If you are using a Windows PC, you need to protect it from malicious software and viruses. Online threats are evolving with time. Without an antivirus, chances are high of losing sensitive files, personal information, debt, and money from banks. Fortunately, you may select free security software to protect your PC in 2024.
Top free anti-virus software
1. Trend Micro-Maximum Security:
It is powerful, reliable, with expertise in ransomware and spam, and easy to use. It protects against spyware, malware, viruses and dangerous real-time threats. It doesn’t allow ransomware attacks to hold your data and files hostage or encrypt it. The software enhances web browsing experience. It limits access to phishing or harmful sites and online scams. It contains email scanning ability that seeks harmful links or attachments in outgoing/incoming emails.It optimizes performance, manages passwords, and helps avoid scams and fraud. However, it runs slower and requires more resources. The computer doesn’t slow down on installing and using this software. VPN limitations, mixed test results, user interface are good while price is affordable.
2. Kapersky Total Security:
Those seeking only antivirus protection and not complete security suite may choose this software. It enables uninterrupted, private browsing, and hard disk cleaner. Its stripped-back protection features focuses on core security essentials. Its powerful filtering blocks help block unsafe URLs. It eliminates threats while tracking and preventing malicious actions. It extracts malware successfully from infected systems and blocks them. It offers on-screen directions enabling ease-of-use. It can be used on both mobile and computer devices. Its firewall tracks and controls network traffic, prevents illegal access to network and device. It provides safe connections to financial sites, thereby enhancing online transaction. It prevents potential threats as you shop or bank online. It has user-friendly interface, and provides real-time updates.
3. Norton AntiVirus Plus:
It is among the oldest free antivirus Besides having easy-to-use interface, it is also highly rated. It offers real-time scanning and effective malware protection. It contains spam filtering feature, hosted online backup, and a comprehensive firewall. The current edition offers Wi-Fi security, script control, and online banking security, etc. It even offers full tech support and a few customization options for managing settings. The URL blocker helps defend your system from malware by blocking infected sites. It prevents phishing attempts and those trying to seal sensitive information. It even offers frequent updates and real-time scanning. However, it has limited free version and is resource-intensive.
4. Bitdefender Antivirus-Plus 2024:
It offers real-time threat detection, comprehensive security Suite, and minimal system impact. It protects, enables Safepay, VPN, and privacy tools. It is authentic and reliable in detecting virus, web filtering, thereby blocking wicked sites from accessing your system. Its secure browser ensures safe online shopping and banking activities. Password manager auto-completes credit card particulars, especially in web forms. Its anti-phishing module keeps you informed about ill-disposed links in search engine results. Thus, you can stay safe from dangerous sites. It identifies and blocks emerging or undiscovered threats with machine learning algorithms and behavioral analysis.
5. Panda Dome Essential:
It offers Wi-Fi security, malware and USB protection, appealing interface, and customization choices. However, its regular adds for diverse Panda products can be somewhat disturbing. It does not allow you to opt out from auto system-data compilation. It has an efficient and highly effective Security Suite. App user interface is handy to use and polished. It offers real-time spyware, malware, virus along with dangerous software protection and scanning. It contains a firewall to track and manage outgoing/incoming network traffic, thus protecting your device from potential dangers and unwanted access. It safeguards your while browsing the web. It limits access to dangerous sites and provides alerts to potential rogue links. It even scans and prevents infected USB devices.
6. McAfee Internet Security:
The standalone antivirus product offers several valuable features, like real-time scanning, safe browsing, and firewall protection. The current edition has PC speed booster and ransomware protection. It blocks dangerous sites, prevents malicious downloads, and holds search results. Email scanning helps prevent malware from being sent through email attachments. It offers comprehensive protection and safe browsing feature.
7. ESET Smart Security:
It encrypts sensitive photos and data, secure logins along with Password Manager, ensures safe, non-stop browsing and banking. It provides general protection, real-time malware protection, anti-ransom layer, modules to block attacks using PowerShell, URL filtering to prevent ill-disposed sites and scripts. Control module regulates access to external hard drives, USB sticks, optical storage media, including devices joined by FireWire and Bluetooth. Although a few features are advanced, its user interface is cumbersome. ESET’s reconfigurability and power is a great choice for qualified users. Its lightweight design ensures your device functions smoothly. Current feature offered is the UEFI Scanner. It safeguards you from diverse threats that might attack your PC before Windows starts.
8. F-Secure Antivirus SAFE:
This award-winning net protection suite protects your system from viruses like ransomware, malware and Trojans. It offers parental controls, banking protection, and ransomware protection. It even guards all online banking transactions and connections. It enables you to set limits for your children’s net practice. You may use it safely on both mobile and desktop. It has easy-to-use interface, and is lightweight. It blocks phishing and harmful sites, as well as online risks and scams. It ensures secure browsing environment while protecting financial transactions. It prevents vital data and files from being kept hostage or getting encrypted.
9. Avast Antivirus:
This popular tool safeguards you from ransomware attacks, offers Wi-Fi network security, and has six security layers. It has several excellent features, including a network scanner, tough browser, and a password manager. It can be customized to suit specific needs and offers limited access to its VPN assistance. It has expanded active user-base. Its modern edition has automated gaming mode. The latter inarticulate popups while reducing system load. Its user-interface is new and relatively clean. Its virus security engine is powerful while its lightweight application never exposes your system’s functioning or cause breakdown. It analyzes your computer app’s behavior, detects and prevents suspicious activities. Its web shield tracks sites for malware while limiting access to phishing or harmful sites, thus enabling safe surfing.
Choose the best one!
Go through the features of each antivirus software and compare them. Determine which one fits your system requirements and install it at the earliest. Thus, your system will be well-protected from malware and virus at all times.
