There are tons of best antivirus app out there, and not all of them have been consistently good. Most do not qualify as the best antivirus 2018. Which was the best Antivirus 2018? Do you need the best antivirus 2018 that are free? Antivirus programs cost money, which is why you want to know what the best free antivirus packages are in 2018. If you can protect yourself without spending a dime, why not?
This is why there are so many free antivirus software solutions to keep users safe online, even if they can’t afford to get paid protection. These free services certainly can’t quite keep up with the pace of the paid services, but they provide enough security for many users who just want to browse the web safely.
But a tip: don’t be tempted to install multiple packages at the same time. Very often some conflicts can affect your safety. So make sure to uninstall the old software first when you change packages. In this article, we will introduce you to the best free antivirus packages of 2017 to keep your PC safe.
What is Antivirus?
Antivirus, also known as antivirus or AV software, is designed to protect a computer and its user from hackers. Specifically, it is designed to prevent malware, viruses, worms, and Trojan horses from accessing the computer to steal private data, empty bank accounts, or connect to a botnet. best Antivirus software can also remove or prevent spyware and adware. Usually, free antivirus software restricts the search to data or activity patterns that suggest that the computer is being controlled remotely. By comparison, paid antivirus software covers a broader spectrum of threats and can reveal vulnerabilities in apps, for example.
Almost as soon as security researchers develop antivirus software, hackers develop malware to get around it. In addition to installing antivirus software, you should also keep your browser and apps up to date and never click on links or open files from suspicious sources.
Can I trust free best antivirus 2018?
Free antivirus programs come from respected names in the security industry and are more than reliable enough. These free tools use the same detection engines as their premium paid offerings, and you can check out the comparisons from industry specialists AV-Test.org.
The idea of free antivirus is that these publishers hope you’re so happy with the software that you upgrade to a paid offering to access a wider range of features. You’re not obligated to do so, though, so you can keep these free editions as long as you want.
Can’t rely on Windows’ own antivirus?
For anyone using Windows 7, 8, or 10, the default option is Microsoft’s proprietary antivirus software. For Windows 7 users, this means Security Essentials; If you are using Windows 8 or later, it is called Windows Defender, but despite the different names, they are basically the same.
And you’ll be forgiven if you think this is all you need. After all, Windows Security Essentials/Defender is the easiest antivirus application to use and manage, and it’s largely invisible in how it works.
However, if you want the best protection, you have to look into the distance. Because while lightweight and irritating, in the past Windows built-in security hasn’t been the most efficient package when it comes to protecting your PC from infections.
In the past two years, more malware has crept through its network than its competitors, the major free antivirus packages. And despite a slight performance boost lately, it still lags far behind the competition.
In other words, while you can be happy with basic Windows antivirus protection, in the long run, you’ll be better off with something extra. The question is, which package should you choose? Read on to find out what’s the best antivirus 2018.
Free Best Antivirus 2018
1. Bitdefender Antivirus Free: The Best Straightforward Protection
Bitdefender’s free antivirus is for those who like to keep it simple. The free antivirus scanner focuses solely on detecting and blocking viruses, with no smart add-ons or extra features. In the latest round of AV-Test testing for Bitdefender, the engine achieved a perfect score, blocking 100% of known exploits and 100% of unprecedented “zero-day” attacks.
The best thing about Bitdefender is that it has almost no impact on your system and won’t bother you unless it finds a virus. Occasionally you will see ads for the full Bitdefender suite, but you can turn this off in Settings.
If you enjoy tinkering with settings, Bitdefender may not be the program for you, as there is literally nothing to configure here. However, you can perform instant scans on individual files and folders with a simple right-click.
2. AVG Free AntiVirus: Effective And With Web And Email Protection
AVG AntiVirus not only scans suspicious activity on your computer but also looks for questionable browser add-ons and email attachments. In AV-Test’s latest report, AVG achieved a perfect score of 100% on both known and zero-day threats. It is also the type of software that appeals to tech-savvy types who love to customize settings as it offers a wide range of options.
The real problem with AVG AntiVirus is that it is very pushy when upselling to AVG’s full-fledged security suite. Occasionally you will see pop-ups directing you to other AVG products and there are numerous links and buttons in the main interface that will take you to buy pages. Once you’re set-up, though, these can all be disabled and you can let them run in the background.
3. Avast Free Antivirus: Excellent Overall Security
In addition to the regular antivirus detection, Avast’s free antivirus protection includes an updater that ensures you never run an old version of the app. It also includes a Wi-Fi inspector that warns if your network is not secure and a hardened web browser for online banking and shopping. There’s also a free password manager and a 30-day trial of Avast’s VPN service.
In the latest AV-Test report, Avast did not quite reach 100% at 99.4%. However, it achieved a perfect score against known malware but was disappointed in intercepting zero-day attacks. It’s also worth noting that Avast is littered with links to buy the premium version, including popups to buy products. Fortunately, it has become a bit more user-friendly by clearly stating which features are included in the free package, unlike AVG.
4. Avira Free Antivirus: Light, But Highly Configurable
If you like to play with settings, Avira is for you. It has few features, but there is a completely free security suite that you can download from Avira to strengthen your computer security with web protection, password managers, and software updates. However, if you choose this option, you will see some ads in the interface and popups for upgrades.
AV-Test found that Avira was just below 100 percent protection with an average of 99.9% against malware and 99.4% in zero-day tests. It’s not perfect, but it’s not nearly enough not to entrust your important data to the Avira offers.
5. Panda Free Antivirus: Stylish and with a USB rescue disk maker
Panda Free Antivirus is a lightweight Windows 10 style security tool with a flat surface. It’s not as minimal as Bitdefender, it offers a similar level of basic functionality without nagging you about its existence.
You get real-time antivirus detection and website security to alert you when you visit a shady website. Be careful during the installation as you will default to their Panda Safe web search engine instead of your default one. It also has a built-in tool for creating bootable USB rescue disks to detect and remove malware stuck in the depths of Windows.
In AV-Test’s tests, Panda recorded 99.8% of malware and infections and 99.5% of zero-day malware. Pretty believable when it’s free and largely unobtrusive.
