Free security software for your computer

You don't need to pay for security software to make sure your computer is safe from attack. Pick a program from each section of our free security downloads guide to make the PC safe. All of these programs come with options to upgrade to premium editions, some of which offer better performance, more features, or improved support.

Anti-virus
An up-to-date anti-virus program is vital for all modern computer users who use the internet. These three programs provide excellent cover, although a paid-for program will provide support options that aren't available to free users.

Avast is a very good free anti-virus package that requires registration with the company before use.
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AVG is the oldest free anti-virus software and it continues to work well. Recently the company has discontinued support for old versions of the free software, so download the new version 7.5 here.
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Firewall
The firewall protects your computer while it is actually connected to the internet. For most of us using broadband, that equates to when it is switched on, because of the 'always-on' connection. As with the anti-virus programs, a firewall is vital.
Windows XP comes with its own firewall built in, although all of our free alternatives offer more features and the ability to customise your protection.

ZoneAlarm is probably the best-known firewall, offering plenty of options for setting exactly which programs can access the internet, and how.
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Jetico Personal Firewall is a small free firewall application, suitable for home users.
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Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall is a full, paid-for program that's available on a 30-day trial version. After that, it switches to a free basic version, without the cookie and ad blocker.
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Anti-Spyware
While anti-virus and firewall are more important than an anti-spyware package it's all to easy to click on the wrong link and get infected. These free programs can stop the rot.

Ad-aware cleans the computer thoroughly of programs that try to display pop-up ads against your will, and all manner of even more nasty programs.
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Spybot Search & Destroy can remove several thousand kinds of ads and spyware programs by checking your PC against its built-in database. It also includes an 'immunise' mode that stops programs from changing your browser settings or Registry without permission.
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Browsers
You can improve your PC's security by using an alternative web browser to Internet Explorer. Both of these free packages offer more security and the ability to customise your security settings.

Firefox is by far the best-known alternative browser, and it offers better security than Microsoft's Internet Explorer. You can also customise the browser with add-ons made by other people to block all ads in web pages, for example.
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Opera used to be a paid-for product, but it's now available for free. Like Firefox, it offers a more secure environment than Internet Explorer.
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