Free antivirus software solutions have been crucial among consumers and businesses since time immemorial. With the incessant increase of cyber attacks and their impact on victims, people have become compelled to look for the best free antivirus solutions online.
With the 5G rollout happening in full swing this 2020 as well as unstoppable use of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of things (IoT), more people and businesses are expected to install and run security solutions on their devices. However, meticulous users will try using free antivirus software first to assess if it’s subscription version worth the money.
What Is A Free Antivirus Software?
Free antivirus software detects and eradicates viruses and other types of malware that can enter your computer or your network. There are different filtering abilities that free antivirus software has to do this. One of the most used is manual scanning of files and programs on your computer. It should be able to keep a database of these virus signatures so that when a specific signature is detected, the software can conclude that it is unsafe.
Why Do You Need Free Antivirus Software?
One way cybercriminals can invade your computer is by selling your information to organizations that can exploit your data. They can also use your bank account details to make unauthorized transactions, or even hold them hostage so you have to buy it back from them. Even safe websites have viruses as part mainly of marketing strategies to monitor your activity and sell the right products to you. You need free antivirus software to protect you from all these threats and guard you against any Internet activity that tries to get your info without your permission.
The 5 Best Free Antivirus Software In 2020
We’ve put together the top five free antivirus software to consider downloading along with the features they should have.
Avast Free Antivirus
Avast Free Antivirus
Avast Free Antivirus targets home users. This security software solution has intelligence that enables it to spy on malware that acts as a legitimate app at first but might go berserk suddenly. This award-winning free virus protection uses machine learning backed by Avast’s massive threat detection network.
Panda Free Antivirus
Panda Free Antivirus
Panda Free Antivirus works on devices running on Windows and Android. Recognizing the fact that malware infections can be transferred through removable storage devices, this free antivirus software extends malware scanning and protection to USB flash drives and microSD/SD cards. Easy to install and light to run.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free
Bitdefender Antivirus Free
BitDefender Antivirus Free has the poise of a lightweight app but comes with heavyweight features of an antivirus solution. Featuring BitDefender’s proprietary Photon Technology, this free antivirus software employs cloud techniques that scan malware without causing your device to run slow.
Avira Antivirus Free
Avira Antivirus Free
Avira Antivirus FREE positions itself as your best choice in stopping different forms of Internet threats. With real-time monitoring, this free antivirus software quickly notifies you if an online site carries risks. Once on a website, Avira’s Internet browser extension works to stop the unintentional downloading of malware into your device.
AVG Antivirus Free
AVG Antivirus Free
AVG Antivirus FREE works hard to shield your devices against cyber threats. Besides basic antivirus capabilities, it also enhances your system’s performance by identifying vulnerabilities. Apart from Windows, this free antivirus software comes with versions compatible with other popular operating systems like Android, iOS, and macOS.
1. Avast Free Antivirus
Avast Free Antivirus targets home users. This security software solution has intelligence that enables it to spy on malware that acts as a legitimate app at first but might go berserk suddenly. This award-winning free virus protection uses machine learning backed by Avast’s massive threat detection network. Packed with other features like password management, this free antivirus works without causing your PC to run slow.
Key Features
Do Not Disturb Mode
Avast Free Antivirus runs on the background silently without affecting your seamless experience with your device. Do Not Disturb Mode prevents notifications to pop up while you’re gaming or watching movies.
Behavior Shield
Because some malware might show normal behavior for a few days but go rogue without signs, Avast Free Antivirus never lets its guard down. It uses a technology that allows it to monitor risky behavior based on patterns
Intelligent Antivirus
Avast Free Antivirus makes use of smart analytics to block different forms of malware threats, from traditional ones like viruses, Trojans, worms, and spyware to more recent ones like ransomware.
Wi-Fi Inspector
Part of its smart scan process, Avast searches for all possible vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals and malware. These include detecting your wireless network’s weaknesses and illegal access.
2. Panda Free Antivirus
Panda Free Antivirus works on devices running on Windows and Android. Recognizing the fact that malware infections can be transferred through removable storage devices, this free antivirus software extends malware scanning and protection to USB flash drives and microSD/SD cards. Easy to install and light to run, Panda’s free software leaves no impact on your device’s overall performance.
Key Features
Antivirus Protection
Panda Free Antivirus provides a shield against different forms of malware like viruses, spyware, worms, and Trojans. You can perform on-demand and scheduled malware scanning with this free software.
USB Protection
As removable storage devices can serve as a malware vector, Panda’s free antivirus software also performs scans on USB flash drives and microSD/SD cards to prevent malware infection.
