Best Free Antivirus

The Best Free Antivirus Software

What is the best free antivirus software available today in 2013?  A survey of technology writers and reviews on the Net reveals some differences of opinion on which program is the favorite.  The software that is mentioned the most is AVG’s Anti-Virus Free Edition.  It is even top pick for some, or at least in the top five recommended programs.  Other popular free programs are: Avast Free Antivirus, Avira AntiVir Personal Edition, Microsoft Security Essentials and Panda Cloud Antivirus.

Avast is chosen for having high detection rates for sneaky viruses.  Avira’s program also has high detection rates, but one tech writer warns that it comes with ads.  Microsoft Security Essentials has the advantage of being compatible with Windows, the most popular OS of personal computers.  Panda Cloud Antivirus is notable for using remote servers in the cloud, so the anti-virus scanning doesn’t slow down your computer.  Panda and MSE also feature simple interfaces and completely automated updating and removal of malware.

Recently, Avast created goodwill in the marketplace by making its full version available to local school districts and public colleges and universities.  “We’re not going to charge schools for this, not now, not later,” Jonathan Penn, Avast’s director of strategy, is quoted as saying by USA Today. “We’re establishing this to help schools that are struggling more than ever for funding.”

One thing you should be aware of, no matter what best free antivirus software you choose, you will need to periodically check to see that the software is being updated and that you have the latest version.  The truth is, anti-virus makers are having a hard time keeping up with virus creators.  In 2000, there were fewer than a million new strains of malware.  By 2010, there were 49 million new strains.

You will need to regularly check to make sure what you have is still working well for you in light of the increasing wave of viruses and criminal data theft that is done over the Internet.  Also, be careful in choosing your software, because there are some free programs out there that are free because they contain ads and add-ons, or because their virus detection just isn’t very good.

One of these top five free should work well for you for antivirus protection: AVG’s Anti-Virus Free Edition, Avast Free Antivirus, Avira AntiVir Personal Edition, Microsoft Security Essentials and Panda Cloud Antivirus.  All these best free antivirus programs are available for download online.