Best free anti-spyware software

Another thing that makes Panda a good choice for Windows users is the Rescue Kit feature, which allows you to download a bootable version of Panda to a USB drive and then use the USB drive to clean an infected PC and get it up and running again. With lightweight malware scanning, an automatic gaming mode, a Rescue Kit, and a VPN, Panda is an excellent free internet security product.

Download Panda Free Now. It uses a huge blacklist to identify known phishing sites as well as an AI-powered phishing detection system to detect new threats. TotalAV is also the most intuitive free Windows antivirus on this list, with easy-to-use and easy-to-understand features and functions inside a minimalistic, well-designed dashboard.

Kaspersky Security Cloud — Free is good at detecting and removing malware, and it also comes with plenty of extras — including:. All Kaspersky purchases include a day money-back guarantee. Download Kaspersky Free Now. Malwarebytes Free is a good choice for users looking for a simple antivirus scanner that they can install and forget about.

Apart from the scanner, Malwarebytes Free also comes with a browser extension that protects against a wide range of threats, including malware, ads and trackers, scams, and PUPs. Malwarebytes Free is a minimalistic antivirus scanner with good virus detection and removal rates. It also comes with a browser extension that blocks malware, phishing sites, ads, and trackers.

Download Malwarebytes For Free Now. Sophos Home Free offers pretty good free anti-malware protection. It also includes some helpful web protections and covers up to 3 PCs all within its free antivirus package. In addition to multi-device protection and remote management, Sophos is also a decent choice for families because it has free parental controls. Sophos offers pretty good antivirus scanning and remote management for up to 3 devices — which is pretty generous for a free antivirus.

Users looking for coverage on up to 10 devices, advanced malware and ransomware protection, and advanced web safety tools should upgrade to Sophos Home Premium.

Download Sophos Free Now. There is no such thing as a truly free antivirus. Most antivirus companies limit the free version of their software to only offer basic protection. Windows Defender is not a bad antivirus — it even ranks a little bit better than some third-party free antiviruses. If you choose an antivirus program from a trustworthy company, then yes. All of the brands on this list here are perfectly safe to use — the only difference between their free and paid versions is that the paid software includes additional features, like a VPN, a password manager, and parental controls, as well as better customer support options.

Intego is the best antivirus suite for Mac computers , and its anti-spyware detection is great, too. Intego also detected other malware samples, including trojans, ransomware, adware, and cryptojackers.

Intego offers a couple of different antivirus plans. Intego is my favorite Mac-only anti-spyware protection in It has comprehensive spyware protection as well as some excellent extra features, like a customizable backup feature, parental controls, clean-up features, and more. Intego offers a day risk-free money-back guarantee. Download Intego Now. MacKeeper is an antivirus suite for macOS that quickly removes spyware and other threats.

When I tested it, the malware scanner took 30 minutes to scan every file on my Mac. The plan is for a single device, but you can pay extra for coverage on up to 3 devices. MacKeeper offers a day money-back guarantee. MacKeeper is a decent antivirus suite for Mac with good spyware protection.

Download MacKeeper Now. Adaware has grown from a pretty simple adware-blocker to a decent antivirus that offers protection against spyware, ransomware, and other threats. But Adaware underperformed in my general malware tests, failing to catch a lot of advanced ransomware and cryptojacker files that the other brands on this list successfully detected. Adaware provides a variety of additional features.

Its Digital Lock feature is pretty good — it can encrypt, password protect, and permanently delete sensitive files. Adaware is a decent anti-spyware program that also offers good file encryption and protection tools. Download Adaware Now. The free version only performs on-demand scanning. SpywareBlaster is a good anti-spyware app for browsers that specializes in blocking ActiveX malware.

ActiveX is a tool that provides interactive website content. ActiveX controls can be useful — they allow you to play media and fill in forms on websites. But hackers can also use ActiveX controls to gain access to your system.

Once inside your system, hackers can install keylogging software, steal your private files, and access your webcam. SpywareBlaster offers both free and paid versions. The paid version, SpywareBlaster Autoupdate , provides automatic updating, multi-user coverage, and technical support. SpywareBlaster blocks spyware that hijacks your computer via ActiveX website content.

Download SpywareBlaster Now. Spybot — Search and Destroy uses active scanning to prevent spyware and other types of malware from making changes on your computer. And it can also perform full spyware scans of your system. However, Spybot does contain some advanced features to protect your device from spyware and adware, including:. Spybot can erase usage tracks that document the files you opened, the applications you launched, and the websites you visited. By removing usage data from system files, Spybot gives users another layer of protection from hackers.

Spybot — Search and Destroy Free comes with anti-spyware tools, the rootkit scan, and the cookies and plugins blocker. Upgrading to one of the paid plans like Spybot — Search and Destroy Professional adds antivirus protection and real-time scanning. Here's what to look for. Antivirus software runs virus scans for known viruses and malware, of course, and can offer real-time protection.

And it watches for shady websites and suspicious links to keep you out of trouble. It can also offer ransomware protection and monitor unexpected behavior that may be a sign of new and not-yet-identified viruses and malware. You want antivirus software that can successfully identify these unknown online threats without flagging too many false positives.

Light on system resources. You don't want antivirus software that taxes your PC's resources. If after you install the program, websites open slowly, apps download or open sluggishly or file copies take longer than expected, you may want to try another service.

The good news is, all our picks offer a free trial to let you try out the antivirus program, so if your system feels sluggish after installation, you may want to keep looking. Cost and discounts. Don't just pay the sticker price for antivirus protection. Before you buy, check for discounts on a company's website. Another way to save: The prices we list above are for 10 devices -- if the company offered that package -- but you can trim your cost with antivirus packages if you need to cover three or five devices.

You may also find discounts on an app's Amazon page. To be effective, antivirus software needs to monitor what's going on with your PC, check in with company servers about unusual behavior and should provide sound banking protection. The companies say they anonymize this technical data as much as possible to protect your privacy. But if you want to know more, the security companies on our list post privacy policies on their websites, so read their privacy statements to learn what the companies do with the information you share.

Protection for other platforms. Microsoft is by far the biggest target for viruses and malware. While the Mac does come under attack via side-loaded apps, it's rare, and if you download apps only from the Mac and iOS app stores and keep your guard up when clicking links and download files, you should be OK without an antivirus app on Apple devices.

CNET editors pick the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Best free Windows antivirus Microsoft Defender. Jump to details. See at Microsoft. See at NortonLifeLock. See at Bitdefender. Best on-demand Windows malware removal Malwarebytes.

See at Malwarebytes. Solid subscription antivirus alternative McAfee Total Protection. See at McAfee. Another good subscription option Trend Micro Maximum Security.

See at Trend Micro. See at ESET. Alternative free Windows antivirus Sophos Home. See at Sophos. Our recommendations Looking for free antivirus protection, malware protection or virus detection, willing to pay for an antivirus program that offers broad internet security coverage across all your devices, including from ransomware and phishing, or need to remove a computer virus or malware from your PC right now? Best free Windows antivirus.

Microsoft Defender. Best antivirus subscription for Windows. Norton with LifeLock Select. Best free antivirus alternative for Windows. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition.