Best Free Virus Removal Tool For Mac
Bitdefender Adware Removal Tool is a free app that quickly eliminates adware from your Mac. The current version detects and removes Genieo. The Mac Malwarebytes version started as an adware removal tool, but as of today, it’s also a full-fledged tool for protecting your machine against other forms of malware.
What are you to do when you have a computer problem so bad that your computer won't start at all and you're pretty sure a virus or some other malware is to blame? How do you scan for viruses when you can't start Windows to do a virus scan?
This is where a bootable antivirus program becomes the hero of the day. With a bootable virus scanner, you create a special flash drive or CD/DVD disc from a working computer and then use it on the infected machine to scan the hard drive for viruses—all without needing to start Windows!
Since the most serious of viruses cause damage to the parts of your computer that allow it to start, a bootable antivirus tool can often be a powerful weapon at your disposal for getting the virus removed and your computer back up and running.
In general, getting a bootable antivirus program up and running requires that you take the ISO image provided and then, from a working computer, burn it to a disc or burn it to a USB drive. Next, you'll need to boot from the disc or boot from the flash drive on the infected PC. More details are available in our reviews and on the bootable AV program websites.
Anvi Rescue Disk
What We Like
Really easy to use
Lets you scan the whole drive or certain folders only
Can run a quick or full scan
Able to repair malicious changes made to the registry
Relatively small download size
Anvi Rescue Disk is a really simple bootable virus scanner. There are only three main scan buttons, two sections to the program, and no custom settings.
You can run a quick smart scan, a full system scan, or a custom scan to search for malware inside one or more specific folders.
There's also a section for finding and correcting corrupt registry issues that may have been altered by a virus.
The only thing I don't like about Anvi Rescue Disk is that you must scan the whole drive at once—you can not choose to scan single, specific files like you can with regular antivirus software.
AVG Rescue CD
What We Like
Scans things most bootable AV programs do not
Lets you check for viruses on any attached hard drive
Includes other tools like a hard drive tester
What We Don't Like
Doesn't have a graphical interface like most programs, so it might be hard to use if you're not used to that type of UI
Doesn't offer definition updates
AVG Rescue CD is a text-only free bootable antivirus program. It can check for potentially unwanted programs, scan cookies, find hidden file extensions, and even scan inside archives.
Before you start a scan with AVG Rescue CD, you have the option to just scan a folder of your choice, just the boot sector, only the registry, or any locally attached hard drive.
Unfortunately, because AVG Rescue CD doesn't provide a graphical interface, navigating the menus can become difficult.
AVG no longer updates or maintains this program, so the virus definitions will forever be outdated. You can still scan normally, but it won't catch brand new threats.
Avira Rescue System
What We Like
Updates its definitions automatically before scans
Uses a regular, graphical interface instead of text only
Easier to install than some bootable antivirus programs
Includes other tools you might like
What We Don't Like
Scans a whole partition at once without the option to check particular files only
Large download size
Avira Rescue System is a free bootable antivirus program that also functions as a registry editor, web browser, and more, all under a standard graphical interface.
Avira Rescue System automatically updates its definitions before performing a scan, which is great so you don't have to re-download the software every time you wish to use it.
During a virus scan, compressed files are unpacked and scanned for added protection.
Avira Rescue System doesn't let you scan individual files, but only a whole partition at once, which is too bad. Also, the download is rather large at over 650 MB.
Comodo Rescue Disk
What We Like
You can scan specific files/folders or the whole drive
Includes an option to skip scanning certain files
Supports multiple scan types based on what you want to scan
Lets you pick between a graphical UI and one that's text only
Checks for updates automatically
Relatively small download size
What We Don't Like
It's difficult to use the file/folder-level scan option
In addition to the regular, installable Comodo Antivirus software, Comodo also has a free bootable antivirus program.
Comodo Rescue Disk can be launched from a USB device or disc in either text-only mode or with a full graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI version has a familiar program interface which is much easier to use.
There are three different scan types you can start with Comodo Rescue Disk: smart scan, full scan, or custom scan.
Smart scan checks for viruses and rootkits in the memory, boot sectors, autorun entries, and other areas like the registry and system folder. A custom scan lets you choose individual files and folders to scan instead of an entire drive.
You can also scan archives, enable heuristics scanning, and skip files over a specified size.
I love that Comodo Rescue Disk includes a familiar Desktop-like interface because it makes it easier to use than some of these other text-based scanning tools.
Dr.Web LiveDisk
What We Like
Custom options not found in some of these other bootable AV programs
Lets you define the types of files it should scan
Checks for virus definition updates from within the software
Runs from a disc or flash drive
What We Don't Like
The large setup file might take a while to download for some
Dr.Web LiveDisk is a feature-filled free bootable virus scanner for Windows and Linux.
