Which antivirus program is better to install? The best free antivirus. Safety first

Almost every owner of a weak computer, be it a laptop or a desktop computer, has at least once thought about how to speed up its operation. In a separate article on our website we talk in detail about optimizing Windows 10. And in this material we will consider the question of which lightest antivirus program is best to choose for a weak computer. Since the vast majority of owners of old, low-power computers are unlikely to be eager to buy software, in this article we will consider free antiviruses.

Let's start with the fact that there is no clear answer to the question of which antivirus is the fastest to work. Different laboratories studying and comparing antivirus programs use different evaluation methods, and also quite likely have their own unspoken preferences. In this variety, it is difficult to choose which antivirus program research results you can trust.

However, data from a very authoritative source has now appeared on this issue. Roskachestvo released its serious research into antiviruses. This autonomous non-profit organization was established by the Government of the Russian Federation to carry out independent checks of the quality of goods and services sold in Russia. Government funding of this organization and a wide range of activities suggest that the results of its research have every chance of being more objective than those of other companies compiling antivirus ratings.

Roskachestvo conducted a study of anti-virus programs jointly with the International Association of Consumer Testing Organizations. This fact also speaks in favor of the impartiality and maximum objectivity of this examination. During six-month tests, experts in the field of computer security carefully examined the work of the most popular 24 security programs in Russia from 18 anti-virus laboratories. All antiviruses (both paid and free) were evaluated based on more than two hundred indicators, but the main criteria for testing were three: the level of security provided, ease of use, and impact on the speed of the computer (lightness of the product).

Since the topic of our article concerns fast antivirus for a weak computer, then we will first of all consider the results of testing antivirus programs precisely in terms of their speed.

We won’t go around for a long time, but will immediately announce the winner in terms of speed of work. By impact on the performance of a computer or laptop the lightest free antivirus, according to Roskachestvo experts, the product has become Avira Free Antivirus. Experts rated its speed on a PC at 4.62 points out of a possible 5.5. Next among the free products is the Free version of the Kaspersky Lab program with a rating of 4.28. Third place in performance among free antivirus programs was taken by Avast Free Antivirus with 4.08 points. Free products from other companies scored less than 4 points. Let us remind you that we do not consider paid products, so we excluded them from the rating below.

Rating of free antiviruses based on their impact on computer speed:

(The higher the score, the better. Only free products are included in the list!)

1. Avira Free - 4.62
2. Kaspersky Free - 4.28
3. Avast Free - 4.08
4. AVG Free - 3.99
5. Bitdefender Free - 3.73
6. Windows Defender - 3.69

As can be seen from the last paragraph, Windows Defender, installed in the operating system by default, ranks 6th in performance among all free antiviruses reviewed. This indicates to us that for a weak computer or laptop it is still preferable to install a faster and lighter third-party antivirus. Standard protection will slow down the system more than other antivirus programs. In addition, the protective properties of the built-in antivirus are far from ideal. This can be seen from the rating below.

Rating of free antiviruses based on their ability to protect against various types of threats:

(not by speed)

1. Bitdefender Free - 4.95
2. Avast Free - 4.58
3. Avira Free - 4.43
4. AVG Free - 4.31
5. Kaspersky Free - 3.73
6. Windows Defender - 3.49

Having compared both ratings (both in terms of security and in terms of speed) of all the free antivirus programs studied, we can conclude that Avira Free is not only the fastest, but also a very safe program. She takes 1st place in speed work and 3rd place in safety among all free products. Let's add that In terms of impact on computer speed, Avira has surpassed even all paid antiviruses. It ranks first in performance among all 24 antivirus programs studied. Based on this, for a weak laptop or desktop, it is best to use Avira Free. Avast Free also received a high score in both cases (3rd place in speed and 2nd in security among free solutions). We can say that this program ranks second in terms of speed and security level among all free products. This program can be installed if Avira Free is not suitable for some reason.

