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 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! Free Antivirus? 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! 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! Free Antivirus 7 installed, but it's a feature we can see coming in really useful.

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

Download avast! Free Antivirus 7.0.1426 in Softonic

Avira AntiVir Personal 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 AntiVir Personal 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 AntiVir Personal 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 AntiVir Personal may be a good choice.

Download Avira AntiVir Personal 10.0.0.611 in Softonic

Despite being a free security tool, AVG Anti-Virus is as good as any paid anti-virus app. It features a bunch of dedicated modules to protect you from antivirus, spyware and rootkits and spam, and also includes the so called LinkScanner – an extra layer of protection that checks search results and web links to make sure they’re safe. In recent years, the developers have added more intrusive features that try to intefere with browser settings such as your preferred search engine but overall, it still remains a good anti-virus option.

One of the best things about AVG Anti-Virus is that it offers neat, effective protection while staying silently minimized in your system tray without guzzling system resources and of course, without constantly bothering you with warning windows or update messages. Since it's the free version of a complete program, AVG Anti-Virus does show the odd nag screen encouraging you to buy AVG Professional, something which may annoy some users.

AVG Anti-Virus features a nicely designed, more user-friendly interface, and includes a desktop widget from which you can scan the system or update the virus database. Of course, you still have the same three types of scan: full system, selected files and folders and anti-rootkit. AVG Anti-Virus also lets you schedule scans for a certain day and time.

The whole AVG Anti-Virus package should be enough to ensure you're not infected with any virus. The program also integrates seamlessly with Windows Explorer, allowing you to scan files from their context menus. AVG Anti-Virus's database is automatically updated on a daily basis, so you're always protected from even the most recently discovered threats. Although AVG Anti-Virus still remains a very powerful packages, there are other anti virus tools - such as Avast! - that do as good a job if not better.

AVG Antivirus remains a perfect security solution for the average computer user, providing a powerful weapon against viruses.

Download AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2012 12.0.2126 in Softonic

With MWAV Toolkit Utility you can scan the whole system for viruses, spyware, adware, keyloggers, dialers and sniffers, quickly and efficiently. The program doesn't require installation and is dead easy to use.

When you run MWAV Toolkit Utility you're presented with a simple interface where you can choose the areas in your system you want to scan, as well as other options such as the possibility to create a virus list, open the program's log file or update the program's database with the latest signature files.

MWAV Toolkit Utility is simple and effective, but lacks the extra features you get in other tools like real time protection, web filter or integration with Windows Explorer. It's useful as an additional security app, but it shouldn't be the only defense against online threats on your system.

MWAV Toolkit Utility performs a quick, effective system scan in search of viruses, spyware, keyloggers and other unwanted creatures, but it should be used in addition to other more fully featured security apps.

Download MWAV Toolkit Utility in Softonic

In a colorful, original interface Rising Antivirus offers all the tools you need to protect your system while browsing the web, emailing your friends or just using the computer. The program includes monitoring filters for email, files and web browser, as well as special protection for USB devices and office software.

You’ll find three types of system scan in Rising Antivirus: quick, overall and custom. The program also features Rising Cloud security, a cloud-based security solution that provides professional protection based on the behavior from past threats, computer user habits and computer defense.

Rising Antivirus seems to be quite light on resources. Also, we liked the fact that it's quite unobtrusive and doesn't bother you with warning messages all the time, like other antivirus tools do.

Keep your system safe from all online threats with Rising Antivirus, a free antivirus solution.

Download Rising Antivirus 2011 Free Edition in Softonic

ClamWin Portable features an easy to use GUI and the developers claim high detection rates for viruses and spyware although it doesn't seem to find anything extra or beyond what other anti-virus scanners find. The full program is facilitated by regular virus database updates so that's its generally always updated with the latest threats to your system. Unfortunately ClamWin Portable has scheduled scans and updates disabled so that the program is not locked in huge updates every time you activate it on the move. The downside of this of course is that ClamWin Portable is never up to date with the latest threats. The big advantage of this version of course is that you can take it pretty much anywhere on a USB stick. However, ClamWin Portable does not feature a real-time scanner which means that scanning for protection is down to you. You have to manually scan your system with the program every so often to see if you have been infected with anything.

