New viruses are introduced almost every day with the aim of attacking our computers and to do all kinds of horrible things such as: encrypt files and ask for money for decryption keys, steal your identity and card information, as well as block networks and delete data. Fortunately, the Internet has become a much safer place than before because of the many security and anti-virus programs.
Antivirus programs protect your computer from malware by detecting potential scams and viruses and removing them before they can cause any harm. Although there are many on the market, we have chosen our first three options to help you choose the right anti-virus tools for your Windows and Mac computers.
However, the most effective anti-virus programs are not free, and not all users are willing to pay for them. Anti-virus or subscription-based payment programs, such as Bitdefender, Norton anti-virus, McAfee, and Kaspersky, were very popular many years ago, while payment for computer protection was the only option. However, recently, some of these products have been criticized for wasting computer resources (and therefore their performance loss). Fortunately, some simple and popular anti-viruses are free and do not require a subscription, but users should understand that, in most cases, a free anti-virus does not have the features you can find on the most expensive anti-virus. Our article is the comparison between three anti-virus software’s namely Avast, AVG, and Avira.
Avast! Free Antivirus
Avast! Free Antivirus is a simple, easy-to-use tool for protecting you from viruses, spyware, rootkits, and other harmful software. It is intended for internal and non-commercial use only. Avast anti-virus does not occupy a lot of system space and has a remarkably high scan speed that can be run on-demand or based on the default program. The actions to take in case of virus detection can be configured earlier during the installation.
Its interface is elegant, but it is overwhelmed by the advertising of other Avast software products. As a consequence, some menus do not contain useful features and are specifically designed to draw the user’s attention to the company’s products. You can ask any questions about Avast here.
The overall detection performance of the program is excellent, but it tends to ignore some malware.
Main Features:
- Real-time protection of rootkits
- File system and the email screen
- Basic anti-virus and antispyware
- Community Antivirus Database IQ
- Smart Scanner
- System for intelligent updating of the database.
- Auto/game mode
- Green mode
- P2P screen and instant messaging
- Network screen
- Behavior screen
PROS
- Free plan
- Clean design and easy to use.
- Password manager included
- Free malware protection for Apple computers
CONS
- Does not include the firewall
AVG
One of the oldest anti-virus programs since 1992, AVG is a straightforward and effective anti-virus program that shields the computer against spyware, viruses, and rootkits. Detects known threats via signature databases and provides real-time protection against new or unknown risks. Protect your users while browsing the Internet, detecting malicious code sites, phishing and decryption sites, and monitoring incoming and outgoing email. AVG can delete not only infected files but also process them.
The interface is quite easy and straightforward to navigate. Scanning takes a long time and uses a small number of system resources. For users who prefer to control all aspects of protection, a suitable configuration mode is available. The overall detection performance is quite high, although the number of false detections is also high.
Main Features:
- Automatic updates at any time of use.
- Residential AVG Shield
- AVG On-Demand Scanner
- AVG email scanner
- Integrated PC analyzer
PROS
- Coverage for all home computers
- Optional protection for PC, Mac or Android
CONS
- High prices
- VPN sold separately
Avira Antivirus Free
Avira Free Antivirus is complete protection against most types of malware: viruses, Trojans, spyware, rootkits, and unwanted software. It includes different modes of analysis: comprehensive and fast system analysis, Windows folder analysis, analysis of the current process, rootkit scanning functionality, and malware. Any verification can be done on request or can be programmed. The reaction to the threat detection can be configured in the settings. For example, real-time protection blocks all access to a detected threat and requires authorization to delete it.
The interface of the program is elegant and very well organized; However, many features are obscure and only made accessible in paid versions of the software. The overall detection performance is excellent: one of the best free anti-virus programs available.
Main Features:
- Real-time protection
- Protection of rootkits
- Phishing protection
- Protection against spying
- NetbookSupport for low-resolution laptops
- QuickRemoval
- Avira heuristic analysis system.
- Advanced configuration mode
PROS
- Protection options for PC, Mac, Android or iOS
- Extremely customizable program
CONS
- Unnecessary pop-up windows
- Browser protection for Chrome and Firefox only
Conclusion
The main conclusion is that everyone should use anti-virus on their computer; However, free versions of anti-virus software are suitable for most people. They may not have all the features of the paid versions, but they will continue to use an updated database with virus definitions. Whether you protect your parents’ computers as a family computer expert or protect your gaming computer, an anti-virus will protect your computer and the personal information it contains. Irrespective of the device you are protecting, a backup strategy and proactive training on secure web browsing habits, along with an updated anti-virus, will be the best defense.