Normal antivirus. Which free antivirus is best for ultra-high Windows protection? Antivirus programs: list of the best
The main evaluation criteria, which included 200 indicators, were:
- virus protection;
- Ease of use;
- influence on the speed of the computer.
Protection against malware is the most important evaluation criterion: indicators within this group of parameters accounted for 65% of the overall antivirus rating. Ease of use and impact on computer speed accounted for 25% and 10% of the overall score, respectively.
Antivirus programs were selected for research based on popularity among consumers and affordability. For this reason, the list of antivirus programs studied included:
- Free programs - both built-in and offered separately.
- Paid programs from leading antivirus brands. Based on selection principles, the study did not include the most expensive versions of software products from these brands.
- Only one paid product from one brand for one operating system could be included in the rating. The second product could only be included in the rating if it was free.
This time, the international study included products developed by Russian companies in the category. As a rule, the list of products for international testing includes products with a sufficient market share and high recognition among consumers, so the inclusion of Russian developments in the study indicates their wide representation and demand abroad.
Top Ten for Windows
All antiviruses in the top ten cope with spyware protection and protect against phishing - attempts to gain access to confidential data. But there are differences between antiviruses in the level of protection, as well as in the presence or absence of this or that function in the tested versions of the antivirus.
The summary table shows the top ten programs according to the overall rating. It also takes into account the features of the packages in terms of their set of functions.
How good is standard Windows 10 protection?
As of February 2018, the share of Windows PC users with Windows 10 operating systems installed on their desktop computers was 43%. On such computers, the antivirus is installed by default - the system is protected by the Windows Defender program, which is included in the operating system.
The standard antivirus, which, judging by statistics, is used by most people, was only 17th in the ranking. In terms of overall performance, Windows Defender scored 3.5 out of a possible 5.5.
The built-in protection of the latest versions of Windows is getting better every year, but it still does not match the level of many specialized antivirus programs, including those that are distributed free of charge. Windows Defender showed satisfactory results in terms of online protection, but completely failed the phishing and anti-ransomware tests. By the way, protection against phishing is claimed by antivirus manufacturers. It also turned out that it does a poor job of protecting your computer offline.
Windows Defender is quite simple in terms of design. It clearly reports the presence of a particular threat, clearly demonstrates the level of protection and has a “parental control” function that limits children from visiting unwanted resources.
Windows 10's standard protection is only decent. Based on the overall rating, 16 programs for protecting a personal computer on Windows OS turned out to be better than it. Including four free ones.
In theory, you can rely only on Windows Defender if the user has regular updates turned on, their computer is connected to the Internet most of the time, and they are advanced enough to consciously avoid visiting suspicious sites. However, Roskachestvo recommends installing a specialized anti-virus package for greater confidence in the security of your PC.
How we tested
Testing was carried out in the world's most qualified laboratory specializing in antivirus programs over a period of six months. A total of four groups of malware protection tests were conducted: general online protection test, offline test, false positive rate test, and automatic and on-demand scanning test. To a lesser extent, the final rating was influenced by checking the ease of use of the antivirus and its effect on the speed of the computer.
- General protection
Each antivirus package was tested online against a set of viruses, totaling more than 40,000. It was also checked how well the antivirus copes with phishing attacks - when someone tries to gain access to the user's confidential data. A test was carried out for protection against ransomware, which restricts access to a computer and data on it for the purpose of ransom. In addition, an online test of a USB drive containing malware is carried out. It is needed to find out how well the antivirus copes with finding and eliminating viruses when neither the presence of malicious files nor their origin is known in advance.
- USB offline test
Detection of malware located on a USB drive connected to a computer. Before the scan, the computer was disconnected from the Internet for several weeks so that the anti-virus packages were not 100% up-to-date.
- False alarm
We tested how effectively the antivirus identifies real threats and skips files that are actually safe, but which the product classifies as dangerous.
