Features

Baidu Antivirus 2013 includes full scans that will check your entire computer, quick scans for top level problems, and custom scans to hunt specific problems. You can also opt into real-time protection with additional features such as file system protection, proactive defense, web access protection, and self-defense. Unfortunately, most of these more complicated features only have short rollovers that briefly explain what they do.

Baidu Antivirus 2013 also contains a feedback window where you can provide suggestions or report errors to Baidu. You can easily attach images or files to help clarify your issues. There is an option to include your contact information such as email, Line, MSN, or even Facebook.

Usability

Baidu Antivirus 2013 has large icons that make it very easy to understand their function. When you first open the app you’ll be presented with buttons to select full, quick, or custom scans. An arrow tab on the right will reveal the real time protection tab. Here you can slide large switches to turn options on and off.

You can further customize Baidu Antivirus 2013 in its detailed settings menus. Here you can schedule automatic openings and scannings, choose what happens to quarantined programs, and how thorough each scan will be. There are also buttons to quickly reach Baidu’s website and community forums.

Quality

Baidu Antivirus 2013 looks clean with a simple white and blue color scheme. All of its features are laid out intuitively and we have not encountered any bugs or slowdown. Full scans will likely take a long amount of time, but the scanning process had no noticeable effects on computer performance. One thing to note is that the beta of Baidu Antivirus 2013 has no audio or pop-ups to let you known when a job is completed.

Conclusion

Baidu Antivirus 2013 is an efficient tool for protecting your computer. The beta works great without noticeable hitches. If you do experience any problems Baidu is happy to hear feedback of how Baidu Antivirus 2013 can be further improved.

Download Baidu Antivirus 2013 3.4.1.29117 Beta in Softonic

After some months in beta stage, Microsoft has launched the final version of its security application, though I have to say Microsoft Security Essentials hasn't changed that much in the final release. It still features a simple, clear tabbed interface with four main areas in which the user can take a look at the system's security status, update virus and spyware definitions, check the history of previously detected items, and tweak the program's settings, respectively.

Microsoft Security Essentials includes three types of scan - quick, full, or customizable. They can be scheduled to run at a give time or particular location, and can be modified to work when the computer is not actually in use. Handily, Microsoft Security Essentials automatically updates its database, and is fully integrated with Windows Explorer and the Windows Firewall. It also boasts a system restore point, in case you need to undo any over-enthusiastic cleaning.

Microsoft Security Essentials is Microsoft's first attempt at a standalone security application for home use. Given its simplicity and suitability for beginners, it probably isn't the best choice for more advanced users or professional network administrators, but for the average user, it covers all the bases. Bear in mind, however, that Microsoft Security Essentials doesn't disinfect files - it only deletes them in case of infection.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a gentle introduction to the sometimes complicated world of home computer security.

Download Microsoft Security Essentials 4.2.223.0 in Softonic

Features

avast! Free Antivirus is loaded with tons of features. From the home tab you can gain quick access to your system status, virus scan, software updater, stats, and the market. Features like the firewall and SafeZone require a premium subscription.

The software updater that's included with avast! Free Antivirus alerts users about outdated applications that are installed but only offers a link to the program page to download the latest update. Paying for a premium subscription will allow you to update your apps within the application. There's even an option to update automatically in the paid versions of avast!

avast! Free Antivirus offers more than just virus protection. The application also includes "cloud services," which gathers information from other avast! users to compare the reputation of similar files. These updates are constantly streamed to and from avast! so users don't have to worry about downloading updates.

New to avast! Free Antivirus is the Market where you can purchase additional features and services. The app itself is very good at reminding users how many features are missing so the Market makes it even more tempting to upgrade. Purchases can be made directly inside the application.

Usability

Using avast! Free Antivirus is very straightforward. Features and sections of the application are clearly marked with short explanations about what each feature does.

Like with many other antivirus applications, the amount of options and features is a little overwhelming. There are icons in the Security tab that are clearly marked with a green status light indicating everything is working as it should. This makes it easy to see what parts of the application require user action.

For the most part, avast! Free Antivirus is an application that you can configure and forget about. The program will display a popup if anything needs your action.

Quality

avast! Free Antivirus is well designed with tons of features. While it's not as simple as it could be, it works well and is completely free. It's nice that avast! Free Antivirus doesn't include an annoying tool bar, but it does install a web extension to monitor malicious links while you're browsing.

While avast! Free Antivirus excels as an antivirus application, it doesn't do much in the way of being a one-stop-shop for all your computer maintenance needs. Other apps like IObit's Advanced Systemcare with Antivirus offer more features that will make sure your computer is running its fastest.

Scans were performed quickly but not the best we've seen. This really depends on your hardware and how many files you have on your computer.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it's easy to see what avast! Free Antivirus remains at the top of our download charts. The amount of features that free users have access to is amazing. While it's annoying that the app nags you to upgrade to a paid subscription, it's a small price to pay for a well designed antivirus solution that's completely free. Now if only avast! could include some computer maintence features.

What's new

Download avast! Free Antivirus 8.0.1489 in Softonic

Visually appealing

Traditionally here at Softonic we have a lot of time for avast!, so we were really excited to get a look at the newest version. For starters, it looks really slick, with a slim-lined installation process (which looked good, but still took a while), and a very user-friendly and clear interface. While the interface is similar to avast! 6, it's got many more options, something you'll see as soon as you open it.

