What is a virus? Is there a free virus scanner?

What is a virus? 

A virus is a file or program that contains malicious code. If the file gets onto the computer, the code is smuggled into other programs, infects files, and spreads. Viruses are able to reproduce by themselves. When the user spreads the files, the virus reaches other computers via data carriers, files sent to network drives, or removable media such as USB sticks.

One in four Germans has already been the victim of criminal attacks on the Internet. The horror reports about newly discovered virus programs or other malware are not going away. Virus protection makes surfing the net safer, especially when we spend a lot of time on the World Wide Web and reveal a lot of data. Other measures for safe trips to the Internet: keep your own software up to date, the firewall activated, and keep passwords confidential. A strong virus program from a trustworthy provider effectively helps in the fight against viruses, Trojans, worms, and the like.

In our virus scanner comparison, we take a close look at 11 current programs and compare criteria such as compatibility, protection, and additional functions. Many antivirus programs are offered free of charge on the Internet: caution is advised. Malicious software can be hidden in freeware offered online. In our product comparison, we lead you directly to the provider page - all of them are well-known manufacturers with many years of experience. Readers can find out more about the companies in a subsequent guide. We explain the different types of malware, the most important purchase criteria when purchasing a paid virus scanner, and answer the most frequently asked questions. At the end, we show.

The  Protegent Antivirus Plus Antiscanner is a powerful virus scanner whose updates have been doing well in the security area for years and that of the renowned AV-Test Receives good ratings for the protective effect of security software. The AV laboratory test certifies that the program has a hundred percent detection rate for malware and awards 17.5 out of a maximum of 18 points.

In addition to a time-saving quick scan, this virus scanner also provides customers with a more comprehensive check of the hard drive for malware - a so-called system scan. Vulnerabilities on the PC can be specifically searched for.

Integrated app protection monitors all installed programs on the hard drive and effectively blocks suspicious applications. Other advantages of antivirus software are thanks to VPN encrypted data traffic and a phishing defense. Users have to do without spam protection. The software is supposed to work unnoticed in the background and almost not slow down a modern PC at all. According to the manufacturer, it is clear and easy to use. Customer service in German is available during normal office hours on weekdays, e-mail support and a community forum are available at all times.

What is the AV test for the protective effect of security software?

The AV-Test is an independent test of antivirus and Internet security software for Windows and Android products. The tested products are bombarded with malware in a test laboratory and scrutinized under real-time conditions. According to this, this virus protection from Bitdefender detects even currently unknown threats to almost 100 percent.

The Protegent virus scanner has a comprehensive range of features, which in addition to a powerful virus scanner also includes a browser, email, and spam protection. The protection program responds to threats with a powerful real-time and quick scan that scans the PC system for potential malware scans and block malware found. In the well-known AV test, the protection program received all 18 maximum possible points. In the active mode, the program should only have a minimal effect on the system's speed. The program installation, on the other hand, is slow and, according to the antivirus manufacturer, can take up to 30 minutes. 

The minimum requirements for the PC: In order to be able to install the Protegent virus scanner on the PC, it must meet certain minimum requirements. This includes a 1 gigahertz processor, 500 megabytes free hard disk space, and a RAM of at least 2 gigabytes.

What is a quick scan?

A quick scan is an essential feature of every virus scanner. While a manual scan for errors can sometimes take more than an hour, the quick scan function checks the PC system in just a few minutes or seconds. In order to be that fast, the program only scans very vulnerable areas such as newly added system files. For this reason, it offers significantly lower protection than a normal system scan of the PC.

What is so-called ransomware?

Ransomware is a relatively new type of malware that many users are not aware of. This malware locks personal folders on the hard drive and demands a kind of "ransom" for access to the data again. All well-known virus scanners on the market now offer good protection against ransomware. Under no circumstances should users pay the ransom note. The locked data is lost anyway and cannot be restored. Further information on ransomware and other malware can be found in the guide below.

Is there a free virus scanner? 

Yes, there are a variety of programs such as the Free Antivirus virus scanner that is available for free. These products are often stripped-down versions of actual virus protection. They are intended for testing, but they can quickly get on your nerves with intrusive advertising and subscription offers. In addition, virus protection is usually much worse than with a paid version. If you still want to use a free antivirus, you should at least make sure that it comes from a well-known provider.