There are plenty of configurable settings, like choosing the actions Dr.Web should take when finding infected, suspicious, or incurable files. Also, you can set what should occur in the event it detects specific issues like adware, dialers, jokes, hacktools, and riskware.
You can also exclude directories from being scanned, set how large a file can be before it's excluded from a scan, and define a maximum duration Dr.Web is allowed to spend scanning a single file.
I like that Dr.Web can check for virus definition updates directly from the program. This means you can reuse the program in the future and all you have to do is update it before you do a scan.
You can install Dr.Web LiveDisk to a USB device or a disc, but either method is still a rather large download, at over 700 MB in size.
Kaspersky Rescue Disk
What We Like
Lets you scan specific folders, the whole drive, and other areas
Scans for many types of malware
You get to choose which interface to use: graphical or text
Includes other tools
Kaspersky has what's called a Rescue Disk, which can scan for viruses, worms, Trojans, malicious tools, adware, dialers, and other malicious items.
You can pick between using the graphical mode (recommended) or the text-only mode.
Your scan options include Fileless objects, Startup objects, and System drive. You can also scan boot sectors and specific folders.
You can also use Kaspersky's tool to browse through the file system to copy or delete files. The Firefox browser is also built in to Kaspersky Rescue Disk, among many other tools.
The only downfall I can find with Kaspersky Rescue Disk is that the download file is rather large, and may, therefore, take some time to download.
Panda Cloud Cleaner Rescue ISO
What We Like
Works in Windows 10 and older Windows OSs
Updates automatically
Can scan specific files, folders, and hard drives
Small download size (under 200 MB)
What We Don't Like
Doesn't function as a true bootable AV program
Doesn't work if the virus is blocking access to your computer
Isn't as easy to use as similar tools
Panda Rescue ISO is a program that allows the freePanda Cloud Cleaner program to scan a computer without any other running processes that could potentially shut it down and prevent a virus scan.
First, you must boot to the Panda Rescue ISO disc to prepare your computer for running Panda Cloud Cleaner. Next, your computer will reboot into Windows but launch the cleaner before any other applications start. All other processes are shut down so that Panda Cloud Cleaner is less likely to be terminated by a virus.
The problem I have with this tool is that it may not work properly if a virus has infected your computer so deeply that you can't even boot into Windows. If this is the case, you'll want to try any of the other tools in this list that don't require Windows to boot.
Sophos Bootable Anti-Virus
What We Like
Supports two scan types
Includes an option that lets you delete specific files
What We Don't Like
Runs in a text-only mode
Lacks custom scan options
Takes a while to reach the actual download link on the download page
Not many custom settings or options are available in Sophos Bootable Anti-Virus except choosing one of two different scan types.
A Recommended Scan can either rename infected files or just display a log of the malicious items that were found. An Advanced Scan will actually remove any infected files it detects.
There's also a Bash Shell menu option for manually removing viruses. This option is only useful if you know where the malicious items are, which isn't very likely.
You must answer several questions before you can get to the download link.
Advanced steps are necessary to get the Sophos Bootable Anti-Virus ISO file. You must read the instructions carefully in order to download the program. It ends up requiring around 360 MB of free space.
Trend Micro Rescue Disk
What We Like
There are two scan types you can run
Fairly easy to use considering the lack of advanced options
What We Don't Like
Doesn't have a graphical interface
Trend Micro Rescue Disk is another free bootable antivirus tool that doesn't have a graphical interface, meaning you'll need to navigate entirely in text mode with the arrow keys.
You can run a quick scan or a full scan depending on what areas you'd like checked.
Trend Micro Rescue Disk is first downloaded as a regular program file that includes the bootable software. Just choose to install it on a USB device or CD.
Windows Defender Offline
What We Like
Several exclusion settings to customize the scan
Virus definition updates are supported directly from the disc
Has a graphical UI instead of text
What We Don't Like
Downloads as an EXE file instead of directly as an ISO
From Microsoft, Windows Defender Offline is a bootable virus scanner that sports a full user interface.
You can update the virus definitions directly from the disc, view quarantined files, and exclude files, folders, and extension types from scans.
Windows Defender Offline supports quick virus scans, full scans, and custom scans so you can choose your own folders and drives to scan.
The Windows Defender Offline tool from the download link can burn the software to a disc or USB device for you, so no image burning software is necessary. See Am I Running a 32-bit or 64-bit Version of Windows? to know which download file to select.
Zillya! LiveCD
What We Like
Runs with a full desktop interface
Lets you scan a whole drive or specific folders only
Includes a tool to fix corrupt MBR problems
Easier to use than some bootable AV programs
What We Don't Like
Lacks really advanced scan settings found in similar programs
Can't scan specific files only
Zillya! LiveCD can scan entire drives or whole folders only, so it won't scan just single files.
