Today, most users are switching to a new operating system Windows system 10, so many users are interested in which is the best free antivirus for Windows 10.
The point is that the grip unlicensed programs and pirate keys gradually cool down and the understanding that you can not steal, but take free analogue, is gradually coming to many users, including from Russia and neighboring countries.
Therefore, it is not surprising that people, when switching to Windows 10, are looking for information about which free antivirus will be the best for them.
In addition, much has already been written about the fact that advertisers and Microsoft employees now they know absolutely all the information about everyone Windows user 10.
So if someone abuses pirated programs, sooner or later license holders will become interested in them and will demand to pay some amount for “pirate” help.
Therefore, now we will look at a small rating of the best antiviruses, which you can download for free and use without any payment.
No. 8. Comodo Antivirus 8
As part of the package Comodo Antivirus 8, along with the antivirus, a firewall is also distributed. All this is free.
The kit also includes a sandbox - almost the same as the 360 Total Security Essential. But all this can be installed separately.
On the program’s website they write that their creation has “proactive” protection. This means that Comodo Antivirus 8 looks for vulnerabilities first and works to prevent infections.
The rest of the antiviruses are aimed at coping with existing threats. However, the effectiveness of this method has not yet been thoroughly proven.
Comodo Antivirus 8 also has a high degree of protection against Internet attacks. In principle, this is associated with “proactive” defense.
Interestingly, this product has a buffer overflow protection feature.
Often viruses or the system itself harms itself, and data is written beyond the buffer allocated by memory. This phenomenon, of course, leads to data loss.
Also, as part of its “proactive” protection, Comodo Antivirus 8 constantly scans system files and registry entries for vulnerabilities.
In the case of an existing infection, Comodo Cleaning Essentials technology begins to work.
Comodo specialists allow you to send them an unlimited number of files for review. Cloud technologies are used for data recovery.
They are also applicable for storing data about viruses and about infections that have already occurred. This makes it possible to analyze the reasons.
Comodo Antivirus 8 also installs its unique panel and many other components on the desktop, shown in Figure 1.
Many users write that the differences between Comodo Antivirus 8 and paid versions of Kaspersky it is practically not felt, although it is still there, albeit small.
Of course, Comodo Antivirus 8 requires much less computer resources than any Kaspersky.
This is his undeniable advantage.
And in general, a study of forums confirms the fact that this antivirus is a very high-quality product that can cope very effectively with the most powerful and dangerous virus programs.
No. 7. Panda Security Free Antivirus
This antivirus is one of the most popular among users worldwide network.
Its huge advantage is that there are no advertisements in the main window, which is the problem with many other demons. paid antiviruses.
All this quite often occurs under heavy loads.
That is, if you have a lot of different files on your computer and it is advisable to scan them from time to time, then Panda Security Free Antivirus, of course, will cope with this, but with great effort.
No. 2. Panda Security main window Free Antivirus
As you can see, the interface of Panda Security Free Antivirus is quite simple and there is nothing supernatural in it. There is one simple button “Scan”, that is, “Scan”.
There is also a protection indicator, which is always located in the center of the main window - if “Protected” is written next to it, it means that the computer is protected and there is no need to be afraid of viruses.
Otherwise, this indicator will glow red, and to find out the reason for the lack of protection, you just need to click on it.
After this, a new window will open in which you can eliminate the cause of the alarm.
Actually, Panda Security Free Antivirus does all this excellent antivirus, but not for the most powerful computers on which the great amount various files.
In general, in terms of performance, Panda Security Free Antivirus loses, but for not very powerful devices he is truly perfect.
No. 6. Avast Free Antivirus
In general, Avast is a very well-known antivirus, and already very for a long time.
AND New Product this trademark called Avast Free Antivirus has already gained popularity among users of the World Wide Web.
In fact, in 2017, this is one of the most popular antivirus programs in general, that is, not only among free ones.
No. 3. Avast Free Antivirus main window
The advantage of Avast Free Antivirus is high performance.
