Avira AntiVir Personal Edition

Features:

• Real time protection (computer viruses, worms, trojan horses but NOT spyware, adware)
• On-demand scanner (still called "Luke Filewalker" - great to see they kept the name!)
• Auto updater
• Quarantine for the detected viruses and suspicious files
• Scheduler
  

(To see the full-size screenshot simply click on the thumbnail image)

Main window

Configuration

Expert mode configuration

Avira AntiVir utilizes strong heuristic scanning to protect against previously unknown macro and boot record viruses.

Virus detedcted!

The POP3 e-mails scanner is not included in this version (it is available in the paid premium edition ). However, it is not as big a disadvantage as it may seem, as AntiVir will scan all opened e-mails and attachments.

The detection rates are very good and the definition updates are frequent. According to Avira's site: "Usually, AntiVir offers updates for VDF files several times per day, ensuring that your AntiVir products always detect the latest electronic threats." The update speed was not lightning fast, but still adequate (premium edition provides its own dedicated update server).

Manual update

Avira AntiVir will not detect spyware or aggressive adware. Running the program together with some form of antispyware protection - or upgrading to the premium version - is, therefore, highly advisable.

AntiVir periodically displays a pop-up window with some promotional info, which can be annoying - but it sure is a small price to pay for using this great antivirus software for free!

Pop-up information window

The help system is extensive and includes downloadable manual and in-built help. The support is available through the online support forum at: http://forum.antivir.de/index.php.

Inbuilt help

License: Free for individual and private use on a single PC-workstation.
Time limited: No.
Free Support: Yes - forums.
Platforms: Windows 98/ME, NT/2000/XP, Linux/Free BSD/Solaris.

Pros:

• good detection rates,
• very easy to use,
• good auto updater,
• small footprint,
• available for almost any platform.

Cons:

• does not scan for spyware or adware,
• no email scanner.

Our overall verdict: one of the best free antiviruses!

DOWNLOAD HERE