Five Best Free Antimalware Software
Ranked #5,191 in Computers & Electronics, #105,710 overall | Donates to Squidoo Charity Fund
Do you have the best free antimalware installed? What are your security needs?
Antimalware is a software program that can remove all manner of malware such as viruses, Trojan horse, worms, diallers, rootkits, keyloggers, spyware, rogue security software , crimeware and so on.
In general, free antivirus and antispyware programs are very good protection level software. Just like in the real world, you can get different levels of security. Where you live and where you go determines the level of security you need. As at 2009, over 6 million people were recorded as using blogs or message boards as a means of communication and for the sharing of ideas. This implies more and more people are using the Internet and therefore require protection from security threats while browsing.
No single security software application company can claim their product can give you 100% security, free or paid. What is best for you however, is what you consider as your own personal security requirement. Does your Ideal free security software provide all the security you require? By the time you get to the end of this lens you should be able to answer this crucial question.
Most security software application companies are very clear about what their programs can offer and can't offer.
In general, free antivirus and antispyware programs are very good protection level software. Just like in the real world, you can get different levels of security. Where you live and where you go determines the level of security you need. As at 2009, over 6 million people were recorded as using blogs or message boards as a means of communication and for the sharing of ideas. This implies more and more people are using the Internet and therefore require protection from security threats while browsing.
No single security software application company can claim their product can give you 100% security, free or paid. What is best for you however, is what you consider as your own personal security requirement. Does your Ideal free security software provide all the security you require? By the time you get to the end of this lens you should be able to answer this crucial question.
Most security software application companies are very clear about what their programs can offer and can't offer.
Your Check List
What is your antimalware requirement?
To determine what security software is best for your needs, you have to ask your self a few questions or do a check list. Below is a list of crucial questions you need to ask yourself before you read my list of 'best free antimalware software'.- How many people use your computer?
- Do you store personal and sensitive information on your PC?
- Do you have a large amount of application software on your PC?
- Do you have valuable and expensive software applications installed?
- Do you have very valuable documents stored on your computer?
- Do you download lots of different stuff such as mp3s, P2P, games and so on
- How often do you browse the Internet?
- What type of websites do you visit?
Points to Note
Major points to expect from this lens
- Features a freeware offer - the list includes major features offered by the program. To get more detailed information, please visit the websites (the addresses are also listed).
- Limitations (Features freeware does not offer) - the features mentioned for each freeware is based on the information retrieved from the developer's website. Most of the companies have professional or paid version of their freeware and they always make comparisons. These comparisons offer the best way to measure the capabilities of free malware removal tools and then decide which is best for you.
Avast! Free Antivirus
Avast! free antivirus is a free version of the Avast! antivirus application software.Avast! Free antivirus provides essential protection for anyone who browses popular websites and sends email regularly.
The freeware has the following features:
- Constant viruses and spyware protection
- Inbound and outbound Email protection
- Chat infection protection
- Protection from hacked website
Limitations
Features Avast! Free antivirus does not offer:
- Silent firewall to monitor your inbound and outbound traffic, hacking and Identity protection
- Safe surfing of suspicious websites and detection and prevention of malicious scripts - can not protect from dangerous websites
- Email box spamming
- avast! Sandbox
- Command-line scanner to activate direct scanning from the command line.
If you shop and bank online or store sensitive information on your computer system, Avast! advice you get one of their paid security software applications which include avast! Pro antivirus (customized) or avast! Internet security. Avast! Free antivirus is not for commercial use
Compatibility
Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP/
Vista/7 (32/64 bit)
Website
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is popular software that offers basic protection for your computer system.The freeware has the following features:
- Link scanning of website you visits
- Shows safety rating for when you search popular search engines and directories; Google, Yahoo and MSN
- Provides anti-phishing to protect you from dubious websites
- Email scanning and protection
- Antivirus technology
- Antispyware technology
- Automatic updates
Limitations
Features AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition does not offer:
- Identity theft protection
- Hacking
- Infected instant messaging
- Downloads and social networking
- Spam protection
- Advanced rootkits
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is not for business computers, networks and servers and there is no AVG expert technical support for this freeware. AVG had two alternative paid protection software applications namely, AVG anti-virus and AVG Internet Security.