- Automatic and on-demand scanning test
We tested how effectively the scanning function works when automatically scanning the computer for malware and when running it manually. The study also tested whether scanning could be scheduled for specific times when the computer was not in use.
This article will show which antivirus is actually better for Windows 7. A lot of antiviruses on the Internet have been sold out, everyone praises themselves and considers them the best, but we’ll see if this is true.
What is a virus
To put it simply, a virus is a program, like everyone else on your computer. This program looks for security holes in your computer, especially if it does not have an antivirus. There are standard protection systems, such as in Windows 7 and higher, when you install a program, you are asked about your intention.
But the virus is looking for loopholes to bypass the system and quickly register itself on the computer, in the same registry, which is very problematic when removed.
Which antivirus is best for Windows 7
To answer the question which antivirus is best for Windows 7, an article was written. The post will be aimed at both types - free and paid antiviruses, because each representative has both service options.
Kaspersky.
The giant that everyone knows about is Kaspersky antivirus. Popular and reliable software that protects against everything possible. At one time it was on my computer, everything is fine, but there is one drawback, more about it below. I won’t say anything bad, I warned and caught everything with lightning speed. There were also false positives, but it was better than non-functioning computer or laptop programs. 
Pros:
- High-quality and fast firewall.
- The databases are updated frequently.
- The speed of work is amazing.
- A good function for blocking bad sites actually shows those sites with which something is wrong.
Minuses:
- The price is 2000 at the moment, previously it was 3000, the crisis played a role.
- The computer loads a lot, if the machine is weak then you can forget about Kaspersky. It requires a lot of resources, and there are reviews on this topic on the Internet.
All antiviruses from this collection can be downloaded and used for free, just read the entire post first.
Avast Antivirus
Avast antivirus is an oldie among antiviruses. I’ll say that I passed, they haven’t praised it lately, it lets viruses through. I was able to install it and evaluate it during use, and on the free version, which is no worse than the paid version, as the developers say. 
Advantages
- Quickly scans files on the system and installed applications.
- The free period can be 1 year, which makes it stand out among others.
- Scans and monitors startup, where viruses are usually registered.
- Blocker of bad sites.
- Fast operation and low resource consumption.
- The cost is 1200 rubles at the moment.
Flaw
- The jamb is one and global. It lets viruses through. Most likely, the databases are updated slowly, and new threats are easy to deceive.
All programs provide a trial period without a license (or rather, purchasing one).
Antivirus ESET NOD32
Honestly, I haven’t used ESET NOD32 antivirus (I was only able to install the free version on a virtual machine), but it stands out among the others as a tool not for housewives, but for advanced computer users. Reviews about it are different, about 60/40 the first number is good.
Advantages
- Everything the others have.
- Protecting the social networks of your accounts, which I have not seen in others.
Flaws
- High cost, at maximum it is more expensive than Kaspersky, 2350 per year.
- The scanning speed is very low and the computer slows down (it’s difficult to get my 6 cores to a dead end, but ESET NOD32 antivirus did it), it’s not suitable for a laptop, only on a PC.
Antivirus Avira Antivir
The dark horse of my rating is Avira Antivir. This software has been on my computer for 2 years, and in the free version. And I am very pleased, over the past 2 years I have caught one virus, only due to my stupidity, although Avira warned me.
Advantages
- Many free add-ons, for example, checking for bad sites in the browser itself.
- Does not load the system or computer, suitable for use on a laptop.
- New databases arrive every day, even for the free version.
- Quickly catches unwanted surges.
Minuses
- Not really a minus, the check occurs only after downloading the file (because the version is free).
- The price is 1900 rubles, and this is still on the day of the promotion, so the complete set costs 2900.
An excellent antivirus, it will show all its power on free products, and paid ones will be at their best.
Dr.Web Antivirus
Last on the list is Dr Web antivirus, but not least. The famous Doctor Web is Kaspersky’s main competitor, and it’s clear why. Many free programs that easily scan and remove junk and pests from your computer.
pros
- A free antivirus works just as well as a paid one. There are only restrictions in terms of Internet protection.
