- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 2000/XP/Vista 32-bit/64-bit
- Date added: November 24, 2009
- Total Downloads: 70,528,949
- Downloads last week: 997,009
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 2969 votes
See all user reviews -
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on March 17, 2009
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.
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Publisher's description
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.
What's new in this version:
Version 9.0.0.415 is a maintenance release.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.9 stars out of 2969 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 101 user reviewsSee all 101 user reviews
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 9.0.0.415
Pros: Easy to set up; good interface
Cons: NO North American Contact Phone Number if you have problem, and finding an e-mail contact, through the programs 'Help' file is abnormally difficult. Response time is very poor - can take days to get any type of reply !
Summary: The product will do what it is suppose to but if Avira wants to join the "big" boys in the Antivirus category, it MUST have a lot better PR for its International users... seems that they are glued to the European market which will do those of use NO... read more >>
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 9.0.0.415
Pros: Easy to use, doesn't slow down the system too much.
Cons: Can't really figure out whether it works - it hasn't detected anything yet. I installed it on a system which I suspect is infected, but it hasn't really fixed anything yet.
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1 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 9.0.0.415
Pros: After using AVG, I changed to Avira AntiVir and it did his work always on a set time, everyday. I hardly noticed. I even decided to go pro. It also update itself as soon as I go online
Cons: It does not show the vault or specify the virus detected. After going pro, I learn that the license has a limited duration, not announced when you purchase the first one. Now, I feel duped and don't know if I will pay or change anti-virus
Summary: silent, unintrusive, but does not tell you everything
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 9.0.0.415
Pros: Easy to download automatic updates
Cons: Casn;t figure out how to change the scan shedule
Summary: Good so far- has not slowed down my internet connections-not sure whether it [checkd email
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 9.0.0.415
"Good interface, stable, not enough config options."
Pros: Attractive interface, easy to setup. Doesn't blue screen my XP Pro SP3 system like AVG did. Easy/fast download updates.
Cons: Config options are not as complete as on other products. Command line option not available (for use w/ download managers, etc.). Had to download a separate app for command line use, wasn't clear how to update the virus defs for the command line app.
Summary: I liked AVG for setup & config better, but it kept blu-screening my system. This product is more stable, but not as flexible. No command line app.
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