivirus is the best option for you depends, among other things, on your operating system, your online activities and your specific wishes.

Read the article below to find out which of these five options suit you best. Antivirus software ensures that your computer is optimally protected against viruses and all kinds of malware. There are many different programs, all claiming to offer the best antivirus solution. How do you know which software you should choose? We have researched the best antivirus software of and tested various high-quality virus scanners. We looked at the options and features each one of them offers.

Once our in-depth research was completed, we determined which antivirus is, in our opinion, the best choice available today. In the table below we have provided a list of the best virus scanners of The table briefly compares their functions and features. Do you want to know what to make of this information? Then scroll further and decide which antivirus is the best one for you. Below we will further describe each of the best antivirus options of Do you want to get started right away and close the best deal?

Just click on the button below each section to go directly to the website of the virus scanner of your choice. During our tests, we quickly noticed that Kaspersky produces high quality products. Each subsequent version listed has more functions than the previous. We can wholeheartedly recommend Kaspersky Internet Security. This version provides real-time virus and malware protection, allows you to run various scans, comes with a firewall , and also protects your online payments if using a secure browser.

Moreover, it offers high-quality phishing protection. Do you want even more extra features? Then Kaspersky Total Security is the right choice for you. This version adds features such as parental control, password management and file backups. But, even without all these extras, we think Kaspersky is still the best antivirus program of Is there something Kaspersky could improve? Is this an issue for mainstream users? We doubt it. Want to know more?

Click here to read our full Kaspersky review. Do you want to try Kaspersky for free for 30 days? Avira comes in in second place in our best virus scanners review. Although this provider is not yet as big as some of its competitors, such as Bitdefender and Avast, it still has a lot to offer. Avira includes malware protection against viruses, ransomware and other malware.

It also includes tracker blocking, an adblocker , web protection, a device scanner, and an intelligent system that identifies both new and old threats using cloud technology. Just like Kaspersky, Avira has different subscriptions. Avira Internet Security adds a password manager and a software updater. If you choose Avira Prime you get even more features, including a program that cleans your computer and a way to anonymize your browser history.

On top of that, Avira also offers a very decent free solution, Avira Free Antivirus. According to AV-Comparatives, Avira scores above average when it comes to blocking all kinds of viruses and other threats. This means that running this software will barely affect your normal internet activity. Another advantage of Avira is that the company is based in Germany, where privacy laws are very strong. With Avira, you can therefore rest assured that your data is safe.

Download Panda Free Now. It uses a huge blacklist to identify known phishing sites as well as an AI-powered phishing detection system to detect new threats. TotalAV is also the most intuitive free Windows antivirus on this list, with easy-to-use and easy-to-understand features and functions inside a minimalistic, well-designed dashboard. Kaspersky Security Cloud — Free is good at detecting and removing malware, and it also comes with plenty of extras — including:.

All Kaspersky purchases include a day money-back guarantee. Download Kaspersky Free Now. Malwarebytes Free is a good choice for users looking for a simple antivirus scanner that they can install and forget about. Apart from the scanner, Malwarebytes Free also comes with a browser extension that protects against a wide range of threats, including malware, ads and trackers, scams, and PUPs.

Malwarebytes Free is a minimalistic antivirus scanner with good virus detection and removal rates. It also comes with a browser extension that blocks malware, phishing sites, ads, and trackers. Download Malwarebytes For Free Now. Sophos Home Free offers pretty good free anti-malware protection.

It also includes some helpful web protections and covers up to 3 PCs all within its free antivirus package. In addition to multi-device protection and remote management, Sophos is also a decent choice for families because it has free parental controls. Sophos offers pretty good antivirus scanning and remote management for up to 3 devices — which is pretty generous for a free antivirus.

Users looking for coverage on up to 10 devices, advanced malware and ransomware protection, and advanced web safety tools should upgrade to Sophos Home Premium.

Download Sophos Free Now. There is no such thing as a truly free antivirus.