Best free antivirus 2013

by: Tom McNamara on October 22, 2015

The disposable anti-virus category is really a crowded one with well-established items, but Avira differentiates itself having a low-key approach, a clear little interface, and a multitude of optional configurations.

Pros

An expert-grade interface: Free programs and utilities frequently look kludgy and dated and also have confusing or cryptic navigation. Avira, however, seems like software that you'd ordinarily purchase. It almost appears like something included in the operating-system, and you may navigate using either the left-hands pane or even the drop-lower menus across the top.

Plenty of optional configuration: Avira works all right as they are, able to running system scans without slowing down lower other tasks, like loading web pages or editing a document. But when you would like, you are able to change configurations like the amount of days before Avira alerts you that it is definition file (essentially, a magazine of virus mug shots) has run out of date. You may also specify what kinds of compressed files you need to be scanned or overlooked, ignore specific files or processes, target specific file extensions, and check for root kits before checking. It's unusual to locate this several choices inside a free anti-virus application - and you'll want administrator rights to alter anything, so secondary accounts can't sign in and tamper by using it.

No try to sell you: Unlike many free anti-virus applications, Avira Anti-virus Free is mainly happy to run without anyone's knowledge and silently do its factor. You will get the periodic pop-up window, but it is not annoying.

Cons

SafeSearch Plus has issues: Avira provides the SafeSearch Plus browser add-on throughout installation. It puts a control button inside your browser that you simply click to go in an internet search, and also the answers are disinfected by Avira to lessen the risk of you being brought to some malicious page. It appears greatly like Google as well as connects to Google Maps, however the add-on will appear a window advocating you to definitely change the way your New Tab page works - each and every time you open a brand new tab. Additionally, it does not seem to operate in Opera - the modification never becomes effective, and you simply keep obtaining the appear any time you open a brand new tab. It really works fine in Chrome, however in this browser additionally, it redirects you to definitely its very own internet search engine rather than Google if you use Chrome's address bar to look for things, that is a little beyond we want to visit. Fortunately, you are able to skip setting up SafeSearch Plus.

Less than just like reasonably limited anti-virus application: Based on security software tests from Audio-video-Test, one factor never changes: you receive that which you purchase. Avira Anti-virus Free may be the all-around best anti-virus application that it's not necessary to purchase, when it comes to speed, quality of checking, and usefulness, but compensated programs from Kaspersky, Bitdefender, and McAfee consistently edge it. You will get a few of these for relatively inexpensively should you look around. And there might be fringe benefits too to compensated software - for instance, your form of Norton is definitely the most recent one as lengthy as you've a regular membership, and McAfee suites is now able to utilized on an limitless quantity of products.

Main Point Here

If you are low on cash, Avira Free is really a compelling option, as lengthy while you skip SafeSearch Plus throughout installation. But some extra insurance will go a lengthy way, so we'd would rather stay with the large guns in the major suppliers.