- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 2000/XP/Vista 32-bit/64-bit
- Date added: November 24, 2009
- Total Downloads: 77,030,277
- Downloads last week: 783,694
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 3076 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 3076 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 207 user reviewsSee all 207 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: Considering how many other choices there are, I really can't think of anything which stands out, but I guess others might find this product suitable.
Cons: This missed many problems identified by other programs. Took up too many sys resources, slowed down my pc and I kept being inundated with AVIRA generated pop ups!!! Unable to run as a stand alone utility WITHOUT taking up resources.
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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
Kept my computer safe for yearsCons: None so far
Summary: I have tried most other anti-virus programs and this is still the best
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 9.0.0.415
"Seems to do the job have had no problems with it."
Pros: It seems to do what I want it seems very thorough if I hit a virus it will catch it in a couple seconds and warn me its a virus or Trojan it does not scan Email but I have never had a virus since I have installed it.
Cons: Don't like nag screen and absence of Email scanner other wise 95% grade!
Summary: It will do what you want and keep the viruses away! If that is what you are looking for then try it and see for your self! Its simple to remove if you don't like it go for Avast or AVG. Microsoft has a Free one its OK to, It will run with Avira with... 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
"Best free antiviral software.... for now."
Pros: Works, easy too use, and DOESN'T SLOW DOWN MY COMPUTER (like newer versions of AVG). Love earlier AVG but it's become a memory hog (and yes, my RAM upgrade is maxed out). I tried Avast as an AVG alternative first, big mistake! Avira, GREAT PROGRAM!
Cons: Minor, when it auto updates you get a splash page trying to entice you to upgrade "pay for" versions. If closing a box once a day is the price I pay for outstanding free software, I think it's a very small price and well worth it.
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2 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 9.0.0.415
"its ok, but same thing wrong"
Pros: It doesn´t requires much from your PC, anyhow I feel protected.
Cons: Malware protection is weak. In free version automatic updating
Summary: SOMETHING DOESN'T WORK WELL, but SLOWLY SCAN
- See all 207 user reviews Write review
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