It is certain that on market there are tens and even hundreds of antivirus programs. However, free of charge are only some of them, because the antivirus is not just a program like the word processor or the mail customer; this is first of all a service.

We are now going to examine and compare some free antivirus programs, which can not only scan files on the user’s request, but also carry out the monitoring of his/her work in real time.

What is the ideal antivirus like? The main goal of the antivirus software is to ensure a high-quality protection on all levels. These are the files on the hard drive, the internet-traffic, email, and proactive defense, necessary for a timely tracking down and neutralization of so far unknown malware.

Moreover, the antivirus has to be updated on timely basis and as often as possible in order to be able to provide users with the necessary defense during global and local virus epidemics. Updating has to be done unnoticeably at that, without the user knowing it and without him having to do supplementary manipulations either. As for the size of the security updates, a too heavy load of them can create a difficulty with the user who has a dial-up access to Internet. It is also unallowable that the monitoring and scanning processes take a too big amount of system resources. Otherwise the antivirus would disrupt the user’s normal work. One more thing makes our review complete - it is in fact a basic – it would be good is the antivirus was free of charge as well.

The passionate loners are not likely to handle the timely antivirus databases updating; that is why, free antiviruses are created and developed usually by serous software companies that make money offering professional counsel to corporate users. The usual antivirus programs for desktops are offered free and, as a rule, they are licensed only for noncommercial use.

BitDefender Antivirus Free edition v.10

The famous BitDefender Antivirus does not need to be introduced. Thanks to good advertisement and marketing, this product has become one of the leaders on the antivirus market. However, its free version, in our point of view, is absolutely inadequate if compared with similar products of other developers.

Installation appeared not to be so fast, however, it was not quite complicated too. You are required to register an account with BitDefender and the installation package gives you that possibility right from the installation dialog window.

A setup wizard starts immediately after installation, helping users select the most appropriate update settings, implementing a scanning schedule and providing a quick path to the registration and activation of the product.

While installing, the program provides three installation options: typical, custom and complete.

Free BitDefender offers an extremely limited functionality: file scanner (passive - not in real time), rootkit protection and... nothing else. Unlike most other free anti-virus where the freebie is a slightly cut down variant of the current pro version, BitDefender have taken things much much further. The free version is based on the obsolescent version 8 and it's not a bit cut down, it's been hacked to pieces. It doesn't support anti-spam, anti-spyware or real-time file protection.

The free edition is best used in a system recovery or forensics role, according to BitDefender. If you are on an "always-on" Internet connection, BitDefender recommends using a more complex antivirus solution in most cases.

To say more, the antivirus scanner is VERY slow and grabs around 20 mb of RAM which is unacceptable for the program with such a limited functionality (even if its free).

You can download free version of BitDefender  here

Download package size: 21.1 Mb

Our rating: 2/10

Not Recommended!