Free Security Software

[Bugbatter]

Free Security Software for Prevention and Removal
 
* As with any software installation, if you are offered to install a toolbar and you do not want it, UNcheck that option.

Details: http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=10996.0
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Prevention

HOSTS File
By replacing the default HOSTS file in Windows, this will help in stopping the communication with websites that is known to install or inject malware or parasites.
1. MVPS Hosts
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
 2. hpHosts
http://www.hosts-file.net/?s=Download
 
Secunia PSI
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/
The Secunia PSI is the vulnerability scanner for your personal computer. It is the FREE security tool designed with the sole purpose of helping you secure your computer from software vulnerabilities.

 McAfee SiteAdvisor
http://www.siteadvisor.com/
SiteAdvisor will warn you before you interact with a dangerous Web site. McAfee offers free and Plus version of SiteAdvisor. Browser supported: IE, Firefox

 Web Of Trust
http://www.mywot.com/
WOT is a Free Internet Security addon for Firefox and IE that warns you about online scams and risky websites that try to deliver malware or send spam. WOT warns you before you interact with a risky website.

WinPatrol

http://www.winpatrol.com/

Free and Plus (paid) versions available. Detects and prevents changes to important Windows settings; notifies if unwanted programs are set to automatically run, if a toolbar has been added to Internet Explorer, if home page, search provider or other internal configurations change. When a new Service or ActiveX component is detected it may be part of a legitimate program. WinPatrol will make sure and if it isn’t, you can tell WinPatrol to disable it. Just adding a program won’t cause a notification but when a program is configured to run without your knowledge, WinPatrol will let you confirm the change is expected. Runs on Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.x, Windows 10, & supports Windows 64 bit features without conflicts with other programs.

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Free Anti-Virus Programs

Ad-aware Anti-virus (Free)
https://www.adaware.com/antivirus

 avast! antivirus Home Edition
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

AVG AntiVirus FREE

http://www.avg.com/us-en/free-antivirus-download

Avira AntiVir® PersonalEdition Classic
http://www.free-av.com/

BitDefender Antivirus Free Edition
http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

 ClamWin Free Antivirus
Please note that ClamWin Free Antivirus does not include an on-access real-time scanner. You need to manually scan a file in order to detect a virus or spyware.ClamWin Free Antivirus is based on ClamAV engine and uses GNU General Public License by the Free Software Foundation, and is free (as in freedom) software.
http://www.clamwin.com/

Defender

Included as a component of Windows 8/8.1/10

Microsoft Security Essentials

For Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Panda Cloud Antivirus

http://www.cloudantivirus.com/en/

Sophos Free Antivirus
Removes viruses, spyware, rootkits and fake antivirus
Supports Windows XP, Vista and 7
Works alongside your existing antivirus, but it is to be used as an on-demand scanner only. SOPHOS Free AV does not update once installed. A new copy must be downloaded for later scans.
http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/virus-removal-tool.aspx

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Free Anti-Spyware Programs

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (Free and Paid Versions)
http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/
 

Spybot Search and Destroy (Free)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

SpywareBlaster
http://www.brightfort.com/spywareblaster.html
This will block bad ActiveX and harmful cookies from getting on to your PC in the first place. Just download and install the program. Open SpywareBlaster, check for and download updates, then  protect against all items checked. Program needs to be kept updated.

 Super AntiSpyware (Free and Paid Versions)
http://www.superantispyware.com/http://

 Windows Defender (Free for Windows XP / Included in Vista and Windows 7)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
 
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Firewalls (Free and Paid versions available)

Comodo Firewall (combined anti-virus)
http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html
 
Online  Armor
http://www.tallemu.com/free-firewall-protection-software.html
 

Outpost
http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostfree/index.php

ZoneAlarm
http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.htm
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Online Scans

(Make sure the one that you choose is compatible with your browser and operating system.)


BitDefender
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/licence.php

Eset nod32 Online Scanner
http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/
 

F-Secure Online Scanner
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

 Housecall (using IE with Active-X)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

Housecall (all browsers using java)
http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/enterprise/products/housecall_launch.php 

Kaspersky
http://www.kaspersky.com/kos/english/languages/english/check.html?n=1250646146031
 

Panda ActiveScan
http://www.pandasoftware.com/

 WindowSecurity trojan scan
http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/

[AliaRoy]

I would recommend Avira as free internet security solution. Web-shield is provided by avira browser safety extension, if you are using avira free. In Avira there is no kind of behavioural blocked (some heuristics though, called APC). There is no real need of any behavioural blocker, considering all new suspicious executables are uploaded to the cloud for an instant analysis.

The problem comes if avira doesn't recognize a new file as suspicious (it won't upload it), or if protection cloud is unable to recognize malicious code in the sample uploaded (rare though).

Avira is really good at default settings, no need to tweak it. Avast is a good product and have more user friendly features, but you have to enable PUP detection, which is disabled by default and hardened mode (can cause some false positives) for better protection.

Though there are many other best free antivirus solutions available, it depends according to your need that which one will suit you more may be you need paid at times as I also use the Paid version of Kaspersky total security which is a fully integrated system.

I set it up and set to "Autopilot" and rarely hear from it, or even know it's running, except for a weekly report and a few Anti-ransomware alerts, any new program will be prevented from writing to, or modifying, any "protected" areas, until I review and allow it.