There's an option to check for viruses in potentially dangerous file types like executables so you're not scanning every single file type, which could take a long time.
A utility called Zillya! MBR Recovery is available from this bootable disc, which can scan the MBR for viruses and attempt to fix boot issues caused by a corrupt MBR.
I like all the settings that are included in Zillya! LiveCD as well as the fact that it provides a very easy to use interface.
ESET SysRescue Live
What We Like
Super easy to use.
Advanced settings if you want to use them.
Complete desktop environment.
ESET SysRescue is another bootable virus scanner that you can use for free from a CD, DVD, or USB device. It comes from the company ESET, which also sells security software for home users and businesses.
This tool provides a full desktop environment, so if you're uncomfortable with text-only user interfaces, you should be okay with how this one works. There's a start menu, desktop items for other tools like TeamViewer and GParted, a file browser, and of course a shortcut to ESET SysRescue.
The virus scanner itself is very easy to use and can be used quickly without any customizations. From the On-demand scan page, just choose the option you want to use: Smart scan to check only some areas for malware—specifically, common locations malware is found; or choose Custom scan to run an in-depth, full scan of any area of the drive, including the whole thing.
However, you can change advanced settings if you want. Some of the scan settings include choosing which object types to scan—such as files, symbolic links, email files, archives, self-extracting archives, boot sectors, and others. You can also enable heuristics, detect PuPs, exclude specific file extensions, and set scan limits on files of a certain size.
When you first run the program, you're given the option to not only run SysRescue but also check for errors on the disc or in the memory.
VBA32 Rescue
What We Like
Has lots of scan options you can tweak
What We Don't Like
Might be hard to use because of the text-only interface
Download is around 200 MB
VBA32 doesn't support a graphical interface but it makes up for it in its detailed settings.
There are plenty of options in this program, like choosing which drives to scan, defining a set of file types to scan, choosing to scan inside archives, and deciding a default action when a malicious file is detected.
You can also adjust the heuristic scan settings and update virus definitions directly from the CD or USB drive.
The obvious downfall to VBA32 Rescue is that you must use it in a text-only mode, unlike most of these other tools that have a regular, graphical interface.
Bitdefender Rescue CD
What We Like
Provides a full desktop experience
Has multiple scan options
Supports scanning particular folders apart from the whole drive
What We Don't Like
Large download at over 800 MB
Start time is slow compared to similar tools
Outdated virus signatures
Program no longer updates
Bitdefender Rescue CD is a free bootable virus scanner program that can exclude certain file extensions from a scan, lets you choose the maximum file size Bitdefender Rescue CD should scan, and optionally include archives with a scan.
Bitdefender Rescue CD lets you search in individual folders if you wish to target a specific directory and not the whole drive.
The most important downfall with this program is that it's no longer supported, so you won't get any new updates, virus signatures, features, etc. Another thing we don't like about Bitdefender Rescue CD is that it takes quite a long time to start up when you boot into the program.
PC Tools' Alternate Operating System Scanner
What We Like
Very simple and easy to use
You can start running a scan in seconds
Includes other helpful tools that work best when run outside of the OS
What We Don't Like
Lacks custom scan settings
Download is large at over 350 MB
This utility is a bit different than the others in this list because PC Tools' Alternate Operating System Scanner is a portion of a larger suite.
The whole suite includes not only a virus scanner but also a system shell, file manager, data destruction utility, and file recovery tool.
If malicious files are found, PC Tools' Alternate Operating System Scanner will show a results page where you can disable them so they can't do any harm to your other files.
The main thing I like about this tool is that there aren't any custom settings (which could be a good or bad thing depending on your perspective). It works as quickly as choosing the drive to scan and then waiting for the results.
The official website that used to host AOSS is no longer operational, so if the link above doesn't work to download AOSS, try this one from the Wayback Machine.
F-Secure Rescue CD
What We Like
Easy to use because there aren't lots of options to get confused about
Not as large of a download as some similar programs
What We Don't Like
Updates are no longer performed
Doesn't have advanced scan options
Missing the familiar graphical UI, so it could be hard to use
F-Secure Rescue CD is a simple bootable antivirus program. It works without any graphical user interface, so it might be a bit confusing.
There are hardly any options or user input except pressing the Enter key to confirm the start of a scan.
A good antivirus program is essential to a secure system, and you most definitely do not have to pay for one to get great protection. Below is our hand-picked list of the 11 best free antivirus programs that you can download for Windows today.
All of these programs perform definition updates automatically, are always running to make sure your files are protected from malware and your personal information remains private, and can start scans on-demand whenever you like.
However, each of them do have a few prominent differences that make them stand out, so pay attention to those as you decide which one to use.
