Killer Downloads: Best antivirus software for your home PC

By on 20 June 2005

Tags: antivirus | avast | avg | free | home | nod32 | pc | shareware | software | windows

Best antivirus software for your home PC Every week, it seems a new virus threatens to hijack computers around the globe. While I wonder why anyone would want to wreak havoc with someone else's computer system, every computer user must face the possibility of an infection and get proper PC protection.

At work, your company probably has an antivirus system that protects you from most new viruses and an IT department that keeps it updated. But what protection do you use at home?

Fortunately, there are a lot of antivirus programs on the market that you can download and start using right away. These programs scan all the files on your computer and any that you receive in e-mail, on floppy disks, and (gasp!) from downloads. They also come with auto-updating features so that you always have protection from the latest malicious strains.

Here are my favourites for protecting your home computer against deadly computer viruses.

Avast Home Edition, a popular choice for home computers, offers free virus protection, an intuitive interface and regular updates. This is a solid and well-respected program to keep your computer virus-free. (Free/Windows)

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is the trial version of an excellent virus protection program. You can schedule regular scans for viruses when you know you'll be away from your computer. I use this one on my home computer. I've been thinking about upgrading to the pro version but haven't gotten around to it yet. (Shareware/Windows)

NOD32 for Windows is another popular and powerful home virus program that scans for viruses in the background while you work on your computer. This one quietly scans Internet traffic, e-mail and any floppy disks you use, keeping viruses and worms away from your system. (Shareware/Windows)

Any of these programs is a great choice for virus protection. The sooner you get one of these apps, the less chance that the latest virus will infiltrate your system.

Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!

AVG User
21/06/2005 02:17 PM

The word "Free" in AVG means free (for home use). It's not trial software.

Report offensive content

gle
26/01/2007 01:21 AM

I upgraded my McAfee Security system and I could access the internet, but at a snails pace, and my third party software would not work at all. The new McAfee Security upgrade is not for the average PC user.

Report offensive content

sharad
27/01/2007 07:53 PM

rk
05/02/2007 10:34 PM

LOUISD
20/02/2007 07:29 AM

AVAST-BEST FREE ANTI-VIRUS AVG SECOND BEST FREE AV BOTH HAVE PRO VERSIONS NOD32 TRIAL VERSION ENJOY

Report offensive content

hesso
14/05/2007 12:05 AM

bob
18/06/2007 05:52 PM

I don't know how to down load it...

Report offensive content

hitesh
09/07/2007 05:27 PM

virus problem very denger

Report offensive content

uwen
19/07/2007 01:29 PM

That was a great anti-virus that I ever had

Report offensive content

Atoll Kid
04/09/2007 02:04 AM

I Use kaspersky and it sucks! i won't a good antivirus software just like bitdefender!

Report offensive content

Network
04/09/2007 12:48 PM

Personlly I have used almost every free virus software out there and I think BitDefender is the best out of all of them.

Report offensive content

warasa10600
18/09/2007 01:57 PM

kill worm virus

Report offensive content

warasa10600
18/09/2007 02:00 PM

kill worm virus

Report offensive content

Kev
21/09/2007 10:37 AM

C.o.m.o.d.o is the BEST Virus Software along with its FIREWALL and BO Clean and its ALL FREE with lifetime updates and downloads

Report offensive content

subayloco23
03/10/2007 04:53 AM

I hope BitDefender will have for Windows Vista..i havent tried i..so far kaspersky is the best for me.

Report offensive content

iman
20/10/2007 06:37 AM

Carmen Cuz
03/12/2007 03:05 AM

Kaspersky is the best

Report offensive content

giri
04/12/2007 03:11 PM

yes i think.... i downloaded kaspersky antivirus software .....it protect good but it doest open web acess or any video files i dont know why it doing like this?

Report offensive content

Dorin
30/12/2007 04:25 AM

ESET smart Security IS THE BEST !

Report offensive content

Dorin
30/12/2007 04:38 AM

ESET smart Security IS THE BEST !

Report offensive content

jay9704
09/01/2008 02:00 AM

i fink eset (nod32) is best for finding virusses its saved my pc sooo many times but now ive got a pc with not much ram n it slows me pc down a bit too much

Report offensive content

sun
13/01/2008 07:50 PM

kantu
18/02/2008 05:47 PM

i use this antivirus.