Let us remind you that in the framework of this article only free antiviruses studied by Roskachestvo are considered. However, if you still study paid options for security programs, then the best options for combining speed and security will be Kaspersky Internet Security (protection - 4.61 and speed - 4.2) and Norton Security Deluxe (protection - 4.74 and speed - 4 ,3). The general rating of paid and free antiviruses is presented in the picture below.

We also mention that among the free anti-virus programs, Roskachestvo recognized the best one in terms of the level of security provided. Bitdefender Free. It took 3rd place among all (free and even paid) programs. This indicates that Bitdefender is the most preferable free antivirus option in terms of security. Unfortunately, this product does not have a Russian-language interface. In terms of speed, this program is far from ideal. According to this indicator, it ranks 18th (3.73 points). Let us repeat that Avira Free has gone far ahead in terms of speed.

If we compare these two programs specifically, Bitdefender has higher security than Avira (4.95 versus 4.42), but in the case of speed, the opposite is true (4.62 versus 3.84).

conclusions

• The fastest antivirus program is Avira Free(among paid and free ones).
• Bitdefender Free provides the best security of any free program.
• The best options for paid programs in terms of speed and protection are provided by Norton Security Deluxe and Kaspesky Internet Security.

Links

Official website of AVIRA Free(choose “Download antivirus only” so as not to install a lot of garbage in the form of paid add-ons)

Official website AVAST Free

Official Bitdefender Free website

Norton Security Deluxe official website(there is a trial version for 30 days)

The computer is an integral part of everyday life. For some it is a means of earning money, for others it is a means of spending leisure time, for others it is a means of communicating with friends and relatives through the computer, and for others the computer has even replaced going to the store. Therefore, people try to protect their computer and the data stored on it as best as possible. But how best to do this in the world of advanced technology? What guides people when choosing protection for their personal computer? How to achieve the maximum level of security? In this article we will help you understand everything and make the right choice.

So, in order to protect your “machine” you need to definitely install an antivirus on it. This is a program that will protect your computer from malicious software, scans the files and folders we work with to detect viruses, destroys the viruses found, and also disinfects infected files. There are a huge number of antivirus programs, and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Before you start choosing an antivirus, you should understand the fact that you need to install not two or three antiviruses, but only one. Since after installing several, a conflict of programs will begin, which will affect the performance of the system. If you want to install another antivirus, you must first uninstall the installed one.

Let's now look at the main antivirus programs. They are free and paid. Let's start with the free ones.

Free antivirus programs

• Avast Free Antivirus;
• AVG Antivirus;
• Avira Free Antivirus;
• MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials).

Avast Free Antivirus

1. Avast Free Antivirus is one of the popular antiviruses that not only protects your computer when viewing Internet content, but also protects against spam and hacker attacks. This program scans the entire OS for viruses at boot time. Adds suspicious or malicious files to quarantine. This program also has built-in self-defense, that is, no virus can remove it from the computer.

Advantages:

• High functionality and level of protection;
• Fast data scanning;
• Does not load the processor;
• Nice interface.

Flaws:

• Triggering false alarms;
• There is no blocking of pop-ups and banners.

AVG Antivirus

2. AVG Antivirus - protects your personal computer from spyware and viruses, and also blocks web pages with suspicious content. This antivirus is updated free of charge and supports common operating systems. Mainly used by home network users.

Advantages:

• Does not load the processor;
• High level of protection;
• User-friendly interface.

Flaws:

• Slow computer scanning;
• Intrusive advertising content.

Avira Free Antivirus

3. Avira Free Antivirus – reliably protects against viruses, worms, and Trojans. One click is all it takes to remove malicious software. Doesn't burden the system.

Advantages:

• Low resource consumption;
• Lightning-fast system scan.

Flaws:

• The absence of a module that warns about visiting a malicious site;
• A huge amount of advertising;
• Lack of Russian menu.

MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials)

4. MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) is an antivirus program that will protect your computer from malicious files and spyware. The program is updated every 24 hours. After installation on your computer, you do not need to restart it.

