Free Antivirus offers essential protection against various cyber attacks for organizations or home use.
Antivirus protects against various cyber attacks, from malware to online threats. While advanced antivirus can cost a company several hundred dollars annually, some free options are available for office or home use. This article discusses the top 10 free antivirus software in 2022.
A computer virus refers to malicious code capable of replicating itself, possibly evolving and causing unwanted effects on the computer. It attacks the computer much in the same way that a biological virus will attack the human body. Computer viruses are now grouped under a family called malware which encompasses every other form of malicious programs such as spyware, worms, Trojans, etc.
Key Must-Have Features for Antivirus Software
Malware typically comprises code created by programmers for criminal reasons like holding organizational data for ransom, stealing financial information, etc. The good news is that there is also computer antivirus software to combat these viruses, and many of these applications are available for free.
Computer antivirus software is software programs designed to protect a computer system or any other electronic device from the effects of malware. Antivirus can also be seen as a class of computer programs used to scan, prevent, find and eliminate viruses from a machine. Every individual or organization owning computer devices also needs antivirus software. The following key features enable the antivirus software product to protect your systems:
Real-time scanning is an essential feature of antivirus software. When scanning, antitrust software searches for any unusual activity or signature. Scans can be automatic and continuous – they occur in real-time. They can also be scheduled or manual. However, real-time scanning is more proactive and protects your computer from perceived threats when surfing the net, downloading files, etc. This makes real-time scanning a huge plus for any antivirus software.
The performance friendliness of antivirus software denotes how easy it is for any user to leverage daily. This includes both the simplicity of the user interface (UI) design and, even more important, the ability of the program to run in the background without negatively impacting the system’s performance. Good antivirus software should not take up too much RAM space or slow down the computer during scanning.
See More: Top 10 Threat Modeling Tools in 2021
Automatic updates are a feature every antivirus software should possess. For an antivirus to be very effective, it must be aware of all the existing viruses and malware making rounds across the internet through regularly updated threat intelligence. This means that it still has to be updated with new information after delivery and installation. When these updates are manual, the user might update the software too late after being exposed to the virus. Automatic updates help to avoid this.
Good antivirus software should be able to run effectively on multiple operating systems. Users often want to leverage one antivirus program across all of their devices. Be it a PC, Macbook, iPhone, or Android device. The best antivirus are those capable of working across the board and remain a preferred option. This feature also reduces the learning curve and effort duplication.
See More: Top 10 Anti-Spyware in 2022
While antivirus software can be free or paid, several top cybersecurity companies provide free solutions to address fundamental requirements. These are often backed by powerful and time-tested technologies, benefitting users with no added costs. Here are the 10 best antivirus software, arranged in alphabetical order.
Disclaimer: These listings are based on publicly available information and include vendor websites that sell to mid-to-large enterprises. Readers are advised to conduct their final research to ensure the best fit for their unique organizational needs.
Overview: Avast free antivirus is a complete and reliable software program by Avast. With over 30 years of experience and over 400 million monthly users, its core cyber protection services are now free.
Key features: The key features of Avast Free antivirus include:
USP: Avast free antivirus significantly boosts device security with added WiFi network protection, which scans home WiFi for threats or intruders.
Pricing: Avast is available as free antivirus software. Users can upgrade to a paid version for $49.99 per year.
Editorial comments: Avast free antivirus helps individuals worldwide access one of the best protections for free. However, the boot time of the software can be pretty slow.
Overview: Adaware is among the pioneer privacy protection and anti-spyware companies. It is award-winning software that offers free protection from all forms of online and offline threats.
Key features: The key features of Adaware antivirus include:
USP: Adaware free antivirus offers a unique advantage, allowing the user to customize the program to specific preferences.
Pricing: Adaware is available as free antivirus software. Users can upgrade to Pro for $29.99 per year.
Editorial comments: The Adaware free version protects your computer from threats in real-time and can function as baseline security. However, it is limited to only Windows devices.
Overview: AVG antivirus is software that protects you and allows you to enjoy the internet safely. Its free version, available for personal and family use, comes with all the necessary features.
Key features: The key features of AVG include:
USP: AVG antivirus free is among the best products you can have, and comes with an email security shield and anti-phishing protection for all-around security.
Pricing: AVG is available as free antivirus software. Users can upgrade to AVG internet security for $46.68 per year.
Editorial comments: AVG antivirus FREE has great performance scores in independent testing labs. It gives users basic security on their devices. However, AVG Internet Security is a good choice for more advanced threats.
Overview: With billions of stolen passwords and thousands of malware popping up, Avira antivirus is a safe bet for your maximum security. It focuses primarily on password-based security.
