Free antivirus for Windows 8: which is better?

The fact that an antivirus is needed by the system, like water to a person, is not discussed. Another thing - which antivirus to choose from the huge number of software packages that are now offered in the IT market? It is clear that many users do not want to buy licensed programs (or can not for lack of funds). So let's talk about what better to use free antivirus for "Windows 8".

Windows 8: Protection

If anyone does not know, the anti-virus for "Windows 8" already comes in the installation distribution. True, it is not a full-fledged software package with all the attendant capabilities. This, so to speak, basic protection (just in case). Naturally, he also functions, as they say, once or twice and he has obchelsya.

So I'll have to put something else. However, one should immediately take into account the fact that free antiviruses for Windows 8 differ from many professional products in that they do not consume system resources in the amount of licensed programs and applications. Although, on the other hand, their shortcomings are manifested in the fact that they still do not fully protect the system.

Here you can get out of the situation if you put free trial versions (trial) of licensed programs such as Kaspersky Antivirus, Eset NOD 32 Antivirus or Eset Smart Security, and then every month to update the license with the keys. If not lazy, please. This is the best option.

Moreover, the protection will be at the highest level, although some additional functions will not be available. In most cases, they are not needed.

The most popular free antiviruses

Among programs of this type, of course, there are completely free antiviruses for "Windows 8", and optimized specifically for this operating system in such a way that there are no conflicts that can occur when several such programs are installed in the system. Let's consider their capabilities in more detail.

If you choose the free antivirus for Windows 8, you should pay attention to such well-known developments as AVG Antivirus, Avast, Avira, Panda, Microsoft Security Essential, etc.

In principle, almost all programs have similar functions, although there are quite strong differences.

For example, AVG has at its disposal a LinkScanner module that checks sites for threats, a means of blocking identity theft of Identity Protection, as well as a special utility called PC Scanner, which is both a means of displaying information about a computer system and an optimizer.

Avast in this respect is a full-fledged command center with a multitude of functions that combine both a conventional scanner for threats and a means of constant monitoring of the system.

Avira AntiVirus is interesting in that it identifies and eliminates threats, so to speak, on the fly, while absolutely not loading the system. It has two modes of operation: system and permanent. In addition, its plus is also that it allows you to update your own components and anti-virus databases in offline mode.

The popular antivirus package Panda is an interesting solution in terms of organization of work. Approximately it looks like this: the application on the computer monitors potential threats that are sent to the "cloud" where scanning of suspicious elements is performed. Plus, this technology is obvious: the load on system resources is very low (especially when you consider that Windows 8 itself is so gluttonous).

A generic package from Microsoft called Security Essentials is also interesting. Despite constant work in the background, the peak of its activity falls just at the time when the computer system is idle. For an ordinary user (for example, with a low-power car by modern standards), this is just a find. Moreover, apparently, the developers of Windows 8 and so know what there are gaps in it, so the antivirus is sharpened specially for the system.

Which antivirus is best for Windows 8?

Now let's see what is better to install. What programs for "clean" Windows 8, that antivirus for Windows 8.1 - all of them are interesting and unique in their own way. Selecting such software on the computer, you need to proceed from what is required in each case.

For low-power computer systems, you can advise Panda or Microsoft Security Essentials. For more powerful protection, AVG, Avira and Avast are suitable. However, it's worth noting once again that virtually all free antiviruses for Windows 8 are losing compared to licensed software.

Conclusion

If you take stock, you can, of course, advise to put free programs. They differ in their capabilities, and in built-in modules. However, many experts still recommend such software products as minimal protection, provided that the user realizes that it is necessary to avoid, say, visiting questionable sites or launching (viewing) attachments in e-mail without first checking.