- 10 best free apps for Windows 8 and Windows | TechRadar

Looking for:

Download Windows 8 - Best Software & Apps - 1. Spotify 

Click here to DOWNLOAD

     

Windows Free Download Full Version in (Full Guide).Windows 8 Download ( Latest)

 

Looking for the best free antivirus software? One of the oldest antivirus companies, Avast has been protecting people since and is trusted by more than million users around the globe.

Essential protection: Avast Free Antivirus consistently ranks extremely high for its core virus protection engine and malware removal tools.

Avast continues to support Windows 7, even though Microsoft has stopped updating that operating system. Features: 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. Lifewire praises its Do Not Disturb Mode, which blocks pop-ups while you watch movies or play games.

Need a second opinion? 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. It's unlikely anything is getting through this. Get it for Android , iOS , Mac. Get it for Mac , PC , Android.

Avira has been creating antivirus applications for a long time, with the first one dating back to Bitdefender protects millions devices around the world and is consistently recognized by independent test labs like The Independent IT-Security Institute. Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has faced allegations of inappropriate connections to the Kremlin , prompting the US , the UK , and the Netherlands to ban the use of Kaspersky products across government agencies.

Nevertheless, the allegations remain inconclusive, and Kaspersky is consistently a top-rated antivirus product. If this app is already on your PC, you might be wondering why you should even bother with a free third-party antivirus solution. Its malware detection capabilities have improved, and it performed well in hands-on testing. Still, PCMag gives it a rather lukewarm review:. Many free third-party apps are more effective at keeping you safe.

The company will continue to support the antivirus software for the time being, but their overall support for Windows 7 has ended, and they recommend you upgrade to Windows Essential protection: PCMag reports that Sophos achieved excellent scores in their hands-on tests and excellent protection against malicious websites. But unlike the other major players on this list, Sophos has few independent lab test results to prove its efficacy. Sophos also received a poor phishing protection score from PCMag.

It's extremely short on features, though, and we'd like to see more coverage from the testing labs, too. So here are few more antivirus products to consider:. Essential protection: Adaware Antivirus Free has received mixed scores in past independent tests, and PCMag cautions that Adaware has no recent test scores to show.

And for an antivirus, protection should always be the 1 concern. Check Point ZoneAlarm is a free antivirus-firewall combo that licenses its antivirus engine from security giant Kaspersky. Essential protection: Pairing strong antivirus prevention with a firewall can be good enough for basic computing. Features: Unfortunately, this free cybersecurity solution is missing many features you would expect to see, such as web-based security, protection against malicious websites, and personal data protection.

Essential protection: Qihoo formerly used the same core antivirus as Bitdefender and Avira, but it no longer does. Sadly, its malware protection has suffered for it. Features: Qihoo comes with an impressive suite of bonus features, including cleanup and tuneup utilities, an adblocker , and more.

You may have been expecting to see some big-name antivirus players on this list, like Norton, McAfee, or Malwarebytes. Norton offers only paid antivirus software. McAfee is the same as Norton — a free trial, but no free version. You can find this in their paid products, but why not go with a full-service free option instead? You can avoid some forms of malware by practicing smart digital habits like using secure messaging apps and checking that websites are safe before you use them.

But hackers are craftier than ever. Social engineering tricks , phishing scams, malicious URLs and infected downloads… the list goes on. Cybercriminals find ways to reach even the most careful among us. Make sure to choose one of our best security software options with robust protection against all kinds of online threats.

Mobile devices may also be susceptible to malware, so protect yours with a security program that can remove malware from your smartphone. When it comes to the best virus scanners and best anti-malware tools, there are tons of choices. Effectiveness: Of course, the most important factor is how effective the antivirus engine is against malware and other threats. Gone are the days when the primary internet baddie was the computer virus.

Impact on system resources: No one wants an antivirus that slows down your PC. We recommend starting with one of the strongest best free internet security options above.

Privacy: Antivirus programs need access to all parts of your machine to properly protect it. That means you should choose a program from a reputable developer with a reasonable and transparent privacy policy. But you probably have additional devices, right? Malware, phishing, and other threats also affect Macs, Androids, and even iPhones. Some companies offer multi-device subscriptions so you can easily protect yourself with free antivirus software for Mac , cybersecurity for Android , and mobile security for iOS.

Most companies offer advanced features, add-ons, and customization options in their paid products. But our above list of the best free programs contains options for excellent virus and malware protection — and many include great features in their free versions, too.

Microsoft has put resources into trying to make its built-in solution the best free antivirus for Windows But while it has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, Windows Defender is still not as good as many third-party options out there, like AVG, Avast, Kaspersky, and BitDefender.

Beyond test results, there may be other issues with relying solely on Windows Defender. Absolutely not. Product and OS updates often include patches that plug security holes. Ignoring security updates can make you far more vulnerable to malware. With these persistent limitations to Defender, most AV experts still recommend you opt for one of the best free anti-malware software options on our list above.

These labs have the resources to test thousands of real, active malware samples of all kinds viruses, worms, ransomware, zero-day exploits, Trojans , botnets , backdoors, and more and to perform the same tests on different antivirus software simultaneously to guarantee accurate comparisons.

These labs are certified by independent auditors, and many work with universities to ensure state-of-the-art testing methodology. Independent test labs charge the antivirus companies to participate in these tests. Major AV brands consider this a necessary expense in order to verify the efficacy of their product.

So when a company has no recent test results to show, it might understandably arouse suspicion. Well-known reviewers, such as Neil J. A good antivirus solution will not slow down your computer. The top free antivirus software is designed to minimize its impact on your system.

Make sure to select a program with light system load so you can stay protected but still use your computer exactly as you normally would. Protect your sensitive personal information and your Windows PC with a strong antivirus tool. Get the best free antivirus for Windows today for an impenetrable layer of defense against malware and other invasive digital threats.

Can Macs Get Viruses? Privacy Cookies All third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners. We use cookies and similar technologies to recognize your repeat visits and preferences, to measure the effectiveness of campaigns, and improve our websites. For settings and more information about cookies, view our Cookie Policy. Security Tips. AVG News. See all Security articles. IP Address.

Social Media. Privacy Tips. See all Privacy articles. Performance Tips. See all Performance articles. The Best Free Antivirus Software for Link copied. Top picks:. Avast Free Antivirus One of the oldest antivirus companies, Avast has been protecting people since and is trusted by more than million users around the globe.

Virus: What's the Difference? How Secure Is My Phone? Is the Year We Save the Internet? Is it Malware or Virus? More helpful tips Free install.