Score the Highest in Free Antivirus Game: Top 2 Anti-Malware for Windows 11
Top-ranking antivirus software available currently
Having a reliable antivirus is as important as having a strong password. In a recent battle of the best antivirus programs for Windows 11, two free warriors stood out from the competition. These guard dogs didn't flinch, offering top-notch security without breaking the bank.
AV-Comparatives, in collaboration with the University of Innsbruck's Faculty of Informatics and Quality Technology, put 19 leading anti-malware programs to the test. Over the course of several months, these digital protectors had to prove their mettle against cyber threats and ensure the system remained secure.
The Real World Police
With realistic conditions, these warriors were assessed under situations that mirror everyday internet use. The criteria was simple: suppress harmful software before it enters the system, prevent the execution of malware, and remove any threats once detected. The ultimate goal was to leave the system unscathed.
Even the Heroes Fall Short
No one can be perfect, and even the protecting champions had their flaws. In the test, none of the competing programs maintained a clean record. The winner, Bitdefender Total Security, missed one out of 423 attacks, resulting in a protection score of 99.8%. Despite its stellar performance, it did raise three false alarms.
No False Alarm Zone
Total Defense Essential Anti-Virus didn't emit any false alarms. However, it allowed the system to be compromised three times. Still, it ranked among the top three in this category.
Other programs with impressive protection rates of only two mistakes included Avast Free Antivirus and Malwarebytes Premium. While these stalwarts performed well in threat detection, they received lower rankings due to a high number of false alarms: 13.5 for Avast and 35 for Malwarebytes.
In total, 11 candidates showed a commendable balance between protection and reaction, earning them the "Advanced" rating with three stars from AV-Comparatives. Besides Bitdefender Total Security and Total Defense Essential Anti-Virus, other participants who received this recognition include ESET Home Security Essential, G Data Total Security, Kaspersky Premium, McAfee Total Protection, Norton Antivirus Plus, TotalAV Antivirus Pro, and VIPRE Advanced Security.
The Crown Goes to...
Of the free solutions, Avira Free Antivirus and Microsoft Defender Antivirus were also awarded three stars. Avira had third-best protection effectiveness, managing only five false alarms. Microsoft's built-in tool permitted one more compromise yet blocked incorrect domains or downloads only twice. Plus, Defender boasts the advantage of no advertisements compared to Avira Free Antivirus.
Sources: ntv.de, kwe
- IT Security
- Cybercrime
- Hackers
- Microsoft Windows
- Computer Security
Enrichment Data:
Based on recent independent tests and widely published rankings, if you're on the hunt for free antivirus solutions for Windows 11, Avast Free Antivirus and Microsoft Defender Antivirus consistently prove themselves as top performers in both threat detection and minimizing false positives according to AV-TEST evaluations, though not AV-Comparatives specifically [1][3]. Avira Free Antivirus also garnered positive reviews but is sometimes overshadowed by the other two solutions [1].
Microsoft Defender is built-in to Windows 11 and delivers robust protection with minimal false alarms. While it may lag behind some paid competitors in certain tests, it remains highly rated for its seamless integration and effective baseline security [1][3]. Avast Free Antivirus safeguards your system with ease, achieving high scores in protection and producing relatively low false alarms [1][3]. In the world of free antivirus solutions for Windows 11, these two champions come up trumps.
The Commission, recognizing the significance of cybersecurity and data-and-cloud-computing technology in today's digitally interconnected world, has also adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation. In the realm of information technology, Avast Free Antivirus and Microsoft Defender Antivirus, two top-performing free anti-malware for Windows 11, have consistently demonstrated exceptional performance in both threat detection and minimizing false positives.
