Free Antivirus Download...
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The old adage, "You Get What You Pay For", also applies to antivirus software. Unfortunately, none of the free downloads appear in the same league as the best performing antivirus programs. This means that by choosing programs that are less effective, we are increasing our risk of infection by a virus, worm or Trojan.
However, a free antivirus download can be used relatively safely, depending on how we use our computers.
We need to bear in mind that 95 percent of viruses are delivered by email. So, if we have a computer that we rarely use for email or connecting to the Internet -- a backup PC, for instance -- a free antivirus will be fine.
If the computer is regularly used for e-mail and surfing and there is personal and financial information stored on it, then the risk goes up a few notches.
We are exposed to dangers as soon as we connect to the Internet, so if you are running a home or small office business, do NOT rely on a free antivirus download... you are not taking either your security seriously or that of your customers if you do. It really is worth investing in a program that gives you the best protection -- see What Are The Best Antivirus Programs?.
A free antivirus download won't give provide all the bells and whistles of commercial products. Besides not getting the best protection available, the frequency of updates of virus definitions is less than with the best software and support may be very limited... or none at all.
If, for you, it's a case of installing a free antivirus or no antivirus at all, you could consider downloading the free trial of each of the best AV programs discussed in What Are The Best Antivirus Programs?. Once the trial has finished, just sign up for the trial of the next antivirus program.
Here are some of the free downloads...
Choosing A Free Antivirus Download
1. Free Antivirus Download: AVG Free Edition
- Free for home use only and for a single computer.
- Does one scheduled scan a day
- Low priority updates
- Scans boot disk and your email
- Adds a small ad to your email messages, stating it has been scanned by AVG
- No support
Although there are limits on what this program does, it's a good introduction to AVG's commercial offerings. If you have limited needs and just want to ensure that you have some protection, AVG Free Edition does a good job.
2. Free Antivirus Download: ClamWin
- Open Source Windows antivirus tool
- For all versions of Windows 98 upward
- Program doesn't offer support
- Automatic updater
- Scans incoming and outgoing mail
- Doesn't offer a real-time scanner
Download from ClamWin Free Antivirus Download.
3. Free Antivirus Download: AntiVir Personal Edition Classic
- Protects against some types of spyware
- Runs on Windows 98 and upwards
- No support but can get advice on the forum at http://www.free-av.com/
Available at AntiVir.
4. Free Antivirus Download: Antidote for PC Viruses - SuperLite
- Simple antivirus tool
- Runs as a program from Windows Temporary directory -- runs once only
- Detects viruses but can't delete them or quarantine them.
Available at Vintage Solutions.
Free Antivirus Download... What Next?
Want to know which are the best AV programs shown by independent testing?
Maybe you'd like to know how antivirus software works?
Well, there are a number of other articles prepared for you to cover the whole gamut of protecting ourselves from worms, viruses and Trojan horses. Just click on the links below to find out more...
- The Features Of The Best Antivirus Software
- What Are The Best Antivirus Programs?
- Free Antivirus Scan
- What Is A Virus, Worm and Trojan?
- How Does An Anti Virus Program Work?
