Avira AntiVir Personal Edition

Avira AntiVir PE Classic 7.00Avira GmbHOverall rating: 5/5

Since our review of the previous version of Avira antivirus the good thing only got better. The installation was a breeze - quick and simple. The user interface is improved - it is now very intuitive and easy to use. The configuration screen presents all available options in a logical and uncluttered way, also allowing you to switch to the expert mode.
As with the previous version, the following features are available:Features:
Real time protection (computer viruses, worms, trojan horses but NOT spyware, adware)
On-demand scanner (still called "Luke Filewalker" - great to see they kept the name!)
Auto updater
Quarantine for the detected viruses and suspicious files
Scheduler
(To see the full-size screenshot simply click on the thumbnail image)

Main window

Expert mode configuration
Avira AntiVir utilizes strong heuristic scanning to protect against previously unknown macro and boot record viruses.

Virus detedcted!The POP3 e-mails scanner is not included in this version (it is available in the paid premium edition ). However, it is not as big a disadvantage as it may seem, as AntiVir will scan all opened e-mails and attachments.The detection rates are very good and the definition updates are frequent. According to Avira's site: "Usually, AntiVir offers updates for VDF files several times per day, ensuring that your AntiVir products always detect the latest electronic threats." The update speed was not lightning fast, but still adequate (premium edition provides its own dedicated update server).

Manual updateAvira AntiVir will not detect spyware or aggressive adware. Running the program together with some form of antispyware protection - or upgrading to the premium version - is, therefore, highly advisable.AntiVir periodically displays a pop-up window with some promotional info, which can be annoying - but it sure is a small price to pay for using this great antivirus software for free!

Pop-up information windowThe help system is extensive and includes downloadable manual and in-built help. The support is available through the online support forum at: http://forum.antivir.de/index.php.


Inbuilt helpLicense: Free for individual and private use on a single PC-workstation.Time limited: No.Free Support: Yes - forums.Platforms: Windows 98/ME, NT/2000/XP, Linux/Free BSD/Solaris.Pros:
good detection rates,
very easy to use,
good auto updater,
small footprint,
available for almost any platform.
Cons:
does not scan for spyware or adware,
no email scanner.
Our overall verdict: one of the best free antiviruses!Overall rating: 5/5

HouseCall

License Type: Free
Price: Free
Date Added: Mar 29, 2006
Operating Systems: Windows XP, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 9.x, Windows Me
Author: Trend Micro

Scan your hard drive for viruses and spyware with this free online tool. You simply choose the drives you want to scan and click on the "Scan" button. HouseCall can check more than 17,000 files in five minutes. Unlike Symantec's online tool, which only scans for viruses, HouseCall scans and fixes any infected files.
The following link will take you to Trend Micro's Web site, where the vendor encourages you to register before using the tool.

DOWNLOAD NOW!

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download/fid,22919-order,4-page,1-c,antivirus/download.html

Panda ActiveScan

License Type: Free
Price: Free
Date Added: Dec 23, 2005
Operating Systems: Windows XP, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 9.x, Windows Me
Author: Panda Software

Do you suspect that your hard drive may have been infected by a virus or a Trojan horse? Are you getting conflicting reports from your antivirus software? Panda ActiveScan, a free online antivirus utility, will allow you to detect and eliminate any of over 90,000 viruses and Trojan horses. You can access this utility from a Web site, but you cannot download it onto your computer. It uses Microsoft ActiveX technology and works within your browser. ActiveScan is updated at least once a day, and can scan e-mail messages and compressed files.
ActiveScan looks for other malware, too: dialers, hacking tools, jokes, andh security risks. Its heuristic system detects even some unknown malware.
Note: ActiveScan is a service, not a download, so you won't be installing any programs. When you click the link, you'll be directed to Panda Software's site, where you can use the free service.

DOWNLOAD NOW!

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download/fid,19500-order,4-page,1-c,antivirus/download.html