Probably a stupid question, I’m not very experienced, but what is - in your opinion - the best antivirus that has a lifetime “free” tier, or is open-source and free?
I do not want to use the pay from my job on one since I am underage and do not interact with viruses or potential threats often enough to warrant an expensive antivirus, but I understand the dangers of not having a proper one, even if Windows Defender is “good enough”.
Thank you for helping.
Bitdefender free
Or
Kaspersky free
Both of them are great.
They are really close when it comes to the detection rate, but Kaspersky is lighter on the system and has better descriptions for detected threats.
If you need one, BitDefender, hands down.
Kaspersky. If you want more details (as of why, etc.) DM me.
Defender is all that’s needed and some common sense.
Malwarebytes if you really want to have something else.
Kaspersky free. Have been using it for 8+ years and it has fought off two trojan infections.
I went with Bitdefender is scores highly in independent lab tests, Kaspersky might be getting banned because of the whole Russia thing https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/09/politics/biden-administration-americans-russian-software/index.html
These are the best free Antivirus
as a result of my research. I found the Malwarebytes antivirus. As a free version, it is close to full protection. It is successful in virus scanning.
Windows Defender and common sense is all you need, if you’re worried then install Malwarebytes, run a scan, see the results and then uninstall it, no need to keep that thing around tbh
windows defender, bitdefender or kaspersky
choose one of those
I no longer go with any free third party AV
I stick with Defender with Defender UI for my personal devices although some do also have S1 and Huntress
If you not care about your privacy and about privacy of data - you can use Kaspersky!. Otherwise - you should totally forget about this software.
Bitdefender much better choice!!!
Bitdefender or Kaspersky.
Windows Defender is pretty good right now. You can check the AV test too. The key is you. Yes! You are the key depends on how you use it. And not only that it has ios version too paid version with Microsoft 365 personal or family per month or per year.
I know I’m late to the convo, but I have to say I am really pleased/surprised to see how rational people are in this thread. Kaspersky gets so much hate for its origins and political controversy, but the Kaspersky that exists today is one of the most transparent antivirus/malware protection companies out there.
I would also recommend Kaspersky, but here me out, consider making the leap from free to paid sub. I know it’s your hard-earned money and you are trying to save what you are earning, but in my humble opinion antivirus software is the single most important purchase that a pc/laptop/whatever_machine user can make.
In addition to astonishingly good malware detection rates, you’ll also get access to a VPN, WiFi/network monitoring, a password keeper, and protection for up to 5 of your devices. I’ve been using Kaspersky premium for a few months now (coming from MalwareBytes) and I’m trying hard not to oversell just how awesome it has been, but I sincerely cannot recommend it enough.
The first year is discounted if you pay up front and it’s something like $50 for their entire suite of tools for a whole year. Well worth your pesos, but if you simply can’t or won’t make room in your budget for the paid sub, I would still recommend the free version Kaspersky as a fallback. Ok, I’ll shut up now.
ESET is probably not bad either on PC.
Kaspersky is good. Bitdefender if you have no knowledge of computers.
your brain is also very good to have people forget that one alot
I thought Kaspersky need to pay money?