If you're looking for protection on your other devices, check out our list of free antivirus apps for Android and best Mac antivirus articles, too.
Best Free Virus Removal Reviews
If you just need a spyware cleaner, and need it right now without waiting for one of these full AV programs to install, use one of the (preferably portable) applications from our Best Free Spyware Removal Tools list. There are also free on-demand virus scanners you can install. Also consider installing a Windows Firewall alternative from this list of Free Firewall Programs.
If you can't even log in to Windows to install an antivirus tool, access a computer that does work and then use it to make a free bootable antivirus tool that you can then run on the infected computer.
Avira Free Security Suite
What We Like
Password manager included.
Optional additional downloadable protection layers.
In-the-cloud antivirus process.
What We Don't Like
Additional features can be annoying.
Only protects Chrome and Firefox browsers.
Add-on components often require fee to be fully functional.
The main component in Avira's free software suite that makes it stand out is the optional 'in-the-cloud detection' feature called Protection Cloud. This scanning method lets Avira's antivirus tool identify and stop threats before they get out of hand.
This is how it works: When a suspicious file is detected on any computer running Avira, a fingerprint of that specific file is generated and uploaded anonymously to Avira so that they can scan it and report its status (whether it's safe or dangerous) back to every Avira user so that the program can take appropriate action.
Avira can scan and remove existing threats as well as automatically detect and stop new ones. It protects you against ransomware, Trojans, spyware, and other kinds of malware. You can even choose which ones to actively watch out for, and disable others (though it's not recommended) like dialers, jokes, adware, etc.
- Scan on a schedule
- Check files with any file extension or just the ones you manually choose from
- Disable the ability to stop active scans (so that viruses can not stop the program from finding them)
- Adjust the scanner's priority level
- Scan master boot sectors
- Follow symbolic links to scan the actual files
- Search for rootkits before starting a scan
- Scan the Windows Registry
- Ignore files on network drives
- Automatically repair, rename, quarantine, delete, or ignore threats when they're found
- Use heuristic scanning
- Add files, folders, and processes to the ignore list
- Manage Windows Firewall settings
- Password protect the program's settings
- Block autorun on removable devices
- Make the hosts file read-only
The Avira suite offers more than just a very extensive antivirus application. It includes several other 'layers' of security that will install automatically, and they might take a while to download since there are several. However, you don't have to use them and they won't bother you unless you open them.
These separate modules include a VPN that encrypts all your traffic (up through the first 500 MB each month); password manager to securely store complex passwords; and software updater that identifies outdated programs and gives you the download links to update them.
In addition to those, Avira can speed up your computer and reduce boot up time with its tune-up tool, help you find the best deals as you shop online, and warn you of malicious websites or software bundles before you download them (with its SafeSearch add-on).
These extra features can be annoying if you're strictly after an antivirus solution, but again, you don't have to use them; just keep them tucked away where they are and you won't have to worry about them.
Avira Free Security Suite is intended to run on computers with Windows 7 SP1 and newer, including Windows 10 and Windows 8.
There's also Avira for macOS that's similar, but not exactly the same, as Avira for Windows. Namely, the Mac edition is only on-demand, meaning that it doesn't check for viruses automatically like the Windows version.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
What We Like
Best Free Virus Removal For Mac
Drag-and-drop file and folder scan.
Minimal, uncluttered design.
Simple to set up and run.
What We Don't Like
Limited customization if you're looking for that.
Large initial program download.
If you want an antivirus program that's not only free but super easy to use and not cluttered with lots of buttons and menus, you should definitely try the free version of Bitdefender Antivirus.
You not only get instant protection against viruses, worms, rootkits, spyware, and other threats, but also anti-phishing and anti-fraud protection to carry security with you when you're browsing the internet and entering passwords.
It's actually remarkable how well Bitdefender runs despite its minimal design. You can drag and drop folders and files directly into the program to instantly run a scan against them, as well as immediately start a full system scan or scan select objects from the right-click context menu—all of which can run at the same time.
Regardless of how they're started or how many scans are running simultaneously, a history of those scans are recorded for you on the primary window of the program as well as within the Events area of the settings.
The obvious downside to a program that lacks many customization options is that there isn't much you can change about it. That might be something you want but it might not be available; so be aware that basically all you can do with this edition of Bitdefender is start and stop scans.
Another downside to this software is how long it takes to become ready for you to use. The initial installer for Bitdefender is quite small but that's just what's used to then download the full program, which is hundreds of megabytes and could take a while if you have a slow internet connection.
It's also unfortunate that you can't pause scans (it just lets you stop them) or set up file and folder exclusions before starting scans like some AV programs allow. With Bitdefender, you can only mark files or websites as safe after they've been identified as malicious.
