10+ Best Free Antivirus Downloads for Your Computer (2024 Picks)

The main takeaways

Given the vast amount of malware and viruses out there, it's essential to have antivirus software installed these days. You could be at risk simply by clicking on a link in an email or browsing the web. We've compiled this list of the 10 best free antivirus software downloads for PC based on top expert recommendations, to keep your devices safe online and offline.

How to Choose the Right Antivirus Tool That Meets Your Needs

With so many antivirus programs available, all claiming to be the best, it can be tempting to go for the one with the most attractive features. But when choosing the right antivirus for you, there are a few things to consider.

1️⃣ Up-to-date malware databases: With new cyber and malware threats constantly emerging, it's crucial to choose a service that regularly updates its malware database. 2️⃣ Check security features: In addition to malware protection and real-time shields, see if the product offers extra features like a password manager, anti-theft protection, or a virtual private network (VPN). 3️⃣ Look for a reputable antivirus: A well-regarded antivirus is always a safer bet. 4️⃣ Consider your budget and try free versions or trials first. If satisfied, proceed with purchasing the full version. 5️⃣ Monitor system changes: Antivirus programs often run with administrative privileges, and some may alter numerous settings. It's important to know beforehand what changes it will make.

Top 10 Best Free Antivirus Software Downloads Review

Examine the features and intended users, and pick the best antivirus program to protect your computer.

(1) The Chinese translation of "TotalAV" is "TotalAV", which is a computer security software offering features such as virus scanning, protection, and system optimization.

Rating: Four out of five stars.

TotalAV is one of the best antivirus products on the market, upping its game with excellent malware detection rates, a WebShield, and impressive cybersecurity features.

Main Features of TotalAV:

• Real-time protection: Offers on-the-spot scanning to help you browse safely through potential threats.
• Ransomware protection: Empowers you to handle embedded documents, encrypted files, and fend off ransomware attacks.
• WebShield extension: A browser extension that identifies phishing or fraudulent websites while you're online.
• Virtual Private Network (VPN): With a VPN, you can remain anonymous online. You get access to over 50 servers across 35 countries to safeguard your identity while browsing.
• Virus scan: Provides four scan types, including quick and system scans, to check for vulnerabilities in your system.
• System optimization: This feature helps free up system space by removing junk and duplicate files.

Here's what you might not like:

A WebShield extension could be more user-friendly.

Best for: Everyday protection. But if you want more features, you'll need to pay for the premium version.

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TOTALAV

TotalAV is an award-winning antivirus and security software that provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, and online threats.

 Get Protected Now

Enable Antivirus Protection

(2) Norton 360

Rating: 4.7 out of 5.

Norton 360 is one of the best programs around that anyone can use. Norton may be the most feature-packed antivirus software out there. It leaves no stone unturned and even goes above and beyond.

Norton 360's main features include:

• Malware and virus scanning: Offers various scan modes to detect suspicious files and folders, and flags items for custom scans.
• Real-time protection: Guards against online threats such as viruses, ransomware, and spyware.
• Smart firewall: Monitors network traffic as your device sends and receives data.
• PC cloud backup: Enables backup of your data to the cloud for secure storage.
• System optimization: Helps remove unnecessary files and cleans your device for optimal performance.

Here's what you might not like:

- No free version, only a 7-day free trial. - Some features require additional app downloads. - Antivirus pricing is on the higher side.

Best for: A top-notch antivirus for all users.

(3) McAfee VirusScan

Rating: Four and a half out of five stars.

McAfee is the only competitor to have achieved perfect lab scores. It's also a premium option that many users love.

Key Features of McAfee Antivirus:

• McAfee Scan: You get three types of scans: Quick Scan, Full Scan, and Custom Folder Scan.
• Tracker Remover: Helps you delete unwanted cookies that your device collects from websites.
• WebAdvisor: A browser extension that scans web pages for authenticity while you browse online.
• Firewall: Filters processes and blocks access to your device before malware can get in.
• Virtual Private Network (VPN): Another crucial feature for browsing, compared to leading independent VPN services.

Here's what you might not like:

- No iOS version available. - Pricing plans can be confusing, given the features.

BEST FOR: McAfee is one of the most reliable antivirus software out there and is suitable for everyone.

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TOTALAV

TotalAV is an award-winning antivirus and security software that provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, and online threats.

 Get Protection Now

Enable Antivirus Protection

(4) Avast Security Software

Rating: 4.6 out of 5.

Avast is one of the biggest names in antivirus, with a comprehensive package that protects your devices from online scams and suspicious activity.