- Lots of extras.
- Relatively low price, the most popular and powerful, only 1540 rubles per year.
- It scans the system quickly and actually finds suspicious files.
Flaws
- Low computer speed. But this is more likely not a minus, but a consequence of reliability; if you want good protection, you will have to sacrifice or buy a more powerful computer.
All antiviruses support 32 and 64 bit Windows systems.
My choice is good and free
All are good, but my only choice is Dr. Web, but I won’t give up my Avira, I can handle it and that’s okay. This rating is not empty words; I installed and tried all the antiviruses myself. Plus I looked at reviews on the Internet, weighed and evaluated. You already know the winner. Moreover, Doctor Web is the best, both free and paid, the developers are great.
An article on the topic that contains a lot of safety tips will be useful.
This article showed which antivirus is best for Windows 7 - the most reliable and adequate of all on the Internet in 2016. I'll end here, good luck! Finally, I found a cool video about antiviruses, watch it.
Read more
This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.
Only fearless people can afford to use a computer or smartphone without an antivirus. On the Internet, every second or third page, if it does not download malware, then redirects to phishing sites. And the antivirus will help save your computer and protect confidential information.
But there are also plenty of antiviruses. We have compiled a rating of the 12 best software products that will definitely protect your computer from external threats.
What a good antivirus can do
The main task of antiviruses is, of course, to protect your computer from malware. But the functionality of comprehensive Internet security solutions is not limited to this.
Web Screen and Web Analysis
Most viruses get onto your computer from the Internet - after downloading a malicious file or simply when opening an infected page. The web shield prevents the download of such software from being downloaded, acting as an “additional layer” of the firewall built into the operating system.
Payment protection
Payment security tools prevent the interception of bank card data entered by users when making online purchases. This also prevents phishing and prevents you from overspending on hidden accounts.
Parental control
The Parental Control tool filters and blocks content that may be unsafe for a child - shocking images, pornography, and other materials. In addition, it may limit the time the baby spends on the computer.
Password vault
The Password Vault tool is designed to record authorization data on websites in a special secure container. It helps you avoid remembering numerous logins and passwords – you just need to set one master code.
Maintaining confidentiality
Privacy-preserving tools encrypt files in special storage and remove cookies from the browser. They also protect against phishing and block unauthorized access to personal information.
Rating of the best antiviruses
| Nomination | place | Name of product | rating |
| The best free antiviruses | 1 | 4.9 | |
| 2 | 4.8 | ||
| 3 | 4.7 | ||
| The best paid antiviruses for Windows | 1 | 4.9 | |
| 2 | 4.9 | ||
| 3 | 4.8 | ||
| 4 | 4.7 | ||
| 5 | 4.6 | ||
| The best antiviruses for Android | 1 | 4.9 | |
| 2 | 4.8 | ||
| 3 | 4.7 | ||
| 4 | 4.7 |
The best free antiviruses
Why first place: Maximum functionality even in the free version.
Description: Avast, the top free antivirus in popularity, is comparable only to the built-in Defender in Windows 10. Lightweight and well-designed, it does not load the computer and displays notifications no more than once every 3-4 days. At the same time, Avast works - two engines protect against viruses at once: offline, which checks malware signatures against the database, and online, which sends unknown files to the “cloud” for scanning. There is also heuristic analysis that protects against zero-day threats.
Scanning engines check hard drives, passwords used, network connections, and program behavior. The antivirus analyzes active files and therefore prevents malware from entering your computer from downloads, flash drives or keygens. And the automatically activated game mode turns off all notifications, including system ones and from third-party programs, for uninterrupted gameplay.
Advantages
Takes up to 50 MB of RAM during operation;
Three protection engines, including preventive heuristic analysis;
Game mode with notifications disabled.
