- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows XP/Vista/Server 2008/7
- Date added: May 19, 2009
- Total Downloads: 1,677,763
- Downloads last week: 16,498
- See full specifications
A newer version of A-squared Free is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 369 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on February 20, 2009
A-Squared Free 4 is one of the better free malware removers, but it's not flawless and some users question its efficacy.
The program starts off with a sluggish detection file update that also requires a program restart. This took about 10 minutes. Normally, though, it opens to the Security Status page. From there, you can run scans, update the program, access the A-Squared knowledge base, and choose from among 20 display languages. Program options are arranged on the left nav, and they are Security Status, Scan PC, Quarantine, Logs, and Configuration tabs. Scan PC contains four scanning options: Quick, Smart, Deep, and Custom. Quick Scan is the fastest and most superficial, while the Deep Scan can take several hours.
If you choose a scan that examines your cookies, the app will recommend closing your Web browser. Custom not only lets you choose which folders to scan, but also lets you opt out of heuristic, tracking-cookie, and spyware-remnant scans. There is also a whitelist, from where you can add folders or files, which is accessible at the bottom of the main Scan tab panel. The Quarantine tab uses a spreadsheet-style layout to manage isolated files, and the Configuration tab has options for Context menu scans, Update behavior, and Permissions settings. The Quarantine tab has a neat option to rescan quarantined objects after a definition file update.
There's one annoying design quirk: important options like the whitelist are placed in the bottom left of the active panel, making them accessible only by a text link. For a standalone antimalware program that lacks a built-in scheduler and antivirus features, A-Squared Free 4 is a secure choice.
Publisher's description
From Emsi Software :Scans your computer for malicious software (Malware), including Trojan Horses, Dialers, Worms, Spyware, and Adware. A-squared Free is specialized in finding and removing them securely. The disk scan checks all files on your system disks for Malware. The scanner scans for Spyware Traces.
What's new in this version:
Version 4.5.0.1 features: improved malware detection; scanner fine tuning and bugfixes.
More popular Antivirus Software downloads
- 1,814,311 downloads 1. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
- 1,074,790 downloads 2. Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus
- 753,153 downloads 3. Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus
- 97,013 downloads 4. Avast Professional Edition
- 45,234 downloads 5. Norton AntiVirus 2010
- See all Antivirus Software downloads
User reviews of A-squared Free 4.5
- Average user rating: 3.8 stars out of 369 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
-
Showing 5 of 38 user reviewsSee all 38 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: A-squared Free 4.5
"It's free, easy, and does what it says. ?"
Pros: I've used this product for several years now, and have never had a problem with it.
Cons: It's a little slow, and uses alot of RAM. It's best to run this when you're not trying to do a whole lot else.
Summary: This program has only a few shortcomings (see above).
I run it weekly, as a backup to other s/w programs I use, and it seems to do a good job. The Quarantine feature works well; it even corrects it's own mistakes!
I woul... read more >> -
Version: A-squared Free 4.5
"Quite satisfied with this program"
Pros: It does exactly what it promises to do and that is "watch my back"...
Of course i use this in conjuction with a number of other security programs.and am satisfied with the job it performs.Cons: Takes time to load and install..
Summary: Overall, the free version is definately an asset available to all users.
Provided that you have substantial Ram and plenty of empty space i have found it works very comfortably in the background.. -
Version: A-squared Free 4.5
"Very good. Found threats AVG Internet Security missed."
Pros: Thorough scan. Free. Finds where others miss. Good at what it does. Good stand alone scanner for use as and when needed.
Cons: No realtime protection, so best used as and when. Not a substitute for commercial alternatives, but does find things that they miss. Can't fault it really.
-
Version: A-squared Free 4.5
Pros: this takes out what others miss
Cons: not any i have found
Summary: takes out what others miss. I cannot find anything bad to say about thiss. For free software it is great. A lot of software find things that aren't there. Thiss is a great programe to use and easy. Thanks
-
Version: A-squared Free 4.5
"It's Had It's Day In The Sun"
Pros: Free, that's about it.
Cons: WAAAAY Too Slow!
Summary: A-Squared used to be really good, but the past year it went straight downhill. It's just ridiculous now. Takes 20 minutes just to download updates and 3 hours to do a full scan! It didn't used to be that way, but in any case, I got rid of it. I ... read more >>
- See all 38 user reviews Write review
Submit your review
Previous Versions:
