The 2014 edition features better preventive capabilities towards unauthorized access of personal files. It has also followed the trend of modern flat UIs with revamped big buttons completely compatible with Windows 8’s Metro UI look without totally leaving Windows 7 behind. Malware removal and blocking capabilities are comparable to those of top commercial products based on PCMag’s evaluation.
Installation however is still a major problem especially in infected systems. Some threats are unresolved and would require manual intervention. Overall, aside from a troublesome installation, AVG would be a great free antivirus product.
Download at: http://free.avg.com/ww-en/free-antivirus-download
2. Avast! Free Edition
Avast’s latest free edition software has a significantly better user interface. Virus definition file updates per day has increased dramatically. The installation itself is seamless even in an infected system. It has a boot-time scan feature that runs the anti-virus before the Windows boots. This is especially helpful for infected systems; it cleans malwares without the OS. It has an active browser scan called WebRep that easily blocks malicious websites and downloads. It has a sandbox that automatically blocks heuristic programs. Arguably, this anti-virus suite has the most number of free features.
Anti-phishing capability is average with most benchmark tests putting it somewhere in the middle of the pack.
Download at: http://www.avast.com/index
3. Avira Free Antivirus
This entirely revamped Avira edition could possibly have the easiest installation among the antivirus suites out there. Performance wise, this is so far the best performing Avira antivirus but compared to others, it’s good, not excellent. The Toolbar has been populated too and offers secure searches and provide ratings on websites.
The new Avira however is the slowest among the pack. Clean-up and detection ability is mediocre. Phishing capability is good for old sites; the new ones however will be more of a challenge.
Download at: http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus
4. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Of all the antiviruses out there, none has retained the worst in terms of aesthetics as Malwarebytes. But what it lacks in bangs and booms in the UI department, it makes up for in utility. Although its malware tool hasn’t had any dramatic upgrade over the past years, it has still remained one of the most significant malware removal tools in the market.
This antivirus’ primary weapon is its ability to detect viruses excellently and has remained in the top of its league purely by word-of-mouth. So far, it does what it claims to do.
Download at: http://www.malwarebytes.org
5. Advanced SystemCare with Antivirus 2013
This antivirus suite not only promises secure protection but also has a number of utilities that promises to tune up the PC. It is a system tailored for both experts and beginners. It easily blocks malwares and has a Simplified Mode feature that hides the complex UI in exchange for the more user-friendly UI. It has the Smart Scan feature for beginners and Turbo Boost for experts that can tune up or boost system performance. It also has a secure file shredder.
Benchmark tests show poor malware clean-up. Malware detection capability is not enabled by default.
Download at: http://www.iobit.com/advanced-systemcare-antivirus.php
6. RogueKiller
It is an anti-malware tool developed in C++ which can “kill” running processes suspected of malicious activities. It is a stand-alone program used to detect rogue programs. It cleans the suspected process or software first before termination. Also has an option that can run registry clean-up. However, it can’t delete files. So deletion will have to be done manually. It also requires a different anti-virus tool for removal of the infection.
Download at: http://roguekiller.en.softonic.com
7. Combofix
Combofix is a freeware that can scan for both spywares and malwares. It can delete files as prompted by the user. However, it can also delete files necessary for system operation. This tool should be used by advanced users, or beginners with expert supervision. It can scan and detect deeply rooted malwares and even unwanted files. If used properly, it can clean a PC much better than any tools in the market. It also automatically sets a System Restore Point for those unwanted changes in the system.
Download at: http://www.combofix.org/download.php
8. IObit Malware Fighter
The user interface looks more intuitive and would sit pretty in the new Windows 8 OS. The buttons are bigger and the panels and tabs look simpler.
But of all the free antiviruses out there, this antivirus seems to have the lowest benchmarks in malware blocking and removal. It also does not have download protection. It also has trouble recognizing safe and unsafe programs. Safe programs that have been flagged have no way of getting installed because it does not have “ignore” options to negate the flag.
Download at: http://www.iobit.com/malware-fighter.html
9. Hitman Pro
Hitman Pro is touted to be capable of cleaning malwares that prevent Windows to boot. It can be used to clean infected systems from malware that prevents installation of other security programs. It has a Kickstart feature that circumvents ransomware that prevent Windows from booting. Hitman Pro is supplemental software that can clean what other antiviruses might have missed. It is relatively easy to use and scan the system quite fast. All in all, it is a simple and powerful tool for cleaning up severely infected systems.
Since it is a supplemental tool, it does not have real-time protection. It sometimes mistake safe programs as potentially harmful.
Download at: http://www.surfright.nl/en












