Top 5 Free Anti-malware Programs

Minty White Windows Guides reviewed a number of Anti-malware programs on Windows Guides over the years but it seems some programs soon become bloated, include stolen definitions from other products, or just get outshined by new (or improved) competition. In this guide, They share the top five free anti-malware programs for 2010.

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE)
We love Microsoft Security Essentials around here and for a good reasons:
1. It’s free.
2. It detects most malware.
3. It’s free…
4. It uses relatively no system resources (the most I’ve heard/seen is 38MB RAM.)
5. It just works really well.


Download Microsoft Security Essentials (Windows Genuine Validation Required)

Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
Harry reviewed Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware before. He and most others like it because of the following:
1. The program is effctive at findiing malware.
2. The program uses little memory and wont bog down your machine.
3. Malwarebytes constantly update their definitions (which temps other companies *ahem* Iobit to steal them.)


Download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware


Avira AntiVir
I must confess I haven’t used this software much but I know a lot of people like it. I had no problems when testing it and it passed some simple tests. Sitting behind MSE and Malwarebytes is tough but this definitely makes my top 5 because it’s free and works well.


Download Avir Anti-virus

avast!
We also We also like Avast around here. The biggest complaint is that is nags you to upgrade to the paid version but it’s a solid performer. Here’s a list of the features in the latest version (version 5.)


Download avast!

Panda Cloud Antivirus
Panda Cloud Antivirus provides real time protection by networking the PCs back to servers that analyze threats and proactively protext you from the latest exploits. The program is free and I tested it for some time and was very happy with it. I still use MSE but if you like the idea of community-based protection, give this one a try.


Download Panda Cloud Antivirus

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