Ads asking you to purchase Bitdefender's professional programs and scheduled scans not being supported (but they're not necessarily needed since Bitdefender is always checking for new threats) are a few other not-so-greats.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition runs on Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. You can also get this free antivirus software on your Android or Mac.
Adaware Antivirus Free
What We Like
Lightweight antivirus program.
Can run as a supplement to other antivirus programs.
Silent mode mutes notifications and limits resource use.
What We Don't Like
Some useful features are only usable with paid version.
Limited configurability.
Real-time email scanning not included.
Adaware Antivirus installs in minutes, is light on system resources, and can be used in one of two ways. The first is in regular mode where it checks for threats as they happen, but the other lets you use it in addition to your 'main' antivirus program (i.e., along with Bitdefender or Avira).
What this so-called 'second line of defense' does is disables real-time protection but still lets you use Adaware Antivirus to manually scan for existing threats. This is helpful if your primary AV software doesn't seem to find malware that you know is infecting your computer.
Whichever way you use it, Adaware Antivirus provides a defense against ransomware, spyware, viruses, and other forms of malicious software. You can find those threats through a quick, full, or custom scan.
Daily, weekly, and monthly scheduled scans are supported, and you can even run a scan to just check certain things, like only rootkits or just tracking cookies and boot sector viruses, for example.
Adaware Antivirus also lets you choose a custom performance setting to use more system resources to run the scan (to make it faster), exclude files/folders/file extensions from scans, and decide how often to check for new definition updates (every 1/3/6/12/24 hours).
When it comes to real-time protection, you can toggle on or off the following options:
- Scan archive files
- Scan email databases
- Deep scan that checks CHM files and executable files
- Smart scan that skips previously checked files
- Scan boot sectors
- Scan files as they move throughout the network
- Skip scanning files that exceed a custom file size (e.g., 10 MB to skip video files)
You can also protect the program's settings with a PIN as well as enable gaming/silent mode to suppress notifications.
Adware Antivirus definitely has its advantages but because there's also a non-free version you can upgrade to, many additional options are not supported.
For example, parental controls and advanced network, web, and email protection are only available in Adaware Antivirus Pro. These options are visible within the free edition but they're not actually clickable/usable until you enter an Adaware Antivirus Pro license key.
Adaware Antivirus Free works with Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.
Avast Free Antivirus
What We Like
Add-ons allow you to increase protection.
Great customizability.
What We Don't Like
Password manager and some other tools included are trial only.
Additional features require purchase.
Avast is used by hundreds of millions of people and ranks high in nearly every 'best list' of antivirus programs, and for good reason. If you want a solid program that is sure to block new threats but is still easy enough to customize, you should consider using it.
Avast Free Antivirus is similar to Avira which we mention above; there are numerous components that you can install along with the virus shield that provide additional services related to security and privacy (more on those below).
The antivirus portion has lots of options you can change but it's still easy enough for anyone to use since there are information blurbs next to most items so you're not left wondering what will happen if you enable them.
Plus, both definition and program updates are performed automatically (a manual option is available, too), meaning you can install Avast and let it do its thing without worrying whether you're running the latest and greatest version.
Avast is highly customizable and lets you make changes to everything from whether to make a sound when threats are detected and how long notifications should remain on the screen, to the kinds of file extensions that should be scanned.
Here are some more features supported in Avast Free Antivirus:
- Scheduled scans
- Custom scans that can check only the memory, rootkits, auto-start programs, etc.
- Checking all files or just certain file extensions
- Identifying files by their content instead of their suffix
- Fine-tuned heuristics sensitivity
- Scanning for potentially unwanted programs
- Follows shortcuts to scan the real file
- Can scan within lots of archive file formats like self-extracting DOS and Win32 executables, CHM, ACE, 7Z, RAR, TNEF streams, Mac archives, ISO, and more
- Windows Explorer context menu integration
- Folders, HDDs, and URLs (but not specific files) can be pe-excluded from scans
- Custom scans are easy to save for use in the future
- A Rescue Disk can be created that lets you use the Avast scanner even if you can't start your computer
- Particular areas of the program can be protected with a password
- Lets you enable Do Not Disturb Mode to deny notifications from other apps while you're using one in full screen mode
Before Avast is installed, you have the option to include over a dozen different tools: file, behavior, web, and mail shields; software updater, browser cleaner, rescue disk, Wi-Fi inspector, security and SafePrice browser extensions; password manager; junk file cleaner; and Game Mode.
Technically, if you only want the antimalware protection, you can install just the shields from the start of that list; the others are add-ons that aren't necessary but could be helpful at some point.
For example, the software updater is a nice tool that will not only check for and report outdated software but also install the newer versions for you (even in bulk). This is a great way to make sure your programs are up-to-date with their latest security patches and features.