Advantages:

• Ease of use;
• Nice interface;
• Doesn't load the system.

Flaws:

It is worth noting that to use a free antivirus you need to install it and go through the registration procedure. Some antiviruses, such as Avast, are available in both paid and free versions. After the free demo version of the program expires, you will need to purchase it, but after purchasing the program’s capabilities expand significantly. But if you have enough of the functions that the demo version is equipped with, and you have neither the desire nor the need to buy it, then after the program expires, the activation procedure should be repeated.

Now let's move on to considering the main paid antivirus programs.

Paid antivirus programs

• Kaspersky
• Dr.Web
• NOD32

Kaspersky

1. Kaspersky is the most popular and revered antivirus. This program perfectly protects the system from worms, viruses and other “virtual nastiness”. It also has the following functions: payment protection, parental controls, anti-spam and anti-banner.

Advantages:

• High scanning speed;
• Effective protection;
• Instantly block threats.

Flaws:

• Expensive license;
• To scan your computer completely, you need to close all programs.

Dr.Web

2. Dr.Web is at the origins of antivirus programs. It effectively protects your computer and allows you not only to remove virus software, but also to treat and restore infected files. Using this antivirus, important information is restored. Dr.Web also has excellent self-defense; it will not be removed by a pest program.

Advantages:

• Ability to check archives;
• High level of self-defense.

Flaws:

• High license cost;
• Needs regular downloading of updates.

NOD32

3. NOD32 – perfectly protects the system from malware, spyware, and resists scammers. This program includes anti-spam protection and a personal firewall. There is an opinion that this is the best antivirus for experienced users, as it requires some settings.

Advantages:

• High speed;
• High level of protection;
• User-friendly interface.

Flaws:

• High license cost;
• Some settings required.

We reviewed the main anti-virus programs, which, according to their criteria, occupy leading positions in the ratings. All of these programs are compatible with the Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems. Of course, the main indicator when choosing antivirus software is the security and protection of data stored on the computer. But when choosing antivirus software, you should also consider the power of your computer.

Which antivirus is better to choose for Windows 7?

The Windows 7 operating system was created in such a way that it has built-in functional protection, which is many times greater than previous versions of the OS. And everything seems to be fine, but the “evil geniuses” who develop malware are one step ahead, and their pest programs penetrate the system, infecting and destroying everything in its path. Therefore, like any other version of the OS, Windows 7 needs additional protection. This means that you definitely need to install an antivirus program on your computer.

But what is the best antivirus program to choose? There is no clear answer to this question. Of the programs we have listed, all are considered good, but none of them guarantees 100% protection for you.

When choosing an antivirus, keep in mind that the operating system can be 32- or 64-bit. Antivirus software is developed specifically for each type. And, of course, computer parameters. If they are very weak, then an antivirus like Kaspersky will simply slow down all the work.

Also, when choosing an antivirus, you need to decide what kind of work you need a computer for. If you use a computer to play games or surf the Internet, then Avast (free version) is suitable for you. If you also work on it, then, by the way, Kaspersky (paid) will suit you. So, the choice is yours!

Which antivirus is better to choose for Windows 8 and 10?

The Windows 8 operating system, like its predecessor, is equipped with a basic level of protection. Each new OS version has expanded and improved security features. Finally, we see that Windows 8 has reached the point where programmers claim that this system is so developed and debugged that it can easily protect itself without antivirus software. But after weighing all the pros and cons, we still recommend installing an antivirus on your computer.

Since Windows 8 is significantly different from previous versions, not every antivirus program is suitable for this system.

And yet, which antivirus is best to install to ensure stable system operation and protect your computer? Hand on heart, we can safely say that Kaspersky antivirus is ideal for Windows 8. It was this company that was the first to “conquer” and adapt antivirus software for Windows 8. The system’s operation with this antivirus is stable and safe.

Antiviruses such as NOD32 and Avast have also performed well in terms of system protection and stability.

