What is an Antivirus Software?
Antivirus software is an application created to block, detect, and remove software viruses and other malicious software like worms, trojans, adware, etc. An antivirus application works by scanning files, directories, or the whole system/device for malicious programs or files. Any malicious code that’s detected would be notified to the user, and when asked to clean, the antivirus would clean it. An antivirus keeps the system free of malware, prevents data theft and other severe damages.
Antivirus software also prevents the system from slowing down due to malware infection. Antivirus software also provides regular automatic database updates to keep your virus definition up-to-date to protect from new infections. An antivirus software thus improves system performance on the whole.
Importance of an Antivirus Software
- Protection from viruses and their transmission: An antivirus essentially performs a prophylactic function. It identifies any potential virus and then works to remove it. It is mostly done before the virus gets to harm the system. So, this means most of the viruses are countered way before they get to do any harm to your computer.
- Block spam and ads: Pop-up ads and spam websites are the most used gateways by the viruses to infect your computer and damage your files. Antivirus works against these malicious virus-containing ads and websites by blocking their direct access to your computer network.
- Defense against hackers and data thieves: Hackers usually use a virus or malware program to access their victim’s system. They install malware into the system without the information of the victim. Hackers are generally sending malicious emails to the victims, and then the hacker can easily hack into their desired files and programs. Antivirus protects against e-mail-borne threats by scanning both the content and the attachment of incoming and outgoing mails.
List of Antivirus Software
When you start looking for the best antivirus software, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the list of options available. Here is the handpicked list of antivirus software to choose as per your requirement:
Avast antivirus provides 100% protection against zero-day threats. Avast develops and debug its cloud-based scanning system for unknown content, and it includes our intelligent antivirus features that detect viruses, malware, spyware, ransomware, and phishing. Avast Free Antivirus software also includes extra free features such as Software Updater, Ransomware Shield, and Passwords.
Key Features:
- Detailed settings for every scan mode
- Supports (do not disturb mode) can be set for different apps
- Provides Wi-Fi security Secure Password
- High detection rate
To know more about Avast Free Antivirus Software features and product options, click here to continue.
If you are running a program, you are not sure whether it contains malware or not. 360 Total Security is a program that keeps your computer optimized and protected. Provides tools to improve your computer’s performance, help you free space, and protect your system. It uses its own 360 Cloud engine to implement the cloud protection component and QVM AI for proactive protection.
Key Features:
- Intelligent monitoring to identify any document hijacking
- Overall, speedup and cleanup tools improve your system by removing unnecessary startup applications and files
- Cloud technology detects ransomware variants in realtime
- Also provides real-time protection with the latest virus definition updates
To know more about 360 Total Security Software features and product options, click here to continue.
Kaspersky Antivirus provides essential PC protection that defends viruses, ransomware, phishing, spyware, dangerous websites, etc. Allows users to automatically scan their PC to find threats, including new drive-by crypto-mining infections that could seriously damage your PC’s performance.
Key Features:
- Allows you to inspect every process on your computer, how much memory is used, and what system resources are taken
- Safe money protection for payments online
- Protects against new security risks targeting your computer
- Enables users to scan malicious websites
To know more about Kaspersky Antivirus Software features and product options, click here to continue.
Bitdefender Total Security is an advanced antivirus and other anti-malware and anti-ransomware tool created by Bitdefender to cover your PC from all possible threats completely. Provides the best protection and lowest impact on performance without compromising speed. Bitdefender Total Security software also provides a secure VPN for complete online privacy.
Key Features:
- Advanced parental controls to keep your kids safe online
- Unbeatable threat detection to stop sophisticated malware
- Innovative technologies to protect against zero-day attacks
- Also provides multi-layer ransomware protection to keep your files safe
To know more about Bitdefender Total Security Software features and product options, click here to continue.
Panda Dome antivirus protects the user with the help of two essential functions. The first is the antivirus module, characterized by a malware detection system because of the combined cloud protection. The Second is a free firewall module, which allows you to isolate your PC inside the network entirely. An additional feature also enables you to check the Wi-Fi network’s security and take measures to improve your safety.
Key Features:
- Real-time antivirus monitor found 100 percent of viruses
- Safe browsing and USB protection
- Virtual keyboard and fast support button
- Quickly and efficiently blocks malware
To know more about Panda Dome Antivirus Software features and product options, click here to continue.
