The PC Utilities Guide to...

Antivirus tools

A tight budget needn't mean forgoing vital system security. We put the latest free antivirus programs to the test to see which offers professional-level protection without the weighty price tag.

About a year ago the German magazine c't came to an alarming conclusion — that antivirus software is getting less and less effective in protecting us from emerging threats. In the wake of the fact that viruses themselves are becoming more damaging and finding increasingly devious ways of getting into our systems, it has never been more imperative to be protected with reliable security software.

An antivirus suite is usually the first thing people consider when it comes to PC security. Typically, they do more than just detect and remove viruses — they may also take care of worms, Trojans, rootkits and various other types of malware, including spyware.

Most commonly, an antivirus tool uses its built-in database of virus signatures to identify harmful software. This makes it absolutely imperative to keep the database updated, as newer and more dangerous viruses are cropping up even as you read this.

Antivirus tools also monitor the computer for suspicious behaviour of applications, and this goes some way in providing protection against unknown (or 'zero day') threats.

We've come a long way since the days when the names of Norton and McAfee were synonymous with antivirus software. While these remain just as popular in the virus-fighting department, they can also prove expensive for home users on a budget and are sometimes difficult to deal with.

The good news is that's possible to arm yourself without spending a penny. Over the next few pages we take a look at some of the popular free antivirus software available currently suited to any level of user.

— Payal Dhar. This article is an excerpt from a larger article in issue 112 of PC Utilities magazine. Each month PC Utilities magazine reviews scores of great new programs. Have you considered taking advantage of our no-risk subscription offer?

This page was last updated on 06 Jun 2009

# Name
1

avast! Home Edition REVIEW PIC USER
Keep your system clear of viruses with this excellent free security tool, which includes a real-time scanner - registration required

2

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition REVIEW PIC USER
Secure your system against viruses with the latest version of one of the best free scanners available

3

Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic PIC USER
Protect your PC against more than 230000 viruses including previously unknown macro viruses - now supports 32-bit Windows Vista

4

BitDefender Free BUY PIC
Protect your data against viruses with this fully customisable protection from BitDefender

5

ClamWin Free Antivirus PIC
Protect your PC against viruses using this free, Open Source security suite - does NOT include a real-time scanner

6

Comodo AntiVirus REVIEW PIC USER
Protect your PC against viruses and Internet worms - includes heuristic scanning and automatic updates

7

PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition REVIEW PIC
Protect your system against viruses in real time, perform on-demand scans and keep definitions up to date automatically