The fact that an anti-virus is necessary for the system, like water, is not discussed. Another thing is which antivirus to choose from the huge number of software packages that are currently offered on the IT market? It is clear that many users do not want to purchase licensed programs (or cannot, due to lack of funds). So let's talk about which is better to use free antivirus for Windows 8.
Windows 8: protection
If anyone does not know, the antivirus for Windows 8 is already supplied in the installation distribution. True, it is not a full-fledged software package with all the associated features. This, so to speak, is basic protection (just in case). Naturally, and functions, as they say, once or twice and miscalculated.
So you have to put something else. However, you should immediately take into account the fact that free antiviruses for Windows 8 differ from many professional products in that they do not consume system resources in such quantities as licensed programs and applications. Although, on the other hand, their shortcomings are manifested in the fact that they still do not fully protect the system.
Here you can get out of the situation if you install free trial versions of (trial) licensed programs such as Kaspersky Antivirus, Eset NOD 32 Antivirus or Eset Smart Security, and then update the license every month using the keys. If not laziness, please. This is the best option.
Moreover, the protection will be at the highest level, although some additional functions will not be available. In most cases, they are not needed.
Most Popular Free Antiviruses
Among the programs of this type, of course, there are completely free antiviruses for Windows 8, and optimized specifically for this OS so that there are no conflicts that can occur when several such programs are installed in the system. Consider their capabilities in more detail.
If you choose the free antivirus for Windows 8, you should pay attention to such well-known developments as AVG Antivirus, Avast, Avira, Panda, Microsoft Security Essential, etc.
In principle, almost all programs have similar functions, although there are quite strong differences.
For example, AVG has at its disposal a LinkScanner module that checks sites for threats, a means of blocking the theft of personal data Identity Protection, and a special utility PC Scanner, which in essence is both a means of outputting information about a computer system and an optimizer.
In this regard, Avast is a full-fledged command center with many functions that combine both a conventional scanner for threats and a means of constant monitoring of the system.
Avira Anti-Virus is interesting in that it detects and eliminates threats, so to speak, on the fly, while absolutely not loading the system. It has two modes of operation: system and permanent. In addition, its plus is that it allows you to update your own components and anti-virus databases offline.
The popular Panda antivirus package is an interesting organization-wide solution. It looks like this: an application on a computer monitors potential threats that are sent to the "cloud", where suspicious elements are scanned. The advantage of this technology is obvious: the load on system resources is very low (especially when you consider that Windows 8 itself is already voracious).
Microsoft's native package called Security Essentials is also an interesting thing. Despite the constant work in the background, the peak of its activity falls precisely at the time when the computer system is idle. For the average user (for example, with a machine with a low-power by modern standards) this is just a godsend. Moreover, apparently, the developers of the Windows 8 operating system already know what gaps are in it, so the antivirus is specifically tailored to the system.
Which antivirus is better for Windows 8
Now let's see what is best to install. That programs for "clean" Windows 8, that antiviruses for Windows 8.1 - all of them are interesting and unique in their own way. Choosing such software on a computer, you need to proceed from what is required in each case.
For low-power computer systems, Panda or Microsoft Security Essentials can be advised. For more powerful protection, AVG, Avira and Avast are suitable. However, it is worth noting once again that almost all free antiviruses for Windows 8 are clearly losing compared to licensed software.
Conclusion
If you sum up, you can, of course, advise you to put free programs. They differ both in their capabilities and in the built-in modules. However, many experts still recommend such software products as a minimum protection, provided that the user is aware that it is necessary to avoid, say, visiting dubious sites or launching (viewing) attachments in e-mail without first checking.