The Most Common Antiviruses for Windows 7
Computer viruses can slow down your PC, cause it to crash, redirect your web browser to different sites and pop-up unwanted windows and ads. On Windows 7, you can protect yourself with one of several commonly used anti-virus software programs. Free anti-virus software is more common than software you pay for.
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Avast! Free Antivirus
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Avast! Free Antivirus runs on Windows 7 and is the most commonly used free anti-virus solution, according to TechSpot. In a November 2010 review by PCWorld, it received four out of five stars and the review complimented it on its fast scanning and friendly user interface. The free version of Avast! is only for personal use. If you want to use Avast! at a business, you have to purchase a license.
Avira AntiVir Personal Free Antivirus
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Avira AntiVir Personal is a strong anti-virus program for Windows 7 that ranks as the second most common, according to TechSpot. Avira AntiVir successfully blocked most malware in tests by PC World in November 2010, but its user interface is not as friendly or intuitive as Avast! Free Antivirus. As with Avast!, the free version is for personal and non-commercial use. You have to buy a license to use it for business purposes.
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Microsoft Security Essentials
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Microsoft Security Essentials is a free anti-virus solution from Microsoft that runs on Windows 7. Microsoft introduced it to the market in late 2009 to replace Windows Live OneCare and Windows Defender. While it's easy to download, install and use, it's not as effective in preventing malware as other free anti-virus programs and is slower in scanning computers. In a short period, the Microsoft solution has become the fourth most commonly used solution, according to TechSpot.
Symantec Norton Antivirus
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Norton AntiVirus is a Windows 7 anti-virus solution and the most commonly used paid solution according to TechSpot. In independent tests by Dennis Technology Labs, Norton AntiVirus had the highest overall score of all commonly used anti-virus programs. Norton provides solid protection against malware and a friendly user interface, but tends to be slower in scanning computers than other solutions.
McAfee Internet Security
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McAfee Internet Security is a commonly used paid Windows 7 anti-virus solution that often comes pre-installed on many Windows computers. According to TechSpot, it has less than 10 percent of the anti-virus market. In tests by PCWorld and Dennis Technology Labs, McAfee did not perform as well as commonly used free solutions.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus
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According to TechSpot, the Kaspersky solution has less than 10 percent of the market. Kaspersky does a good job protecting computers from new virus and Trojan attacks. However, in tests by PCWorld in November 2010, its scanning speed was slower than other solutions.
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