The Best Free Anti Virus Software

We all want to keep our computers safe from virus attacks, but sometimes we just can't afford the completely packaged security software from well-known brands such as Norton and McAfee. Fortunately, there are numerous free anti-virus software applications available on the Internet. Compared to the ones we have to pay for, their capacities may be somewhat reduced, but they can still offer a high degree of protection. With so much available for download, the important thing to decide on is which one is best for your computer.

1. Match it with your system. Of course you have to look for one that's compatible with your operating system. Some are designed for the Mac OS and some are for Windows. Each type of free ant-virus software may also have several versions, older ones for older versions of operating systems and newer ones for newer versions. If you have a computer that's running on Windows XP Service Pack 2, be sure to look for a version of a particular free anti-virus software that fits exactly with this operating system.
2. Look for one that offers real-time protection. The main capability of most free anti-virus software is scanning. Some of these software applications scan your system only when executed. Others can do it continuously in the background. This is what is meant by real-time protection. The software's detection capability is always running. In a Windows system, anti-virus software that offers real-time protection would have its icon in the system tray (that part of the Taskbar where the time is displayed). The advantage is that it immediately blows a whistle when it detects something suspicious. This is most helpful for users who spend a lot of time blithely running around in the Internet.
3. Choose one that frequently updates. Anti-virus programs are able to detect malicious programs because they have an internal database which they use as reference. Sometimes this is called a virus definitions list. A lot of new viruses are constantly being made, and anti-virus programs catch up by updating their definitions list. As long as its list is always fresh, an anti-virus software application can keep you protected from the latest threats. 
4. Make sure it has a broad scope. There are actually various types of security threats that can damage your system. Adwares can hijack your browser, spywares and phishing can steal your personal information, and there is other malicious software or malware that can even enable a hacker to remotely control your computer. Look for a free anti-virus program that can meet most if not all of these threats.

Free doesn't necessarily mean poor quality. AVG Free Edition for example is a free anti-virus software application that is often lauded because of its excellent ability to detect most security threats. It's possible to not spend anything at all and still have your computer relatively safe and protected.