Wi-Fi Inspector scans the network for devices that could be vulnerable to attacks. For instance, it might identify that a computer is running a file sharing service that has been known to facilitate the spread of a certain kind of worm.
You can install these tools (it takes less than five minutes) and then disable or completely remove them later. Or, you can ignore them during setup and just install them later, or not at all.
However, please know that the password manager and Cleanup tools are only trial versions that will expire after so-many days. There's also a firewall, file shredder, and sandbox feature that's unusable in this free version.
Avast Free Antivirus is compatible with Windows 10, 8, and 7.
Panda Dome
What We Like
Light impact on system resources.
Minimal, uncomplicated design.
Security news about the latest reports of breaches and threats.
What We Don't Like
Resets browser home page and default search engine unless specifically deselected during installation.
Contains advertisements.
Panda Security's free antivirus program, Panda Dome (previously called Panda Free Antivirus), installs in minutes and has a minimal design like Bitdefender, mentioned above. However, even though it's not a CPU or memory hog, and doesn't appear to be customizable, all of its many options are tucked away in the settings.
From there, you can do things like set up both on-demand and automatic scans to check compressed files and scan for potentially unwanted programs.
The automatic, permanent scanner includes some additional options, too, like behavioral and analysis scanning options, the ability to ask you before neutralizing a virus, and blocking files from running for so-many seconds until results on whether it's safe or harmful are obtained from the cloud.
Something entirely unique to Panda Dome is its security news and alerts sections that can show you critical, warning, and informational messages like when a popular vendor experiences a data breach that could affect your personal information. You can, however, turn those off if you want to.
You can complete a scan in just a few minutes if you only want to check for actively running threats, like browser cookies, processes, and things currently loaded in memory. However, there's also, of course, an option for a full system scan or a custom scan.
Here are some other things you can do with Panda Dome:
- Password protect the entire application
- Have the quarantine emptied every three days, every week, every month, or never
- A gaming/multimedia option will disable all notifications if you're using a full screen application
- Exclude particular files or folders from scans, as well as specific file extensions of your choosing
- USB protection can be enabled to always scan removable devices as they're attached, to make sure that they don't spread anything to the computer
- Monitor running processes as well as any URLs accessed by them, and have them terminated if Panda Dome deems them a threat
- Record everything in event reports that you can browse through and even print or export to a TXT or CSV file
- Can optionally install Panda Safe Web during setup to protect you against malicious websites
The Panda Dome antivirus software does a really good job at keeping the important buttons up front and hiding the additional options within menus so that you're not constantly bombarded with options or alerts.
However, the program will change your home page and the search provider in your web browser, unless you uncheck those options during the initial setup.
Panda Dome works in all versions of Windows from Windows 10 back through Windows XP.
AVG AntiVirus Free
What We Like
Installs in a few minutes.
Choose what to enable during setup.
Updates automatically (definitions and the program).
You have full control over how things work.
What We Don't Like
Shows features you can't enable in the free version.
Always advertises AVG Internet Security.
Doesn't officially support Windows Vista or XP.
AVG's free antivirus program is easy on the eyes and even easier to use. The scan button is right in the middle of the screen, turning features off is dead-simple, and all the advanced options are tucked away from view in the settings.
Like most antivirus tools, this one lets you schedule scans, check for threats in archives, remove viruses right when they're found, scan USB drives, exclude files/folders/websites from scans, and run boot-time scans.
It's worth noting that AVG AntiVirus Free is highly customizable. You can either install it and leave the settings alone to have regular protection, or you can go into the settings and make adjustments to nearly anything.
For example, you can have viruses and PuPs fixed automatically or be prompted to take action, enable/disable scanning of downloaded files and scripts, scan inbound and/or outbound mail, check/skip the scanning of MS Outlook attachments, check or don't check for threats on inserted discs, and scan all archive types or just the most commonly used ones.
Another important feature in AVG's antivirus software is the option to choose how to scan files. You can have the program scan only the files that contain content that might include malware (like executable data), only files that are using a file extension considered potentially dangerous (like EXE), or all files regardless of content type or file extension.
You can also enable rootkit detection, hardcore mode (recommended for inexperienced users), and CyberCapture technology, which helps detect threats in unrecognized files.
During setup, you have full control over which components should be enabled or disabled once AVG is installed. Options include File Shield, Behavior Shield, Web Shield, Email Shield, SafePrice browser extension, File Shredder, Cleanup, and Do Not Disturb Mode.
AVG AntiVirus Free includes a file shredder tool as well, which you can use from the right-click context menu to overwrite files using the Random Data, Gutmann, or DoD 5220.22-M data destruction method.
Windows 10, 8, and 7 are supported. It also runs on Mac (10.10 Yosemite or above) and Android (5.0 or above).
You're asked during setup to also install AVG's web browser, AVG Secure Browser, but you can uncheck that option if you want.
