Free Anti-Virus Software

Antivirus software works by scanning your computer's hard drive and memory to look for any virus. The antivirus software, once it has found a virus, will either delete it or quarantine it. However, for the antivirus to be completely efficient, it needs to be updated. Every now and then, the software will need to access its manufacturer's website to download updates. The updates provide the lastest information to the software on how to detect new viruses and eliminate. An outdated antivirus is as good as a computer with no antivirus.

However, the more powerful the antivirus software becomes, the more canny the viruses get. There are those viruses which affect the boot sector of your computer's hard drive and thus Windows® based antivirus software will not work. Then you will need special solutions.

There is also one last type of antivirus software which scans your computer from another website. these are called online virus scanners and need an internet connection.

Below is a list of FREE antivirus software and services:

Free Antivirus Software

Antidote Super Lite version∞
This is the cut-down version of the full version of Antidote antivirus. It though uses the same virus database as the commercial one.

Avast! Antivirus∞
One of the best ones. Provides all-in-one protection for the system, with autoupdate and all. Has a simple user interface and above all the home edition is free! You only need to register and you will be sent a 1 year license within 24 hours. I use it and I highly recommend t.

AVG Antivirus Free Edition∞
In the same ranks as Avast! and is really a good freeware. Works on two platforms: Windows® and Linux. Recommended.

Avira Antivir∞
Good product with free support and has a huge virus database. It is cross-platform, which means that it runs on Windows®, Linux, Free BSD and Solaris.

BitDefender∞
Free virus scanning software for Linux. In the same league with Clam AV

Clam AV∞
Freeware antivirus licensed under the GPL. It is mainly used to scan email attachments. It has automatic updating through the internet and the scanning is through command line. Availble for several Linux Distros.

ClamWin∞
Free antivirus software for Windows based upon Clam AV.

Comodo Antivirus∞
It is Windows antivirus software which resides in memory and provide real-time scanning of your file while automatic updating is also included. You can have scans scheduled for specific tmies.

Cyberhawk∞
Cyberhawk is not a true antivirus software. It only complemends your exisiting antivirus software and provides protection against the viruses your main anitivirus software does not provide. Useful when your antivirus is not updated. It does not have a dataase but instead looks at the characteristics of the suspect program and alerts you if it has those of a virus. However, it is to be noted that it can set off several false alarms.

F-Prot∞
It is a free anti-virus software for Linux, FreeBSD and DOS. It can only be used as a personal software, not commercially. The Windows and Solaris versions are commercial.

HandyBits∞
Will combine all virus scanners availble on your computer and do a meta search for viruses. Handy if all the scanners find different types of viruses.

PC Tools Antivirus∞
The same protection as the best of antivirus software. Can scan downloaded emais. Provides fast updates and works only on Winodws® 2000, XP, Vista. There is also a commercial version and a trial one.

Online Virus Scanners & Security Tools

These virus scanners do not need to be downloaded and installed. They scan your computer directly from your web browser.

BitDefender Free Online Virus Scan∞
Finds and deletes viruses from your computer. Installs an ActiveX control to enable this scan to be done. Needs Internet Explorer to work.

Freedom Free Virus Scan∞
Scan your computer's hard drives, Cd-ROMs, floppys and all from the web. Scans for trojans and worms.

GFI online Trojan Scanner∞
This a a trojan (a special type of virus) scanner which runs exclusively on Internet Explorer and on Winodws®. You need not download the software.

Jotti's Online Malware Scan∞
Provides file scanning services. Just upload your file here, it will use a bunch of softwares to check for malware.

McAfee's Virusscan Online∞
A free virus scanner by McAfee which is online.

Panda Active Scan∞
Finds and deletes viruses from your computer. Installs an ActiveX control to enable this scan to be done. Requires Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher.

PC Pitstop∞
A compendium of online security tools like virus scanning, spyware detection and all. Same as Panda Active Scan as it installs an ActiveX to perform all this.

Rav Antivirus∞
Same as McAfee's Virusscan Online.

Symantec Security Check∞
Same as PC Pitstop except that it requires IE 5.0+ to work.

TrendMicro HouseCall∞
Same as Rav Antivirus.


[Add any antivirus missing in the list through comments]