Flaws
Full web screen only in the paid version;
The license must be renewed every year; after two to three months of “pause” it is impossible to renew it;
During installation, a constant and reliable Internet connection is required.
Why second place: Three scanning engines, low load on the computer, but built-in advertising.
Description: 360 Total Security is a “Swiss knife” among antiviruses. It uses the largest number of engines in the rating - four. These are offline Avira and Bitdefender, based on artificial intelligence 360 QVMII and a cloud scanner. The engines protect against known threats by comparing virus signatures, and against unknown ones by analyzing the behavior of programs.
The antivirus also protects against ransomware, keyloggers, and system modifications. Suspicious applications run in a sandbox. The antivirus downloads critical Windows updates to protect against system vulnerabilities, checks the security of the wireless network and prevents the interception of payment information when shopping online.
360 Total Security also has a built-in file shredder, operating system cleaning and optimization tools, a driver update mode, and a scheduler.
Advantages
Four antivirus engines that can be turned on and off;
Additional functions;
Why third place: Free VPN and minimal system load, but limited functionality.
Description: Panda Free Antivirus is the only antivirus in the rating that offers a free VPN connection. True, the volume of transmitted traffic is limited to 150 megabytes per day, but this is enough for most online purchases or access to blocked sites.
The antivirus engine uses a cloud-based signature comparison technique. Thanks to this, the load on the computer is minimal. Panda protects against “new” viruses because cloud signatures are updated hourly. The antivirus pays special attention to protecting against viruses coming from USB drives, so it is recommended for installation on public computers.
In your antivirus, you can create a bootable cleaning flash drive that removes viruses from blocked computers, for example, those that have “picked up” ransomware banners. Like Avast, Panda Free Antivirus supports a gaming mode that disables notifications, including system notifications.
Advantages
Free VPN;
Constant updates of cloud signatures;
Flaws
Advanced protection modes are available only in paid versions;
The volume of traffic transmitted via VPN is limited to 150 megabytes per day;
Reduced level of protection when disconnected from the Internet.
The best paid antiviruses for Windows
Why first place: Protection using “collective intelligence” and artificial intelligence.
Description: Avira antivirus uses three technologies to protect your computer from malware - comparison with a daily updated signature database, “collective intelligence” to analyze program behavior, and artificial intelligence to heuristically check files on your hard drive.
Avira is the only antivirus in the ranking that effectively fights ransomware thanks to its heuristic analysis tool. It also scans external devices connected to the computer for infection, protects confidential and personal data, blocks DNS spoofing and the launch of banking Trojans for safe purchases.
Avira's web screen analyzes the activity of network ports directly, blocking malware even before it is loaded into the computer's cache. Therefore, it also prevents the computer from being included in botnets or illegal banking transaction nodes.
Advantages
Antivirus uses artificial intelligence and collective intelligence for protection;
Scans network ports directly, not downloaded data;
Effectively fights ransomware.
Flaws
Only some of the antivirus functions work without an Internet connection;
Support is in English only;
Expensive.
Why second place: Multi-level protection against ransomware, remote management and VPN - albeit with limited traffic.
Description: Bitdefender Internet Security focuses not on protection against classic viruses, but on preventing the theft of confidential, personal and banking information. However, it also copes with the destruction of malware, including ransomware. The antivirus protects against worms, Trojans, zero-day vulnerabilities, rootkits and spyware, including keyloggers.
Additionally, it protects against phishing by checking the compliance of certificates and DNS of sites being opened; from theft of banking data; from spying via webcam and even from fraudulent activities. Autopilot technology monitors computer behavior and certain user settings to prevent possible security threats. Photon mode adjusts the operation of the antivirus to minimize the load on the operating system.
Advantages
Maximum protection thanks to offline and online technologies;
Many proprietary technologies: Autopilot, Photon, remote control;
Multi-level protection against theft of banking data.
Flaws
Limited VPN;
Difficulty in setting up (if you still want to set it up and not use it out of the box).
