The best antivirus for Windows 10

When connecting to the Internet, the user is always at risk, because there is always the possibility of getting a malicious program on the computer. Those who have recently installed the new Windows 10 operating system also have to worry about this. Therefore, today we will try to answer the pressing question of which antivirus is best to install on Windows 10.

Built-in antivirus

After installing Windows 10, the user wonders whether it is worth installing an antivirus on the PC at all. This interest is justified, since the new version of the operating system includes a protection service. Today it is called Windows Defender. But this is not a new development, but the Microsoft Security Essential antivirus that is well-known among users.

This program has proven itself to be a good fighter against malware, for which the developers have received awards, including the “VB100” from Virus Bulletin Ltd. The antivirus is suitable for ordinary users or small business owners. Microsoft Security Essential runs in the background and prompts the user only when necessary action is taken against a detected threat.

This antivirus helps your computer cope with problems that arise, but its ability to block malware is not unlimited, since this is an example of basic protection. If you want to more reliably protect yourself from Trojans, spyware, and other things, you should install additional protection. It remains to figure out which antivirus suite is best for Windows 10.

Important! There is not yet a single antivirus program that can protect a computer with a 100% guarantee, so you need to be careful when handling messages or files coming from unknown users.

Free antivirus products

The built-in antivirus program will work correctly and reliably if the computer does not become a deliberate target for attackers, and its owner avoids visiting “dangerous” sites. But sometimes you have to download information from not the most trusted sources, so it’s safer to install something else. At the same time, it is not necessary to buy an expensive protective product - you can use a free analogue.

When deciding which free antivirus is best for Windows 10, you can pay attention to several of the most common options:

• Avira Antivirus Free 2015, according to the developers themselves, is “the best free antivirus.” It protects the user's personal data from major threats, including virus attacks and theft of confidential information. Prevents spyware, trojans, worms and viruses and can scan data in the cloud in real time.
  
• - another popular option. It effectively fights all types of dangerous applications and scans links to suspicious emails and sites. It is possible to treat an already infected operating system.
  
• Panda Free Antivirus 2016 performs the entire set of actions listed for previous free defenders. Using the "Recovery Set" function, it is possible to revive the system even if it does not boot.
  
• Avast Free Antivirus is also known to many PC owners. Among the advantages are simplicity and high speed of operation. It prevents attacks on your home network and browser, and cleans your computer of hacker applications.
  
• . In addition to the antivirus, this product contains tools for checking the security of a Wi-Fi network, optimizing and cleaning the system.
  

Paid protection packages

Comprehensive protection advocates will also find options for themselves. Such developments have more and, in some cases, better functionality. If you need to choose which antivirus is best for Windows 10, then you can think about installing the following products:

• (from 1 950 rub.) - a new version of the respected “defender”, from which the improved version differs in Internet banking protection, support for network signatures, and an updated user interface.
  
• (from 1 800 rub.) is another model of a product popular among users. The antivirus prevents illegal penetration of unwanted applications into the OS, protects against data collection and controls changes in the operating system.
  
• Dr.Web Security Space 11 (from 1 290 rub.) - refers to complex programs. It attracts PC owners with its file and email antivirus, parental controls, preventive protection and antispam.
  
• Norton Security also belongs to the class of comprehensive antiviruses. One of its features is five-level protection.
  

Comparison of free antivirus features

Table 1 - Comparison of the functionality of popular free antiviruses.

Some functions may not be integrated into the antivirus itself. If necessary, scanner and additional protection modules can be downloaded and installed from the manufacturers’ official websites.

The best antivirus according to the editors

It all depends on what risks you face when working on a computer:

1. For users who are interested in various modifications for games and visit potentially dangerous sites (http connections, a large number of advertisements, execution of malicious scripts), we recommend using the free antivirus Panda Free Antivirus 2016. On its shoulders it carries a database that can compete with the same paid Kaspersky Internet Security for all devices. But large functionality uses quite a lot of system resources and you need to remember this.
2. We recommend that users who use a computer for work or leisure pay attention to antivirus. It performs not only protective functions (for example, protecting unauthorized access to a webcam), but also has in its arsenal computer care functions (cleaning junk files and the registry).

According to the editors, the best antivirus software option for a computer with Windows 10 is to install Avast Free Antivirus. Yes, it does not have as much functionality as its competitors, but at the same time it has all the standard antivirus functions and does not load the system. Also, its advantages include:

• shareware (you can use either the free version or purchase a paid subscription, which will allow you to get the maximum level of protection);
• when upgrading to Windows 10 from older versions, you do not need to reinstall the antivirus - it will do it automatically in the background;
• constant release of updates, which provides a high degree of protection;
• Possibility of flexible program settings;
• A full system scan takes no more than 15 minutes.

Avast Free Antivirus also has some disadvantages:

• cannot be used for business - only at home;
• the need to update registration once a year.

conclusions

It's hard to know which antivirus is the best for Windows 10 unless you test it. The parameters for assessing the quality of the program are:

• comfort of use. What is taken into account is how clear the interface is and whether the antivirus is easy to configure;
• OS delay. The speed of the system’s functioning is taken into account after the defender program starts working;
• reliability of the antivirus. Perhaps the most difficult criterion to check is how well the antivirus protects.

Of course, paid protection systems are superior in terms of reliability, but whether you need such increased protection is up to you to decide. Experience shows that free software works just as well as paid software. The main thing is to take into account the specified parameters when choosing, then working on the computer will be pleasant and safe.