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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.
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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.
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.
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:
You may also be wondering:
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:
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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TotalAV is an award-winning antivirus and security software that provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, and online threats.
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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:
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.
Step 2: There are four backup types: Files, Disk, System, and Mail. Click on Files.
Step 3: On the left, you'll see local and network files. Expand the directories to locate your backup file.
Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a location to save your 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.
Step 5: Backups can be stored on a local disk, the tool's online service, or a NAS.
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.
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.
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.