As we remember, Panda Security Free Antivirus had the sin that it was not suitable for high-performance machines with big amount data.
Avast Free Antivirus completely solves this problem.
It copes well with large volumes of information - scanning occurs quite quickly and viruses are detected with huge success.
Databases are constantly updated. Overall, Avast Free Antivirus is an excellent replacement for the best paid antiviruses in the world.
The only problem is that a considerable amount of advertising appears in the main program window.
Of course, this can be very annoying for users, but for the sake of high performance, you can watch a little advertising.
Also, the main program window looks very good and convenient. All main functionality is concentrated in the left panel. Immediately upon startup, there is a scan button.
Additional features include protection wireless networks, which is often very useful with frequent using wi-fi. By the way, in Figure No. 3 you can already see it under the name “ secure vpn».
No. 5. Avira Free Antivirus
Unlike the two products mentioned above, Avira Free Antivirus is a lightweight version of its paid counterpart called Avira.
But all the main functions have been preserved. Of course, on my own Avira antivirus It has never been famous for its high level of virus protection, but for a free program this level is quite decent.
In addition, Avira Free Antivirus does not suffer from poor performance or a lot of advertising, so users are very happy with this program.
No. 4. Avira Free Antivirus main window
The most important thing is that Avira Free Antivirus has a protection function against malware and firewall.
Multiple elements additional functionality was removed, but this is not so critical. The most important thing is that it protects against viruses very well.
Interestingly, Avira Free Antivirus has cloud protection, which makes it possible to analyze unknown files in the cloud.
In general, we can say that Avira Free Antivirus is an excellent replacement for the world's best antiviruses.
Avira Free Antivirus's interface is very similar to what we saw in Avast Free Antivirus. In addition, the main window is very similar to what you see in the paid version of Avira.
Although Avira Free Antivirus has much broader functionality than Avast Free Antivirus.
But the creators of Avast did not intend to create a very functional antivirus that would fight Kaspersky and others similar products.
But Avira wants to compete with leading antiviruses.
Its free analogue is intended for the user to simply try to use it, and then buy a full-fledged paid version.
But the free version can also be used for many years.
No. 4. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition also protects against Trojans, rooters, spyware and just viruses. Installation on already infected systems is possible.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition allows you to block or completely remove all kinds of malware.
The program has everything you need to protect against viruses.
There are many interesting nuances that users have noticed about using Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition.
For example, immediately after installation, the program independently conducts quick scan systems.
The same thing happens in the future - there is not even a scan button in the Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition window.
If any problems are detected, the antivirus conducts a more detailed scan and takes the actions it deems necessary to deal with the detected problems.
In general, this is an antivirus for the lazy. He will do everything himself and will not ask permission.
As for the main task of Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition, it copes with it quite well, which has been proven through independent tests.
For example, it was tested by the guys from PC Magazine. They called their test results outstanding. This says a lot.
No. 5. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition also has some shortcomings that have also been noticed by users. The biggest one is the difficulty in installation.
This is especially true for already infected computers.
Although it is precisely this supposed advantage that they write about on the official website! And on completely “healthy” systems, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition will be fully installed on about 15 out of 20 machines.
Also, many users do not like that support only works through email and sometimes you have to wait weeks for a response from developers.
But all this can be withstood, because Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is a really good antivirus and, moreover, absolutely free.
No. 3. AVG Free Antivirus
AVG Free Antivirus has almost the same functionality as all of the above programs and something else special. A very interesting feature of this product is link checking.
This means that if your friend sent you a link to some interesting, in his opinion, resource via private message on Facebook or by email, the antivirus will automatically follow this link.
It will check if there is any malware or full-fledged viruses. If any are found AVG Free Antivirus simply will not allow the user to follow this very link.
No. 6. AVG Free Antivirus main window
Otherwise, as mentioned above, the functionality is practically the same - protection against viruses in programs, against the penetration of spies and other “evil” programs that no user needs at all.
