Short Bytes: fossBytes brings you a list of 10 best free antivirus software of 2016 for different kinds of platforms such as best antivirus for Windows 10, Mac or Android. Also, know which top free antivirus suits you if you are not a complete computer geek and want to ensure total computer virus protection.
Update: The best free antivirus list of 2018 is now live. Do check it out to know what’s new and who topped the charts.
It doesn’t take a genius to tell that the threat of viruses and malware has been growing exponentially with time! Their shadow looms over the entire internet. Threatening to engulf your personal information and use it for maligned intentions or simple disclosure to the public. Newer and newer viruses keep popping up every day thereby making it essential to guard our system from the constant threat posed by them!
Most people would prefer to turn to the paid Antivirus software such as Norton or McAfee to disarm and protect their system from harm. But the exorbitant price charged by these companies in exchange doesn’t make much sense! Many best Free Antivirus software have been under development and some of them can easily give the paid ones a tough run for their money. So we at fossBytes, bring to you some of the Best Free Antivirus of 2016 along with all the details that you might want to know about them. So here is a list of-
Best Free Antivirus Software Of 2016 for computer virus protection:
10. FortiClient
Platform: Windows XP or higher; Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6) or higher; iOS 5.1 or higher; Android 4.0(ICS) or higher
FortiClient is an effective and efficient top Free Antivirus which boasts of web filtering, a firewall, network optimization and parental controls. It also provides very good phishing detection and even includes a VPN Client. With no per-seat license fees, FortiClient with its on-access /resident protection enables users & guests to work efficiently anywhere, without compromising on their security.
Although it’s designed to work with a network appliance, FortiClient 5.0 also functions as a standalone antivirus, with parental control and VPN client thrown in. Although the network optimization seems only to be effective for FortiGate Devices and it is also less effective at blocking certain malicious URL’s. Moreover, the functions of the VPN Client and Parental Control system are also limited.
Also read: Best Free Android Antivirus For Your Smartphone, According To AVTest
9. AdAware Free Antivirus
Platform: Windows XP or higher
Lavasoft’s AdAware has been a pretty reliable spyware tool. It offers smooth installation, non-intrusive notifications along with detailed custom scanning. The UI of the latest version has been vastly improved as compared to the previous version. Several features have been incorporated such as Sandbox emulation, scheduler, and a command line scanner. That being said there is a lot of scope for development of the rootkit detection and phishing protection provided by the Antivirus.
Trying to meet the expectation of the users, Lavasoft gave Ad-Aware Free Antivirus+ 11 a total user-interface makeover and a new antivirus engine partner. The new UI looks pleasant with a nice change. But looks like the product lost a little ground in malware blocking. Adaware free antivirus made it to the 9th position in the list of best free antivirus for 2016.
8. Qihoo 360 Total Security
Platform: Windows XP or higher (Windows 10); Mac OS X 10.7 or later including OS X Yosemite; Android 2.2 and Up
Based in China, Qihoo 360 offers a wide range of comprehensive, effective and user-friendly Internet and mobile security products aiming to protect the user’s computer and mobile devices against malware and malicious websites. Supported by cloud-based security technology, the 360 sets itself apart from all other best Free Antivirus software through the usage of three different AV engines comprising of Qihoo’s very own ‘checksum-based’ engine; a machine learning QVM engine and a BitDefender local engine. These comprise Qihoo’s own ‘checksum-based’ engine in the cloud; a machine learning QVM engine. It provides a sandbox too through which one can check out for the threats posed by unknown programs.The program lacks out in providing a parental control system, Firewall or Backup facility.
Though Qihoo 360 Total Security Essential scores very well on hands-on tests and in tests by independent labs, but only if you change its default configuration to enable all antivirus engines since some of its features need to be enabled manually.
7. Comodo Antivirus
Platform: Windows XP or higher (Windows 10); Mac OS X 10.4 or above; Android 2.2 and Up
If you are one of the antivirus users who are intimidated of using technical computer inputs or afraid of the complexities of an antivirus which works more manually than automatically then, this Comodo antivirus is not for you. If we had to rate this antivirus upon the usage by the advanced computer users then surely this antivirus has galloped better positions. But, on the range of the overall scenarios, Comodo still need to automate more of its security features.
The Comodo Antivirus includes a full range of detection engines for viruses, rootkits, spyware and other malware. It uses Comodo’s proprietary Defense+ technology thereby guarding your system of all unknown files by treating them as a threat. It also provides On-Access/Resident protection, cloud-based protection, and an automatic sandboxing function. Since the program occasionally asks for User input it may not be suitable for amateur users. The Host Intrusion Prevention System and phishing protection still have a long way to go.
Also read: Top 10 Websites/Services To Protect Your Online Privacy
6. Avira Free Antivirus
Platform: Windows XP or above; Mac OSX 10.9 (Mavericks) or higher; Android 2.2 or up;
Ranked as one of the best amongst the best Free Antivirus software, Avira boasts of exceptional detection and blocking rates. Its small footprint makes it ideal even for older PC’s. Offering seamlessly fast scans it also boasts of anti-malware protection, anti-spyware protection, browser protection and cloud-based scanning as well. Although one could find the interface too cluttered and the installation and execution process to be quite slow as compared to other Free Antivirus software.