Avast's main features include:

• Malware and Real-Time Protection: You can protect your device in real-time from malware to mitigate its impact.
• Firewall: This safeguards your network from unauthorized access and applications.
• Shields: Use shields to secure your email, devices, and webcam before granting access to anyone.
• SecureLine VPN: The suite comes with a decent VPN service that is quite useful.

Here's what you might not like:

– Though it provides valuable services, Avast does so at a high cost.

BEST FOR: A great security suite for businesses of all sizes.

(5) Microsoft Windows Defender

Rating: Four and a half stars out of five.

The built-in Windows antivirus software, Microsoft Defender, offers several features to protect your device, including threat scanner, firewall and network protection, account security, and device security.

Key features of Microsoft Defender include:

• Virus and threat protection: Windows Security offers quick scans, full scans, custom scans, and offline scans to guard against intrusions.
• It helps you manage and disable firewall settings for different networks and apps, including public and private networks.
• App and browser control: Provides isolated browsing options and reputation-based protection to shield against potential malicious activities in applications and websites.
• Device security: Safeguards the core components of your computer, including the secure processor, secure boot, and core isolation.

Here's what you might not like:

• No VPN; unappealing interface.
• Weaker than professional programs at detecting zero-day threats.

BEST FOR: Anyone who wants a good, free antivirus. It's not as great as the paid version, but it gets the job done.

(6) 360 Security Guard

Rating: Four out of five stars.

360 Total Security is the perfect blend of speed and security. This antivirus provides protection and performance, keeping your computer safe and efficient.

Key features of 360 Total Security include:

• Real-time Protection with Three Modes: This feature offers Performance, Balance, and Security modes, prioritizing different aspects of real-time scanning.
• Virus Scan: In addition to quick and comprehensive system scans, you can also perform custom, user-defined scans.
• Optimization Features: This function identifies factors affecting system performance and resolves them to enhance your system's speed.
• Toolbox: With this tool, you can open suspicious and high-risk files in a secure environment to prevent damage to your system.

Here's what you might not like:

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Best for: It works as a basic antivirus, but with old-school algorithms.

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TOTALAV

TotalAV is an award-winning antivirus and security software that provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, and online threats.

 Get Protection Now

Enable Antivirus Protection

(7) Bitdefender is a Romanian cybersecurity company that offers antivirus software, firewalls, and other security solutions.

Rating: 4.9 out of 5.

Bitdefender is the top-rated antivirus on the market, with consistently excellent performance in independent lab tests and an affordable price.

Key Bitdefender features:

• Firewall: You can monitor all incoming and outgoing connections on the device.
• Malware and Real-time Protection: Offers users options for real-time scanning and safety precautions.
• Theft Deterrent: Allows you to locate the device on a map and lock it in case of emergencies.
• Anti-tracking and VPN: Both help prevent external threats from tracking your device.

What we don't like:

• VPN features are limited.
• It doesn't really do much for macOS.

BEST FOR: Awarded the best antivirus of the year. A great, affordable, and safe choice for anyone.

(8) AVG Free Edition

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars.

AVG is an excellent antivirus solution, and a front-runner in its field. You can get a free version with basic protection.

Main features of AVG Free:

• Enhanced Firewall: Monitors incoming and outgoing traffic.
• Phishing and Real-Time Protection: Protects against phishing attempts and constantly scans your system in real-time.
• Web and Email Shield: Defends against attacks while surfing the web and getting email attachments.
• Webcam Protection: Controls access to your webcam.

Here's what you might not like:

• Prone to generating many false positives.
• Resource-intensive to run.
• Doesn't provide comprehensive protection.

BEST FOR: A decent antivirus. But for the price, and given its shortcomings, there are better options.

(9) Avira

Rating: Four point two out of five.

Avira Antivirus is a security solution currently available on the market. The program has a clean user interface and a series of nice features. You can try it out with a free version.

Key features of Avira Antivirus:

• Virus Scanner: Offers multiple scan options to check your computer. It includes a quarantine feature to safely store infected files.
• Safe Shopping and Browsing: A browser extension that blocks trackers and ads for secure browsing.
• Real-Time Protection: Provides continuous file scanning to ensure the safety of your system.
• Avira Crypto: An additional feature for easy and secure cryptocurrency mining.

Here's something you might not like:

• The free version doesn't come with web protection features.
• Typical customer support.

BEST FOR: If you're looking for a simple-to-use antivirus that has all the essentials, this is a great choice.

Please provide the English content you would like translated, and I will do my best to translate it into Chinese.