Why third place: Many protective functions, but high load on the system.
Description: What is the rating of antiviruses, even without Kaspersky Internet Security? This comprehensive internet security solution protects your computer in two ways - by checking file signatures offline and by sending suspicious programs to the cloud. But its main advantage is the sandbox, an isolated environment for running applications.
Built-in web shield protects against fake sites and phishing. It is complemented by a browser extension that checks links before they are opened.
Two-level purchase protection prevents the theft of bank card data and other payment information both on phishing sites and on pages with spoofed DNS and SSL certificates. If necessary, you can run the browser in maximum protection mode.
The antivirus has a built-in parental control mode that filters downloaded content and, if necessary, blocks the use of the computer if the child spends a lot of time on it.
Advantages
Powerful antivirus engines;
Protection for Mac;
Parental control.
Flaws
Few additional features;
Sometimes there are false positives.
Why fourth place: The most expensive, but with a unique support function from specialists.
Description: Norton Security is the only antivirus in the rating whose developers provide a 100% guarantee of removing malware from your computer. It is expressed in remote technical support. If the antivirus fails to remove it, Norton employees will take care of it. If they also turn out to be powerless, the money for the subscription will be returned.
The antivirus protects against malware penetrating your computer from the Internet and offline, increases security during purchases, and supports parental controls. The backup function makes backups of important information to external media and to a proprietary protected “cloud” with a capacity of 25 GB.
The antivirus comes bundled with Norton WiFi Privacy, a program that encrypts data when connected to open wireless networks. This protects against sniffing - interception of personal information, logins, passwords and bank card numbers on public Wi-Fi.
Advantages
100% virus protection guarantee;
Regular updates of the signature database;
Norton WiFi Privacy included.
Flaws
One of the most expensive antiviruses;
Difficult to install and remove;
Why fifth place: Basic level of protection, but minimal price.
Description: Trend Micro Internet Security is the only antivirus in the ranking whose subscription price is less than 1,000 rubles per year. For this money, the user receives basic protection against Internet vulnerabilities and offline threats.
The main feature of the antivirus is the Folder Shield function, which blocks access to folders with confidential information for unauthorized applications. Trend Micro IS also offers advanced protection of private data, especially those published on social networks. It analyzes the information posted there and makes recommendations on how to delete or hide some information.
The antivirus has built-in “Parental Controls” with a white list of applications and websites, protecting children from shocking, pornographic or potentially dangerous information. The screen also prevents access to phishing and infected sites.
System optimization mode speeds up Windows and closes vulnerabilities.
Advantages
Subscription less than 1000 rubles per year;
Advanced "Parental Control";
Flaws
Basic protection of online payments;
Checking only by signature comparison method;
Microfreezes in games due to active file scanning.
The best antiviruses for Android
Why first place: Lightweight, does not load the system, analyzes all types of executable files.
Description: Antiy AVL antivirus tops the rating for two reasons. Firstly, it is lightweight - even when installed, it takes up no more than 30 megabytes of internal memory. Secondly, it analyzes all kinds of executable files for the Android operating system, including APKs, SIS scripts, DEX instructions, and others.
The antivirus uses its own AVL SDK engine with compact signature databases and effective detection with low consumption of system resources, including battery power.
The antivirus works in automatic and manual mode. The signature database is updated daily. Automatic mode analyzes downloaded and executable files for activity and access to system resources. In manual mode, all internal memory is checked, including data stored on it and applications in the /data section without access to the providers' database and the need for root.
Advantages
Takes up little space on the internal storage;
Regular and large-scale updates of the anti-virus signature database;
Automatic verification in the free version.
Flaws
Slow full checks;
Detects superuser rights as a virus;
There are false positives.
Why second place: Anti-virus with anti-theft, web scanner and paid subscription.
Description: Bitdefender Mobile Security & Antivirus is multifunctional and therefore could top the rating, but the most interesting features are available only in the paid version. So, without a subscription, the Anti-Theft mode will not work, which helps in finding the phone and detecting the thief.