Adaware Antivirus Free essential function will help to withstand the common threats on PC with low infection risk. It is free and provides a decent level of security. The adaware antivirus software protects your system from online threats to focus on the things that matter to you, checking email, connecting with friends, and watching videos.
Key Features:
- Thoroughly scans your computer for malicious software like blended malware, trojans, worms, rootkits
- Effectively filters network traffic and prevents malicious behavior
- Regularly watches the vulnerable areas of the computer and reacts to suspicious activity in real-time
- Also protects against e-mail-borne threats by scanning both the content and the attachment
To know more about Adaware Antivirus Free Software features and product options, click here to continue.
BullGuard Antivirus allows users can initiate a scan of their hard drivers at any time using an easy and straightforward interface. There are several scan types: Quick scan, only the most important and often used areas will be scanned. Full scan – monitors everything but takes a lot of time and custom scan – Enables users to specify which files and folders should be monitored. If any files are contaminated or damaged by the virus, they will be placed into quarantine, where the virus cannot spread any further, so the user can decide what to do with these files.
Key Features:
- Allows you to use the Game Booster feature to shut down everything that is not used during the gameplay and silence all incoming notifications
- Prevents applications that might contain malware
- Ensures that zero-day threats are identified and nullified as soon as they emerge, keeping you safe from advanced malware types
- Real-time malware scans and system scans
To know more about Bullguard Antivirus Software features and product options, click here to continue.
Avira Free Antivirus offers enhanced protection against file threats and necessary protection against Internet threats. The integration of extensions into the browser will help implement protective components to counteract the tracking of your actions on the Internet and prevent phishing attacks. Avira Free Antivirus software also secures your data and protects your home network.
Key Features:
- Supports automatic blocking of autostart with USB media
- Identity protection checks if your email addresses or accounts have been leaked
- System optimizer cleans your device's memory and storage for a faster system
- Also provides free limited VPN
To know more about Avira Free Antivirus Software features and product options, click here to continue.
Trend Micro HouseCall is a free application to scan for viruses, worms, malware, rootkits, and spyware that can harm computers. A portable solution that does not require full installation, and users can scan their system by just launching an exe file. Trend Micro HouseCall runs on all Windows OS versions (XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10), requires at least 256 Mb RAM and a 1024×768 pixels monitor.
Key Features:
- Protects your privacy on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and LinkedIn
- Ability to recover infected files
- Manages and encrypts passwords
- Provides continuously updated virus database
To know more about Trend Micro HouseCall Software features and product options, click here to continue.
AVG Antivirus is a free application for PC and Mac users to protect users from several system threats. The antivirus program provides end-to-end protection against malware and computer viruses, making web navigation easy and worry-free. AVG Antivirus software allows users to use the AVG TuneUp utility on favorable terms (60 days – trial).
Key Features:
- Real-Time and USB Protection that enable security on-the-go with an impenetrable safety layer
- Contains internet protection mechanisms, like blocking unsafe pages or emails
- Keeps your data protected from all sorts of ransomware that may lock-down your PC and encrypt your valuable data
- Also provides SSL Security and Scheduled Reporting
To know more about AVG AntiVirus Free Software features and product options, click here to continue.
ITL Total Security scan your system using various scanning mechanisms (smart scan, deep scan, and custom scan) to identify infections and protect your system. Scan removable devices for comprehensive security. Ensure full protection against viruses or other malicious programs spreading via USB drives like pen drives and external hard disks. ITL Total Security software also allows you to browse safely on all major web browsers such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.
Key Features:
- Enables users to makes web surfing safer by installing the safety add-on on all your web browsers
- Ensures that startup items are always protected using the Startup Manager
- Supports continuously scans your system in real-time to keep it safe from all active infections
- Get regular automatic database updates on your system to ensure the best protection
To know more about ITL Total Security Software features and product options, click here to continue.
Comodo Antivirus protects against viruses; the Cloud component protects from unknown threats; malware and anti-spyware scanning – to fight the spyware. One of the essential functions of Comodo Antivirus is the integrated sandbox for suspicious programs. Enables users to detects viruses and other malicious items by pairing files against a database. When it finds such a threat, it offers the user a choice – clean (delete) it or quarantines it.