COMODO Antivirus
What We Like
User interface can conform to your comfort level.
Lots of settings can be customized.
Run programs virtually.
Automatic updates for the program and virus definitions.
What We Don't Like
Settings sometimes don’t save after editing them.
Includes other programs and tools you might not want.
COMODO Antivirus excels in a few ways: it can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be depending on your experience level with antivirus tools, it supports cloud-based scans to detect new threats, and the built-in sandbox technology can isolate programs so that they can’t affect your files even if it they do turn out to be malicious.
Right after installing this free antivirus program from COMODO, a scan is started immediately to make sure your computer is safe as soon as possible. You can also run scans at any time, either quick scans, full scans, scans of commonly infected areas, and custom scans.
A custom scan in COMODO Antivirus lets you choose which files or folders to scan and enables a host of other customizations like whether to decompress and scan archives, use cloud scanning, automatically delete threats, enable heuristics scanning, check for threats running in memory, skip files over a maximum size, run the scan with full system resources, delete PuPs, and more.
Provided in this program are two ways to view the settings and features: basic and advanced. The basic view lets you run scans, unblock applications, update the program, and run software in a virtual mode, while the advanced view includes more details about those areas of the program and lets you view logs as well as toggle various things on or off, like HIPS and VirusScope.
It’s important to not overlook the virtualization feature in COMODO Antivirus. You can run any program you want in a virtual space completely separate from the rest of your files. It’s an opportunity to test out an application to ensure that it’s real and not just a trick to get you to install a virus.
However, even if it does contain something malicious, your real data (photos, videos, documents) are unaffected. You can launch programs in this protected container from inside the COMODO program or by right-clicking an executable file and choosing the option in the menu.
- Password protect the program
- Utilize a floating desktop widget
- Hide the “Upgrade” advertisement
- Choose which archive file types to unpack and scan
- Enable real time scanning of files on the network
- Define heuristics scanning level (low, medium, high)
- Schedule scans as frequently as every hour to as infrequently as once a month
- Customize the HIPS rules
- Turn on Silent Mode in seconds
- Force the auto-containment of suspicious or malicious files
- Use a unique password for the Virtual Desktop feature
During setup, you can also install Internet Security Essentials to protect against main-in-the-middle attacks.
COMODO Antivirus officially supports Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. It's also available for macOS.
The COMODO Dragon Web Browser automatically installs during setup unless you tell it not to. After installation, pay close attention to the options you’re given—you can change your DNS servers to be the COMODO Secure DNS servers (which presumably improve security and speed up browsing), enable Cloud Based Behavior Analysis, send anonymous program usage to COMODO, and change the home page and default search engine to Yahoo.
FortiClient
What We Like
Automatically downloads and installs updates.
Lots of control over the settings.
Simple user interface.
Comes with an application firewall.
What We Don't Like
Requires the internet during setup (it’s not an offline installer).
Slow to download and install all the components.
Unable to pause scans (only stop).
Lacks helpful documentation.
The FortiClient free antivirus program is unique for several reasons. Unlike many of the other AV programs on this page, this one includes parental control features, can manually check your programs for vulnerabilities, functions as a VPN client, and includes a firewall.
Installing this program lets you block websites by URL and/or site category, such as bandwidth-consuming sites, illegal sites, and ones flagged as including content relating to hacking, discrimination, adult/mature, games, advertising, shopping, child abuse, plagiarism, and several others.
You can also automatically sandbox files opened from a web download, email attachment, removable drive, and/or network drive. This is great if you’re cautious about opening those types of files because they’re the primary entry points for malware.
Here are some other FortiClient features you’ll like:
- Scan on a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule
- Lock down the program with a password
- Manually check for application vulnerabilities
- AntiExploit is enabled for all your programs automatically, but you have the freedom to disable the feature on any of them
The program interface itself is easy to read and navigate, but it might be a bit too much for a novice user. There’s hardly any information regarding what each component and setting does when enabled/disabled, and a few of the features are really only useful if your computer is being managed remotely by an administrator.
Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7 are supported. You can also get this free antivirus program on Linux and macOS (but with fewer features). FortiClient has a similar tool for web filtering and VPN access, too, for Chromebook, the Chrome browser, iOS, and Android.
During setup, you’re asked if you want to enable the following along with the antivirus program: SSL and IPsec VPN, FortiSandbox detection and quarantine features, and Additional Security Features which include Antivirus, Web Filtering, Single Sign On, and Application Firewall. You can turn them on during setup or later once FortiClient is fully installed.
Immunet AntiVirus
What We Like
Tons of customizable options.
No ads.
Automatic updates.
Helpful information built-in.
Small setup file; installs fast.
What We Don't Like
Runs on Windows only, and probably only newer editions (not XP).
Another free antivirus program that offers real time protection for Windows is from Immunet. It has a bit of an outdated interface but the software is still current, and even connects directly to the cloud for updates.
There are lots of options you can toggle on or off to customize how the software works, but you can also leave all the defaults and it will still check your computer for threats in real time.
Here are some other features you get with Immunet:
- Detects and removes bots, viruses, worms, Trojans, keyloggers, and spyware
- Three scan modes let you check just running processes (Flash Scan), any location of your choosing (Custom Scan), or the entire computer (Full Scan)
- Schedule any scan type daily, weekly, or monthly
- Start scans directly from Explorer on any folder or file
- A timeline shows the history of threats on the computer, to 30 days in the past. There's also an extremely detailed history of events that have happened in the program that you can filter by date, keyword, and type (such as quarantines, cleanings, blocked processes, etc.)
- Lets you run a FlashScan right after installation to check the registry and running processes for threats
- Includes a special blocking mode you can enable that prevents all programs from being installed unless they first pass a security scan
- Gaming Mode can be enabled at any time to prevent notifications from the program while watching movies or playing games.
- Automatically excludes certain folders and file types from scans, including temp folders and certain system32 folders
- Lets you manually exclude any file, folder, or threat (by its name)
- Toggle scanning on or off for archives and packed files
- Can run alongside many other antivirus programs, such as security software from Comodo, Avira, AVG, and Norton.
Immunet AntiVirus has been tested on Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7, as well as Windows Server 2016/2012/2008 R2.
Kaspersky Free
What We Like
Super clean user interface that’s easy to understand.
Unique features not found in other programs.
Protect your email.
Lots of options you can customize.
Set up a scanning schedule.
What We Don't Like
Must create a user account to activate the software.
Several features you see in the program aren’t free.
Can’t exclude scans by file extension.
Slow install.
Must renew the free license every year.
Kaspersky Free is a good choice for a free antivirus program if you want a simple program that boasts lots of features. It’s incredibly easy to use but has loads of advanced options if you care to look into them.
This free AV program is also useful if your computer is low on system resources. Kaspersky Free can automatically postpone scans and reduce display animations if the CPU runs too high, supports idle scans for when you’re away, and lets you favor performance over protection by altering the overall security level.
Another important feature to know about this program is that it includes Self-Defense, which is a function that blocks all attempts to change or delete Kaspersky’s processes, registry items, and installation files.
- Searches for rootkits and can delete malicious tools, adware, auto-dialers, and suspicious packages
- Can password protect the program to protect its settings from being changed and/or to stop it from being uninstalled or shut down
- Includes a file and web scanner as well as Network Attack Blocker, System Watcher, and Mail Anti-Virus
- Supports gaming mode to suppress notifications while using any program in full screen mode
- The antivirus scanner can be set up to auto-pause when specific applications start up and/or during certain times of the day
- Choose what happens when a threat is detected: notify, disinfect, delete if disinfect doesn’t work, or delete
- Can auto-scan external drives or prompt you to scan them when they’re inserted
- Schedule quick or full scans for every day, every weekend, every weekday, weekly, or monthly
- Choose what gets scanned in a full, quick, and selective scan. Can include any of the following: system memory, startup objects, disk boot sectors, system volume information, email, all hard drives, all external devices, all network drives, any folder.
- Lets you skip items if the scan takes too long
- Speed up antivirus scans by checking only new and changed files
- Exclude files and folders from scans, and even prevent the scanning of specific threats
- Define trusted applications so that they're not scanned
Kaspersky's free antivirus program can be installed on Windows operating systems.
ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus
What We Like
Updates automatically.
Includes a free firewall.
Can run scheduled scans.
What We Don't Like
Heavy on system resources.
Slow installation.
ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus, also called ZoneAlarm Security and ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall, is just what you think: antivirus software with a firewall tool built-in. You not only have protection against threats like spyware, viruses, Trojan horses, and bots but there are also firewall shields to block intruders from reaching your computer files.
Here are some other important features in this free antivirus tool:
- Real-time, cloud-based security updates that relies on millions of other users to stop threats quickly
- Gamer Mode can be used to block interruptions while gaming, such as scans, updates, and alerts; you can set all alerts to be automatically denied or allowed
- Lock down ZoneAlarm's configuration with a password to protect its settings from being changed
- Back up the program's security settings and restore them later
- Run quick and/or full scans on a schedule
- The network firewall can screen every single program with 'suspicious behavior' alerts that you have to explicitly allow or deny
- The firewall lets you block fragments, trusted servers, and public servers, as well as enable ARP protection, filter IP traffic over port 1394, allow/block VPN protocols, and lock the hosts file
- Set up notifications for suspicious credit activity
Avira
ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall works on Windows 10, 8, and 7.