Cybersecurity is a term that has much relevance in today’s world where everything is going digital. A single day might not have passed without you having to use any kind of digital device. Almost all human interactions and transactions have become online and this calls for a heightened sense of responsibility to keep things a bit more secure and safe. It is in this context antivirus software programs become relevant.
With the speed of digital technology, virus and malware attacks are also on the go. To prevent such attacks and protect your security, you need to install some quality antivirus software programs on your computer. This article here details the top free antivirus software for 2024. Go on and learn everything you need to know about antivirus programs and choose the best one out of the list for ensuring safety and protection for your device!
What is antivirus software?
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Before diving into the subject matter, here is a short glimpse into what is meant by antivirus software. Also called anti-malware or AV software as the shortened form, antivirus software is a security program or set of programs that can scan your computer files and prevent and remove harmful viruses and malware from it. It was in 1971, the first ever reported case of computer virus appeared which was named the ‘Creeper virus’.
An American Computer Programmer named Ray Tomlinson developed a program that could eventually delete the Creeper virus and it was known as the “The Reaper”. According to some, The Reaper is the first ever antivirus software to be written but it was a virus that is specifically designed to destroy the Creeper virus. But by 1990 to 2000, there were great advancements in antivirus software and it led to the emergence of an antivirus software industry.
Antivirus software is installed on a computer to add to its security which can detect and fight various kinds of cyber attacks such as browser hijacking, Trojan horses, keyloggers, adware, worms, rootkits, and much more. Antivirus tools are necessary for any computer device as without its protection, the device can get affected by viruses and malware within minutes of connecting to the Internet.
Also Read: Most Common Cybersecurity Threats And How Hackers Exploit Them
How does antivirus software work?
Usually, antivirus software is run as background processes where either they scan the files and programs that enter your device and compare them with known viruses or scan the files already on your device and examine for any suspicious activity. Some of these antivirus programs also deliver real-time threat detection and conduct system scans to evaluate the security of your system. These softwares work frequently on the background of your computer and ensure no malware is detected and if found, prevent and inhibit its growth.
One of how this process is done is by comparing the existing files in your computer with a library that will have a malicious signature. This will help this software to identify possible threats and risks. Users are allowed to schedule scanning at definite times so that they can run automatically or they can also start new scans at any moment. Before scanning the system, the antivirus software will need privileged access to your entire system.
What are the different types of computer viruses?
Different types of computer viruses can infect your devices. Some of them are detailed below:
- Resident Viruses- They are also called memory-resident viruses because they hide inside the computer’s memory and destroy files. They usually slow down the computer functions and cause it to go freeze mode.
- Browser Hijacker- These are malware programs that can manually change the settings of your web browser. This will lead the user to websites that they hadn’t intended to visit.
- Multipartite Virus- As the name suggests, these kinds of viruses can affect the computer in multiple ways at the same time. They are usually considered one of the most dangerous kinds of computer viruses as they combine the characteristics of different kinds of malicious software.
- Web Scripting Virus- These kinds of viruses usually hamper the security of your web browser and invaders can write malicious codes to your web pages. By using real-time web protection software and malicious software removal tools, the attack can be prevented to an extent.
- Direct Action- A direct action virus is designed to conduct certain specific actions such as deleting files, stealing personal information, modifying existing files and documents, etc. Once infected, they can execute immediate action. They work by attaching themselves to executable files.
- Boot Sector Virus- These kinds of viruses affect the master boot record (MBR) where all the instructions regarding starting up the computer are stored. The virus can infect through a damaged floppy disk or USB drive. One of the famous boot sector viruses was the Michelangelo virus (1991) which could overwrite critical data on the hard drive making it vulnerable and unusable.
- File Infector- As the name suggests, file infector viruses are viruses or malware that attack programs or files in your computer. It is one of the most common types of computer viruses. They mainly affect files with .com or .exe extensions.
- Network Virus- This kind of virus can be really dangerous as it spreads from computer to computer across a network easily. They are also hard to detect as these viruses can be hidden anywhere in the network.
- Overwrite Virus- A kind of computer virus that can overwrite files and replace them with its data or code. They can be dangerous as once affected, the only solution there is to completely delete the files.
What are the benefits of antivirus software?
Here are some advantages offered by using antivirus software on your computer.
- Helps you protect your data from being erased, encrypted, or stolen.
- Identify and eliminate harmful malware, ransomware, and viruses from your system.
- Aids in keeping your online accounts safe.
- Prevents phishing and other identity theft-related issues.
- Enables your device to function faster and properly.
- Trains and teaches you to be more safe while being online.
- Gives you a warning about potential threats and dangerous websites.
- Helps you scan the Dark Web to check whether your personal information such as your email ID has been compromised.
Top free antivirus software for 2024
Here is a detailed list of the top free antivirus software for 2024. The list has been made based on various aspects and all of them are designed to offer reliable security with comprehensive features.
1. Avast One Basic
Avast One Basic is an ideal antivirus software for comprehensive free security. It provides free protection and security for devices in Android, macOS, iOS, and Windows operating systems. This is an award-winning antivirus program that comes with multiple performance features. It has scored top in antivirus lab tests using multiple platforms.
Some of the special features of this antivirus program include On-Demand Malware Scan, Malicious URL Blocking, Phishing Protection, Behavior Detection, On-Access Malware Scan, etc. Avast Free Antivirus programs are packed with the largest threat-detection network and it won’t slow down your PC.