Summarizing what has been said, we can conclude that choosing an antivirus program is your personal choice and we have no right to impose our opinion on you, but please give advice on choosing a particular antivirus program. There is no need to chase popularity and brand, this is not always an indicator of quality. And also follow the reviews of friends and acquaintances, because every user praises the antivirus that he uses. But, be that as it may, the choice is yours. Make no mistake, read, take a closer look, because the security of your computer depends on your choice.

Microsoft strongly recommends that all users upgrade to Windows 7 or Windows 8. Of course, this is good advice, but many users will continue to use Windows XP even after this date. What antivirus protection options will they have? Andreas Marx, CEO of AV-Test, found from a survey of 30 vendors that all of them plan to continue supporting Windows XP even after the project is officially closed.

Forced decision

Make no mistake, if you have the opportunity to upgrade to a modern OS, by all means do it! Once Microsoft stops working to fix vulnerabilities and security holes, Windows XP will be like a target at a shooting gallery. Of course, an antivirus can potentially block exploits that use system vulnerabilities to attack. However, there is a high probability that he will not cope with his task. In common practice, there is interaction between a fully updated OS and an antivirus. As of April, Windows XP will no longer be able to fulfill its part of this “partnership.”

End of an era

Perhaps the biggest surprise from this study is the news that Microsoft will continue to support Microsoft Security Essentials (as well as enterprise security solutions) for Windows XP until July 14, 2015. A company blog post confirms this: “ We will help organizations successfully complete migration to new operating systems».

Avira, Bitdefender and Trend Micro told AV-Test that they have planned end of support dates for their products for Windows XP. Avira will end support on April 8, 2015, Bitdefender in January 2016 (2017 for enterprise solutions), and Trend Micro on January 30, 2017. If you're running Windows XP and using one of these products, you still have time to plan your migration strategy to a modern system.

Let's wait and see

Half of the vendors surveyed said they have no specific plans to end support for their Windows XP products and will continue to support them for at least the next two years. Some companies provided deadlines but acknowledged the possibility that they could extend. VIPRE publisher ThreatTrack has promised support for Windows XP until April 2015 or later. Sophos will support the old system until September 30, 2015, while Norman and Qihoo will continue to support the OS until January 2016. Let's say again that all these vendors can extend support if there is a need.

XP enthusiasm

Some vendors have promised long-term support for Windows XP. Kaspersky Lab will continue support until 2018 (2016 for enterprise solutions). Webroot will work with the system until April 2019 or even later. Symantec hasn't made any decision at all to stop supporting XP. On the other hand, the position of Norton products also provides for premature end of support, we just don’t know the exact information.

The study contains detailed information about the vendor's positions and also includes useful recommendations for improving security after the official end of system support. Marks suggests ditching the unsupported Internet Explorer in favor of Chrome or Firefox. The same should be done with your email client; it is better not to use Outlook Express.

So how will it be? Are you really going to give up Windows XP? If circumstances force you to use Windows XP, remember that your risk level will increase. And be sure to choose an antivirus that will continue to support this OS.

Reading time: 7 minutes. Views 291 Published 02/07/2017

Greetings to all readers of this site, in previous posts we discussed in detail on the computer. Now, we are faced with another task, this is to ensure the protection of the computer from viruses and malware. Therefore, in today’s article we will talk about which antivirus is better.

I suggest considering both free and paid versions. Each program has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you must decide for yourself which antivirus to choose. Many of you probably know very well that nowadays, your computer must have a virus protector that can protect your personal data from theft, as well as protect information stored on hard drives from malicious code. After all, it’s no secret that some viruses can not only damage the user’s files, but also disable the computer. As a rule, to protect your home computer from threats, it will be enough for us to install one of the antiviruses.

Which antivirus is better - choose the right protection.

As I already told you, there are free and paid antivirus programs, but you should not disdain free utilities, since they can be no worse than their paid counterparts. We will try to determine which antivirus is best for Windows.

