User Reviews
Avira AntiVir Personal
Avira AntiVir Personal offers the effective protection against computer viruses for the individual and private use on a single PC-workstation. It detects and removes more than 50,000 viruses and an I ...
Average of 69 user ratings: 
- Sep 25, 2007
- For version:
- 7.06.00.268
Over-senstive 
- Interface: 3
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 3
- Overall:
I used this for a week at the recommendation of a friend and I found that it tended to return false positives frequently. I think it creates the illusion of greater security that way; most users don't think to google results like I do, instead just immediately deleting or quarantining any file detected as malware. I went back to Avast, which I've used for three years now with very good results (Avast doesn't nag you to upgrade like AntiVir does either).
Review by: mistshadow (2)
Read all 2 reviews by mistshadow
- Jun 21, 2007
- For version:
- 7.00.04.15
Safe and sound!...
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Antivir PE has kept me protected for a couple of years now (lost my job and didn't have access to the big guns) and I see no reason why they shouldn't be considered top of the line! All home Antivirus programs should be free and I applaud Avira for providing this service...
Review by: Vortex (4)
Read all 4 reviews by Vortex
- May 22, 2007
- For version:
- NA
Great av
- Interface: 4
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Complete package with top performances, better than others commercial AV.
Review by: canapi
First post
- Apr 25, 2007
- For version:
- NA
Unable to do updates
- Interface: 5
- Features: 1
- Ease of use: 1
- Value: 5
- Overall:
I used to use AntiVir Premium but since moving back to the US, I recently downloaded the free version. I do not recommend this antivirus tool because due to the lack of more servers, you simply can't update your virus definitions. I have tried for 2 weeks now without success and when reading the support forum, numerous amount of people are having the same issue. What good is an antivirus program if it's outdated? I DO recommend the premium version though - with the premium version the updates were no problem and the software was very effective with blocking viruses.
Review by: Sandra30
First post
- Jan 19, 2007
- For version:
- NA
Good product
- Interface: 5
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 4
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Its a very good Virus scanner I have been using it for 3 years now switched from Norton cause i couldn't bother with the bills and i found that i works better than AVG so try it
Review by: hydrowisp (3)
Read all 3 reviews by hydrowisp
- Jan 06, 2007
- For version:
- NA
Terrible- freezes and is slow.
- Interface: 2
- Features: 1
- Ease of use: 1
- Value: 2
- Overall:
Having good results from two other programs I downloaded, I decided to give Antivir a shot. It was fast to download, but it was less then desirable once it was installed. It slowed down my computer considering I have high speed internet. Then it would freeze my computer and was slow when trying to surf. I could not update anything, tried 5 times. Reading the ratings, I am assuming that there are some programs that are just not compatible with some computers. Antivir was not compatible for mine. When I finally had enough and tried to uninstall the program, a message box came up that it must of been uninstalled? Fortunatley we have system restore and I simply restored my computer, to get AntiVir out. Once I got rid of Antivir off the computer, my programs loaded faster and my high speed came back. Not a good experience.
Review by: Justine (2)
Read all 2 reviews by Justine
- Aug 30, 2006
- For version:
- NA
Version 7 is fine
- Interface: 5
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
I've been using version 7 for several months and have never had a problem. I'm using it because it caught several problems that other free antivirus programs didn't. No, it doesn't scan for email viruses, and yes, you do have to click OK to get rid of the request to upgrade when you do a definitions update, but it's not a problem for me. Is it nagware by definition? Maybe. Does it bother me? No. It's a price I'm willing to pay for a great, free antivirus program.
Review by: skim1124
First post
- Aug 27, 2006
- For version:
- NA
V6 was excellent, v7 problematic
- Interface: 1
- Features: 1
- Ease of use: 1
- Value: 1
- Overall:
AntiVir v6 was an excellent free antivirus program. Sadly, v7 seems to be plagued with issues, from no-loads to no updates and system crashes. Constant registration and expiry popups annoy. Moreover, there doesn't seem to be an acknowledgment of the severity of the issues by the vendor. Check their forums, the problems are still present. I tried to get this program to work on multiple Windows (XP and 98) and hardware (desktop and laptop), and simply abandoned it in frustration in favor of avast! v4.7, which works like a charm.
