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 Free Antivirus alerts users about outdated applications that are installed but only offers a link to the program page to download the latest update.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! 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

Features

Version 2 ("Twoflower") brings a new interface, faster decoding, support for more formats and the ability to play HD and BluRay. It still remains however the most stable, flexible and lightweight audio and video player around today. While other media players will play unusual formats after downloading a codec, or simply refuse to play things,

VLC media player handles tons of formats, from MPEG to FLV and RMBV files. Version 2 has seen some important additions too such as support for 10 bit codes plus multi-threaded decoding for H.264, MPEG-4/Xvid and WebM.

Also useful is the fact that you can use VLC media player to preview files you are downloading since it plays incomplete parts of video files. VLC media player is not just for video playback however. It also offers superb integration with video channel streaming services such as Channels.com giving you access to channels such as ESPN, Reuters and National Geographic. Just right-click or CMD-click on the playlist, select Services Discovery and Channels.com.

Channels.com will then appear in your VLC media player playlist. Click on it to reveal the the different categories of channels available. Click on the category you want and a drop down list of all available channels appears in VLC media player. Just click on the channel you want to watch and streaming should begin almost immediately.

Usability

VLC media player also has great hotkey support and if you take the time to learn the shortcuts so it can be controlled without touching your mouse. If you're watching DVDs or video files through it, this is not an issue. For music, it plays more or less any file and features an equalizer and playlist creation. VLC media player isn't as intuitive as iTunes as a media manager, but it's a much more flexible player in terms of file formats. You can even use VLC to convert your files, and on top of all the formats and physical media it will play, many streaming protocols and TV capture cards are supported.

VLC media player makes it easy to add subtitles to your video files too - just add the SRT file to the folder where your video is kept, and it will automatically play with subtitles.

Finally, the interface in VLC media player has been somewhat improved in version 2 although it remains strictly functional. However, you can download skins to completely change VLC media player's appearance. The preferences menu is comprehensive without being overwhelming, and there is extensive documentation online.

Conclusion

VLC Media Player is quite simply the best multimedia application for Windows and Mac. It plays just about anything, hassle free - what more could you need?

What's new

Rework and fixes of the Mac OS X interface

Fix Pulseaudio initial synchronization

Fix MKV, SWF, AIFF and subtitles demuxer crashes

Translations updates and new Welsh translation

DVB-S delivery system detection

Fix audio and video track selection through libVLC

Fix system sleep issue on Mac OS X 10.5

Download VLC media player 2.0.6 in Softonic

AVG Anti-Virus 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 trial 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, which mimics the Windows Modern UI, and supports touch in Windows 8. 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.

New in 2013 is an enhanced and simplified firewall. Previous versions of AVG didn't include any firewall at all so it's a nice addition. Settings for the firewall are easy to use and understand, making personalization network access for specific apps a breeze. The firewall will also help scan links, fight spam, and protect against wi-fi hacking.

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.

Performance of AVG Anti-Virus has increased as well. Startup times are now 26% quicker, scanning times are 36% faster, and interface loads over 200% faster

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

Download AVG AntiVirus 2013 2013.0.3267 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, which mimics the Windows Modern UI, and supports touch in Windows 8. 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.

New in 2013 is an enhanced and simplified firewall. Previous versions of AVG didn't include any firewall at all so it's a nice addition. Settings for the firewall are easy to use and understand, making personalization network access for specific apps a breeze. The firewall will also help scan links, fight spam, and protect against wi-fi hacking.

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.

Performance of AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition has increased as well. Startup times are now 26% quicker, scanning times are 36% faster, and interface loads over 200% faster

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

Download AVG Antivirus FREE 2013 2013.0.3267 in Softonic

Remote Security

The trick is that Panda Cloud Antivirus is based on so called cloud computing, and is only partially installed on your system and keeps core files on a dedicated server on the Internet. Thanks to this special cloud structure, Panda Cloud Antivirus doesn't have to be manually updated. You can simply forget about complicated configurations and having to download new signature files!

The cloud-based functionality doesn't mean you remain unprotected when disconnected from the network: Panda Cloud Antivirus features a local cache that keeps the program up and running, working at 100%.

Analysis

Panda Cloud Antivirus features two types of analysis: Optimized scan – which presumably analyzes the most important areas in the system, though you can’t know for sure – and Other scans, where you can select specific folders and files to be analyzed. The program includes a behavioral analysis and blocking system that detects suspicious actions typically found in malware. Another nice feature in Panda Cloud Antivirus is the USB vaccine tool, which protects your computer from potentially dangerous files in USB portable memory devices.

Though Panda Cloud Antivirus can’t be scheduled to run automatic scans and doesn’t include filters for web or email, it’s still a perfectly valid antivirus for netbooks and low-spec computers.

Conclusion

Panda Cloud Antivirus is a lightweight, simple to use antivirus tool that keeps your system safe without nagging you with messages and updates.

Download Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.1.1 Free in Softonic

Featuring the same robust engine from previous versions, the new Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2013 is one of the most powerful protection tools you can use to defend your system from viruses, worms, Trojans and other sorts of malware.

What does it do?

