Best Free Antivirus 2020

Table of Contents

Many people write to me asking me which is the best free antivirus 2020 for Windows. To answer this question, we must start from the assumption that there is no antivirus better than others from ALL points of view. Various parameters need to be carefully considered – the effectiveness in detecting malware. The effect on overall system performance. So, the number of false positives generated, the number of features included, etc. – and choose the one that best suits your needs. In this regard, today, I have prepared for you a list with the best free antivirus 2020 for Windows, those that manage to combine all the features we have listed above in the best possible way.

To select them, I relied on my personal experiences and the results of the most recent comparative tests, such as those of AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, in which all the major antivirus software are compared to evaluate their actual capabilities.

I don’t think there is much more to add. Please take a few minutes of free time, take a look at the list that I am about to offer you, and install the antivirus that seems most suitable for your needs. Follow the directions I am about to give you, and you will not find any difficulty.

Windows Defender

The antivirus that arrives integrated on Windows 10 closes this review. This is the essential solution by running in the background to keep the PC safe from the most serious and important threats. Obviously, it is completely free, but it is not as complete as dedicated software.

In fact, the scan is not promptly effective against 100% of threats. Using Windows Defender is therefore recommended only to the expert user who does not need the most powerful protection (do not rely only on this tool on the PCs of people less used to technology). You can access this Windows 10 function by opening the settings (Win + I). Clicking on “Update and security,” and then on “Windows Defender.”

AVG

AVG is a historic name in the antivirus world. It has experienced many ups and downs. It has not always lived up to its fame, but recently it has returned to a very good standard. Perhaps it burdens the system a little more than Bitdefender, but as far as the reliability of its protection is concerned. You can sleep reasonably soundly.

To download AVG Free on your computer, connect to the official antivirus website and click on the Free Download button. Then open the file you just downloaded on your PC ( AVG_Protection_Free_xx.exe ) and wait a few seconds for the preparation of the files that make up the program to complete.

Necessary Installation

In the window that opens, click on the Yes button, wait for the download of all the components necessary for the installation of the best free antivirus 2020 to be completed (it should not take long). Choose to start a custom installation. Then put the checkmark next to the item Basic protection and finish the setup by clicking first on Continue. Then on Install now and Ignore (in order to avoid the creation of an AVG account. Which is used for the unified management of multiple devices).

At the end of the operation, to start a scan of your computer, click on the Protection button. Select the gear icon located next to the Scan item and choose what type of check to perform. You can choose from a Whole computer scan (recommended), File and folder scan (to check individual paths), or Antirootkit scan (to scan only for rootkits, malware capable of evading security systems and providing hackers with remote access to the PC).

In the main AVG screen, you can also manage all the extra functions included in the Bitdefender . Web protection (Linkscanner), which allows you to discover dangerous sites in the search results. Personal Data Protection (Identity Protection), which analyzes the behavior of the software to avoid any risks to privacy, and Email Protection which checks email. Other features, such as anti-spam, firewall, and file scanning before download, are exclusive to the paid version of AVG.

Bitdefender

Another very valid alternative is Bitdefender, also offered both in free (Free Edition) and paid (Total Security) versions. However, the free version is more than enough to give an excellent degree of protection to our PC.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition offers virus and malware scanning and removal. Active protection in real-time, antiphishing web filter to avoid the theft of sensitive data, an anti-fraud system that recognizes scam sites (“online casinos, pornographic sites, loan programs, and others ”), And also a password manager. If you want to try it. We refer you directly to the Bitdefender site.

Bitdefender Free

According to some of the most recent comparative rankings. Bitdefender is among the antiviruses that are able to combine effectiveness and performance best. It can detect most cyber threats, has no unnecessary features that burden the system, and is extremely simple to use.

To download Bitdefender Free on your PC, connect to its official website and click first on the Download it for free button and then on No, thanks! I want to download Bitdefender Antivirus Free. At this point, the download of some essential components for the software installation will start; the operation should take a few seconds. Bitdefender is one of the best free antivirus 2020.

In the window that opens, select the language from the drop-down menu located at the top right. Then put the checkmark next to the item I accept the terms of the license agreement (remove it from Send anonymous usage reports if you do not want to provide information on using the software). Click first on Next and then on Start and Finish to complete the installation process and start Bitdefender.

