Yesterday I got an email asking me whether is there any other free anti-virus other than AVG… When people ask about FREE anti-virus, the name AVG will definitely be mentioned. I think the reason why AVG remains number 1 in free anti-virus is because when you search in Google for “free antivirus”, AVG is the first to appear. Well even second appears to be AVG!

Did you know that there are actually more than 10 brands of free anti-virus? Usually free anti-virus is meant for home users. It will state very clearly in their website that it is for home and non-commercial use only. If you want to use their anti-virus in commercial places, you need to purchase license from them.

So here’s a compiled list of free anti-virus I found for your convenience in deciding which free anti-virus you want to use other than AVG.

1. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

* Easy to use, low system resources
* Automatic update functionality
* Real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run
* AVG’s Virus Vault for the safe handling of infected files
* Only for home and non-commercial use only.
[ Download AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition ]

2. avast! 4 Home Edition

* Simple User Interface
* Integrated Virus Cleaner
* Resident protection
* P2P, IM, Network and Web Shields
* Automatic updates
* Only for home and non-commercial use only.
Note: The free avast! 4 Home Edition works for 60 days after the installation in demo mode. You must register for free in order to use the free home edition of avast! 4. You will obtain your FREE license key by E-mail after the registration. The license key is valid for 1 year. After one year you will need to just re-register.
[ Download avast! 4 Home Edition ]

3. Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic

* Protection against viruses, worms and Trojans
* Protection against expensive dialers and phishing
* Detects and deletes rootkits
* Only for private and non-commercial use.
[ Download Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic ]

4. PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition

* Protects your PC as you are working, surfing and playing
* Detects, quarantines, disinfects and destroys Viruses, Trojans and Worms
* OnGuard protects your computer against threats in real-time
* Automatically checks for frequent updates against the latest threats
* PC Tools website didn’t mention whether you can only use PC Tools Antivirus Free Edition on non-commercial and home.
[ Download PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition ]

5. Comodo Antivirus

* Detects and eliminates viruses from desktops and networks.
* Constantly protects with real-time On Access scanning.
* Proactive Heuristic analysis intercepts unknown threats.
* Host Intrusion Detection blocks malware before it can run
* Daily, automatic updates of virus definitions
* Simple to use: install and forget
* FREE for businesses and can be used within your organization’s network at no charge!
[ Download Comodo Antivirus ]

6. ClamWin Free Antivirus

* High detection rates for viruses and spyware
* Scanning Scheduler
* Automatic downloads of regularly updated Virus Database
* Standalone virus scanner and right-click menu integration to Microsoft Windows Explorer
* Addin to Microsoft Outlook to remove virus-infected attachments automatically
* Open Source Antivirus. Can be used freely on business, commercial and universities.
Note:Please note that ClamWin Free Antivirus does not include an on-access real-time scanner. You need to manually scan a file in order to detect a virus or spyware.
[ Download ClamWin Free Antivirus ]

7. BitDefender Free Edition

* Virus scanning and removal
* Scheduled scanning
* Immediate scanning
* Skinable interface
* BitDefender website didn’t mention whether you can only use BitDefender Free Edition on non-commercial and home.
Note: BitDefender Free Edition is an on-demand virus scanner. You need to manually scan a file in order to detect a virus or spyware.
[ Download BitDefender Free Edition ]

8. MicroWorld Free AntiVirus Toolkit Utility (MWAV)

* Scans your computer completely and provides reports of any viruses that it finds.
* Checks for all illegal dialers that are present on your computer and informs you of the same.
* Informs you of any background illegal sniffers or tools like spyware, adware, keyloggers etc. running in the memory of your computer.
* You can add this utility to the startup list of programs on your computer so that it scans your computer every time you start using it.
* When you download this utility you will get it with the latest updated list of viruses so that it scans your computer for all known viruses.
* No need to install. Just download and run the MWAV toolkit to scan for viruses.
* MWAV website didn’t mention whether you can only use MicroWorld Free AntiVirus Toolkit Utility on non-commercial and home.
[ Download MicroWorld Free AntiVirus Toolkit Utility (MWAV) ]

9. ClamAV for Windows

Clam AntiVirus is an open source (GPL) anti-virus toolkit for UNIX, designed especially for e-mail scanning on mail gateways. Now someone has ported it to Windows. Free and can’t find any info whether ClamAV is limited to home and non-commercial uses only.
[ Download ClamAV for Windows ]

10. McAfee VirusScan Plus

* Virus protection guards your whole PC
* Spyware Protection blocks potentially unwanted programs
* Firewall helps keep hackers out
Note: It’s a special edition from AOL which is FREE. No information on whether it is limited to home and non-commercial uses only. You need to sign up for an AOL email to download and use McAfee VirusScan Plus.
[ Download McAfee VirusScan Plus - Special Edition ]

11. ThreatFire

* Comprehensive protection against viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, rootkits, keyloggers & buffer overflows
* Real-time malware detection – no signatures required
* Immediately & permanently shuts down destructive processes
* Automatic updates
* Rootkit scanner – ability to schedule and customize
* Can be used for home and business
Notes: ThreatFire is by PC Tools. Formerly known as CyberHawk. It is
[ Download ThreatFire ]

I can’t answer you which is the best free antivirus from the list above because I only use Kaspersky Anti-Virus. There used to be a free version of Kaspersky known as Active Virus Shield but it is being replaced by McAfee VirusScan Plus. There is actually 2 more free antivirus which is F-Prot Dos Antivirus and ANTIDOTE which I didn’t include in the list because it’s either outdated or the website looks terrible. I wouldn’t trust an anti-virus that doesn’t even have a decent website.

Hope this article will help you save your time in searching for free anti-virus.

[tags]antivirus, AVG, avast, antivir, mcafee, security[/tags]