Don't be fooled by ads for free antivirus software. There are several of these programs that offer free online virus scans. The trick is this: They "scan" your computer and tell you that you have viruses that must be removed before it is too late. Then they require you to buy the software to remove them. Often, the viruses don't exist in your computer at all. Some viruses and spyware come piggy-backed in a download for "antivirus software". Be careful. Check online review sites for every program you consider downloading. Regardless of the scams out there, there are excellent free antivirus software programs that work with XP. Here are the best free virus protection downloads available:
The Personal Edition of AntiVir 8
This is the top free antivirus software according to several reviews because it has a good success rate in finding and removing viruses and can run in tandem with popular downloading applications. It has scanning abilities in common with paid software. It has a 5 Star Rating on Download.Com.
The conveniences of AntiVir Personal Edition Classic include its small size, the ability to manually scan individual files and folders, a drag and drop feature that lets you scan files before opening them, the ability to run in safe mode, and the ability to specify reporting. This software has the typical features of virus scanning in that it has automatic updating and scheduled scanning capabilities and scanning options.
People do complain that it is very slow when downloading definition updates and does not detect a majority of the spyware that may be on your machine and that spyware it detects requires you to buy the software for removal.
Number Two: Avast! Antivirus v4.8
This free antivirus software has good ratings on CNET and Download.Com. It offers great protection against viruses and can detect one-third of the spyware programs that are downloaded on your pc. While the numbers involved with spyware detection are small, it does also include free removal of the horrible little pests in addition to its much better virus removal.
Avast! Is not feature-restrictive and is not a "free trial" program. It is growing in popularity as a decent antivirus program. It downloads detections and definitions without faltering and installs them quickly.
The worst things said about Avast concern the need to register if you wish to use it beyond 60 days and keep registering every year after that. When you realize that paid programs are virtually the same only you have to pay for your subscription, this negative doesn't seem too inconvenient.
Antivirus programs are a necessity for every computer that is connected to the internet. If you find the high cost of popular antivirus programs too much for your budget, AntiVir Personal Edition Classic 8 and Avast! Antivirus v4.8 are satisfactory alternatives. Cost should not be a factor when it comes to protecting your files from harm. To be sure you are getting the real versions; visit their home sites to download them. There are fraud sites online that will try to either sell them to you, or download spyware and viruses in place of the real free versions of these programs.
