The Top 10 Best Free Antivirus Programs 2012
As summer 2011 comes around the security vendors cast their eyes to the following year and start releasing the paid for versions of their products. For most people I would definitely recommend handing over a few dollars to get a good level of protection but, for some people, that may not be necessary.
With that in mind it is time once again for me to look at what free alternatives are available.
Over the next couple of months I will be writing some new reviews for what I believe are the best quality antivirus programs you can get in 2012 without parting with your cash. I’ll be looking at programs from the usual suspects, including -
- AVG
- Avira
- Avast!
- Comodo
- and, assuming no fingers have just fallen off, 6 others.
This is the one I’m sure all of you are familiar with as AVG Free is arguably the most popular AV program available today. It offers effective protection and, in independent tests, it even beats some of the paid alternatives.
Its quick, its free, its low on system resources. Well worth checking out.
Made by the company that makes your Windows operating system so its bound to be good, right? Lets hope so as MSE is (rightly or wrongly) likely to be the most used security program next year when it comes as standard in Windows 8.
Capped CPU usage, very easy to use and its free. Might not be well suited to business users though.
A few false positives take the shine off but otherwise its pretty good.
This particular program is quick, accurate and offers pretty good detection rates.
Low memory usage but high CPU usage – strange!
If you are someone who schedules scans rather than using them on demand then this may be a good choice but I myself will steer well clear of this one.
Detection rates with this program certainly aren’t the best that are available this year.
That said, however, it does boast the lowest memory and CPU usage I’ve seen yet which is good news if you have an older PC.
I’ve hated previous versions of this program due to some insane resource usage but this year’s offering is much, much better.
It also benefits from some of the best detection rates I’ve seen amongst free security programs this year.
Offers excellent malware detection and cleanup rates which is, of course, the main thing you will be looking for.
Unfortunately, high CPU usage may pose problems for some users though.
A bit of a mixed bag this one – spotted problems other programs missed but I’m not entirely convinced that virus definitions are updating properly.
If they are then this is well worth consideration. If they aren’t then you will likely want to skip this one.
The previous version I looked at left me feeling somewhat underwhelmed due to some of the items it flagged up as being potential problems.
This newest version of Hitman is much improved though and now offers a viable “2nd opinion” scan.
Upsell, upsell, upsell.
If you install this program on your computer then you’ll quickly realise that Avast! are rather keen on getting you to upgrade.
If you can can get past the in-program marketing you’ll find a capable AV program though which has a great interface and gets the job done.
{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }
Who said AVG is free? Only the trial version is free.
You sir suck.
There is a Trial Pro, and there is the free version which does not cost cent
My computer is infected what i should do
i cant go safe mode
i cant install some security softwares
i cant go kaspersky webpage
i cant run some software (skype,gta_sa,vlc)
umm… you might wanna get a computer expert for that.
!
and i hope you get it fixed soon
yeah i fix that
avast webforum helped me !
Get a free copy of MalwareBytes, update, get the latest rules download. run it until you are clean…
Which one do u prefer between MSE and Avast?
I have a notebook with intel core2duo, @2Ghz, and RAM 1GB, and slow internet connection speed, (average DL speed 15KiB/s). I like avast, because their update files are small, (less than 1MB i think) plus it has more feature beside Real-Time Protection, like “sandbox”, plus “Gaming mode” that make the popup doesn’t appear. But i heard MSE has great protection, but after i installed it, it updates itself, need more than 2Hours to download the update files (when it updates, i can’t browse like usual, it “eats” all my internet connection) while Avast only need few seconds to update their database. But i think MSE is lighter than Avast?
Thanks for your attention
I think you’ve answered your own question there – I reckon MSE is better than Avast but the former does seem to have the bigger updates. I guess your choice depends on whether you can put up with the larger updates over your slow net connection.
yeah for slow internet connections is good mse !
Hi Lee,who is beter antivirus on windows 7?
And what is about ZONEALARM antivirus?..whitch is good?