Key Features:
- Provides parental controls to monitor online activities
- Comodo Antivirus warns you of risky downloads, sites, and search results
- Supports protection for PCs, Macs, tablets, and smartphones
- Also scans for and blocks malware, spam, and other potential threats
To know more about Comodo Antivirus Software features and product options, click here to continue.
Immunet Antivirus provides a decent level of security and a suitable amount of features for free. The interface is simple, and the whole menu is divided into two functions, computer, and Product. In the computer tab, everything that involves scanning, quarantine, and history logs. In the Product, tab users can find settings and updates. The Scan menu of the Immunet Antivirus has two different parts custom and flash. In the custom scan, you can customize the areas you want to scan. The Flash scan will scan the running processes and nothing more. Immunet Antivirus software automatically updates the antivirus and the virus database as the new version is out.
Key Features:
- Gaming mode can disable all pop-ups and notifications for a certain period
- Display quarantined files history, scans history, blocked processes history, and cleaned files history
- keeps the security level high, such as real-time defense, network monitor
- Provides an automatic update, so the users no need to worry about updates
To know more about Immunet AntiVirus Software features and product options, click here to continue.
ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus detects modern viruses and malware while the active firewall protects the user’s system from the network. Flexible firewall configuration allows you to configure mandatory access to the internet for each application or automate permissions. A unique component for user privacy real-time protection monitors your data and prevents unauthorized access to it.
Key Features:
- Protects users from viruses, malware, spyware, and other cyber threats while securing your identity and privacy from hackers
- Temporarily suppress requests, scans, and updates with Gamer Mode so that you can play PC games without interruptions
- Allows users to safely search the web, download clean files only, and avoid phishing attacks before they happen
- Detect automatically when wireless networks are used
To know more about ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus Software features and product options, click here to continue.
Zillya Antivirus interface is simple, intuitive, and good-looking, with four available languages and the trial period is only 15 days. Scanning is reasonably quick and has a few settings and predefined modes. There is a Quick and Full scan. The user can also start a custom scan, where he manually selects the locations that will be scanned. Real-time protection provides all the necessary settings. It will inform you about the detected and disabled threats and ask the user how to act with them. Users can set up default action for detected threats and choose between five possible options: ask, ignore, delete, move to quarantine, a cure. Additionally, users can see how many files are transferred to the quarantine; users can also view all possible contamination sources.
Key Features:
- Zillya Antivirus has a mail filter to scan and clean incoming/ outgoing emails
- USB protection quickly detects a connected device
- Provides daily updates of antivirus databases for full protection of your PC
- Also works lightning-fast due to the lowest memory and processing usage
To know more about Zillya Antivirus Software features and product options, click here to continue.
Nano Antivirus Pro’s main features are console scanner, advanced user settings, advanced update options, and game mode. Protects the PC from viruses and other malicious software. The scan process is standard, providing several scanning methods, such as complete system scan, express system scan, removable media scan, and custom scan. Another essential module of the Nano Antivirus Pro is System Guard, and it consists of “WEB Guard,” “File Guard,” and “Event Log.”
Key Features:
- File protection enables every file accessed by the user, or the operating system is immediately checked for malware
- Supports all known formats of archives and packers, preventing the penetration of any threats into the system
- Provides web protection helps to prevent your computer from infections
- Updates of the virus database are regularly issued, providing operational protection against the latest threats
To know more about Nano Antivirus Pro Software features and product options, click here to continue.
Types of Antivirus
- Malware signature antivirus: Malware signature antivirus software detects malware signatures, which are digital fingerprints of malicious software. Antivirus protection can scan for specific malicious codes, identify particular viruses, and disable these programs. At the same time, malware signature antivirus also detecting and eradicating known viruses.
- System monitoring antivirus: Protects and monitors computer systems and software for a suspect or atypical behavior. For instance, alerts are generated when a user connects to unfamiliar sites or attempts to access many files or a significant increase in data usage.
- Machine learning antivirus: The machine learning antivirus software can limit programs or computers' activities if they look suspicious. More specifically, machine learning detection implements algorithms to facilitate malware detection that is broader in scope. This type of antivirus protection is beneficial because it works in tandem with other antivirus applications to provide multiple protection layers.
We need antivirus software because any computer that doesn’t have an antivirus installed on it would get contaminated with many viruses within minutes of connecting it to the internet in today’s world. Therefore, a system without an antivirus would also become infected by viruses coming in through devices connected to it or via spammy links sent across through emails or chats.