Review by: drfung (8)
Read all 8 reviews by drfung
- Jun 28, 2006
- For version:
- NA
Is the best free antivirus
- Interface: 2
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 4
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Is the best free free antivirus. Work in real time and easily make updates.
Review by: noxyus (2)
Read all 2 reviews by noxyus
- Jun 06, 2006
- For version:
- NA
I can't recommend nagware
- Interface: 3
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 3
- Overall:
It works fine, but the daily nagware screens have driven me away. I am going over to Avast. (Let me know if they kill off the nagware screens, and I might come back...)
Review by: daedae
First post
- May 24, 2006
- For version:
- NA
One of the best and it is free!
- Interface: 3
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 5
- Overall:
I have tried others like avast and avg, but was SADLY disappointed, especially with avast, which did not recognized some trojans that really DECREASE the productivity of my computer. After removing avast and installing AntiVir my computer ran like it should and Antivir found three trojans that avast let on my computer and refuse to get rid of. I do not need to change the skin of my programs or any other little toys that some people find interesting. All I need is a good program that does what I it is suppose to do and do it well. So don't believe the HYPE (avast, avg and co.), go with German know how! You will not be sorry. "Auf Wiedersehen"
Review by: MikelGraham (8)
Read all 8 reviews by MikelGraham
- May 01, 2006
- For version:
- NA
Antivir is nagware
- Interface: 3
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 1
- Overall:
Annoyingly you are nagged every single time it updates to "check out" the Premium version. You must manually click "OK" with every single update. It gets old VERY quickly. All of the Free antivirus programs I've used this is the most annoying. We already know about premium version and choose the Free one. Don't remind us 5 times a day. This software works pretty well, but it is Nagware. There should be a warning on the Snapfiles download page about this software.
Review by: MarkBowman (3)
Read all 3 reviews by MarkBowman
- Mar 18, 2006
- For version:
- NA
Antivir very nice.
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Small footprint, I have used the freeware and have like it enough to take a trip to Germany and buy it over there for 20 bucks. Course you can order it by mail I'm sure. Works nicely and updates frequently. Catches a lot of internet virus junk. Nice new interface too.
Review by: Schalke
First post
- Feb 18, 2006
- For version:
- NA
A great software
- Interface: 5
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
I have been using AntiVir PE for a long time. I tried several other similar antivirus softwares, however for my needs, this is the best. I have no problems recommending it.
Review by: Clobrun (3)
Read all 3 reviews by Clobrun
- Feb 17, 2006
- For version:
- NA
Better wait a while before using version 7
- Interface: 3
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 3
- Overall:
I used Version 6 for quite a long time and liked it very much. Updating is now faster since it has been changed to incremental updates. But beware, there have been reported several problems with the new release (Version 7). Google for "antivir 7 problem" - there seem to be some bugs left, which can freeze your machine or clog your cpu. I did not want to update to version 7, but i didn't find a way just to update the signatures without switching to Version 7.
Review by: latelounge123
First post
- Jan 23, 2006
- For version:
- 6.32.00.51
Excellent freeware
- Interface: 4
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
I use this antivirus from ver.1,this is one of the first antivirus,that was released as freeware.Realtime antivir guard work very excellent,no know viruses have chance to infect you pc.In this time AV PE detect and can remove 200000 know viruses.trojans,keyloggers and dialers.On first installation,leave the creation of unique ID key,when not ,you must download and reinstall the program any time ,when you will upgrade new definition files.With ID key,only new definition files/400-800kB/ are downloaded and this is very fast.
Review by: xenestis (6)
Read all 6 reviews by xenestis
- Jan 14, 2006
- For version:
- 6.32.00.51
The germans can engineer.
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Anti-Vir has all the features a commercial ant-virus program has and updates are always being kept up with-ON TIME. It's the first thing I goto when I'm even a little bit suspicious of Trojans are a virus. The work that goes into this product is above the call.
Review by: Sawyer (3)
Read all 3 reviews by Sawyer
- Nov 22, 2005
- For version:
- 6.32.00.51
Whadda ya want fer free?
