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. Rootkit Detection and Removal. Version 8.2.0.334 includes new Virus Engine update.
What's new in this version: Version 8.2.0.334 includes new Virus Engine update.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 4,131 votes
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Current version:
4.1 starsout of 189 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"so good version"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.2.0.334
Pros
my pc is so safe
Cons
thanks avira
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"good never had any problems"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.2.0.334
Pros
good never ahd any problems
Cons
good never had any problems
Summary
good never had any problems
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"good software"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.2.0.334
Pros
good software
Cons
In This software Update timing Is Very High
Summary
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"Acceptable antivirus"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.2.0.334
Pros
I installed this after my old antivirus went kaput (meaning expired). So far, I haven't been getting virus alerts. The first time I installed this though, it alerted me with numerous virus alerts- but they were really viruses.
Cons
Made my computer slow. :(
Summary
Good antivirus if you want a free one.
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"Great Freeware, but lacks polish and is slow."
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.2.0.334
Pros
True real-time scanning for free! Rootkit detection. Easy installation. Can't beat the price.
Cons
SLOW as heck for scheduled scans. Seems to be a bit system hungry, but acceptable. Annoying advertisements from time to time. It seems they are all geared to get you to buy the paid version of Avira AV. The interface is a bit ugly.
Summary
The ad's are annoying, but this is a well-made product with no Spyware that is totally free for personal use. That's a fair trade off to me. I would say, at this point, the best "free" anti-virus products are AVG, Avira, and Avast - in no particular order. It really is a toss up, but I would probably go with AVG as it has a few more anti-Spyware features for free. Still. you will be absolutely satisfied with Avira.
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"Software performed like specOps,/destroyed 20+ virus"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.2.0.334
Pros
After learning about "behaviour" of various software, I had a lot of respect for the "special Ops" performance of Avira. Enough to make me come to pay respect
by sharing my experience and offer my thanks - I rescued an otherwise dead PCCons
No Complaints from me
Summary
The experience I went through having to choose which antivirus to download and deploy was gratifying. ot only did I make a good choice, with a PC so badly infected
I wanted to correct or edit my summary: "not only did I make a good choice , my PC is now running well, lost some files but recovered my OS I can't help to be emotional about it
that it was almost dead I had to cheer it on as it searched and eliminated or at least deactivated the bad malware and slowly CURED my pc. I plan to make a blog entry
as soon as I find time about ny experience as my way of thanking Avira, and those
that developed it. For a free product to perform as it did, I just wish I was able to write down the infections it attacked. I'm very happy with Avira I'm putting it on my laptop.
Updated on Feb 15, 2009 -
"Scan takes forever!"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.2.0.334
Pros
First use found four viruses. Has since let me know about two more while browsing. I switched to Avira when Avast! did not seem to be doing it's job.
Cons
Takes a long time to scan. Does not have a "quick scan" (or I can't find one). Guard must be enabled each time I boot my computer.
Summary
I am pretty satisfied with this anti-virus program but if something better comes along I will probably try t.
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"Finds Virus's that all other don't."
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.2.0.334
Pros
It works good
Cons
i love every thing about this software
Summary
it just plain does what it has to...
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"no problem faced while using for personal use till date"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.2.0.334
Pros
quite fast.
Cons
sometimes it blocks even the trusted sites.
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"very efficient protection even with the FREE version"
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus 8.2.0.334
Pros
Protection, updates, easy to install
Cons
none so far
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