Quick navigation:

If your computer has been infected by a computer virus, it might be running slowly, programs might be crashing, files might be mysteriously disappearing from your hard drive, its behavior could be erratic, and your system might be crashing frequently. To get a sense of the damage that viruses can do, consider some of the most notorious malicious programs in history.

The Mydoom malware, which spread in 2004 via mass e-mails, caused an estimated $80 billion in damage. The ILOVEYOU virus, also known as the “Love Bug,” sent romantic-sounding messages that infected an estimated 50 million computers, causing $10 billion in damage. And WannaCry, a ransomware program that held the computer systems of businesses and governments hostage until a ransom was paid, wreaked havoc in 2017.

You may also like: 10 Best Free Antivirus Software for PC Download

What are the best defenses against and remedies for viruses?

Computer viruses come in many forms; they have been around for a long time, serve various purposes, and are written with malicious intent. How much damage they do to your computer depends on the type of malware that has infected it. Malware is code written to interfere with a computer's normal functioning, and, like human viruses, it is designed to replicate and spread to other computers.

The best solution for virus protection is to use an antivirus software that regularly updates its security features and virus database. A good antivirus program will continually scan your computer, detect any threats, and remove or terminate them to safeguard your device. It is crucial to always use a reputable and powerful antivirus software, as it can help you avoid potential dangers.

Related Articles

Tips to Remove & Prevent Fake Windows Update Virus in 2022

With the abundance of computer viruses, knowing different types of malware and how to remove them is more crucial than ever.

Tool: Todo Backup

How to Choose an Antivirus Program

When choosing an antivirus for yourself, you should pay attention to three things. If the antivirus tool meets all these criteria, you can safely opt for it. Here's what to consider:

    Go with a well-known brand. It's important to choose a reputable and larger brand, as they will provide the necessary trust and security for your system. In addition, bigger brands often have large user communities, so you can get help quickly if you run into issues. Opt for a clean brand that doesn't come with ads, annoying pop-ups, or take up too much disk and system resources. You may know that antivirus programs can sometimes be resource-hungry and slow down your computer without effectively protecting it. Prioritize a free but powerful antivirus that will monitor, scan, and remove viruses from your device.

You may also be wondering:

The Best Free Antivirus Software (5 Top Picks)

Based on our own user experience, we've compiled a list of the top five free antivirus solutions. All of the products listed below have been tried and tested by us and have proven to be the best in their respective categories. So, let's get started with the countdown:

1. Windows Defender is an integrated security software developed by Microsoft, designed to protect users' computers from viruses, malware, and spyware threats. It offers real-time scanning, automatic updates, and a firewall, ensuring the safety and stability of the system.

Windows Defender

Windows Defender is Microsoft's own antivirus and anti-malware component. It started out as a free spyware download for Windows XP and now comes pre-installed on all the latest versions of Windows. Since Microsoft makes it, it offers good overall protection and user experience. It's compatible with all versions of Windows.

Features:

    • No installation required: Unlike other free antivirus tools, it comes pre-installed on the system.
    • Scanning options: The main focus of Microsoft Defender is real-time protection.

Advantages:

    < li > Bundled with Windows. < /li> < li > Excellent scores in lab tests. < /li> < li > Good score in our hands - on malware protection test . < /li> < li > It stays on all the time if you have no other antivirus . < /li>

Drawback:

    • Below-average scores on phishing detection. • SmartScreen filter works only with Microsoft browsers.

If you don't want to install third-party antivirus software on your computer, this is a viable option. However, it's not sufficient as a standalone antivirus solution. In our experience, it rates a decent 7/10.

2. Bitdefender Security Free Edition

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is a pared-down version of the company's popular paid suite. Formerly not as good as the original, the new version has all the same features as its paid counterpart. Bitdefender Antivirus is one of the most powerful free antivirus tools around. It's compatible with all current versions of Windows.

Features:

  • Protection while browsing the web.
  • Customizable scans to enhance system security.
  • Suitable for gamers as it significantly improves the overall gaming experience.

Advantages:

  • The same core antivirus protection as the paid product.
  • Top scores from independent testing labs.
  • Free features that were missing from the previous free edition.

Drawback:

  • Lacks ransomware protection.
  • Full scans are slow.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition offers some flagship features that others on this list don't, even in their paid versions. For this reason, it gets an overall score of 9/10.

3. AVG AntiVirus Free

avg antivirus free

With over a million users worldwide, you know that AVG Antivirus Free is both popular and effective. However, there are noticeable differences between the free and paid versions. All the major security features, such as hacking protection and secure payment features, are premium. That said, what's offered here for free is more than enough.

Features:

  • It offers real-time updates, claiming the world's largest database of viruses.
  • It has six layers of malware protection that block viruses, spyware, and other threats.