According to users, AVG Free Antivirus is truly one of the best antiviruses in principle, even among paid programs that serve to protect against viruses.
Although in some cases AVG easily misses something that Kaspersky simply cannot miss.
The interface of AVG Free Antivirus is very unusual, but also understandable for the average user. The main window has all the necessary functions.
As we see in Figure 6, all protection is divided into several main subsections - for the computer, for the browser, for users and for mail.
There is also a built-in firewall. There is a scan and update button. In general, nothing superfluous.
All sorts of additional functions here, in fact, they are not needed. The main thing is that the antivirus protects very well.
Yes and for weak computers it will work too - the program is not as demanding as some of the above programs.
It turned out that most antiviruses provide computer protection of over 95% with the desired 97%. In addition, experts dispelled several myths about antiviruses - including the belief among users that paid programs always better than free ones.
The study, which took place in one of the best testing centers in the world, involved 23 of the most well-known antiviruses - both paid and free versions - from developers from around the world. These include Bitdefender, Norton, AVG, ESET, Avira, Avast, Panda, McAfee and Sophos. For the first time, the international ICRT study included two Russian developments at once - Kaspersky and Dr.Web Antivirus, which indicates the high popularity of these antiviruses.
The best antiviruses for Windows 10
As a result, it was in the top ranking of the best antiviruses paid version Romanian program Bitdefender Internet Security, which scored 4,593 points out of 5.5. In second place is Kaspersky Internet Security, which is only 0.2 points behind the leader (4.371). Third place goes to Bitdefender again, this time to the Antivirus Free Edition (4,367 points). Fourth place goes to the English antivirus BullGuard Internet Security (4,364 points), fifth place to the American Norton Security Deluxe (4,313). In addition, the free antivirus Avast Free Antivirus made it into the top ten.
The top ten antiviruses included:
ICRT experts selected paid and free programs - both built-in and offered separately. Based on selection principles, the study did not include the most expensive versions software products from these brands. In addition, only one from one brand could be represented in the rating. paid product. The second product could only be included in the rating if it was free.
As part of the study, experts checked the level of virus protection, ease of use and the impact of the program on the speed of the computer - in general, each program was assessed based on 200 indicators.
Experts conducted four groups of tests for protection against malware: general online protection test, offline test, level test false positives and test for automatic scanning and scanning on demand. To a lesser extent, the final rating was influenced by checking the ease of use of the antivirus and its effect on the speed of the computer.
The main conclusion that the experts made was that most tested antiviruses provide user protection of over 95%. However, this indicator is considered the lower limit of countering malware - 97% is considered a good indicator.
At the same time, as the study showed, almost all programs do a good job of protecting against spyware and protecting against phishing (Internet fraud, the purpose of which is to obtain user identification data). They differ in the presence or absence of a particular function in the version being tested, which means that in order to select the appropriate specific user antivirus, you need to familiarize yourself with comparison table, presented on the Roskachestvo website.
Built-in antivirus: Windows 10 Defender
Experts also checked the standard Windows Defender security program ( Windows Defender), preinstalled in the Windows 10 operating system (as of February 2018, version 10 is installed on 43% of owners of computers running operating system Windows). As the study showed, Windows Defender seriously lags behind its competitors - the program scored only 3,511 points and took 17th place in the overall ranking (it was surpassed, among other things, by 4 free programs).
It earned this rating because it showed satisfactory results in terms of online protection, but did not pass the test for phishing and anti-ransomware, while protection against phishing is claimed by antivirus manufacturers. In addition, the antivirus on Windows 10 did a poor job of protecting your computer in offline mode.
Experts consider such protection to be only “decent” and believe that Windows Defender can be relied upon if the user has regular updates turned on, his computer is connected to the Internet most of the time, and he is advanced enough to avoid visiting suspicious sites.