In order to protect your computer from viruses, you need to choose only one antivirus, since if you install two or more programs at the same time, a conflict will begin between them. At the same time, it often happens that antiviruses come into battle with each other over something, and in this case there can be no talk of any kind of protection, since they block each other’s work. I also want to recommend that it does not conflict with a third-party antivirus.

It is quite difficult to unequivocally recommend which antivirus is better, since each developer praises their own products. We can only choose favorites based on the results of using certain programs. As for me, most popular antiviruses are very similar to each other. Their only difference is that some programs specialize more in protecting computer files, while others provide maximum protection when working on the Internet.

The best free antiviruses.

I suggest starting to consider the list of which antivirus is better with free products. As a rule, free antiviruses have all the basic functions that will be enough to protect your home computer. Such programs can be classified as “set it and forget it”, since they work independently and do not require paid license renewals or other actions from the user. If you are interested in such antiviruses, then let’s start our list.

Avast! Free Antivirus is a fairly popular antivirus program among users. The utility is completely free, but at the same time it can perfectly protect computers in various fields of application. Once installed, Avast! Free Antivirus, you won't have to delve into its settings, since after installation it will be configured by default to perform its basic duties. But if you want to apply some additional parameters, the program can offer you a large selection of options. Avast can quarantine infected and suspicious files, perform a full scan of your computer for viruses, supports game mode and many other functions. After installation, the program requires a one-time registration. Therefore, if you don’t want to worry too much about choosing a defender for your computer, then Avast is perfect for you.

Avira Free Antivirus is another popular free antivirus program that is ideal for home use. Avira differs from other programs in that it uses little computer resources, thereby not slowing down its operation. The program can constantly monitor the state of the PC, or check it for viruses on a schedule. Avira can update automatically and also monitors the installation of unwanted software. Thus, the utility, without interfering with the user, protects the computer from viruses and malware.

Microsoft Security Essentials is the latest contender for the title of best free antivirus. This is a small anti-virus program from Microsoft, which has a minimum set of all necessary functions, but at the same time protects your computer well from viruses. The program is constantly updated, so it is able to repel the interference of any modern viruses. You can scan your computer on a schedule. Microsoft Security Essentials is suitable for those who do not want to install third-party software, but at the same time care about protecting their PC from viruses. It is advisable to use this antivirus software in conjunction with the Windows Firewall.

I would also like to mention to you such free antiviruses as 360 Total Security, Comodo, Panda; they are less popular among users and have more modest functionality, but just like the products described above, they can provide basic PC protection. All of the above programs can be downloaded from the official websites of the developers. Also in the following articles I will tell you how to install them.

The best paid antiviruses.

Let's now look at several paid virus protectors, and also talk to you about which antivirus is better to install. Paid products are quite interesting. They have very broad functionality, support work on devices with different platforms, and are constantly being improved and updated. At the same time, some programs were developed quite a long time ago and were loved by users so much that they became undisputed leaders. At the same time, they can provide device protection at a professional level.

Kaspersky Antivirus– probably one of the best paid antiviruses. Of course, you can use its free version, but it will have reduced functionality. In order to have “protection to the teeth”, you need to buy an annual license. Kaspersky can provide a full-fledged firewall, has a rich set of functions, and also allows the user to customize protection to suit any needs. I would also like to say that the cost of the license is not particularly high, so I recommend installing this antivirus and using its capabilities to the maximum.

Dr. Web is another fairly old antivirus program that almost all users of computers, laptops and smartphones know. Doctor Web, like Kaspersky Anti-Virus, has different versions, and after installation it provides the user with a month-long trial period. Thus, you can later make a choice whether to keep this product on your computer or look for another option. But as a rule, due to its comprehensive functionality and impeccable protection, users prefer Doctor Web. The price for a licensed product is less than for Kaspersky, the subscription is also issued for a year.

ESET NOD32 completes our list. This contender is one of the three best paid antiviruses. It can effectively protect your computer from viruses and provide constant control and monitoring of the system. Unlike the antiviruses described above, this product does not slow down the computer and copes with its task with five points. The program is constantly updated and improved, so if you choose ESET NOD32, you can rest assured about the security of your computer.

