Home computer users have been warned for quite some time about harmful programs like viruses, malware, spyware, adware, etc. These applications or files can cause you so many headaches if your system gets infected, from making your system run slower, stopping some programs from running, deleting files, and forcing you to pay a heavy price to have your computer fixed by a computer technician. As some people have discovered, even after repairing their computer, there may still be glitches and your system may never work properly again.

Prevention is always better than cure, and antivirus software has been designed to prevent these harmful infections from installing and running on your computer. Many of these will run in the background without you even knowing they are. Your system can get infected in many different ways, from installing dubious programs (such as pirated software, downloaded software, or torrents), opening suspicious emails, or files sent by others (sometimes friends or family whose computers got infected). or visit certain websites.

With this in mind, many experts recommend an antivirus application to help prevent this from happening to you. There are software options that will cost you an annual subscription fee, as well as a variety of free versions available. The free versions available are easily found online and can do what is required of them to protect your system and information. By visiting forums, ezines, or specialized websites, you can find expert reviews, user reviews, and a whole range of information about different companies and products.

Free antivirus software does what it’s supposed to do, but not much else. The features and customization won’t be as good as the paid versions, however, many of us don’t use their extra features and just want to hit run on the scan button and have the software do it all by itself. The database used to recognize viruses is not updated as much as the paid versions, which is a slight lack of security. This is not so bad if you are careful about the websites you visit, the programs you install, and think before you open any suspicious emails or download any attachments.

In terms of user support, free programs are lacking. Often there is no one to call or email in case something goes wrong with your system, nor do companies offer much help online. There are many forums online that can be used, and often the experts will be happy to answer any questions you have. Often you’ll find that a question has already been asked and the issue resolved before you have to sign up to post.

Free antivirus software options are great if you don’t want to spend extra money on software or are on a tight budget. They do what they need to and will update to stay current and in good working order. If you don’t like the software, just uninstall it and find a replacement app to keep your system protected.