But the antivirus also works in free mode. It scans your phone or tablet automatically to detect malware being downloaded or running. And a manually launched analysis checks the entire internal drive.
The application also protects the user's confidential data by prohibiting unauthorized access to installed programs and placing especially personal photos and contacts in a special encrypted storage.
Web Security mode adds an additional scanner that uses cloud-based malware detection.
Advantages
Secure storage for personal photos;
Cloud, heuristic and signature engines;
Anti-theft mode.
Flaws
Limited VPN traffic in the paid version.
Few features in the free version;
Description: CM Security antivirus was developed by the company that created the Clean Master “cleaner”. It is designed exclusively for mobile devices and analyzes malware through signature matching. However, the antivirus is more of an “additional” rather than the main function of CM Security. Actually, that’s why he is in third place in the ranking.
The “Smart Diagnostics” mode in this antivirus fixes most of the problems that lead to slowdown of the smartphone with one click. After pressing the button, CM Security checks the internal memory for viruses, cleans temporary and unnecessary files, disables unused services and speeds up the phone.
The antivirus has a built-in client of a proprietary VPN service to encrypt traffic, bypass regional Internet restrictions and provide additional protection when shopping online. The volume of traffic is not limited, you do not need to register.
Advantages
One-click service;
Built-in VPN with unlimited traffic;
Built-in call and SMS blacklist.
Why fourth place: Powerful antivirus, which is practically useless in the free version.
Description: It’s not for nothing that Kaspersky Antivirus & Security comes last in the ranking. Of course, this is a very powerful antivirus that is capable of neutralizing infected files even in the system partition of the Android OS. It constantly checks downloads and running applications, and scans the access rights of installed software to preserve confidential information.
But all this works only in the paid version. Without a subscription, only the function of manually starting a scan, full or quick, is available. The paid version also has a powerful Anti-Theft mode, which helps you remotely lock your device, find it, or destroy data from the internal memory.
Additional antivirus features include the Kaspersky Secure Connection traffic encryptor, hiding personal contacts from prying eyes, a blacklist for calls and SMS messages, and an anti-phishing mode that blocks clicking on suspicious links.
Advantages
Constant, deep scanning;
Neutralization of all viruses and threats;
Anti-theft and personal data protection.
Flaws
Expensive;
Almost all functions work only in the paid version.
Attention! This rating is subjective in nature, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required. Average rating: 4.1 Total votes: 130
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The number and type of external threats changes every day. Therefore, the issue of providing reliable protection for your computer should be approached with all responsibility. Trojans and dialers, phishing attacks, spies and worms - and this is not a complete list of malicious files shared by suspicious Internet resources.
What protection should be in place to prevent danger from these objects? What program will not only be reliably responsible for the safety of the entire database, but will also use computer resources economically without interfering with the simultaneous operation of other software?
The best antivirus in Russian
In order for the user to navigate the offered range, we present free antiviruses for Windows 7.
You don't have to download a 30-day trial and then buy the software. We offer an economical solution - install a free antivirus on your computer! Decide for yourself which program you need.
What does the protection process consist of?
Before choosing a system security product, we suggest you understand what components it consists of and what functions it performs:
So, we hope we helped you decide on the choice of program and download the one you need. You will find answers to all remaining questions (how to lock the screen, why you need a specific module, how complex the interface is, etc.) in the program review.
- - a powerful antivirus that provides reliable protection and high system efficiency.
- - a free anti-virus utility that removes malicious objects from flash drives.
- - regularly updated high-quality protection against viruses, rootkits, spyware and others...
- - quick access to settings, mail checking module, favorite files scanner, scanning when...
- - a solid anti-virus utility for reliable system protection against Trojan programs, network/email...
- - Software for scanning and removing malware, the latest database of dangerous objects.
- - protection against malware, including unknown macro viruses, constant system monitoring.
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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.