Report offensive content

Baz
27/02/2008 07:05 AM

How were these tested? Or is just a casual opinion?

Report offensive content

bvgf
27/02/2008 08:09 PM

kaspersky is the BEST!!!!!!1

Report offensive content

asd
09/03/2008 05:21 AM

1 bitdefender 2 sophos 3 kaspersky but you need firewall to block any acces to your pc

Report offensive content

juan
20/03/2008 05:25 PM

Its the best anti virus

Report offensive content

aloknigam2003
24/03/2008 03:57 AM

free avg antivirus not able to kill orkut.exe

Report offensive content

bobby
27/03/2008 02:50 PM

you are all mad....

Report offensive content

bobby
27/03/2008 02:54 PM

you are all mad....

Report offensive content

bobby
27/03/2008 03:05 PM

you are all mad....

Report offensive content

sumon
10/04/2008 09:21 PM

i need a antivirus

Report offensive content

junaid
20/04/2008 05:21 AM

alekdaone
24/04/2008 02:07 AM

i had many expirience with the viruses and spywares i had tryed many antiviruses like nod, bitdefender, avast but for my the best one is Kaspersky and i never change 1st place is for the best Kaspersky.

Report offensive content

zuan raz
25/04/2008 01:52 PM

panda antivirus is the great! superbb!

Report offensive content

DUm_blond
30/05/2008 11:34 AM

you think that we are weird bobby but at least we know like kool stuff and stuff

Report offensive content

lovin_it_sik
30/05/2008 11:39 AM

i think that my computer has aids!!! is that right?

Report offensive content

strikey
05/06/2008 08:19 AM

Always seem to have trouble with the freebies. Finally tried Norton 2 years ago...not a single intrusion since. What can I say? Beautifullllll. Cost me $90 for 3 years tho.

Report offensive content

bhavin
09/07/2008 03:49 AM

i want to use it first time . i need this kind of antivirus for home pc

Report offensive content

Nikki
06/08/2008 12:54 PM

I love Kaspersky Internet Security - complete coverage, full package (net and email), & I think it's definitely a fair price. Norton's takes up far too much system memory - as did eSET when I used it (though it was very thorough). And free ones like AVG haven't as yet yielded as much protection for me. @giri - that must just be how you have it set up?

Report offensive content

aman
30/08/2008 12:31 AM

i want to scan my computer

Report offensive content

  • Leave a comment

All fields marked with * are required

What do you think

Your e-mail will not be displayed

You must read and type the 6 chars within 0..9 and A..F

You must read and type the 6 chars.


  • Apple in touchscreen Mac patent

  • Acer Aspire Predator

  • Asus Eee Box

  • Intel reveals Core i7 chips

  • Inside Apple's new Chatswood store

  • Dell Studio Hybrid

  • Sydney's Chatswood to get Apple store

  • Microsoft's computer in the round

  • Eight tips to make your home eco-friendly

More articles »

Find the right desktop

Brand
  • Multiple options can be selected

    The Explain Series

    • Acer Aspire Predator

      Acer Aspire Predator

      Acer's Aspire Predator ticks most of the boxes for an enthusiast's machine, but the interior is a let down.

    • Asus Eee Box

      Asus Eee Box

      We've got mixed feelings about the Eee Box, and nettops in general. You might as well buy a netbook and gain the bonus of portability.

    • Dell Studio Hybrid

      Dell Studio Hybrid

      If you consider all of the options in the price range, the Dell Studio Hybrid is not very compelling. However, if you limit yourself to the very specific niche of small PCs, you'll appreciate its clever design and relatively powerful hardware.

    • HP TouchSmart IQ505a

      HP TouchSmart IQ505a

      The second generation TouchSmart as just a panel PC is gorgeous. The AU$1,999 price is fantastic as well — but we can't help but feel that there's so much more potential in the touchscreen aspect being left, ahem, untapped.

    • Sony VAIO LT VCG-LT28G

      Sony VAIO LT VCG-LT28G

      We're still trying to work out who the target market for the highly expensive LT VAIO is. Design-crazed multimillionaires, perhaps.

    More reviews »

    Membership benefits

    Contact community members

    Contact community members

    Add friends or tech gurus to you contacts and send them messages. Sign up for a free CNET.com.au membership now!