- Interface: 3
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 4
- Overall:
Occasional false positives (the Java SDK is one of its favorite targets), rather slow scanning, misses every once in a while, updates can take a looooonnnnggggg time, the resident guard gets deactivated sometimes (though an update usually fixes it), and it consumes some system resources. Still, for free, AntiVir ROCKS! Easy to install, frequently updated, better detection than most other freebies, VERY configurable, and its positively anal about security. One of the best (if not THE best) free anti-virus tools out there.
Review by: estople (9)
Read all 9 reviews by estople
- Nov 06, 2005
- For version:
- 6.32.00.51
Better than ever
- Interface: 3
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 4
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Have been using antivir for about a year now. It has been the only free anti virus program that really has protected my pc. I have from time to time tried the others. Most were very bloated, took up loads of system resources, didnot protect as well but had attractive interfaces (big deal). Antivir does take the smallest amount of system resources, is not bloated, protects and is fairly fast at scanning. The newest version of antivir NOW offers quick,small update downloads versus the 2,3 and 4mb updates it used to have. I can say that antivir isn't the best for wiping out a virus already on your pc however it keeps them out in the first place!
Review by: alnjk01 (135)
Read all 135 reviews by alnjk01
- Oct 14, 2005
- For version:
- 6.32.00.07
Great! but needs some improvement....
- Interface: 3
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This is a great virus detection software. I used to use [..], but my pc was infected by the trojan when i enter a website named [..] It never alert me. So, i decide to uninstall [..] and try to use AntiVir. I try to visit same website, AntiVir blocking me to enter this site...so smart!! but the fault of AntiVir is don't have mail scanner. Don't mind it, coz i love AntiVir....
Review by: b-jonk
First post
- Sep 26, 2005
- For version:
- 6.32.00.07
What's up?
- Interface: 3
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This is truly still the best protection out there,however this definitions update is for the birds. Downloading the entire file is great if you have roadrunner but the server hardly works at all lately. Makes you want to switch....
Review by: wyzmet (8)
Read all 8 reviews by wyzmet
- Sep 23, 2005
- For version:
- 6.32.00.07
What is the fuss about?
- Interface: 3
- Features: 2
- Ease of use: 1
- Value: 1
- Overall:
This program is nowhere near ... or ... The latter being my favorite. It is simply put a very crude program with poor to understand features.
Review by: diecompnut (4)
Read all 4 reviews by diecompnut
- Sep 19, 2005
- For version:
- 6.31.00.03
Great, but...
- Interface: 4
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 4
- Value: 5
- Overall:
A superb piece of software which has saved me on more than one occasion. However, downloading updates is truly abysmal. You have to download the entire vdf (virus definition file) but the server is always overloaded and your download (if it starts) takes forever, even on broadband. There is a beta version of AntiVir that can download incremental updates to the vdf, meaning a few hundred k to download an update instead of a few mbs, but (surprise surprise) getting this beta version to download is a real pain. I gave up. I don't know why they don't just have a list of mirrors to take some of the pressure off their servers. Having said that, I continue to use AntiVir simply because it does what it is supposed to do and does it well. And you sure can't beat that price. ;-)
Review by: rusty60
First post
- Sep 12, 2005
- For version:
- 6.31.00.03
Good product, but...
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Excellent detection, removing and blocking of viruses. I downloaded AntiVir from their website, because that is with uninstaller. AntiVir makes the internet connection window come up slower and sometimes slows down internet browsing. The updates are often, but takes a lot of time downloading even with the new Beta version.
Review by: Mike98 (12)
Read all 12 reviews by Mike98
- Sep 08, 2005
- For version:
- 6.31.00.03
Needs a better interface !
- Interface: 2
- Features: 2
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 3
- Overall:
This needs a better interface badly. The Guard also gets deactivated sometimes...
Review by: bringshu
First post
- Aug 31, 2005
- For version:
- 6.31.00.03
Easy and effectives antivirus...
- Interface: 4
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Hey...why would we care about how the interface(for me, i never care how the interface of a program as long as it looks simple)...this is an antivirus program, what important is the virus detection capability... this program is also quite easy to use(what you have to do are just update often and scan your pc) this program can detect many virus that other famous antivirus program can't! and...my last point is...this program is free!
