Need protection for your PC but don't want to spend anything? Read on...
Unfortunately, we live in a world where it's nearly impossible to connect to other computers and visit websites without picking up nasties that can affect our own computer.
It doesn't matter if you're using Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android or any other modern operating system; you can guarantee that some little oik out there has developed a bit of code that will vandalise your setup and create untold havoc.
Thankfully, we have anti-virus programs to help combat and prevent such nasties from entering our system, or if they do, they can quickly be quarantined and dealt with. Many of these programs cost a few pounds, and if you're on a tight budget you could be left unprotected. However, there are many that are free to use and are just as good at protecting you as their paid-for relations. The problem, though, is knowing which one to choose.
Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Security Essentials is an antimalware and anti-virus package that's designed for home users with Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 installed. Windows 8.x users also use Microsoft Security Essentials, but in their case it's built into Windows Defender and is a slightly different beast.
Although it's generally good for most lightweight browsing users, Microsoft Security Essentials is essentially a basic foundation providing a simple layer of protection. This of course means that those who frequently visit the more, er, colourful side of the internet, should really be looking at employing a significantly more capable form of protection.
Saying that, though, MSE does a fairly good job. It has very little impact on the user's PC, it's updated regularly and it'll keep you informed of any potential threat to your system, as well as notifying you when there's a system scan due.
Okay, so it's not the best AV product ever conceived, and because it's Microsoft developed, everyone loves to denounce it. But it's not all that bad, and for those who use the internet less than most, it'll certainly suffice.
Avast Free Antivirus
Avast is one of most highly regarded free anti-virus products available today. It's a well and truly capable virus scanner that includes different modules designed to prevent infections of emails, sharing programs, messaging and obviously browsing.
Avast Free Antivirus is fast, simple to use, easy to understand and has as little impact on your system as MSE. Plus, Avast also includes a Browser Cleanup tool, which will help you remove any unwanted add-ons from your browser and, as an extension to its AV product, a Ransomeware Removal tool that also works on Android devices.
So for an excellent, intelligent anti-virus, browser clean-up option, anti-spyware and anti-phishing, you won't go far wrong with what Avast Free has to offer.
Panda Cloud Antivirus Free
Panda Cloud Antivirus is a small, lightweight and extremely simple to use, free anti-virus product. Viruses, spyware and other suspicious items are all monitored and dealt with should you come into contact with any of them, and any dangerous operations that pose a threat to the security of your PC are blocked through some clever process monitoring modules.
There's also a tracking blocker, which will eliminate any current tracking cookies and protect you against any future intrusions, and there's a URL and web filtering element implemented to help further your protection when online.
The Cloud element of the title doesn't just mean you're protected when uploading or downloading files from the likes of Dropbox; it's mainly due to the fact that this product is based on a Collective Intelligence system, which will share updated virus and virus-like behaviour with all other Panda users through the Panda Cloud.
In theory, then, if someone picks up a virus that's little heard of, the other computers connected to the Panda Cloud will benefit from the information gained by that client and will then be automatically updated accordingly to deal with the threat should it ever become something bigger than a single instance.
It's certainly a good idea, and if you're interested, then head on over to the Panda Security website for more information.
Avira Free Antivirus
Avira Free Antivirus isn't one of the more well-known AV products, but it's actually rather good and well worth looking into if you're after a product that's different from the rest of the pack.
It has a good and highly rated anti-virus engine, with a higher than normal level of behavioural analytics, a Browser Tracking Blocker and 5GB of free online storage with the Avira Cloud servers.
There's even an Avira Search Toolbar, which includes a Web Safety Advisor that offers a safety rating system for any sites you visit.
Naturally, a toolbar is something most people will avoid like the plague, but the Avira version seems to be pretty good and doesn't interfere too much with your usual browsing habits.
On the whole, it's not a bad product. It's probably not as good as Avast, which is fast becoming the benchmark for all free protection products, but for the most part it's better than MSE and will no doubt keep you safe while online.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is a part of the company's Tool Box range of products. It shares some of the technology used in the more elaborate and main product range and is highly optimised to be maintenance free and easy to use.
It's an unobtrusive product that is quick, simple and doesn't hog system resources like many other products tend to do. There's a gaming aware function, which will pause a scan or become silent when it senses you're playing, and it's optimised for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.
It uses a combination of cloud-based scanning and advanced behavioural analysis to better protect your system. With a real-time shield, AV control, intrusion detection, HTTP scanning and an anti-rootkit element to help protect you from malicious software, this is one of most comprehensive free protection products available.
There's More
Needless to say, the handful we picked out here are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. If you want more to sample, then check out the boxout.
In the end, there's a fine balance between what you want from an AV client, who you trust as a company and what levels of protection are on offer. Many will swear by MSE; others will allow nothing to touch their system other than Avast. The same applies to the other free AV clients available. Which you'll choose is up to you, but give them a go and read as much as you can about them before deciding to commit.