It is strongly recommended, some might say, urgent that you install an antivirus app, but the problem is which one? It feels like there are as many antivirus apps out there as there are computer viruses stalking the internet.

What should I look for in an antivirus app?

It should go without saying that you should get an antivirus app that is actually compatible with your Windows 11 computer. Getting the wrong one can cause performance issues and your system to become unstable. You should also look for one that has scanning capabilities to scour every inch of your computer and make sure malware isn’t hidden in some back corner. Other great features to look for are firewall protection and a file deleted. There are plenty of paid antivirus apps out there that offer top-of-the-line protection. But what if you’re on a budget and you can’t afford to pay for a recurring subscription for an antivirus? This guide will show the best antivirus software available for free. Some of these do have a premium version that you can purchase for extra features, but are unnecessary as you’ll still get great protection.

What are the best free antivirus software for Windows 11?

Windows Defender

Are there aspects or things I should about concerning antivirus apps?

In the past, people have complained about issues with their antivirus software. If you decide to go with Kaspersky, you should know about update problems that plague the app. The app has multiple layers of protection against attacks and is highly aggressive at it too. So aggressive in fact that it may get in the way of downloading apps and programs. If something even remotely looks suspicious, Avast will shut it down and protect your computer. It has a Smart Scan feature that looks through your web browser’s security and looks for junk. The app will clean out anything it considers to be junk and clean up other areas on your computer. Other features include a PC Speedup to better system performance and a Targeted Scan to sift through certain files. The premium version even includes a VPN for a secure connection, Password Protection, and a Data Shredder to get rid of sensitive files. A mobile version is available for Android and iOS. With a protection level of this magnitude, it’s not surprising to see Avast maintain its popularity for so long. Bitdefender does automatic updates so you won’t have to worry about constantly updating its driver. It has multiple layers of protection, and if it gets attacked, Bitdefender will “remember” what attacked it and have a stronger defense against it. The security level is tailored to your needs. Bitdefender will give you suggestions on you should protect your computer based on its needs. It figures this out when you perform an assessment scan. Afterward, it will recommend the changes. There is a paid version of Bitdefender that offers more features, but the quality of security doesn’t change. Whether you paid for it or use the free version, you get a small level of protection against digital threats. For free, Bitdefender will give you Antivirus protection, Advanced Threat Defense, and Online Threat Prevention. Unfortunately, the Firewall feature isn’t included, so you’ll have to use Windows Defender Firewall. Its virus detection feature is updated frequently so Avira is up to date on the latest changes in malware. You can rest easy that Avira won’t ever be caught with its pants down and leave your computer vulnerable. And just like Avast, it’s lightweight so it won’t take up a lot of computer resources, leaving the rest of your apps free to run without lag or slowdown. There are also versions for Android, iOS, and Mac laptops. Avira is compatible with Windows Security which suspends the native software’s protection. For cryptocurrency miners, a unique feature called Avira Crypto protects your machine while you mine for cryptocurrency. Like Avast, Avira has similar features locked behind a paywall like the VPN, but aren’t really that necessary. The only real downside is that Avira doesn’t have active ransomware protection on the free version. If CPU usage runs too high, the software will automatically pause scans and reduce animations on your computer. Kaspersky allows for idle scanning when you step away from the computer. Kaspersky is great at protecting your computer from phishing scams and different types of malware. It can search for adware bogging down your computer and rootkits, which can give unauthorized access to your computer to a bad actor. The software has a unique feature called Self-Defense, which prevents anybody from changing or deleting the app’s registry items and installation files. And things don’t stop there. Antivirus apps sometimes have the bad habit of getting in the way of other software, namely video games. Kaspersky solves this with a special gaming mode that suppresses notifications while playing on full screen. All you need to run Kaspersky is 1.5 GB of free space, 2 GB of memory, and a 1 GHz processor. The company behind the antivirus also has a full suite of other protection apps you can try out. SPONSORED The user interface is nice and clean with options to change the configuration; although this isn’t apparent at first. A point against Panda is that if you want to configure it, you’ll have to sort through the menus. Also, it will force you to install the Opera web browser onto your computer. Opera isn’t malicious or anything, but it’s extra bloat that you don’t want or need. It can be easily uninstalled, however. That said, Panda Antivirus has real-time protection against viruses, online fraud, spyware, and rootkits. As soon as you install it, it will automatically scan your files to ensure everything is okay. Scanning is permanent and will constantly provide security for however long you’re on your Windows 11 computer. An interesting feature is a news feed at the bottom of the window that informs you of the latest events in cyber security. No other antivirus software has the news feed at the bottom. Other notable features include USB protection that scans removable drives when attached and the ability to exclude certain files from scans. There’s a big green button smack dab in the middle of the app. And like the other entries, AVG will actively scan for threats hidden among the file archives, scan USB drives for anything dangerous, and boot viruses from your computer. The scanning feature is customizable in that you can choose what you want the antivirus to scan as well as schedule when they will happen. It can also detect rootkits to ensure no one has unauthorized access. AVG boasts six layers of security and it doesn’t slow down computers in the slightest. Unique to this software is Email Shield, which alerts and blocks any strange links, phishing scams, or suspicious email attachments. People have complained that the initial AVG scan can be slower than most other antivirus apps and that fixing certain issues requires an upgrade in service. Like the other apps, ZoneAlarm has active real-time protection against the usual viruses, malware, spyware, and other types of harmful software. Unique to this app, however, is the inclusion of a firewall. The majority of antivirus software relies on your computer’s own firewall, like the one that comes with Windows Defender, but ZoneAlarm takes it a step further. ZoneAlarm’s firewall is customizable and you can configure to block public server and VPN protocols. It can also filter IP traffic and turn on ARP protection. With the firewall, you can create unique scan modes to suit your needs. The firewall can be configured to protect your local network and screen all the programs. Other features include a Gamer Mode to block notifications just like Panda Antivirus and the ability to back up its settings to restore at a later time. It even has Identity Protection Services to protect you from identity by guarding your information against bad actors. Although, this feature is for only people in the United States only. ⇒ Get ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus Defender bucks this trend as it also has real-time protection and a wide array of security features. It has a great firewall and network protection. The app will frequently keep you up to date on system performance. It gets frequent updates so you’ll never have to worry about falling behind on security and is easy on the CPU. It’s never been a resource hog and will continue to be so. Other features include Defender SmartScreen which protects your Windows 11 computer against dangerous files, websites, and downloads. There are family options that keep track of the online activity of kids and other devices. For a base app, it does a lot the same things as third-party apps do, but that other software can do so much more. Plus, it’s noted that Defender can let some malware through. Update problems can be caused by your subscription’s expiration date or the software settings not working automatically. It’s something that must be turned out. AVG users may have to deal with something similar. Ironically enough, AVG update problems may be caused by malware which cab block updates, so you’ll have to purge. Windows Firewall may also be a cause as it can get in the way of apps not whitelisted in its directory. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions on other Windows 11 apps. Also, leave comments about reviews that you’d like to see or information on other Windows 11 features.

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