Good installation options

Another nice addition that you'll notice when setting up avast! 7 Pro is the option to install as the second line of defense on your computer. There are also plenty of installation options, which allow you to get the most from your anti-virus before it's even installed. Of course, there's also a default installation if the nitty-gritty's not for you.

Security improvements

What else does version 7 add to avast!? Well, in the first place the developer assures us that there have been considerable updates on a security front, which is obviously what you want from an anti-virus. It also offers a nice Statistics module, as well as a comprehensive Support function that allows you to general a support package to send to the avast! personnel who are trying to troubleshoot your problem.

New features

Two especially useful new functions are the AutoSandbox feature and the Remote Assistance. AutoSandbox allows avast! 7 Pro to automatically place any program it deems suspicious inside a sandbox, so it cannot do damage to your computer. You can edit the programs that are excluded from this behavior in the general settings.

Remote assistance

Remote Assistance is much as it sounds, but it's a great feature to have. This allows you to either connect to or be connected to by another user, so that you can help them with computer problems or so that they can help you (especially when tech support personnel are involved). Obviously, both of you will have to have avast! 7 Pro installed, but it's a feature we can see coming in really useful.

avast! has always been one of Softonic's favorite anti-virus suites, and version 7 of avast! 7 Pro is no exception. It's awesome!

Download avast! Pro Antivirus 8.0.1489 in Softonic

Visually appealing

Traditionally here at Softonic we have a lot of time for avast! Internet Security, so we were really excited to get a look at the newest version. For starters, it looks really slick, with a slim-lined installation process, and a very user-friendly and clear interface.

Good installation options

Another nice addition that you'll notice when setting up avast! Internet Security is the option to install as the second line of defense on your computer. There are also plenty of installation options, which allow you to get the most from your anti-virus before it's even installed. Of course, there's also a default installation if the nitty-gritty's not for you.

Security improvements

What else does version 8 add to avast! Internet Security? Well, in the first place the developer assures us that there have been considerable updates on the security front, which is obviously what you want from an anti-virus. It also offers a nice Statistics module, as well as a comprehensive Support function that allows you to generate a support package to send to the avast! personnel who are trying to troubleshoot your problem.

New features

Two especially useful new functions in avast! Internet Security 8 are the AutoSandbox feature and the Remote Assistance. AutoSandbox allows avast! to automatically place any program it deems suspicious inside a sandbox, so it cannot do damage to your computer. You can edit the programs that are excluded from this behavior in the general settings.

SafeZone

avast! Internet Security 8's SafeZone is effectively an extension of the AutoSandbox features, but instead of allowing you to open files and run unknown programs, it provides you with an alternative desktop for sensitive transactions such as internet banking and shopping. As with the rest of avast! Internet Security, it's really easy to use - just click the large Switch to SafeZone button. If you'd like more control, you'll be able to tweak under the Sandbox Expert settings.

Firewall

Last but not least, avast! Internet Security's firewall is definitely worth a mention. Since for many users it's one of avast! Internet Security's most coveted features, you'll be glad to hear that it's been updated along with the rest of the program. With its 3 different risk zones and 5 different configurations sub-areas, even the most demanding users will be able to configure it to their liking.

We were expecting great things from avast! Internet Security 8, and it hasn't let us down. It's an awesome security tool, and thoroughly recommendable to any user.

Download avast! Internet Security 8.0.1489 in Softonic

Avira Free Antivirus 2013 is the free – for personal use – version of Avira Antivir Premium; this means there are a few advanced features unavailable, like the virus filter for email or for web browsing, but the program is as powerful and efficient as its big brother.

Avira Free Antivirus 2013 installs in a few seconds and starts protecting your system in real time right away. It includes all the tools and options you would expect from an antivirus these days, such as different types of scan, support for scheduling, automatic updates, and a quarantine area for suspicious files.

On the downside, Avira Free Antivirus 2013 is let down by a somewhat rough interface that feels like it was designed ten years ago and never restyled: simple to use, but too plain.

Looking for an efficient, uncomplicated antivirus tool? Avira Free Antivirus 2013 may be a good choice.

Download Avira Free Antivirus 2013 13.0.0.3640 in Softonic

This is the case of ESET NOD32 Antivirus, an anti-virus tool that you may find simpler than other similar applications, but this simplicity is precisely the key to its success. In fact, NOD32 is one of the most popular anti-virus apps among computer users.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus is easy to install and launches without even restarting the system (something most anti-virus tools require after installation). The program has a simple, straightforward design, though you'll soon discover that this is actually the Standard mode display and that you can choose the Advanced mode if you prefer to have more options and tools at your fingertips.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus includes basic anti-virus tools such as system analysis, antispyware filters, filters to exclude certain applications, a scheduling tool for automatic analysis and seamless integration within Windows Explorer. Being used to more complex anti-virus solutions though, I missed having an email and web browsing filter. Also, I found the Settings menu a bit too hidden and difficult to use. Apart from these small flaws, ESET NOD32 Antivirus is definitely worth a try, especially if you want to have a simple, hassle-free anti-virus that takes care of your system and doesn't bother you all the time.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus may be simpler than other anti-virus tools, but it's perfect for users who prefer an easy, unobtrusive app even if that means giving up on certain advanced functions.

Download ESET NOD32 Antivirus 6.0.316.0 in Softonic