Top Five Free Antivirus/Antispyware Software
Posted May 13, 2009
When it comes to protecting their computer from malicious software, many people turn to free security programs instead of paying for one. Although they save you money, free antivirus/antispyware programs do not provide the same level of protection as a paid security program, and you also sacrificing customer support, which is invaluable if your chosen software is unable to remove an infection. On the other hand, of you have multiple computers in your house, it may not be worth putting a paid security program on them, depending what you use each computer for.
Here are the top five free antivirus/antispyware programs that I have seen in my job as a computer technician. Please note that all these programs are for home use only.
Spyware Doctor Starter Edition
Spyware Doctor Starter Edition is the cut down free edition of Spyware Doctor and is good enough that Google included in their Google pack. Google pack is software that is “specifically selected by Google” for internet use.
Spyware Doctor Starter Edition edition’s database isn’t as packed as it’s paid version and it’s heuristic scanner which detects if anything suspicious is running in the background is also limited. Despite it’s limitations, Spyware Doctor Starter Edition is better than some paid antispyware programs available.
Download Spyware Doctor Starter Edition
Avast Antivirus Home Edition
Avast has a popular free antivirus program that works quite well and is light on system resources. Avast Antivirus Home Edition’s biggest problem is it’s poor user interface which makes trying to adjust it’s settings more awkward than it needs to be. You do need to register Avast Free Antivirus before you can use it.
Download Avast Antivirus Home Edition
AVG Antivirus
I’m reluctant to put AVG on this list as I have seen viruses run right past it, but it is the most common free antivirus program I see installed on peoples computers. AVG has the best user interface out of all the free security programs I have seen and it comes with many, though not very good features you would otherwise only find in paid security programs. AVG’s performance various depending on your computer setup. It may run fine on one and bog down another similar computer. Don’t expect AVG Antivirus to be able to protect your computer as well as paid or even other free security programs but it’s better than nothing and it’s large user base mean you will find plenty of unofficial support.
Spybot Search and Destroy
Spybot Search and Destroy is a basic antispyware program. While it doesn’t match Spyware Doctor Starter Edition in protecting your computer, Spybot Search and Destroy is very light on system resources. I recommend Spybot Search and Destroy if you an have older computer that might have trouble running some of the other security software. Spybot Search and Destroy provides very basic protection but that’s all you’ll need for an old computer.
Download Spybot Search and Destroy
Windows Defender
Windows Defender is a Microsoft security program that is free if you have a legitimate version of Windows. As it’s made by Microsoft, Windows Defender runs well within Windows XP, although it does have issues with other security programs or programs that needs to access advanced system files. I’d recommend Windows defender to those who only use their computer for Emails, internet and other basic tasks. Please note that Windows Defender is already installed on Windows Vista.
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