When one gets a new computer, the very first thing one needs to do is install a good security software in the form of an antivirus that. Antiviruses help fight off worms, virus and malware attacks which help run the system efficiently, protects the data, personal information, as well as one’s online identity. It also protects the mobile devices, monitors the firewall, and stays in the know about software updates.

However, that doesn’t mean that the price of the best antivirus software has to burn a hole in your pocket. With the number of choices that are available for PC users in the market, picking the right antivirus can not only be difficult but also equally confusing.

Below is the list of the top 5 free antiviruses for 2018 which will help you narrow down the choices according to your requirements.

Avast Free Antivirus
This antivirus is one of the topmost choices for antivirus for all users. It offers good protection against malware attacks and has a small system performance impact. It includes features of most free antiviruses that include password manager, a hardened web browser, that are extremely user-friendly. They also come with additional features like a network scanner.

Bitdefender Free antivirus
Bitdefender’s malware-detection antivirus is another option that you could opt for. This free antivirus covers everything that a home PC user requires in an antivirus and has a very low system-performance impact.

Avira Free Antivirus
Avira’s Free antivirus malware protection has a heavy system-performance. It is austere and has an option-packed interface for their users. It can be intimidating for users but it offers a high degree of customization. It comes with a wide range of free features including a password manager and a VPN client. Do read the fine print, as the best functions are only for paying customers.

Panda Free Antivirus
The Panda Antivirus works better on the Windows 10 interface. Its malware-detection is better on Windows 10 rather than Windows 7. Panda Antivirus flags down all kinds of files, even the benign and safe ones. Panda does not have a customized user interface, but its system-performance impact has grown better. However, the software hijacks the setting of your web browser and does not allow you to get out of the system-data collection.

Microsoft Windows Defender
This one is good for basic malware-detection and is a part of Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 systems. During full system scans, the antivirus has a high system impact, but it does not shield the non-Microsoft users against online malware. For Windows users, this antivirus is the best choice you can find.

If you do not get an antivirus, you will be open to new and existing risks like zero-day malware, spyware, adware, botnets, viruses and keyloggers which may or may not be detected by the free software. With a free antivirus, you have less protection to detect malware, less complex firewalls, simple scans, and basic monitoring which leave you open to attacks. There is less privacy and does not come with file shredders, file encryption, and secure browsers. So, while free antiviruses are great for basic PC users, heavy-duty systems will fare better with paid ones.