Key features: The key features of Avira include:
USP: Avira is a three-in-one combination of capabilities that offers you threat protection, system optimization, and online privacy.
Pricing: Avira is available as free antivirus software. The paid internet version costs $18.99 for the first year.
Editorial comments: Avira, with its password manager and limited virtual private network (VPN), options come as an excellent deal. However, this is limited to users of Windows 7 and beyond.
Overview: Kaspersky is a global leader in internet security. The company caters to the cyber security needs of individuals, homes, small businesses, and large enterprises. Kaspersky’s free, cloud-based offering has several features.
Key features: The key features of Kaspersky include:
USP: The free version of Kaspersky is more than a basic security tool. It also comes with some level of password protection and VPN coverage required by an average user.
Pricing: Kaspersky cloud security is available for free. The paid version costs $89.99 on an annual basis.
Editorial comments: Kaspersky gives your device total protection from malware. However, it has limited real-time protection and no built-in password manager.
See More: Top 10 Firewall Hardware Devices in 2021
Overview: Malwarebytes is a top-rated internet security company. Multiple labs have tested and verified the company’s products as practical anti-malware tools. Malwarebytes also offers free antivirus software.
Key features: The key features of Malwarebytes include:
USP: Malwarebytes free antivirus is a very effective anti-malware program. In addition to its features, it has a browser guard extension that has proven effective and useful.
Pricing: Malwarebyte is available as free antivirus software. You can get the paid version for $49.99 per year.
Editorial comments: Malwarebytes helps users to safeguard their devices against the most rudimentary threats. However, the rise of ransomware puts it at a disadvantage because the free version does not have anti-ransomware protection.
Overview: Operating system provider, Microsoft, has developed another subset product, the Microsoft Defender. This is an anti-malware component that comes as part of Windows built-in security.
Key features: The key features of Microsoft Defender include:
USP: Microsoft Defender is unique in that it is always present and automatically protects your device in the absence of any other antivirus software. It requires little to no effort from users.
Pricing: Microsoft Defender is available as inbuilt, free antivirus software.
Editorial comments: The Microsoft Defender is a good tool providing both active and passive protection. However, it has sub-optimal protection from phishing sites and is challenging to schedule scans.
Overview: Panda Antivirus is a cloud-based antivirus software developed by Panda Security. It is available in free and paid versions and ranks among the best antivirus software.
Key features: The key features of Panda antivirus include:
USP: Panda’s free antivirus is cloud-based, making it easy to use, automated, and storage-friendly. Also, it scans any external memory devices connected to the computer.
Pricing: Panda antivirus is available as free software. You can get the paid version for $32.89 for the first year.
Editorial comments: The Panda antivirus is a top-notch protection system with a USB protection and rescue kit which is not found in most antivirus. However, advanced features are available only in the paid versions, locking out many users.
Overview: TotalAV is a security suite used by over 25 million users. It is an award-winning software with available options for both free and premium services.
Key features: The key features of TotalAV include:
USP: As part of its unique feature set, TotalAV alerts you of possible data breaches or password compromises. This provides reassurance and confidence, ensuring you do not have to look at scan results.
Pricing: TotalAV is available as free antivirus software. You can get the paid version at $29 for the first year.
Editorial comments: Total AV is a good antivirus option for most user environments. However, the free version lacks real-time protection and has limited features.
Overview: ZoneAlarm antivirus is a robust solution created by Check Point Software Technologies. ZoneAlarms’ recently updated version is new and exciting to try out, with several features available for free.
Key features: The key features of ZoneAlarm include:
USP: ZoneAlarm comes with a free two-way firewall that protects your public and private network from spies and other attacks. This is a rare feature of free antivirus.
Pricing: ZoneAlarm is available for free. You can get the paid version at a year discount of $44.95.
Editorial comments: ZoneAlarm is a free antivirus plus firewall tool. However, it comes with limited features and lacks ransomware protection in the free version.
See More: Top 10 Anti-Phishing Software in 2021
To summarize, Avast, Adaware Antivirus, AVG, Avira, Kaspersky, Malwarebytes, Microsoft Defender, Panda, Total AV, and ZoneAlarm are the top ten free antivirus software in 2022.
According to the Business Research Company, the global antivirus software market will grow from $3.92 billion in 2021 to $4.06 billion in 2022. Fortunately, this massive market also has room for free antivirus software that achieves monetization when users upgrade to a more advanced version. This allows independent users, startups, and small companies – operating on a budget – to benefit from the proven expertise of cybersecurity leaders without an outside cost.
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Technical Writer