Early versions of Windows remain unprotected
Experts also noted that users are more earlier versions Windows (and such 48% of all users of this OS) remain practically unprotected, since these versions of operating systems do not have built-in protection, which means they absolutely need computer protection.
A detailed study of antiviruses for MacOS will be available in the summer of 2018.
About Roskoshestvo and ICRT
For reference: Roskachestvo – national system monitoring, comparative testing and confirmation of the quality of goods and services, established by order of the Government of the Russian Federation on the initiative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia.
Roskoshestvo conducts regular research on consumer goods. Also, the department, in accordance with the Decree of the Government of Russia, is the operator of the state Quality Mark, issued to the best domestic goods based on the results of research. The results of the study are published on the portal www.roskachestvo.gov.ru. Also, Roskachestvo has been the secretariat of the Government Award in the field of quality since 2017.
International Consumer Research & Testing (ICRT) conducts thousands of product tests per year and reaches an average of 30 to 40 million people through publications from ICRT member organizations around the world. Russia has been represented in ICRT by Roskachestvo since 2016.
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Windows 10 includes built-in Windows Defender antivirus, which on Window 7 and Windows 8 had to be installed separately if you wanted to use it. Windows Defender or Windows Defender as an antivirus does not perform very well according to antivirus tests. Its capabilities are very limited, but for most users they are enough. If the antivirus copes with most malware, you can forgive it for the lack of additional goodies. But is this really true? Defender Windows is better What's the best way to protect your Windows 10 PC? Perhaps the manufacturers of anti-virus solutions have an optimal version of anti-virus protection specifically for Windows 10. I suggest you find out this point.
Built-in Windows Defender
Windows Defender is essentially the last Microsoft version Security Essentials, which Microsoft offered as free antivirus solution for Windows 7. Years have passed and now this antivirus program is built into the Windows 10 system, which gives basic security any user of this operating system. The antivirus already works out of the box. Windows Defender automatically scans open programs and downloads new definitions from the Center Windows updates, and also provides an interface that you can use to scan files and folders.
But how good is Windows Defender? Well, to be honest, Microsoft's antivirus is just a little behind its competitors when it comes to comparative tests antivirus software. But given that it is free and invisible, it can outperform even some commercial solutions based on these two indicators alone.
Windows Defender has many benefits. It's built-in and won't bother you with annoying pop-ups. It will not attempt to collect browsing data.
Windows Defender Settings
Overall, Windows Defender provides good protection if you use latest version Windows, periodically update your browser, avoid clicking on potentially dangerous banners, windows, etc., and do not install suspicious plugins and add-ons in your browser. How to protect your computer from viruses and whether it’s worth using an antivirus program at all, I advise you to read in this article Is your antivirus reliable?
I would like to point out that Windows Defender scores quite low in antivirus rating- only 5.5 out of 6 in the latest testing for March 2016 on AV-Test. Another testing lab, AV-Comparatives, shows Windows Defender last in June 2016. However, when it comes to real-world statistics, AV-TEST says that Defender was 99% successful in neutralizing the threat. AV-Comparatives puts the figure at 94.5%. In both cases it is quite decent result, although it is still slightly below the rest of the competition. In numbers, for example, it looks like out of 1,868 threat types on AV-Comparatives, Windows Defender was unable to eliminate 104 threats.
BitDefender and Kaspersky managed to protect the computer from threats 100% according to testing from AV-Test and 9997% 99.7% respectively on AV-Comparatives.
Microsoft claims that Windows Defender is aimed at eliminating real malware that sometimes violates all laws and statistics of antivirus tests, once again showing that all tests are not representative and 100% indicative. You only need to rely on real conditions in each specific case, the threat of infection and look at the work antivirus system. Microsoft employees do not comment at all on the actual infection statistics, where Windows Defender is also slightly behind its competitors.
Windows 10 also includes various other security features introduced back in Windows 8, such as SmartScreen filter, whose task is to prevent you from downloading and running a malicious program, regardless of antivirus agents that are installed on the computer. Chrome and Firefox also include Safe Google view , which blocks many unwanted downloads.
