Drop, charge, and lose the cords
- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows Vista 64-bit, Windows Vista 32-bit, Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: June 19, 2009
- Total Downloads: 52,011,591
- Downloads last week: 960,594
- See full specifications
A newer version of Avira AntiVir Personal Free Antivirus is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 2844 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 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.
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User reviews of Avira AntiVir Personal Free Antivirus 9.0.0.403
- Average user rating: 3.9 stars out of 2844 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 108 user reviewsSee all 108 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Avira AntiVir Personal Free Antivirus 9.0.0.403
"AVComparatives likes it... so do I"
Pros: Dependable even at corporate level. Great value for home users, even premium package.
Cons: The fact that paid-for antivirus solutions are still more popular in America. Free version has one pop-up per update process.
Summary: In short, without the pop-up ad (usually tasteful) that displays when the program updates (once a week, depending on settings), this would be the best AV solution in the world. Fast. Lean. Configurable. Current virus definitions come daily/weekl... read more >>
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Version: Avira AntiVir Personal Free Antivirus 9.0.0.403
Pros: easy to use
Cons: load time of first use
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Version: Avira AntiVir Personal Free Antivirus 9.0.0.403
Pros: free to use
Cons: the questions are kind of too often
Summary: to sum up .nice ..........
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Version: Avira AntiVir Personal Free Antivirus 9.0.0.403
"Slowed my Acer Aspire so badly, I couldn't access WWW."
Pros: It's Free.
Cons: 1) Asks way too many questions.
2) Eats up an enormous amount of CPU time
3) Refuses to remember overrides of its false-positives.Summary: This free product is not ready for 'prime time'..
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Version: Avira AntiVir Personal Free Antivirus 9.0.0.403
Pros: Good at protection, reminders, and updates.
Cons: Too many notifications to the point you can't exit them out completely.
Summary: I had this on my Mom's laptop to see if it would work. Then months later, she complained that these pop-ups are quite annoying. Avira Personal AV is not the choice I'd recommend!
- See all 108 user reviews Write review
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