TOTALAV

TotalAV is an award-winning antivirus and security software that provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, and online threats.

 Get Protection Now

Activate Antivirus Protection

(10) Panda

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars.

It is the prettiest antivirus around, with a super-attractive user interface and security features to match.

Antivirus software typically features:

• Malware Scan: Offers quick and comprehensive scans, as well as custom scans, to safeguard your entire system.
• Real-time Offline Protection: Continuously monitors for external intrusions whether you're online or offline.
• Theft Protection and VPN: Allows you to remotely lock or disable your device and maintain anonymity while browsing.
• Data Shield: Helps protect and add an extra layer of security to your critical data.

What you might not like:

• Vulnerable to certain malware attacks.
• Lacks phishing protection.
• Full ransomware protection is only available in the premium version.

Best for: The free version is basic, so upgrade only after you've checked out the features and are sure they suit your needs.

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Safer! Always create a system image for extra protection

Antivirus software does not guarantee 100% safety for your data. Even the best antivirus has a 99.98% protection rate, leaving room for external threats. While there's no antivirus that offers full-proof security, the best supplementary measure is to use a professional backup tool, like Todo Backup Free, to create a system image of your data.

Todo Backup is a professional system imaging and disk backup software for Windows. With it, you can create and restore system images in any emergency situation. Additionally, the tool offers advanced backup options, cloning, and imaging solutions. Your data remains secure from any threat and is always ready to be recovered with this tool. Download the software and create a system image for your device.

The Ultimate Arbiter

Choosing one from the many antivirus options out there can be tiring. But we've narrowed them down for you, presenting the top 10 best free downloadable antivirus software for your computer. Check out their features and drawbacks, and pick the one that suits you most.

Among them, Total AV stands out the most, as it's free and comes with all the necessary security features to protect your entire device. Additionally, you can utilize tools like Todo Backup to create system images, adding an extra layer of safety.

Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll translate it into Chinese for you as soon as possible.

TOTALAV

TotalAV is an award-winning antivirus and security software that provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, and online threats.

 Get Instant Protection

Antivirus protection enabled

Frequently Asked Questions About Antivirus Software for PCs 1. What is antivirus software? Answer: Antivirus software is a computer program designed to detect, prevent, and remove malware such as viruses, spyware, trojans, adware, and more from your computer. 2. Should I install antivirus software even if I haven't had any problems? Answer: Yes, antivirus software primarily serves as a preventative measure. It's advisable to have it installed and updated even if you haven't encountered any issues to protect against future threats. 3. Are free antivirus programs reliable? Answer: Many free antivirus programs are reliable and provide basic protection. However, they may not be as comprehensive as paid versions, lacking certain advanced features or technical support. 4. Will antivirus software slow down my computer's performance? Answer: There might be a slight impact, especially during full system scans. However, modern antivirus software is usually designed to be more optimized, minimizing the effect on system performance. 5. Should I regularly update my antivirus software? Answer: Yes, it's crucial. Updates ensure that your software can detect the latest threats and provide the best possible protection. 6. Can antivirus software fully protect me from all types of attacks? Answer: While antivirus software offers strong protection, no software can guarantee 100% security. Good online habits, like avoiding suspicious links and not downloading files from unknown sources, are also important. 7. If my computer is already infected, can antivirus software still help me? Answer: Most antivirus software has cleaning and repair capabilities to detect and remove known malware. However, in some cases, professional technical support might be needed to restore your system. 8. Can I install multiple antivirus software programs on the same computer? Answer: It is generally not recommended, as they may conflict with each other, potentially decreasing your computer's performance. 9. Do I need to manually run scans with antivirus software? Answer: Most antivirus software includes automatic scanning and real-time protection, but you can also run a full scan manually as needed. 10. Which antivirus software brands are recommended? Answer: This depends on your needs and budget. Some well-known brands include Norton, Symantec, Kaspersky, McAfee, Avast, and AVG, among others.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the top 10 best free antivirus software for download on computers. If you have similar concerns, hopefully, this will be of help to you.

1. Which antivirus software is completely free?

While the TotalAV antivirus is free and grants you access to all features, the free version is indeed just that, and you would have to purchase the paid version for premium features.

2. Can I use a computer without antivirus software?

No, antivirus software is important for both PC and Mac users. At a minimum, you need the default antivirus software to protect your system from ongoing malware and ransomware attacks.

Does antivirus software slow down my computer?

Yes, in today's world, it is essential to have antivirus software installed to protect your devices. The downside of antivirus programs is that they can consume a lot of resources, slowing down your computer over time.