After activating your copy of Bitdefender Free Edition. I recommend that you run a full system scan with it (although at the end of the installation. The quick one should automatically start, which examines only the crucial areas of Windows). Then click with the right mouse button on the program icon in the notification area and select the Full Scan item from the menu that opens to start the operation.

Avira

Identified by an umbrella on a red background, Avira is one of the historical antiviruses for Windows. The new Free Security Suite version is among the best ever made, with an accurate and feature-rich interface that, at the same time, remains relatively light on resources.

Like all the other antiviruses on this page, Avira is also free but obviously offers additional paid features. Such as system performance optimization. VPN for private browsing, or tools for semi-automatic updating of installed software. Scanning, real-time protection, password manager, and secure web search are completely free. You can download it from the official Avira website.

Antivirus for Windows

To answer this question, we must start from the assumption that there is no antivirus better than others from ALL points of view. Various parameters need to be carefully considered – the effectiveness in detecting malware. The effects on overall system performance, the number of false positives generated. So, the number of features included, etc. – and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Those that manage to combine all the features we have listed above in the best possible way. To select them, I relied on my personal experiences and the results of the most recent comparative tests. Such as those of AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, in which all the major antivirus software are compared to evaluate their actual capabilities.

How Avast is the Best Free Antivirus 2020

In recent comparative tests, it has proved slightly less effective than Bitdefender, Avira and AVG, perhaps it is starting to include a little too many “extra” features, but Avast remains one of the best free antivirus 2020 for Windows. To download it on your PC, connect to its official website and click first on the FREE DOWNLOAD button and then on the DOWNLOAD button (under the heading Free Antivirus ).

When the download is complete, double click on it to open the avast_free_antivirus_setup_online_htmlit.exe file and click first on Yes and then on Customize to choose which antivirus components to install. You can choose from the following items.

File protection (essential)
Web protection (essential)
Email Protection (recommended)
SafeZone browser (it is a browser that allows you to browse safely online. You can do without it)
Browser protection (detects malicious content encountered while browsing the web, recommended)
Software Updater (detects the availability of updates for the programs installed on the PC, not essential)
Remote assistance (to provide or receive remote assistance over the Internet)
SecureLine (a VPN service to browse the Internet privately)
Cleanup (to delete unnecessary files and speed up the system)
Rescue disk (to create a USB stick or self-starting disk and scan your computer in case of an emergency)
Browser Cleanup (to eliminate malicious extensions from the browser)
Desktop gadget (to have the main Avast functions always just a click away)
Home network protection
Passwords (to manage passwords with Avast)

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After selecting

the components to install, click the Install button, wait for the initial Avast setup to complete (you can follow the progress of the process using the pop-up that appears in the Windows notification area), and prepare to activate the software.

Avast is totally free but in order to use it. You need to register your copy of the software. Then click on the Register item that you find at the top right of the antivirus window. Select the Register link at the bottom of the screen that opens and choose whether to activate the program via email address (which you will then have to confirm by clicking on the link that will be sent to you ) or through your Facebook / Google account.

If you want to start a simple virus scan. Click instead on the magnifying glass icon located at the top. Select the Full system scan item from the drop-down menu located in the center of the window and press the Start button. To take advantage of the other tools (creation of the rescue disk, remote assistance, etc.). Click on the Tools icon located at the top center of the main Avast screen.

G-Data Antivirus

G-data is a very powerful antivirus, in Italian and available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Android, available in versions of Antivirus only. Total Security and Internet Security with the possibility of being able to try it for free for 30 days, with the possibility of consulting technical support at any time.

You can download G-data Antivirus. Total Security or Internet Security, compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP SP3, by connecting to the G-data website, click on the button that reads DOWNLOAD NOW and follow the instructions that will appear to download the installation file.

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ESET NOD32 Antivirus

Produced by Eset, this antivirus is among the lightest, most optimized, and preferred by users.

It allows for real-time protection against viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, adware, phishing, and hackers.

NOD32 is equipped with a scanning engine capable of identifying evolving virus and malware threats in real-time, recognizing malicious behavior. Equipped with ThreatSense Technology. It allows proactive protection against all software that threatens your computer, analyzing in real-time the execution of applications to identify suspicious behavior, and proactively blocks more than 90% of new malware threats. In the majority cases without necessarily needing antiviral signatures.

Together with Antivir, it ranks among the fastest and lightest antivirus, saving disk and memory resources, leaving them free for your applications. Self Defense technology offers protection against malware on your computer to prevent it from disabling the protection features.