2. Total AV Free Antivirus
Another top free antivirus software of 2024 is Total AV, which can be used in Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS platforms. The software comes with anti-phishing and anti-malware features. Trusted by over 3 million users worldwide, it is an award-winning antivirus protection software. You can use it on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
Total AV Antivirus Pro, the latest addition in this stream offers real-time antivirus protection, zero-day cloud scanning, PUA protection, and ransomware protection, and helps you delete viruses, malware, and Trojans from your system. Certain independent lab tastings have provided results that Total AV could block 100% of older malware with zero-day threats. It has other features such as system optimization tools where options like browser cleanup, disk space management, junk file cleaning, etc can enhance the performance of your device.
3. Avira Free Security
Avira is a reliable and free antivirus software program that is best for many security components. It has scored excellent on antivirus lab tests and blocks threats in real-time. This antivirus software is ideal for all your shopping needs as it can prevent fake websites and phishing attacks. This software also blocks malicious and intrusive ads and pop-ups from loading.
The program also includes VPN and password protection features. If you are looking for a full-security antivirus suite, Avira Free Security can be an ideal choice for you. But remember, some of its features require payment to be fully functional. It also has certain system optimizer tools such as managing startup programs and cleaning junk files which can also improve the performance of your system.
4. Bitdefender Free Antivirus
Bitdefender is ranked number one out of 19 antivirus software apps in 2022. It is best for no-frills protection and is ideal for defending your device against potential ransomware attacks. The antivirus software is known for providing full core protection to your computer. According to the creators of this program, it is enabled to prevent even the latest e-threats to your device.
Unlike other antivirus software, Bitdefender won’t put much pressure on your CPU and will run in the background silently. This antivirus program is built with award-winning technologies and protects your system from the latest e-threats such as crypto-jacking, ransomware, Rootkits, Trojans, AI-powered spear phishing, and malicious websites and files.
5. AVG Antivirus Free
This antivirus program offers robust and free web and email protection and helps you optimize the performance of your device. It protects your system from harmful ransomware, blocks unauthorized websites, verifies your WIFI network security, secures your devices against phishing attacks, etc. AVG Antivirus is known as a world-class security software trusted by many.
It has also got useful bonus features and has scored excellent points in antivirus lab tests. This antivirus software also offers multiple scanning options such as Deep, Smart, Folder or File, Performance Scans, and much more. Some of the additional features of AVG Antivirus Free include Web Shield, Network Inspector, Ransomware Protection, Email Shield, Do Not Disturb Mode, Data Shredder, Rescue Disc Tool, etc.
6. Microsoft Defender Antivirus
Among this list of free antivirus software programs, the ideal one for Windows die-hards is the Microsoft Defender antivirus software program. Previously known as Windows Defender, this is built into your Windows operating system and provides you protection even in the absence of a valid third-party antivirus program. In some lab tests, Windows Defender antivirus software has scored high on malware protection.
This antivirus program offers features such as real-time protection, browser integration, application guard, and controlled folder access. Having Windows Defender antivirus software on your device can protect it against various kinds of malware, viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other malicious software. It works by scanning and monitoring the files you access and checking for any suspicious activities. You don’t have to install Microsoft Defender antivirus separately as it comes pre-installed with the Windows operating system.
7. Norton antivirus software
Known as one of the best overall Windows antivirus programs for 2024, Norton has an advanced malware engine and even if it doesn’t have a complete free plan, it offers free trials and a 60-day money-back guarantee. It offers a comprehensive device security plan along with a password manager and VPN for your online privacy. This antivirus software also comes with parental control features where you can filter inappropriate content and monitor the usage of YouTube and Hulu platforms.
It also provides an option of a private browser which can ensure a safe browsing experience while protecting you from online threats. Along with this, Norton antivirus software comes with certain System Optimization Tools that can improve your boot time and eliminate unwanted files from web browsers. Compared to many other antivirus programs, Norton also provides a better user experience and you can also choose from multiple value-added plans of the program.
8. Malwarebytes Free
This is a minimalistic virus scanner that catches all kinds of malware and is simple to install and use. Based on 20,000+ customer reviews, Malwarebytes has been given 4.6/5 stars on average. It is AI-powered and provides superior security from viruses, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, botnets, and much more. You won’t have to compromise the speed of your device as it is lightweight and comes with an easy-to-use dashboard.
Malwarebytes is known for its robust scam protection through which it can prevent robocalls, phishing attempts, and scam texts. This anti-virus software is ideal for Microsoft Windows, ChromeOS, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. The free version scans and eliminates harmful viruses manually. Malwarebytes antivirus software also works with other antivirus programs and you have the option to even update to a paid Premium version.
Read More: Windows Terminal: What Is It And How To Use It
Conclusion
Having antivirus software on your computer or device is necessary to prevent various kinds of cybersecurity attacks. These can range from attacks of viruses, malware, ransomware, Trojans, phishing attacks, and much more.
Antivirus software helps you to have a safer online presence while protecting your data and preventing any kind of security issues. It also ensures optimizing your device’s performance and keeps you alert on possible attacks. The list here is not comprehensive, but yet includes an average of the top free antivirus software for 2024.
One good thing about these antivirus programs is that they are free to use, but at the same time to access some special features, you might need to install the Premium versions. Anyway, the world is evolving at a dangerous speed as it is evident from the digital field, and cybercrimes and attacks are also increasing. To protect your valuable information and add to your security, you should install any of these antivirus software programs on your device.