What are your computer specs and what do you use it for?
Hi
I recently bought my self a toshiba sattelite whit the latest intel core i7, It has 4gb ram, and radeon m7675m (I think) and ofc windows seven! At first I hade a 60 days trial whit Mcaffe and now I’m thinking of getting a new AV 
any recommendations? My computer top speed whit intel core boost its 3,3 ghz
What do you do use the machine for Kevin?
please tell me Mcafee security plus is good antivirus gurd or not it
I didn’t think the 2012 version was the best available but its certainly not the worst either.
McAfee uses too much PC resources and it renders your PC too slow. their ODS always pops up and quite irritating.
Which alternative do you prefer Noel?
please tell me. i have Microsoft Security Essentials but its can’t remove virus and it slow
What is it you want to know exactly?
Try to get another antivirus?, or if it does not work and somehow you can’t download any antivirus, then try to restore, or re-install your Windows, or Mac, or Ubuntu or whatever
avg 2012 boost up my computer!! thanks for suggestion…
Glad you like it.
Hi Lee,
Nice reviews.
Thanks.
Hey i have a gotten a new pc that i got norton for free the first 60 days now i don’t really know what i should install, for the moment i have MSE..
what do you think i should get?
I’d need to know more about your computer specs and what you use it for to be able to answer than Sebastian…
Hi Lee. I would like to install an AV on one of my friend’s computer. The computer is kinda old and was bought 4 or 5 years ago. Which AV is most suitable for it? Between Avira and AVG?thanks
Hi
Its hard to say without knowing their full system spec but I’d suggest trying Avira first considering the computer’s age.
CClearner 3 vs advance system care 5
What you think
What’s your reting
I’ve not looked at advance system care 5 so can’t really comment on that.
I wld recommend advance system care, everyone i knew said it was good and i decided to try it and it works well but i don’t know of the former.
i found using microsoft security essentials, IObit malware fighter,and advanced system care ultimate beta 1,and using either windows firewall or zone alarm firewall works well at keeping a system clean n running smooth while using little system resources. best part all are freeware no cost no non working programs that hog resources no pay me for use popup updates. all of these are free they work and work well. I install these on any system i repair and upgrade for clients. check em out n tell the world!
hi guys all that works perfect but virus & mallware they evolving how to get in to your PC, what about to purchase a hardware firewall sonic firewall that’s is ultimate protection to ur PC
i used both. ASC has many features. Both are good apps
I have pro serial code of ASC 5. I like shere it with you !!
I already have one lol
What’s one that uses less resources? I’m a gamer. Just curious. I would use Avira. But I get its annoying pop thing. Its kinda like an ad? Idk what to call it. Lol. AVG lately has been giving me some false reads. Turned down the settings a little. Still got a couple false threats. I feel like its heading towards McAfee.
thanks for any future reply’s.
Hi Ronald,
I didn’t specifically check any free programs alongside game playing but low resource usage would be Avira, Avast! and AVG from what I remember. As free programs I guess you may just have to put up with pop ups and other forms of attempted upselling. If you can, they’re all fairly capable.
“AVG lately has been giving me some false reads.” < This isn’t just an AVG thing – no program is 100% all the time unfortunately.
have a other free antivirus gurds ???
i think panda is not good antivirus gurd
i didn’t think much of older versions but the latest isn’t so bad and you are running out of options here!
AVG Free antivirus gurd is very slow for my computer , Microsoft Security Essentials need WIN XP GENUINE. Avira Free is not working for my computer. bit defender is bad virus gurd. please tell me other antivirus gurds
Panda Cloud Antivirus is another good one you can try.
AVIRA is always good.Go to filehippo to dload ur avira or maybe ur XP is not updated to SP3?i have a key for genuine XP that works everytime.
Hey Mrs.Lee Munson i have a little problems.
1. I want kaspersky free anti virus
kaspersky have a free anti virus ??