Multimedia/Game Mode
Panda Free Antivirus continuously protects your system against threats without causing a disturbance like a popup while you are playing games or watching movies on your device.
Performance Optimization
Panda keeps your mobile device like it’s new by optimizing its battery life, monitoring memory usage, and stop app processes that hog the resources of your system.
3. BitDefender Antivirus Free
BitDefender Antivirus Free has the poise of a lightweight app but comes with heavyweight features of an antivirus solution. Featuring BitDefender’s proprietary Photon Technology, this free antivirus software employs cloud techniques that scan malware without causing your device to run slow. Once malware detection completes, the free security software cleans your device’s internal storage and its partitions. Rebooting is not necessary.
Key Features
Quick & Easy
BitDefender Antivirus Free quickly installs and runs on your device without slowing down your system. It presents an intuitive user interface so first-time users won’t get intimidated.
Multiplatform
Besides Microsoft Windows, BitDefender’s free antivirus software comes with versions compatible with Apple macOS and Google Android. Regardless of the OS, it runs smoothly and doesn’t affect your gaming or editing activities.
Real-time Detection
This free antivirus software from BitDefender takes advantage of behavioral detection to regulate the active apps and services on your device. When an unknown program suddenly becomes rogue, you’re notified instantly
Malware Removal
BitDefender Antivirus Free’s core uses a powerful engine that scans and removes various types of malware like rootkits, ransomware, spyware, Trojans, viruses, worms, and zero-day exploits.
Download BitDefender Antivirus Free
4. Avira Antivirus Free
Avira Antivirus FREE positions itself as your best choice in stopping different forms of Internet threats. With real-time monitoring, this free antivirus software quickly notifies you if an online site carries risks. Once on a website, Avira’s Internet browser extension works to stop the unintentional downloading of malware into your device. The free security software also blocks annoying popups and ads that you do not need on your screen when browsing the Internet.
Key Features
Light & Fast
Avira Antivirus FREE claims that it’s 2-5 times lighter compared to other antivirus products out there. With its small digital footprint, this free antivirus software doesn’t slow your device down or hog resources.
Ad Blocker
Avira blocks ads that might contain malware that stays on your device even if you already left a website. Ad blocking also speeds up your browsing because ads are no longer eating up a lot of data.
Browser Tracking Blocker
Companies and organizations no longer can install invisible trackers with the browser tracking blocker. Avira has millions of malicious sites blocked, detecting spam attacks regularly.
NightVision Virtual Appliance
Avira’s NightVision Virtual Appliance works like in-house protection. Unlike other antivirus solutions, this one doesn’t upload your data to third-party cloud services while performing malware analysis.
5. AVG Antivirus Free
AVG Antivirus FREE works hard to shield your devices against cyber threats. Besides basic antivirus capabilities, it also enhances your system’s performance by identifying vulnerabilities. Apart from Windows, this free antivirus software comes with versions compatible with other popular operating systems like Android, iOS, and macOS. Sporting a light yet intuitive user interface, AVG’s free security software installs quickly and runs smoothly on your devices.
Key Features
Automatic Updates
AVG Antivirus FREE automatically updates its malware definition. This free antivirus software detects both existing and emerging cyber threats even before they penetrate your system, keeping cybercriminals at bay.
Performance Evaluation
AVG’s free antivirus software optimizes your system’s performance by identifying and eliminating vulnerabilities and malware. Without these threats, only legitimate programs utilize your system resources.
Multiple Devices
You can run AVG Antivirus FREE version that goes compatible with your device’s software. But if you’re just searching for a more comprehensive Internet security solution, you can choose to avail of a subscription-based one-device plan.
User-friendly Interface
From installation to operation, AVG Antivirus FREE remains light with causing your device to slow down. Even non-techie, first-time users of this free security software find it uncomplicated and straightforward.
Things To Consider When Choosing Antivirus Software
Real-Time Protection
It’s not enough that you find antivirus software that performs scheduled scans to look for unsafe programs you might have downloaded and installed on your PC. What you should look for is the one that prompts that you might be vulnerable to some threats.
Device Compatibility
Some antivirus software solutions aren’t compatible with every operating system that you are probably using. Best to check the compatibility of the software with your device before you decide to buy one.
Easy To Install & Run
Free antivirus software should have a small digital footprint in spite of having several embedded features and functions. Free antivirus software should not slow your device down or hog resources.
Anti-Phishing
Anti-phishing software has programs that identify phishing content in websites, emails. Having this feature gives you a warning when you are about to give out information from phishing.
Automatic Updates
Free antivirus software can automatically update its malware definition. With updated malware signatures, free antivirus software can detect both existing and emerging cyber threats even before they penetrate your system, keeping cybercriminals at bay.