With a totally revamped interface, all designed in white and green, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2013 feels very comfortable for the newcomer, while including extensive configuration settings that enable more tech-savvy users to adapt the program to their needs. The bottom area in Kaspersky Anti-Virus includes buttons for the program’s main functions: scans, database update, a virtual keyboard and a quarantine area for infected files.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 includes three types of system scan (Full, Critical Areas and Vulnerability). Not only does the program take care of your file system in real time, thanks to a heuristic-based monitor, but also your email, web browsing and even IM conversations. All these filters can be tweaked in the program's comprehensive settings menu. On the downside, the regular scanning of any active apps can momentarily slow down your system.

Added protection

The program also includes the so called Kaspersky Security Network, an online service that improves Kaspersky’s response to new threats, thanks to anonymous data collected from users.

There are lots more advanced settings to play around with in Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2013. You can customize the way the utility protects your system, applying more protection, or disabling certain aspects in order to free up CPU resources. Make sure you check out our article about using the advanced features of Kaspersky Anti-Virus.

All in all, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2013 is a nice security solution. It offers real-time protection and lets you scan your system for possible vulnerabilities. It's a suitable tool for all levels of users - clear enough for the less experienced, while also offering serious customization options for the more tech-savvy.

Free alternatives to Kaspersky Anti-Virus

There are several free antivirus suites available that can protect your computer from threats in a similar way to Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2013. Most do not have the same level of advanced security features, but they are worth looking at if you are on a tight budget.

- avast! Free Antivirus
- Panda Cloud Antivirus
- Microsoft Security Essentials
- Avira AntiVir Personal
- Rising Antivirus 2011 Free Edition

With Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2013 you can effectively protect your system from all possible online threats.

Download Kaspersky Anti-Virus UK 2013 13.0.1.4190 in Softonic

Featuring the same robust engine from previous versions, the new Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 is one of the most powerful protection tools you can use to defend your system from viruses, worms, Trojans and other sorts of malware.

What does it do?

With a totally revamped interface, all designed in white and green, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 feels very comfortable for the newcomer, while including extensive configuration settings that enable more tech-savvy users to adapt the program to their needs. The bottom area in Kaspersky Anti-Virus includes buttons for the program’s main functions: scans, database update, a virtual keyboard and a quarantine area for infected files.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 includes three types of system scan (Full, Critical Areas and Vulnerability). Not only does the program take care of your file system in real time, thanks to a heuristic-based monitor, but also your email, web browsing and even IM conversations. All these filters can be tweaked in the program's comprehensive settings menu. On the downside, the regular scanning of any active apps can momentarily slow down your system.

Added protection

The program also includes the so called Kaspersky Security Network, an online service that improves Kaspersky’s response to new threats, thanks to anonymous data collected from users.

There are lots more advanced settings to play around with in Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012. You can customize the way the utility protects your system, applying more protection, or disabling certain aspects in order to free up CPU resources. Make sure you check out our article about using the advanced features of Kaspersky Anti-Virus.

All in all, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 is a nice security solution. It offers real-time protection and lets you scan your system for possible vulnerabilities. It's a suitable tool for all levels of users - clear enough for the less experienced, while also offering serious customization options for the more tech-savvy.

Free alternatives to Kaspersky Anti-Virus

There are several free antivirus suites available that can protect your computer from threats in a similar way to Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012. Most do not have the same level of advanced security features, but they are worth looking at if you are on a tight budget.

- avast! Free Antivirus
- Panda Cloud Antivirus
- Microsoft Security Essentials
- Avira AntiVir Personal
- Rising Antivirus 2011 Free Edition

With Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 you can effectively protect your system from all possible online threats.

Download Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 12.0.0.374 in Softonic

New for 2013 is a completely redesigned interface with tons of additional features that make it a holistic security suite for your PC. Antivirus is still at the heart of Panda Antivirus Pro but it also includes a firewall, USB 'vaccine,' multimedia/gaming mode, and safe browser.

The interface of Panda Antivirus Pro has been completely redesigned since the last version with a focus on making it easy to read and use. Functions are now big, colorful icons and the most vital information is presented at the top with charts and large text. Menus and their explanations have also been simplified so you know exactly what each feature does.

New in Panda Antivirus Pro 2013 is the USB vaccine, which prevents malicious software from automatically running when connected to the computer. This is a pretty basic way to prevent infections from external devices but useful, nonetheless.

Performance of the application is good with quick scans and consumes minimal system resources. Panda Antivirus Pro focuses on creating an unobtrusive security experience and it succeeds on the most part. You can set up Panda and just forget about it. It will run in the background and will only alert you if an infection is found or if you need to take action. The firewall replaces the Windows default firewall and has the ability to allow connections from common applications. You'll have to decide whether to give an app that hasn't been white listed internet access.

When tested against standardized virus attacks, Panda Antivirus Pro stopped infected files immediately and without major interruption of our work. We especially liked the fact the Panda Antivirus Pro doesn't fill up the screen with unnecessary warnings all the time.

Panda Antivirus Pro is an unobtrusive, efficient and user-friendly antivirus app that protects your system without needless interruptions.

Download Panda Antivirus Pro 2013 in Softonic