Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
For a free antimalware and antivirus app that also runs in your system's background, AntiVir works surprisingly well. Its scans are flexible, allowing the user to fully scan all hard drives, choose a preloaded scan--for rootkits, for example--or customize a scan. Combining the antimalware with the antivirus is a luxury in a free scanner. After testing on several machines no viruses turned up, although several malicious hidden files did rear their heads. The heuristic scan can be turned on or off completely or partially, with three different intensity levels.
The quarantine is extensively thorough, too. The spreadsheet layout displays all relevant information about the quarantined file, and gives you options to scan it again, restore, delete, and more. The scheduler is fully customizable. Definition files are available at Avira's Web site if needed, and the help features are excellent, as well, with a description box relaying mouse-over information on each feature. Version 8.0 has introduced a faster engine and a faster definition file update, both of which are instantly noticeable improvements and yet still a bit slow.
Initial concerns about the real-time Guard protection hamstringing system performance proved groundless. Although we could shut off AntiVir and its Guard, there was no way to remove the icon from the system tray or stop the occasional ad placement by Avira. The Complete Scan is no longer numbingly slow, but it will pauses midscan to let you know when it's found a threat. That's good for killing nasties, but it also means that the scans needs baby-sitting.
Despite these hang-ups and the nag screen that follows updates, we found AntiVir to offer such effective protection with such a well-rounded set of features that as long as the definitions file updates keep coming, this app is our first line of defense.
Set it and forget it in Avira AntiVir 9: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, etc. 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. 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. Vista Support. Rootkit Detection and Removal. Version 8 adds an enhanced interface, a modularized AV-search engine for improved scan performance, an integrated failsafe security system, and SMTP support for AntiVir MailGuard.
Version 8.1.0.326 features new Fast Activation Tool (FACT), which enables the licensing of products on-line during installation.
What's new in this version: Version 8.1.0.326 features new fast Activation Tool (FACT), which enables the licensing of products on-line during installation.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 4,134 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 176 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"good12233445"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.1.0.326
Pros
1234556767899
Cons
1234567890
Summary
1
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"inscrit en"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.1.0.326
Pros
Peu decevant
Cons
Il faut avoir la clé. Le chemin est peu connu
Summary
Dépuis bientôt 3 ans
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"Poor installation, easy to use"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.1.0.326
Pros
Doesn't hog resources, seems stable so far
Cons
Have to be online (unprotected) to register and install
Summary
I can't believe that any responsible antivirus program would demand that the user installs and registers online. The chances of becoming infected in this time are high and some viruses would find it possible to disable the antivirus altogether or worse still, make it appear as if it is working when it isn't.
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"gggggggggggggggggggggggg"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.1.0.326
Pros
gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg
Cons
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Summary
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"very helpful to my cp"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.1.0.326
Pros
i have nothing to add,but it helps more to my cp,makes me alwaays alert
Cons
i have no comment
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"Great free antivirus"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.1.0.326
Pros
Works well without slowing the system down
Cons
needs automatic updates
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"Worth downloading!"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.1.0.326
Pros
Beneficial to those who are careful with their computers!
Cons
The website is quite confusing...
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"Best antivirus program without taking up alot of memory"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.1.0.326
Pros
The scans are pretty fast and thorough. It catches most viruses on a computer and leaves it clean. Automatic updates are a pretty nice feature too
Cons
Too many nag screens....
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"it is very well!"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.1.0.326
Pros
it is easy to use it!
Cons
it needs too much resours!
Summary
the most important things are it is very well , usefull and free to use!
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"A good free anti virus"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.1.0.326
Pros
It's free and a good anti virus software
Cons
display of ads during updation
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