Free, portable and easy to use, ClamWin Portable is a decent anti virus solution let down by the fact that it doesn't scan in real time nor update itself automatically unless prompted.

Download ClamWin Portable 0.97 in Softonic

There are lots of antivirus programs out there to choose from. If you're an AOL member, there's also a program just for you!

McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Edition is an antivirus tool available for use by paid AOL account holders. The interface is simple to use, even if you're new to PC protection tools such as this. Navigating is also no problem. Upon running a scan, McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Edition will locate and record any threats to your computer's safety. From there, you'll be able to eliminate the malware or virus in a few quick clicks.

Scanning is a quick process with McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Edition. Along with the virus scan capabilities, this tool also comes with a free AOL Computer check-up that'll ensure your PC is running properly and to its maximum potential. There's also AOL parental controls included free, so you can block specific content from appearing while your children are browsing the web.

Unfortunately, the installation process for McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Edition takes a considerable amount of time, which some users might find frustrating. When you compare it to other antivirus programs, McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Edition also comes out pretty low on configuration options beyond the bare essentials.

AOL users will appreciate the protection McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Edition provides while browsing the web, if they are willing to deal with the lengthy installation process.

Download McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Edition in Softonic

Panda Cloud Antivirus is a highly popular program that is based in cloud computing. This beta release gets users one step closer to the anticipated official 2.0 release and also incorporates a great new feature, as well as trusted and true ones users have already been making use of.

The big addition to Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall is the incorporation of a fully functional firewall, complete with application and system rules. This can be found in a tab on the main graphical user interface (GUI).

This new firewall is quite comprehensive and usable. It automatically assigns inbound and outbound communication privileges to processes, as Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall offers a community-based firewall. When certain outbound connection processes are considered risky, users will be prompted to choose whether they would like to allow or block the communication. The same goes for inbound connections, in even a stricter sense.

On top of the new firewall feature, Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall still has the features users already know and love, including the malware detection feature. The program is lightweight and is very effective at finding and eliminating threats to your PC's health.

Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall's interface hasn't changed at all from the official version of Panda Antivirus, making it familiar and easy to navigate for users already familiar with it. Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall's interface has large, easy to locate buttons for on-demand analysis, statistics, quarantine and trash, as well as security status.

Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall's beta version give users a sneak peak at the upcoming 2.0 version of the popular antivirus program, along with a great added firewall feature.

Download Panda Cloud Antivirus & Firewall 1.9.1 Free Beta in Softonic

In Kingsoft AntiVirus you’ll find all the basic features you would expect from this kind of tool: real time protection, automatic updates and different types of scan – full, quick and custom. Plus Kingsoft AntiVirus also includes special filters to protect your IM chats and file downloads, and also keep your USB devices safe from viruses.

The interface in Kingsoft AntiVirus is simple and very usable. It features a left sidebar with buttons to the program’s diverse areas, including a interesting collection of tools to clean temporary files, free up used space in the hard drive and stop unwanted processes, among other tasks.

Though the scans in Kingsoft AntiVirus were a bit slow, this antivirus really made a good impression on us and – surprisingly enough – it works in perfect harmony with other antivirus and security tools.

Kingsoft AntiVirus is a discreet, effective antivirus that protects your system from viruses, Trojans, spyware and other sorts of malware.

Download Kingsoft AntiVirus 2010.11.6.318 in Softonic

Being a portable application, Comodo Cleaning Essentials doesn’t have all the tools you find in complex security suites. It does, however, include some interesting features, such as an antivirus tool, a malware scanner and the so called KillSwitch, which enables you to identify and stop any potentially dangerous active process on your system.

The analysis in Comodo Cleaning Essentials can take a while, but it’s pretty thorough. You can choose between a Full scan or a Custom one, and have Comodo Cleaning Essentials look for viruses, rootkits and malicious Registry keys. As for KillSwitch, it’s like the Windows Task Manager, only better. It displays detailed system stats and lets you close active processes and services.

