14 DAY TRIAL // Antivirus software is no longer optional these days and everyone must have real-time protection running on their computers. Otherwise, prepare for the worst. Toolbars, adware, rogue software, viruses and other forms of malware will all reach your files and not only slow down and break your computer but will also provide cybercriminals with an easy way to infiltrate.
Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 both have Windows Defender installed by default, but we all know that Microsoft's security app cannot provide anything else besides basic protection.
Third-party antivirus solutions are mandatory, but when it comes to choosing, it's more difficult than you might think. Free or paid? Just AV or a security suite? Eye-candy or simple design? Fast-scanning engine or powerful real-time monitoring? These all questions need an answer before getting a new AV.
And yet, some users have already found the answer and the results pretty much speak for themselves. Here are the five most downloaded antivirus solutions here on Softpedia, so if you're looking to secure your computer, these are the first apps to try.
Avira Free Antivirus
Avira Free Antivirus was, is, and will continue to be the most downloaded antivirus solutions, not only because it's free but also because it comes with a fully featured packaged that includes the essential tools to keep malware away and to remain protected on Windows.
Avira's free suite includes advanced real-time protection based on Avira's Protection Cloud detection technology, anti-ad and anti-spyware protection against adware and online threats, website safety advisory to inform you about malicious websites, and browser tracking blocker to prevent cybercriminals from recording your online habits when using Firefox or Chrome.
“Avira is currently a leading choice not only because it's free but also thanks to its very effective malware scanning and removal engine.”
Needless to say, Avira works with all Windows versions currently supported by Microsoft and also includes support for 32- and 64-bit OS builds. It's completely free of charge, so you can use it as long as you want without paying a single cent.
AVG Antivirus Free
AVG Antivirus Free is also a popular option among Windows users and it's easy to see why. This app is completely free, so you can install it on Windows at absolutely no charge.
Just like Avira, AVG comes with essential virus and privacy protection, so it can block viruses, spyware, adware and all the other common forms of malware, while also providing web protection. It can also detect malicious Facebook, Twitter, and web links as you browse the web.
Real-time protection is also available and the virus definition database is updated on a daily basis to make sure that the app can detect the newest threats available in the wild.
Avast Free Antivirus
Avast Free Antivirus comes with only a handful of tools, but they're still good enough to appeal to quite a lot of users out there.
In addition to its freeware license, Avast Free Antivirus also offers a powerful antivirus and anti-malware protection that should block most of the threats out there, as well as with a module called Home Network Security that can scan your home network for weak spots. A browser cleanup feature is also being offered to get rid of any browser add-on with ease.
If you go for the Pro version, you also get online banking protection, anti-hijack security, a firewall, and anti-spam filters, all of which should contribute to the overall better security for your computer.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
As compared to all of the above, ESET NOD32 Antivirus does not come with a freeware license but with a yearly fee that guarantees superior protection on any Windows computer.
The security suite includes an antivirus that's automatically updated on a regular basis, anti-spyware and anti-phishing protection, an exploit blocker to make sure that OS vulnerabilities do not pose a risk to your data, as well as a social media scanner to prevent you from opening Facebook or Twitter links that could get your computer infected.
“ESET NOD32 Antivirus is a leader in all respects and protects your computer without hampering system performance at all. ”
An advanced memory scanner module and a device control option are also offered, just to make sure that there's no way to infect your computer.
Right now, ESET NOD32 Antivirus offers one of the best mixes of performance, detection, and malware removal features, so there's no doubt that, if you're looking for a paid solution, this one deserves a chance.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus
Kasperksy Anti-Virus is already one of the leading choices out there, so it's no surprise that so many PCs are currently protected by this particular piece of software.
The anti-virus alone provides essential protection for your PC based on a yearly fee, so you get real-time protection, proactive detection to identify unknown malware, instant safety checks to scan files and websites, and regular updates to detect new threats.
Additionally, you also get an anti-blocker that helps you unblock your computer in case a Trojan horse locked it and a URL advisor to avoid clicking on malicious links. A number of other extras, such as password-protection, smart updates, and a gamer mode to reduce its CPU and memory footprint while playing games are also offered.