Advantages:

  • Scored well in lab tests from three labs.
  • Can remove malware on boot.

Drawback:

  • The initial scan is very slow compared to other software.
  • Performance is comparable, but with some issues.

Though it comes from a well-known company, its lack of extra features impacts the user experience. It still earns a decent 7.5/10 rating for its excellent antivirus protection, which is on a par with Avast Free Antivirus.

4. Avast Free Antivirus

Avast Antivirus Free

There is a common misconception among users that free antivirus protection only offers basic security, but this is not the case. Avast is a giant in the antivirus arena, and its Avast Free Antivirus provides a comprehensive suite of features, equivalent to its paid versions, along with additional perks. It's an excellent choice as it includes features such as a network security scanner and browser protection.

Features:

    • Email protection: The most common way to get scammed or for viruses to enter your system is through email. It stops dangerous email attachments that might steal your data.
    • Phishing protection: Blocks unsafe links and websites that could threaten the security of your computer with malware.

Advantages:

    < li > Scores highly in independent lab tests. < li > Excellent network security scanner. < li > Many premium features available for free.

Disadvantages:

  • Premium features require a paid subscription.
  • Boot scan may be slow.

It has a powerful core antivirus engine that performs excellently in tests, and it offers a surprising number of premium features. It deserves an overall score of 9.5/10.

5. Kaspersky Security Cloud Free

Kaspersky Security Free

Kaspersky Security Cloud Free is one of the best antivirus programs you can get. The free version includes Kaspersky's core antivirus technology, just without some extra features. That said, it's only recommended for personal, non-commercial use.

Features:

    < li > Browser protection : If you install the free version of this software,

Advantages:

    - Near-perfect scores in four lab tests. - Very effective ransomware protection. - Supports Android and iOS devices.

Drawback:

    There is no technical fix for this.

It's our top pick for the best overall antivirus for your PC, giving you top-tier malware protection and some essential features for free, and scoring a perfect 10/10 in our books.

If all the above antivirus solutions fail to meet your computer protection needs, consider TotalAV, which offers a robust defense system against online threats. It is compatible with multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, ensuring comprehensive protection for all your devices. With excellent technical support and competitive pricing, TotalAV is ideal for users seeking advanced antivirus protection.

Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll 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

Enable Antivirus Protection

In addition to virus removal: How to protect your computer from viruses

As you know, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So your first line of defense should be to protect your computer from getting infected in the first place. Here are some tips for avoiding infection:

Always be on the lookout for suspicious links and downloads, the most common way that malware gets onto your computer. Don't download files from unknown or untrustworthy sources, and don't click on malicious links.

These were some of the more notorious cases, most of them caused by opening attachments from unknown e-mail sources.

Even with good antivirus software, however, viruses can still get through. Which is why the best defense is to back up all of your computer's data regularly to a secure location.

When it comes to backups, we highly recommend using the Todo Backup Free tool. It's one of the best free backup software for Windows, and it comes with a lot of features, such as:

    • Schedule backups and other customizable options
    • Safely restore data in case of system crashes or file loss
    • Perform system backups, file backups, and backups of partitions or drives

When attempting to utilize this efficient software to back up your data, follow these steps:

Step 1. To begin, click on the “Select Backup Items” option.

Create File Backup Step 1

Step 2: There are four backup types: Files, Disk, System, and Mail. Click on Files.

Create File Backup Step 2

Step 3: On the left, you'll see local and network files. Expand the directories to locate your backup file.

File Backup File Backup

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a location to save your backup.

Step 4: File Backup

Click on Options, enable Password-protected Backup under Backup Options, then go to Backup Schedule to specify the time for backups and initiate them upon specific events. You can also select additional options to customize the backup process as per your requirements.

Backup Options

Step 5: Backups can be stored on a local disk, the tool's online service, or a NAS.

File Backup Step 4

Step 6: Todo Backup also allows users to back up their data to third-party cloud storage services, as well as to its own.

If you want to back up your data to a cloud drive provided by a third party, choose “Local Disk,” scroll down, add a “Cloud Device,” and then add and sign in to your account.

You can also choose to back up to cloud storage. Sign up for an AOMEI account and click "AOMEI Cloud" to log in.

Backup to Tool Cloud

Step 7. Click Backup Now to start the backup process. When complete, the backup job will appear as a card on the left pane. Right-click the backup job for further handling.

File Backup Step 7

The bottom line is that Europe's leaders must recognize that their problems have continental dimensions and require continental solutions.

In this article, we discuss five of the best virus protection and removal solutions. Our top picks are based on our own real-world experiences. All antivirus software mentioned in our list are free and offer something unique. You can choose the one that suits your needs and interests the most. We hope this article proves to be helpful.