Packaging:

Features:

Next: In-Depth Look, Thoughts, and Conclusion

NOTE: This is just Anti-Virus software. If you are looking for Anti-Spyware and Anti-Malware, two free solutions I recommend are SUPERAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes. Check them out!

Today I will be looking at ways to help protect your computer without spending money for all different types of software. Currently, there are many free alternative software choices that do almost as good (in some cases as good) as ones that are subscription based. I’d like to provide a run down of anti-virus choices that are known to be worthy.

Before I do so, I’d just like to mention that I will have some information about paid solutions as well. Though I will not include these products in my blog as a whole, it is definitely worth looking at some of the paid programs if you don’t mind spending the money.

To start off, here is a chart provided by AV-Comparatives that gives you a run down on the pros and cons of the leading Anti-Virus software.

Currently, AV-Comparatives has Symantec, Kaspersky, and ESET NOD32 ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively. I suggest checking these out if you are not just looking at free solutions.

avast!

avast! has just recently updated to v5. This new update has provided many new upgrades from their previous version. Here are some of the major improvements:

• Better detection rates
• Lower number of false alarms
• Faster scanning speeds
• New GUI interface for easier use

avast! has high malware detection rates, fast scanning speeds, and best of all, avast! is free for Home use.

For more information, please visit www.avast.com

AVG

AVG has just recently been updated to v9.0. This update has brought some improved features, but unfortunately has not kept up with comparable solutions. AV-Comparatives says, “AVG did not score as well as we expected this year, although it was still good.” Like avast!, AVG is free for Home use. AVG is very easy to manage. Some of AVG’s main features:

• Easy to use and navigate
• LinkScanner – prevents you from visiting risky websites
• Many more features through an upgrade

For more information, please visit free.avg.com

AVIRA

Avira earned AV-Comaparatives’ Product of the Year award in 2008. Avira’s main features:

• High detection rates
• WebShield
• Low system performance impact
• New version due sometime in 2010

Unfortunately, Avira does have a high rate of false-positives (found something that is actually safe), but with the award it has received, do not leave Avira out of the question!

For more information, please visit www.free-av.com

Microsoft Security Essentials

MSE is the newest solution from Microsoft. In the past, Microsoft has released Defender and OneCare. Both of these have been replaced by a free alternative known as Microsoft Security Essentials. Unlike Defender, MSE does both Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware. Some of MSE’s features include:

• Extremely easy to use
• Easy install
• Uploads programs you download to improve definitions

MSE is a large improvement over it’s predecessors and is a worthwhile choice.

For more information, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

Summary

These are the four leading anti-virus solutions that you can obtain for free. They provide the basic needs to keep your computer secure. Purchasing a paid solution will provide even more security if you feel that you need it. The best way to fight off infection is to keep yourself knowledgeable and understanding. The most beneficial security is yourself. I hope this will help you when trying to answer the question, “Which Anti-Virus software is the best?”

For more Anti-Virus software choices, please visit the Five Best Anti-Virus Applications.

I highly recommend that you read the AV-Comparatives website for further information on anti-virus software testing.

-cralor

Images: av-comparatives.org, tricks-collections.com, softpedia.com