To sum it up, Windows Defender isn't really bad, but it's not as good as its competitors based on testing alone. I would not trust real statistics 100%, since they may just be a product of marketing antivirus companies. If you are annoyed by countless pop-up windows about an upcoming attack threat or messages about purchasing the pro version are already fed up, then among free solutions Windows Defender will be one of the best.
If you are puzzled by the protection of your computer, personal data, and in general are a fan of 200% protection, then I would not recommend you to use Windows Defender. If you regularly download pirated versions of applications, including greed cures, Windows Defender may one day fail to save your computer, especially when it comes to threats from little-known malware samples.
Which antivirus is better?
I won’t pour water, I’ll say it right away. It is difficult to determine which antivirus is clearly the best for Windows 10. Due to practical same results It is impossible to recommend just one specific product in the antivirus tests above. The fact is that, taking into account the difference of half a percent among the 5 best antiviruses, these 5 and even all 10 products can be recommended. But it’s worth considering that winning places are always distributed differently from month to month. Therefore, even among experienced users and guru computer hardware There are those that can use two or more antiviruses sequentially, changing them, say, every two or three months.
However, I want to list some of my favorites, and you can choose what suits you the most:
- If you want the absolute best protection, then you have to pay for it. Kaspersky invariably takes prizes and is among the tops of various antivirus tests. In addition, its interface is in Russian, if this is important to you.
- If you want to, best free antivirus, then this is Avira Free Antivirus, which today offers the optimal balance between protection and unobtrusiveness. I advise you not to install with it various, as the installer insists, useful add-ons for browsers.
- If you want the least intrusive free protection, Windows Defender is just right. He will never nag you with advertisements and messages about the number of threats caught. If you're a fan of quiet protection and don't want to see a ton of pop-ups, Windows Defender is a decent option.
It should be said that Windows Defender will automatically disable itself when you install third-party antiviruses, and then re-enable itself if you ever uninstall the third-party antivirus. I also want to say that you should not install two or more third party antivirus per Windows system. This will not add better protection, but a new headache.
When antivirus is not enough
Undoubtedly, antivirus is important these days, but it is perhaps more important to use good anti-exploit protection to ensure the safety of the web browser and its plugins, which are the biggest target for attackers. Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit is a free program that I recommend. It functions similarly own development Microsoft- EMET security tool, but more convenient and offers new security features. Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit helps block infections even if their signature is not contained in antivirus databases. Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit blocks all unwanted flash, even those that were not previously detected as malicious by any antivirus.
I also recommend using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which in itself is good protection against malware. This utility detects and neutralizes fraudulent applications, Trojans, rootkits, network worms, spyware and many other self-disappearing malicious objects that a regular antivirus will not find.
With these three applications Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware And antivirus Your computer will be protected just perfectly!
Remember: any antivirus, no matter which one you choose, will not provide one hundred percent protection. If you provoke infection yourself without following basic rules listed in the article, then getting infected is as easy as shelling pears. Good preventive measures security plays the most main role in the fight against viruses and malicious code.
Test results for April 2016 from AV-Comparatives.
Latest test results from one of the leading independent antivirus laboratories AV-Comparatives.
Overall rating antivirus protection ratings for April 2016 from AV-Comparatives
Windows Defender
360 Total Security (version 6.8.0.6012 for Windows 10)
Free antivirus program from Qihoo 360, especially for Windows 10. It includes local engines Avira and Bitdefender, proactive and cloud protection in real time, as well as functions: firewall, sandbox, web browser protection
360 Total Security
Official website of 360 Total Security: http://www.360totalsecurity.com
Avast Free Antivirus 2016
Free antivirus program with all the necessary functions for reliable protection your PC and all information from unauthorized access by intruders. Comprises effective antivirus With strong screens and a security scanner for your home network.
Avast Free Antivirus 2016