Compatibility
Microsoft windows 2000, XP, Vista, and Windows 7
Website
Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Security Essentials is Microsoft free security software for Windows operating system users. The freeware provide real-time protection for home users and can only be downloaded by users who use genuine Windows operating systems. MSE was initially released in September 2009, and the stable version was released February 2010.The freeware has the following features:
- Comprehensive protection against all types of viruses, Trojan horse, worms, spyware and other forms of malware
- Automatic updates of threats
- File and email download protection
Microsoft Security Essentials does not have a paid version.
Limitation
Microsoft Security Essentials is not for business use. Microsoft has security software for business users called Microsoft Forefront Client Security.
Microsoft Security Essentials does not have a paid version.
Compatibility
Windows XP SP2 (32-bit) Windows Vista and Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit)
Website
Avira AntiVir Personal - FREE Antivirus
Avira AntiVir Personal is another free antivirus program that provides basic protection from malware.The freeware has the following features:
- Virus, worms and Trojan removal and protection capabilities
- Spyware and adware removal and protection capabilities
- Antirootkit removal and protection capabilities
Avira AntiVir Personal includes the AHeadTechnology that can detect unknown viruses by relating them to profiles, automatic repair of PCs and offers some support.
Limitations
Features Avira AntiVir Personal does not offer:
- Antiphishing protection
- Capabilities to detect unknown viruses by behaviour
- Security when surfing malicious websites
- Capabilities to halt malware downloads (drive-by downloads)
- Capabilities to scan inbound and outbound emails
- Backup capabilities
- Protection against bot networks
- Antispam capabilities
- Protection against hackers
- GameMode capabilities
- Parental control capabilities
Like most antimalware free products, Avira AntiVir Personal offers limited protection.To get all the features Avira AntiVir Personal does not offer, you will have to buy a license for a Avira AntiVir premium or the security suite. Avira AntiVir Personal is for personal use only.
Compatibility
Windows and Unix operating systems
Website
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Malwarebyte is one of the most sophisticated and most downloaded malware removal tools online. Malwarebytes'anti-Malware as the name implies removes all types of malware including viruses, spyware, Trojan horse, worms, rootkits, dialers and any other similar threats.The freeware has the following features:
- Antivirus removal
- Antispyware removal
- Threats database updates
- Quarantine and restore capabilities
- Manual malware removal capabilities
- Light speed fast scanning
- Multi-lingual support
- Compatible with other anti-malware utilities
- Command line function
Limitations
Features Malwarebytes'anti-Malware free version does not offer:
- Real time protection
- Automatic protection from malicious sites
- Scheduled scanning
- Scheduled updating
Compatibility
Operating Systems: Microsoft ® Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7.
Website
Please note:
The choice of your security software depends on how you use and store information on your personal computer system.
My conclusion
This list is not exhaustive, but it gives a general picture of what to expect from a freeware security application and to measure how much it meets your needs.
It can be very useful to read user reviews. It is important to note that free malware removal software only provides limited security. However, to get the best out of a freeware security application you may need to combine two software applications.
The disadvantage of combining two security tools includes possible conflicts or slower computer system. You need to make certain that the two software applications you wish to combine can work well together as well as complement each other's services without conflicts. Malwarebytes'anti-Malware is one of the few free antimalware software that is built to work with other security programs.
It can be very useful to read user reviews. It is important to note that free malware removal software only provides limited security. However, to get the best out of a freeware security application you may need to combine two software applications.
The disadvantage of combining two security tools includes possible conflicts or slower computer system. You need to make certain that the two software applications you wish to combine can work well together as well as complement each other's services without conflicts. Malwarebytes'anti-Malware is one of the few free antimalware software that is built to work with other security programs.
Important!
Most Important
Understand your security needs and get the best software for YOU.
Great Stuff on Amazon
Malicious Software
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byby Loola
Loola
Hello, my lenses are all about Internet issues, software, personal computer tech... and sometimes I do write about charities and some poetry...it's a... more »
- 5 featured lenses
- Winner of 3 trophies!
- Top lens » Definition and Types of Malware
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Malwarebytes Malware Removal Tool Malwarebytes Malware Removal Tool
- The Best Free AntiVirus Programs The Best Free AntiVirus Programs
- Download Gratis Antivirus 2011 Terbaru Download Gratis Antivirus 2011 Terbaru
- PC Virus Cleaner Free Download PC Virus Cleaner Free Download
- How To Protect Your Computer Using Malware Removal Tools How To Protect Your Computer Using Malware Removal Tools
- Spyware blockers-Antispyware Spyware blockers-Antispyware