No they don’t, though you can always try a free trial to see if you like it.
My computer.
128 MB ram.
So i want free anti virus gurd
Take a look at AVG Free, Microsoft Security Essentials or Avira Free.
I mean comodo is poor anti virus gurd. I want a free ANTI VIRUS GURD !!.
Umm…. The AVG Antivirus is free, and there is a trial for the pro version too…. I use the free one.
PC TOOLS are antiviurs gurd ? or system care ?
I don’t know about system care but PC Tools is alright. I personally don’t think it is the best choice this year but you could do far worse.
i have a comodo but its tiredly scan virus. i want new free antivirus gurd .
What do you mean by “tiredly” Janith?
http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/marapr-2012/
That is an example of independent lab test scores for march/april 2012 from AV Test. The scores update monthly now, so I usually end up with a new free antivirus every few months… because scores fluctuate wildly with free versions. The paid versions are usually steadier protection because they have better motivation to keep up with new threats ($$).
I recommend that you look at various independent lab scores reaching over the past several months before making any judgments. A yearly rating for any type of antivirus based on single-date tests is utterly useless. It is better to look at protection scores from various months from several independent labs that update their testing methods on a regular basis, and to look for the most consistent protection behaviors.
From what I can tell, the free versions of AVG, Avira, Avast, IObit, MSE, Panda Cloud, and MalwareBytes all have their pitfalls.
AVG most consistently protects the best, with Panda Cloud and Avira on its heels (occasionally surpassing it but with the drawback of a lot of false-positives), followed by Avast! (again with the annoying false-positives).
MSE offers crap for protection, but even a computer illiterate person can use it because the UI is idiot-proof- which is a huge plus when installing AV on the computer of grandma or your porn-addicted son.
IObit’s ratings are too varied to judge, but it sometimes outperforms Avast! and Avira.
MalwareBytes is good for removal, but not so great for protection.
“The paid versions are usually steadier protection because they have better motivation to keep up with new threats ($$).” < definitely not always the case in my experience but otherwise I agree with everything you say
“MSE offers crap for protection” – I strongly disagree. Why the antivirus that has the same creator of your Microsoft Windows could be bad? Unless you’ re a Linux/Mac user. I say that because I’m a MSE user a long time ago and I never had problem with malware/spyware.
what kind of trojanvirus do you have??? i just downloaded avg. im worried
Sorry Lorraine, I don’t understand what you mean?
Best free is avast for me. or you have Microsoft Security Essentials 2012
From what I have read so far, Avira has the best detection rates out there compared to all other ones out there, however (assuming we are comparing only free versions only), Avast comes with more features. Honestly, out of the three I have had experience with MSE, Avira, and Avast, I would go for Avira because of the higher detection rate. Avast is still awesome though, especially if you do a lot of things that can utilize those features. MSE, the only reason why it is so special is that because it is an official Microsoft product, it integrates really well with the system and is extremely simplistic. I have heard some good things about Panda, though I don’t have any information beyond that. O, and by the way, those that are reading this thinking, “Hmm… Avira it is….” just be warned, Avira has this annoying pop up that comes everyday (because it updates everyday) that shows you an ad to buy their full version. There are some things out there saying how you can go to the security tab (assuming if you have vista/7, XP users have to go safe mode and what not), and deny execution on the applications avnotify and ipmgui, and that should hopefully reduce the amount from once a day to maybe once or twice a week. Other than that, I am very satisfied by Avira’s performance. Time and time again it has excelled.
So just a recap:
Avira has great detection rates/realtime scanning
Avast has slightly lower detection rates but has even more features than just realtime scanning
MSE has slightly lower (than Avast possibly?) but integrates very well into a Windows environment and is good for the technologically handicapped.
This is a review of FREE antiviruses. The reviewer does not own any of the programs mentioned. Try to other antivirus programs to get rid of your trojan virus.
i have a trojan virus
And your AV/security program isn’t getting rid of it?
{ 9 trackbacks }