According to AV-TEST testing company, one of the best antivirus testing websites from Germany, Avira offers the strongest protection against both widespread and zero-day malware. But you might see a performance impact on your PC with this antivirus if your RAM is too less. But, Avira Free Antivirus’ effectiveness against malware and a good range of features — including a mobile portal and child-safety settings — make it the best choice for family PC.
5. MalwareBytes
Platform: Windows XP or higher
Malwarebytes is one of the most acclaims and highly appreciated malware detection solution. It is pretty small, lightweight and doesn’t require signatures as well. It also shields Java and perhaps is one of the most effective software against zero-day attacks that have never been seen before. One of the best features of MalwareBytes is the behaviour-based detection of the virus on a PC.
The biggest drawback with it is the requirement for proactive antivirus software that can work alongside it. It just acts as a complement to your regular antivirus program. There is also a major lack of features in the free version as compared to the Premium version. But that being said, Malwarebytes still is one of the premier and most reliable products when it comes to catching the newest, most cutting-edge threats that other antivirus companies may not have caught yet.
Also read: Here’s the Best Antivirus Software for Windows 7, 8.1, and 10 PCs
4. AVG Antivirus
Platform: Windows XP or higher; Mac OSX Mountain Lion or Later
Definitely, AVG antivirus is one of the most popular best Free Antivirus software, AVG needs no reckoning. Furthermore, the 2016 version has been revamped to provide a better user interface, a cloud-based scanning system and the ability to block infected links besides the usual detection and eradication of viruses. It is also one of the smallest Antiviruses and also provides script malware protection. Besides, protection against the malware, it also provides website ratings which make makes it easier for a user to decide if the website is safer to access or not.
The excess of advertisements may prove to be irksome. Phishing protection could be improved as well.
3. Avast Free Antivirus
Platform: Windows XP or above; Almost all Mac OSX versions
Avast Free Antivirus is known for its friendly interface, good performance and unique, if relatively sophisticated, set of features. However, only a friendly design not sufficient for ranking higher in terms of antivirus protection or extra features. However, you may want to consider Avast Free Antivirus if you already use other Avast products, such as Avast Free Mobile Security for Android.
The paid antivirus from Avast comes with added features like ransomware shield, anti-spam, sandboxing, etc. It comes with a 30-day free trial, so there’s no hard giving it a try for extra security layers.
2. BitDefender Antivirus Free Edition
Platform: Windows XP or up; Android 2.3 or up
The BitDefender Free Antivirus is one of the most unobtrusive antivirus available on the Internet today. It provides for a Real-time Shield, Active Virus Control, Intrusion Detection, Rootkit scanning and HTTP scanning as well. The newly introduced feature of Profiles, which adapt the software for particular tasks like watching movies, playing games or general office work has improved its user-friendliness by a huge margin as compared to the previous versions. Moreover, it even includes online banking protection, a 2-way firewall and a parental control system. Although, poor technical support combined with the difficulties faced in installing on systems that are already infected by malware may cause problems to the average user. Its tiny main window and unobtrusive style are great if you want a strong, silent, and free antivirus solution. It hardly lets its presence felt over the computer and provides best computer virus protection.
If the paid Bitdefender Antivirus, which has apassword manager, browser hardening, specialized ransomware protection, etc., sounds like what you need, give it a go as it comes with a 30-day free trial.
It’s time to tell you about the best free antivirus solution for Windows!
1. Panda Cloud Antivirus Free
Platform: Windows XP or above; Android 2.3 or up
The Panda Cloud Antivirus takes Free Antivirus to a whole new level with its cloud-based scanner. The software is also lightweight and runs on a local cache when the network is unavailable. It offers effective phishing protection and impressive detection rates combined with top-notch rootkit blocking. With features like On-Demand malware scan, On-Access Malware scan, Phishing protection and malicious URL blocking, it does not only provide protection against different kinds of malware on a PC but also provides the best protection against the online transaction. Only not-so-positive side of this antivirus is that it will auto-quarantine files which it believes to be dangerous.
Panda also provides a Protection Advanced release for detecting and taking care of ransomware, WiFi connections, parental controls, etc. It’s available as a 1-month free trial, so you can give it a try.
Get Panda Antivirus
Editor’s Recommendation: I would prefer Avast over other free antivirus hands down. The plethora of features that it boasts of sets it apart from all others. Effortless installation, an all-encompassing heuristic search engine and on access protection pack quite a punch. Its features such as real-time protection of files, email, P2P transfers, web surfing, instant messages and even suspicious behavior are a notch above your average Free Antivirus software. It has been praised for its performance and light use of system resources and has also proved itself efficient in catching malware as well. Further developments made in the 2015 version to enhance the user interface merit Avast its place on the top of our list.
Do you feel some other free antivirus should have made it to the list of top 10 best free antivirus software of 2016? Give us your suggestions below and help others to get the best computer virus protection.
Update: Our 2018 best free antivirus list is now live!