Review by: Eason47 (2)
Read all 2 reviews by Eason47
- Aug 22, 2005
- For version:
- 6.31.00.03
Excellent free product!
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
First of all: thank you for this wonderful piece of software! In the past I've been using Norton and lately eSCAN which is an EXCELLENT product too (but it's not free and now is very expensive). But AntiVir is now my choice as it doesn't slows down my system and it's detection rate is excellent too. Have tried AVG in the past and I agree with the people who says that it is unable to clean Trojans and the annoying pop up windows keeps on appearing in the middle of your screen. The interface is clean and free of fancy stupid little icons and colors that only clogs your system. The only thing I could complain is the ssslooowwww update process. At midday is almost imposible to update the software as the servers are too busy, that's why I prefer to to it very early at morning or at night. I cannot see the point of some people complaining that AntiVir doesn't scan email... AntiVir WILL DENY ACCESS to any infected file it can catch be it an attachment or not!
Review by: ElGonzi
First post
- Aug 12, 2005
- For version:
- 6.31.00.03
Very dependable. superior to overrated avg
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
I dumped my AVG when it let through some Trojans, and then was unable to heal them! I experimented with AntiVir which was able to detect the same Trojans in a scan AND REMOVE THEM. AVG is way overrated. The above scenario with AVG happened more than once. Avast! was another program I discovered could remove some trojans AVG could not. Although AntiVir is very effective, don't push your luck and feel "immune". If you land on a site trying to install viruses,deny access,then close the window and get out! Don't linger. I lingered once, despite a barrage of trojan attempts. AntiVir kept allowing me to "Deny Access". I foolishly clicked on something else on the bad site page. Finally a Trojan got through. I blame myself, not AntiVir. I wasn't using common sense, pushed my luck, and paid a price.
Review by: Bobb999 (9)
Read all 9 reviews by Bobb999
- Jun 10, 2005
- For version:
- 6.31.00.03
Antivir guard pe
- Interface: 4
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Easy to use, does not consume valuable resources and by far the best anti-virus program around. Forget ... and all the others - This is fast reliable and works well - I'd recommend it it anyone!
Review by: Eldertree (2)
Read all 2 reviews by Eldertree
- May 27, 2005
- For version:
- 6.30.00.17
Has never failled me
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
I have been using this program for about 3 years with Win98, Wint4 and Xp it just gets on with the job and unlike Avast I get no false positives. This program won't slow your PC to a crawl like the over priced Norton it just works quietly in the background using very little resources.
Review by: Btrident (15)
Read all 15 reviews by Btrident
- May 01, 2005
- For version:
- 6.30.00.17
Highly recommended
- Interface: 3
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
The best of free antivirus program
Review by: XPower (2)
Read all 2 reviews by XPower
- Apr 13, 2005
- For version:
- 6.30.00.17
Fast
- Interface: 3
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
It a great program, I found that its quite fast at scanning, but updates are a little slow. it could use a better interface. It is great for finding those annoying Trojans. -Thomas
Review by: frostnova (2)
Read all 2 reviews by frostnova
- Apr 01, 2005
- For version:
- 6.30.00.17
It deserves a medal
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This is a thoroughbred and simplicity all in one the people who thought this one up want a medal Trojans worms virus hackers it roots them all out and there is also a pop up to ask you what you want it to do. If this was a standard on all pc,s my what a dream.Marks out of ten Its got to be ten with a plus A big thumbs up BRILL.
Review by: appollo13 (3)
Read all 3 reviews by appollo13
- Mar 29, 2005
- For version:
- 6.30.00.17
Small memory & cpu foot print
- Interface: 3
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 3
- Overall:
While Avast seems to be the best of the free. I have installed and run Avast, AVG, and AntiVir on W98. For my W98 machine 200mh and only 64K AntiVir is the only one that is small enough. Virus definiton download is slow. No email scanning. If you are resticted in terms of memory AntiVir is for you. With AntiVir Machine boots much faster and has much more memory available for regular programs. Also get RamBoost for W98 machines. For xcanning I set the scan to run at low priority, it finished in relatively little time, while I was able to do other work. AVG updates failed on W98 and XP. On XP Avast found Netsky virus in my email, AVG did not.
