Avira Free Security
Solid free anti-malware, but Avira is no more effective than Windows’ built-in defences
PRICE Free from avira.com
Although it was bought by Norton LifeLock in 2020, Avira continues to use its own malware-detection engine. Rival firms like it too, which is why you’ll find it (alongside other engines) in suites such as F-Secure, Sophos and TotalAV.
Why is Avira’s engine popular? It got a perfect detection score from AV-Test in its latest roundup, albeit with five false positives. It also put in creditable results in AV Comparatives’ tests, blocking 99.8% of malware with two false positives, and SE Labs, where it blocked 99% of malware with no false positives. That compares well with Windows Defender, although it scored more false positives in the AV Comparatives test.
The minimalist Status tab shows you a notice that your antivirus is active, three non-interactive graphics marked Security, Privacy and Performance, and a button to initiate a smart scan. The interface defaults to a charcoal-grey dark mode, which is perhaps less attractive than the white light mode, but is also less dazzling.
As well as checking for malware, the standard scan will offer to clear temp files and registry entries that Avira deems unnecessary, and then suggests you might wish to upgrade to a paid-for version to free more space, remove or delay slow-starting apps, update your software, monitor your email and improve your privacy.
Via a Security tab, you can run and schedule a variety of scans. Privacy is home to Avira’s home-grown Phantom VPN service, but free users get only 500MB of bandwidth a month. Separate interfaces can be launched for both Avira System Speedup and Phantom VPN, but these are integrated into the main Avira install, and don’t need to be removed separately if you ever wish to uninstall it.
Under Performance, you’ll find system optimisation utilities that scan for out-of-date drivers and duplicate files, plus some adverts for Avira Pro, which offers optimised power profiles, improved startup times, and a “game booster” mode for silent detection. The lack of a silent detection mode that won’t bother you when gaming or watching movies is disappointing, as most free AV products now offer this feature.
Although Avira will protect you, aside from its false positive score it doesn’t have many advantages over Microsoft Defender. But it’s worth downloading if you want to squeeze more performance out of a low-spec PC, as it’s less demanding than its rival.