by Matthew Adams

Created on: July 13, 2008   Last Updated: August 12, 2008

Those unscrupulous files, known as viruses, can be easily protected against. You can acquire a number of free virus software packages, via download, that can detect them for you. There are a few that are most worth looking at.

AVG Anti-virus free edition is both a free and commercial product. Naturally, the free version has more limited features, but it still boasts a decent enough piece of software. It gets updated fairly regularly and has an auto-update feature.

Like most anti-virus software, it has a computer scanner option that allows you to scan the system for the unwanted files. These can be scheduled or done when you feel it necessary. It comes with a scan history, and also archives unwanted files in what is called a virus vault.

The main overview page gives a listing of security components and status overview. These components are: anti-Virus, anti-spyware, e-mail scanner, link scanner, resident shield and an update manager.

It has a smooth enough interface, allowing for ease of use and navigation. It also provides help support if required.

Avast! Deserves a mention also. It is regarded as one of the best free anti-virus software available. The only catch is that you have to register after a 60-day period. And thereafter, annual re-registering is required.

It has similar features to AVG, but with a funkier interface. It also has GUI skins, which allow for interface customization.

Some of its features include standard shield, anti-rootkit, anti-spyware, audible alarms, script blocker and a network shield. Of these, the audible alarm is quite unique, and will give you vocal warnings along the lines of: "Caution, a virus had been detected!"

AntiVir has performed as well as any of the aforementioned free packages. It is user-friendly, and has good detection rates that might well be better than both AVG and Avast. Better still, it is available for a variety of platforms like Linux.

PC Pro described it as: "The most effective free anti-virus package we've seen." With those encouraging words, it might well be worth a look.

So, there are a few good free options available. If seeking free anti-virus software, then Avast, AntiVir, and AVG come recommended. They all have official download sites; or you could download from Cnet, which links to them. Admittedly, they may not be as comprehensive as commercial titles such as Norton, but they do at least give you reasonably sound anti-virus software and are better value too.

Learn more about this author, Matthew Adams.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.