Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
Security

Five free anti-malware tools for Windows PCs

By Jack Wallen September 12, 2012, 4:09 AM PDT

Image
1
of 4

00trojan.jpg
00trojan.jpg
Five free anti-malware tools for Windows PCs

Introduction

Introduction

ntNOTE: If you’d prefer to view this information as a blog post, check out this entry in our Five Apps blog.

n

ntProtecting a PC against malicious software is a never-ending battle. The second you think you have your machine clean, something else appears — no matter what piece of software you use to combat this plague. Even so, you still need to have some protection installed. Here are the five tools I prefer for keeping Windows as malware-free as possible. They don’t cost a dime, and they’re about as reliable as a malware removal tool can be.

Five free anti-malware tools for Windows PCs

Spybot Search and Destroy

Spybot Search and Destroy

ntSince there is no harm in having two anti-malware tools on one machine (unlike antivirus, which is a big no-no), using Malwarebytes and S&D as a one-two punch will catch most every piece of malware. The one thing S&D has over the free version of Malwarebytes is that it has a real-time scanner.

Five free anti-malware tools for Windows PCs

AVG Free

AVG Free

ntFor the longest time, I was a big advocate of AVG Free for antivirus protection. Now? Not so much. AVG Free’s ability to keep viruses at bay is less than stellar. But it does a fairly good job of removing malware.

Five free anti-malware tools for Windows PCs

AVG Free

AVG Free

ntWhat I like about AVG is that it’s unobtrusive. When a scan is running, you will hardly notice. The big downfall of AVG is that, should you have to run ComboFix, you can’t just turn it off. To run a tool like ComboFix, you actually have to completely remove AVG. That is a real pain.

  • Security
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Five free anti-malware tools for Windows PCs

    Your email has been sent

Share: Five free anti-malware tools for Windows PCs
Image of Jack Wallen
By Jack Wallen
Jack Wallen is an award-winning writer for TechRepublic, The New Stack, and Linux New Media. He's covered a variety of topics for over twenty years and is an avid promoter of open source. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.
  • Account Information

    Contact Jack Wallen

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Jack's content

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Google Chrome: Security and UI tips you need to know

    Google’s Chrome web browser held a 64.92% command of the global browser market share in April 2023. That means more users are working with Chrome in significantly more use cases: mobile, desktop and even business. Because of that, users of all types must employ Chrome with a measure of caution and intelligence. After all, most ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 7, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 8, 2023, 9:12 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Ergonomics policy

    A safe and healthy work environment provides the foundation for all employees to be at their most productive. Not only does it promote productivity in the workforce, but it also helps prevent accidents, lawsuits and, in extreme cases, serious injury and loss of life. A clear and robust ergonomic policy, like this one from TechRepublic ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 7, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 8, 2023, 7:58 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Enterprise IoT calculator: TCO and ROI

    Internet of Things devices serve a number of useful applications, such as environmental, asset or inventory monitoring/control, security functions, fitness devices and smartwatches. There is an array of IoT functions for both consumer and business purposes, but determining the total cost of ownership and the return on your enterprise investment in a widespread or large-scale ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 6, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 7, 2023, 9:15 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Employee political activity policy

    No matter where in the world an enterprise operates, politics is going to play a major role in the lives of its employees. Depending on the country and the current political situation, it’s possible for affiliations, candidates and political parties to become a driving passion in your workforce. While an actively engaged workforce taking interest ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 6, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 7, 2023, 8:42 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice