Features
-
License:
Free
- Editor's Rating:
- Average User Rating:
-
Downloads:
47,227,977
- Operating Systems:
Windows Vista 64-bit, Windows Vista 32-bit, Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Additional Requirements:
No additional requirements
- Limitations:
No limitations
- Date Added:
June 19, 2009
-
Previous Versions:

Publisher's description of Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus
From Avira:Avira AntiVir Personal Free Antivirus is a comprehensive, easy to use antivirus program, designed to offer reliable free of charge virus protection to home-users only. Avira offers: Extensive Malware Recognition of viruses, Trojans, backdoor programs, worms; Automatic incremental updates of antivirus signatures, engine and entire software; Permanent virus protection, with Virus Guard real time monitoring; Install and configuration in just a couple of steps, setup to protect your PC in minutes; Virus protection against known and unknown threats, using an advanced heuristic system; Scheduler where you can set the scanner to make automatic virus scans or updates on your system; Forum and phone support; Knowledge Base with virus descriptions available on web site; Rootkit Detection and Removal; A modularized AV-search engine for improved scan performance.
Version 9 introduces a quick-removal button for eliminating viruses with a single click, enhanced anti-spyware and anti-adware engines, and support for low resolution netbook screens.
- See more CNET content tagged:
- Avira,
- Avira AntiVir,
- Netbook,
- scan,
- virus protection
Editor's review of Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus
stars
- "Show viruses, malware the door"
- Reviewed on: March 17, 2009
- Version reviewed: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 9.0.0.403
Consistently at or near the top of independent efficacy testers, Avira's AntiVir remains one of the best freeware security solutions around. Its scans are flexible, allowing the user to fully scan both internal and external hard drives, run a preloaded scan--for rootkits, for example--or customize a scan. The latest version introduces antispyware protections, scanning tech that can crack open "locked" files, improved internal security to prevent AntiVir's files from being maliciously altered, and one-click threat removal--no more baby-sitting.
There are few interface changes in version 9, and older users are not likely notice anything different in the interface besides a refreshed banner logo. The main window offers a left side navigation with drop-down menus and a central pane for more detailed information. AntiVir opens to the Status menu, informing you of your last scan, your last definition file update, whether the real-time guard is active, and premium upgrade link. Events logs changes to the program and the Reports tab keeps a history of threats. Both are exportable.
The Local Protection and Administration navigation options reveal the Scanner, Guard, Quarantine, and Scheduler features. Combined with the Configuration button located at the top of the central pane, users can customize their scans as necessary. Quarantined file information is on display, with options to scan it again, restore, delete, and e-mail the file to Avira. The rebuilt heuristic engine retains the same choices from the previous version's, and can be turned on or off in part or in full and offers three intensity levels. The scheduler offers much that other free antivirus programs don't, and the help features are excellent, with mouse-over information on each feature.
Savvy users will notice the removal of the on-demand e-mail scan, and AntiVir is still challenging to fully uninstall. Despite these hang-ups and the nag screen that follows definition file updates, AntiVir offers such effective protection and a well-rounded set of features that as long as the updates keep coming, it'll be our first line of defense.
More popular Antivirus Software downloads
- 1,343,940 downloads 1. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
- 1,044,229 downloads 2. Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus
- 507,466 downloads 3. Avast Home Edition
- 111,366 downloads 4. Avast Professional Edition
- 32,228 downloads 5. Norton AntiVirus 2009
- See all Antivirus Software downloads
User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.9 stars out of 2495 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
-
Showing 5 of 51 user reviewsSee all 51 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 9.0.0.403
Pros: it's gotten quicker and doesn't interfere much with my PC's logon routines.
Cons: so far, no complaints!
-
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 9.0.0.403
Pros: Works very well, doesn't clog memory too much. Free. Runs behind the scenes, and isn't confusing to use.
Cons: Computer slows down when it updates. Most annoying is the nagware. Every day it pushes the pro version, by opening a pop up document that slows down all functions on my computer till I close it. Not a functional problem, but very annoying.
Summary: Even with the nagging, I still like it better than the expensive ones. It uses less memory and works pretty seamlessly.
-
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 9.0.0.403
Pros: low memory uasage
Cons: none so far
-
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 9.0.0.403
Pros: Lightweight, very good detection.
Cons: Only problem: when replying to outlook 2007 messages with external links with images it almost hangs outlook. Minor nag: you must close a "please buy" window every time it updates itself.
Summary: I definitely would recommend it.
-
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 9.0.0.403
"it hangs my laptop when i scan my laptop."
Pros: able to detect more variety of virus
Cons: it hangs...
- See all 51 user reviews Write review
Submit your review
You must be 13 years of age or older to submit personal information to CNET Networks. In compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, CNET Networks does not accept name and e-mail address information from users who are under 13 years of age.
All submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsible for the contents of your submission.
CNET Networks is not responsible for the content of the publisher's descriptions or user reviews on this site. We encourage you to determine whether this product or your intended use is legal. We do not encourage or condone the use of any software in violation of applicable laws. CNET Download.com does not sell, resell, or license any of the products listed on the site. We cannot be held liable for issues that arise from the download or use of these products.