Let's summarize.

Summing up the results of today's article, of course I want to choose which antivirus is best for my computer. Undoubtedly, paid products are the undisputed leaders, as they can provide professional-level protection for your devices. If you need to protect your home PC from viruses, and you don’t want to spend money on paid antiviruses, then you can install a free program. In general, as always, the choice is yours, I can only advise you. I also ask you to unsubscribe in the comments what antiviruses you use.

The use of an antivirus in our time has become a prerequisite for ensuring system security. After all, everyone can encounter viruses on their computer. Modern antiviruses, which guarantee maximum protection, are quite resource-demanding. But this does not mean that weak devices should remain vulnerable, or even without protection at all. There are simple solutions for them that will not negatively affect the performance of the laptop.

Not all people have the desire or opportunity to update their device by replacing some parts or the laptop itself. Undoubtedly, antiviruses effectively protect the system from virus attacks, but they can greatly load the processor, which will adversely affect your work with the computer.

You don't have to have an old device to wonder about a lightweight antivirus. Some modern budget models also require undemanding protection. The antivirus program itself must do a lot: monitor running processes, check downloaded files, etc. All of this requires resources, which may be limited. Therefore, it is worth choosing those antiviruses that offer basic security tools, and the fewer additional functions such a product has, the better in this case.

Avast Free Antivirus

Avast Free Antivirus is a free Czech antivirus that does not overload the system. It has various auxiliary functions for convenient operation. This program can be easily customized to your liking by “throwing away” unnecessary components and leaving only the essentials. Supports Russian language.

As you can see in the screenshots, Avast consumes few resources in the background.

When checking the system, it’s a little more, but when compared with other antivirus products, this is a completely normal indicator.

AVG

Easy to use, AVG effectively combats various threats. Its free version has basic tools, which are enough for good protection. The program does not heavily load the system, so you can work calmly.

The load on the system in normal mode with basic protection is small.

AVG also doesn't consume much during the scanning process.

Dr.Web Security Space

The main function of Dr.Web Security Space is scanning. It can be performed in several modes: normal, full, custom. Also, there are tools such as SpIDer Guard, SpIDer Mail, SpIDer Gate, firewall and others.

The antivirus itself and its services do not consume many resources.

The situation is similar with the scanning process: it does not critically load the device.

Comodo Cloud Antivirus

The famous free cloud defender Comodo Cloud Antivirus. Perfectly protects against all kinds of Internet threats. The laptop doesn't load much. Compared to AVG or Avast, Comodo Cloud requires, first of all, a more stable Internet connection to provide full protection.

When tested, it does not critically affect performance.

Along with the antivirus, other auxiliary software is installed, which does not take up much space and does not consume a large amount of resources. You can delete it if you wish.

Panda Security

One of the popular cloud antiviruses is Panda Security. Has many settings, supports Russian. Takes up quite a bit of space and consumes minimal resources. The only negative, if you can call it that, is the need for a stable Internet connection. Unlike Comodo Cloud Antivirus, this product does not automatically install additional modules.

Even when scanning files, the antivirus does not load the device. This defender launches several more of its services, which do not consume many resources.

Microsoft Windows Defender

Windows Defender is Microsoft's built-in antivirus software. Starting with Windows 8, this software is installed by default as a means of protection against various threats, and is not inferior to other antivirus solutions. If you do not have the opportunity or desire to install other software, then this option is suitable for you. Windows Defender automatically starts after the system is installed.

The screenshot shows that the defender does not consume many resources.

During a full scan, it does not significantly load the system.

Other methods of protection

If you cannot or do not want to install an antivirus, then you can get by with a minimal set, which can also ensure system security, but to a lesser extent. For example, there are portable scanners Dr.Web CureIt, Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool, AdwCleaner and the like, which can be used to check the system from time to time. But they cannot provide full protection and prevent infection, since they work after the fact.