Best free antivirus software for 2024

Reliability

Some particularly insidious malware is disguised as free antivirus software. You download something to protect your computer and instead you infect it, leading to stolen data or a locked device.

You can avoid this malware by sticking with trusted antivirus companies. Choose a company from a vetted list like this one, read the third-party tests we link to, and make sure the URL you’re downloading from is authentic.

Features

Antivirus software typically provides two layers of protection:

• Scan that crawl your computer and remove malware. Some programs let you schedule them yourself, while others run them automatically when your computer is idle. You should also be able to manually run a scan at any time.
• Real-time protection which identifies and blocks malware from being downloaded to your computer.

Antivirus programs can also block malicious websites and protect you from threats such as phishing, but these features are typically only available with premium programs. Likewise, antivirus programs may only offer a limited scan schedule.

Free vs. paid antivirus software

Most free antivirus software programs are made by companies that also produce paid antivirus programs. They typically use the same antivirus engines as the paid versions, so you get the same level of scanning and malware protection as you would if you bought premium antivirus from the company. However, this protection is often only available for one device per person, while paid antivirus programs offer packages for five, ten, or even an unlimited number of devices.

Additionally, paid antivirus software usually offers additional benefits, such as advanced protection against ransomware and phishing. Many companies also offer full security suites, which include things like VPNs and password managers in addition to antivirus programs. To learn more about these security suites, check out our list of the best antivirus programs.

System resource usage

The real-time protection of an antivirus program should not hinder the normal use of your computer. Deep scans will often slow things down by consuming RAM or CPU resources, but they shouldn’t make your computer completely unusable.

Problems with Avast

For years, Avast Antivirus for Windows was the gold standard in antivirus, with consistently high rankings AV test. We have previously included the antivirus in our list of recommended options for security apps.

But early 2024 the Federal Trade Commission has fined Avast $16.5 million to settle charges that the company sold customer browsing data to more than 100 third parties between 2014 and 2020. The FTC alleges that Avast collected the data through browser extensions and anti-virus software and sold the data through its Jumpshot subsidiary.

Avast’s then CEO Ondřej Vlček responded to the first reports of 2020 with a statement that he understood that his company’s actions raised questions of trust in his company. To address these concerns, Avast ended Jumpshot’s data collection and ceased operations in January 2020.

We hope that there will be no more Jumpshot-like activities and that Avast returns to glory as one of the best antivirus software options. Until then, we recommend using one of the other free options on this list.

Problems with Kaspersky

Kaspersky has traditionally been another top antivirus provider, achieving high grades and prizes for virus and malware protection from independent laboratories. However, in June 2024, the US government announced a federal ban Kaspersky is banned from selling antivirus or cybersecurity software or services in the US or to US citizens due to alleged links between Kaspersky and the Russian government.

“Russia has demonstrated time and time again that it has the ability and intent to exploit Russian companies, like Kaspersky Lab, to collect and weaponize sensitive U.S. information, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect America’s national security and the American people. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in the official announcement of the ban.

In a statementKaspersky said it “does not engage in activities that threaten U.S. national security and, in fact, has made significant contributions with its reporting and protection against a variety of threat actors targeting U.S. interests and allies.”

The Commerce Department recommends that those using Kaspersky software switch to replacement software from other security companies as soon as possible. To help Kaspersky customers with the transition, Kaspersky may provide antivirus updates for its software until September 29, 2024, the department said.