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The Best Free Antivirus Software for 2022
Looking for the best free antivirus software? We’ve compiled insights from the best antivirus software review sites and summarized them here. If you need free antivirus protection for Windows 10, 8, or 7, here are the independent experts’ top anti-malware picks — including our top-ranked AVG AntiVirus FREE.
Top picks:
• Avast Free Antivirus
• AVG AntiVirus FREE
• Avira Antivirus
• Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
• Kaspersky Security Cloud Free
• Microsoft Windows Defender
• Sophos Home Free
Additional options
• Adaware Antivirus Free
• Check Point ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus+
• Qihoo 360 Total Security
How should I choose the best antivirus?
When it comes to the best virus scanners and best anti-malware tools, there are tons of choices. Here’s what you should consider before downloading your antivirus solution:
• Effectiveness: Of course, the most important factor is how effective the antivirus engine is against malware and other threats. Gone are the days when the primary internet baddie was the computer virus. Today, you’re more likely to face ransomware, phishing scams, malicious URLs, and other sneaky internet dangers. Look for antivirus software that protects against the full spectrum of threats while offering real-time protection so there’s never a lapse in your defenses.
• Impact on system resources: No one wants an antivirus that slows down your PC. Check to make sure the software you’re downloading has a light system load and minimal impact on your normal computer experience. This is especially important if you’re into optimizing your gaming machine.
• Costs and discounts: This isn’t a list of the best paid antivirus software, and for good reason: there are a great many high-quality free antivirus programs that can keep your PC and your sensitive personal data protected. There’s no better discount than free, right? We recommend starting with one of the strongest best free internet security options above.
• Privacy: Antivirus programs need access to all parts of your machine to properly protect it. That means you should choose a program from a reputable developer with a reasonable and transparent privacy policy.
• Protection for other platforms: You’ll find many options for the best Windows 10 antivirus above. But you probably have additional devices, right? Malware, phishing, and other threats also affect Macs, Androids, and even iPhones. Some companies offer multi-device subscriptions so you can easily protect yourself with free antivirus software for Mac, cybersecurity for Android, and mobile security for iOS.
How are antivirus programs tested?
There are four major independent institutes that conduct antivirus testing and report independent test results: AV-Comparatives, AV-Test Institute, SE Labs, and MRG-Effitas. These labs have the resources to test thousands of real, active malware samples of all kinds (viruses, worms, ransomware, zero-day exploits, Trojans, botnets, backdoors, and more) and to perform the same tests on different antivirus software simultaneously to guarantee accurate comparisons.
These labs are certified by independent auditors, and many work with universities to ensure state-of-the-art testing methodology. Independent test labs charge the antivirus companies to participate in these tests. Major AV brands consider this a necessary expense in order to verify the efficacy of their product. So when a company has no recent test results to show, it might understandably arouse suspicion.
Well-known reviewers, such as Neil J. Rubenking of PCMag, use a combination of independent test results, their own hands-on testing, and their personal experience with a product’s usability and bonus features to judge the best antivirus software.
How will antivirus software affect the performance of my Windows computer?
A good antivirus solution will not slow down your computer. The top free antivirus software is designed to minimize its impact on your system. Make sure to select a program with light system load so you can stay protected but still use your computer exactly as you normally would.
Note that an antivirus program’s impact on your system isn’t the same as how many notifications the program sends you. If you also don’t want to be disrupted with notifications, consider an antivirus with flexible options, such as AVG AntiVirus FREE’s Do Not Disturb mode. It’ll silence all notifications while you’re busy gaming, watching a movie, or using other apps that require your focus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Doesn’t Windows 10 already have an antivirus installed?
Yes, most Windows 10 computers come pre-installed with Windows Defender, which is much more useful now than it was a few years ago. However, it does not provide the same malware protection that the other antiviruses on this list do.
For protection against ransomware, spyware, adware, and other dangers like phishing and identity theft, Windows Defender won’t help. While Windows Defender is OK for basic protection, it doesn’t protect against any kind of advanced malware.
If you’re extremely careful and don’t have anything important to protect on your PC, Windows Defender is fine. But if you keep any kind of sensitive info on your computer — logins, passwords, banking info, photos, etc. — you should get something guaranteed secure like Norton 360.
2. Are free antiviruses good enough?
While there are a few free Windows antiviruses that do a decent job of protecting your PC, none of them will fully protect all of your data. They always lack necessary functions that are needed for 100% cybersecurity protection, like:
• Web protection.
• Ransomware protection.
• Phishing protection.
• Theft protection.
• A VPN.
• Encrypted file storage.
• Automatic backups.
• And a lot more…
Antiviruses like Norton and McAfee have a huge range of internet security features that make sure your computer and all of your most important data is fully protected from the latest cyber threats.
3. Will an antivirus slow down my computer?
It depends on how you use your computer.
The wrong antivirus will become a problem if:
• you’re a gamer.
• you need to use CPU-intensive apps.
• you own an older computer.
• you do a lot of online streaming.
All of the antiviruses on this list will run smoothly, quickly, and without performance issues.
The top Windows 10 antivirus of 2021 — Norton 360 — will not slow down your PC system at all, regardless of how you use it.
4. Which antivirus is best for both Windows and Android/iOS/Mac?
Many antiviruses cover multiple operating systems across Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac devices, including most on this list.
All of these antiviruses have been ranked and rated for Windows, but they all have other OS support which is equally as impressive. For instance, my favorite Windows antivirus — Norton 360 Deluxe — includes 5 licenses across all Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac devices.
