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1.Kaspersky Security Cloud Free
A free version of the Russian antivirus, which has consistently ranked high in various ratings. Although this is a stripped-down product, it has everything for comfortable home use.
Advantages: powerful anti-virus scanner and network protection, simple interface, excellent phishing barrier.
Flaws: high load on the system, rather slow scanning, the included free version of Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN has traffic limits.
Download Kaspersky Security Cloud Free for Windows →
2. 360 Total Security
Free program from Chinese developers. It includes as many as three anti-virus engines: from Bitdefender, Avira and its own, Qihoo. In addition to a malware scanner, it contains a Wi-Fi network checker and a sandbox.
Advantages: custom protection modes.
Flaws: many functions of dubious usefulness like “Optimization” and “Cleaning”.
Download 360 Total Security for Windows →
Download 360 Total Security for macOS →
3. Malwarebytes Free
A program with an effective heuristic mechanism of work identifies unknown threats and neutralizes them even if it is blocked. Malwarebytes Free has a browser extension that will protect against viruses, tracking scripts and fraudulent sites, and get rid of ads. On the free plan, you can search for dangerous programs with an anti-phishing tool, but, unfortunately, there is no real-time action.
Advantages: simple interface, good virus scanner.
Flaws: background monitoring only in the premium version.
Download Malwarebytes Free for Windows or macOS →
4Comodo Internet Security
Antivirus from Comodo is a real combine, in which, in addition to protection against malware, there is a firewall, an anti-rootkit, a cloud scanner, and a sandbox. And it also provides the ability to activate a game mode in which threat notifications are disabled.
Advantages: versatility, wide possibilities (comodo free antivirus contains the same functions as paid counterparts from other developers).
Flaws: excessive firewall paranoia, the imposition of products like Comodo GeekBuddy and Comodo Dragon Web Browser.
Download Comodo Internet Security for Windows →
Download Comodo Antivirus for macOS →
Download Comodo Antivirus for Linux →
5.Dr. Web CureIt
This utility will come in handy in case you think something suspicious is going on with your system. Dr. Web CureIt does not constantly monitor it in the background, but only works if it is specifically launched by the user. The program conducts a thorough check, can scan all drives, including external and memory of mobile devices connected to the computer.
Advantages: effective system scanning and elimination of vulnerabilities, simple interface.
Flaws: no automatic updates, no background monitoring, long process of checking the OS.
Download Dr. Web CureIt for Windows →
6.Trend Micro
In the free version, Trend Micro offers the HouseCall utility to scan your system and remove viruses. By the principle of operation, the program is very similar to Dr. Web CureIt. In addition to options for Windows and macOS, the developers also offer an application for Android.
Advantages: good malware detection and neutralization rate, simple interface.
Flaws: lack of constant system monitoring and auto-update functions.
Download Trend Micro HouseCall for Windows or macOS →
7. Windows Defender
Is it even worth installing third-party solutions if Microsoft Defender is available? This is a standard antivirus included in current versions of Windows. If you are using an older OS, you can download the Security Essentials utility separately.
Advantages: pretty good protection that does not affect the operation of the system at all.
Flaws: poor functionality.
Download Windows Defender →
This article was first published in March 2018. In August 2022, we updated the text.
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