AVG’s on-demand virus scanner searches for hidden malware, which includes viruses as well as other sneaky malicious software such as spyware and ransomware. One of the pioneers of free antivirus software for Windows, AVG has consistently won awards from AV-Comparatives over the past decade - including Top-Rated Product in their most recent test.Įssential protection: PCMag praises AVG AntiVirus FREE for achieving strong scores in a variety of independent tests, and for its excellent protection against phishing. Need a second opinion? TechRadar notes that “Avast has plenty of protective power and a bunch of extras, and does a good job of keeping you safe,” with protection results of 99.7% and 100% in various tests. Lifewire also highlights the Behavior Shield, which keeps an eye on your apps to make sure they don’t start acting strangely, a potential sign of a malware infection.

Lifewire praises its Do Not Disturb Mode, which blocks pop-ups while you watch movies or play games. Avast continues to support Windows 7, even though Microsoft has stopped updating that operating system.įeatures: Offering an easy-to-use interface, a secure web browser, a network security scanner, and more, Avast has a wide range of useful bonus features. Top antivirus test lab AV-Comparatives named Avast Product of the Year in 2018 and Top-Rated Product in 20, in addition to giving Avast awards for Real-World Protection and Advanced Threat Protection.

Avast secured PCMag’s coveted Editors’ Choice designation in 2021.Įssential protection: Avast Free Antivirus consistently ranks extremely high for its core virus protection engine and malware removal tools. One of the oldest antivirus companies, Avast has been protecting people since 1988 and is trusted by more than 400 million users around the globe.

Read on for a quick summary of the best choices for free antivirus software for 2022.

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