Review by: HotShot (27)
Read all 27 reviews by HotShot
- Mar 21, 2005
- For version:
- 6.29.00.03
Fast and efficiency
- Interface: 4
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
It is simple and good to use. Online VDF update quickly
Review by: lexel225
First post
- Mar 17, 2005
- For version:
- 6.29.00.03
The best of the freebies
- Interface: 5
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
AV-PE is head & shoulders above Avast or AVG (the other 2 free AV's). AVPE has very powerful heuristics... Updates signatures daily. Scan engine is maintained much more frequently than other freebies -- many NON-freebies as well. On the downside, AVPE is working on incremental signature updates but, as of now, updates are cumulative run to ~2.5MB each.
Review by: bellgamin (14)
Read all 14 reviews by bellgamin
- Mar 04, 2005
- For version:
- 6.29.00.03
The best freeware antivirus
- Interface: 4
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Antivir has the second biggest signatures database in 4/3/2005 (147.700). if anyone interested it can go at: http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse_2005_02.php certainly antivir finds more than avast even with the old database (6/2/2005 97.143 signatures only) In my test, antivir found more than McAfee, Nod32, and Panda. ONLY KASPERSKY FOUND MORE. I'am sure now, antivir is the best second opinion.
Review by: postmaster
First post
- Feb 28, 2005
- For version:
- 6.29.00.03
An excellent free antivirus.
- Interface: 4
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
AntiVir PE is the free av program that I installed on a friends older,resource-limited computer.It was a replacement for Norton 2004 antivirus.It installed easily and I was surprised that it was already up to date for updates.AntiVir PE has a memory scanner.The Guard didn't slow the pc down.It runs light!It found 4 malware(a dialer and 3 trojans) during the initial scan and deleted them successfully.The scanner can unpack files.The interface isn't fancy,but it doesn't need to be to do the job.This av is one that is very easy to use for anyone.I can't compare it to Avast but I had AVG before and I prefer AntiVir PE over AVG.
Review by: moparmac (21)
Read all 21 reviews by moparmac
- Feb 24, 2005
- For version:
- 6.29.00.03
Great on any system
- Interface: 4
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
AntiVir PE is, and by far...a better product than Avast. I ran this software without a glitch on Win XP, Win ME and Win 98 SE. No problem with it whatsoever. This IS the greatest free anti virus around.
Review by: tv2rob
First post
- Feb 23, 2005
- For version:
- 6.29.00.03
Tried 'em all... sticking with this one.
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This nice little program found a virus the others missed even with current updates, and after a day of trials this one is hands down the easiest to learn/use. Doesn't hog resources, took me about 10-15 mins to download install and config the way I needed it. The GUI is fine by me too, I prefer the basic look and feel. If the pretty colors and hand-holding are important to you, then you may want to check out the others. If you need a great free anti-virus program, look no further.
Review by: Bobeau21
First post
- Feb 22, 2005
- For version:
- 6.29.00.03
Not good
- Interface: 2
- Features: 1
- Ease of use: 2
- Value: 5
- Overall:
It is not as good as Avast! And it didnt load up with 98SE and on installation it freezed. *THUMBS DOWN*
- Feb 03, 2005
- For version:
- 6.29.00.03
Might be used...
- Interface: 3
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 4
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Recently had a try with AntiVir PE to find out a virus/spyware problem in my PC - XP SP1 by stopping on-access protection of Avast. AntiVIR PE detected few viruses which had been left out by Avast. AntiVir PE scans faster but one cannot do other work while AntiVIR PE is running whereas Avast allows one to work and thats why it take long time for Avast to scan. Though my system used to be fast enough, even after exiting AntiVir PE, I find the other programs starting and files opening speed have come down. This might be due to clash of two virus programs or due AntiVir PE itself. And the interface of Antivir PE, especially the scan window should be improved. Anyway, if you think your PC have problems, then AntiVir PE can be surely given a try. Recommended.
Review by: free2nm