Though slow and not as full-featured as other security suites, Comodo Cleaning Essentials is still a handy malware removal tool – a good choice to carry in your USB key as a portable first aid kit.

Comodo Cleaning Essentials is a light, simple, standalone security app that analyzes your system for viruses, rootkits and other sorts of malware.

Download Comodo Cleaning Essentials (CCE) 1.6.183539.73 in Softonic

Protect Simple Machine is just that - a portable and free anti-virus app that fits on your USB pen and makes sure that the computer you are using is not infected by viruses, worms, Trojan horses or spyware. Created with Visual Basic, the program is incredibly simple to use and can analyze any folder or disk you choose. It also advises you on ways to "tweak" Windows so you can optimise Protect Simple Machine for more effective, faster use. It also has direct links to other Windows tools such as the command line.

Nowadays, one of the most important areas to scan is the memory and Simple Machine Protect also caters for this with a memory scanner which works alongside the disk scanner. The program warns you if it finds a virus with a very primitive "beeping" sound and it can sometimes repair them on the spot, depending on whether the database is equipped with a sufficient solution. At all times, the program lets you know at what stage the scan is at with a progress bar.

A very convenient solution for those on the move although it's a bit lightweight and tends to miss minor viruses and Trojans that more solid scanners pick up.

Download Simple Machine Protect 1.5.5.580 in Softonic

Mx One Antivirus is a basic anti-virus tool that can be installed either on your computer or right on your USB stick, or portable multimedia device. If you choose the first option, Mx One Antivirus will protect your system from infected USB devices, and if you choose the second one the program will be installed on the USB device itself, thus enabling you to have an anti-virus solution with you at all times.

Mx One Antivirus lets you scan any drive or folder on your system – or on the USB drive as well. Whenever it detects an infected file, you can choose to either delete it or send it to quarantine.

To be honest, Mx One Antivirus is quite basic as an anti-virus program, and it doesn't feature the extra functionality you find in desktop anti-virus tools such as scheduled analysis, spyware detection or support for web and email filters. On the upside, Mx One Antivirus provides you with a basic protection tool you can use on any computer, anywhere, anytime.

Despite being quite a basic anti-virus tool, Mx One Antivirus is a handy security tool you can carry with you at all times in your USB device.

Download Mx One Antivirus 4.5 in Softonic

Download ClamWin Antivirus 0.97.4 in Softonic

With PC Tools AntiVirus you can scan your system (with three different scanning modes available) and quarantine or remove any infected files. The program creates a restore point automatically before removing any data, just in case something goes wrong. If you want, you can also schedule automated scans and let PC Tools AntiVirus take care of the job.

PC Tools AntiVirus also includes a special feature called IntelliGuard, which protects the computer’s file system, processes and memory in real time. This protection can be temporarily disabled with you need full system resources – like when you’re playing a game or encoding a video.

That said, the truth is that PC Tools AntiVirus, despite the "Free" label on its name, is a bit more limited than I expected. Most advanced settings and IntelliGuard filters are disabled, and the program installed a security toolbar in my browser without even asking for permission.

PC Tools AntiVirus is a basic, easy-to-use antivirus tool that has little to offer against other free, not-limited competitors.

Download PC Tools AntiVirus Free 7.0 in Softonic

Download Comodo AntiVirus 2.0.17.58 Beta in Softonic

Upong first launch, and after the traditional antivirus system restart, ZenOK Free Antivirus scans the whole system without requiring any user intervention. In fact, the program continuously scans the computer in real time in the background. Though this may make your system safer, we didn’t like the fact that you can’t choose which locations to scan.

On the upside, ZenOK Free Antivirus is embedded with Windows Explorer, and that means you can scan specific files from the context menu. The moment the program finds a suspicious file, it’s immediately quarantined.

ZenOK Free Antivirus also features constant database updates (for which you’ll have to register for free) and an optional online backup service – for which you have to pay a fee.

ZenOK Free Antivirus features an easy, colorful interface, real-time system scans and an optional paid online backup tool.

Download ZenOK Free Antivirus 2011 1.0.9 in Softonic