Is there an independent tester for just free AVs?

I love AV-Comparatives because of their large malware sample size, and the different types of tests they run, but (with the exception of Avast!), they only test paid products. Is there some organization that is like AV-Comparatives but tests just free AVs? I would like to know what free AV has the highest detection rate because I may switch from Avast! to it once GeSWall 3 comes out, because I will only need a basic AV that pays attention to programs I mark as trusted, rather than scan the web, have HIPS, behavior, sandbox, etc. Sorry if I'm unclear.

 

It sounds like Avira Free would fit the description. As for a testing org for free only sorry I"ve no idea.

 

Microsoft Security Essentials, Panda Cloud, and AVG Free are other good alternatives.

 

Do they all lack a web (http) scanner in accordance with the OP's defined criteria?

 

I guess I was a bit wrong. It is okay if it scans the web, I just realize I can go with something a lot simpler, as long as it has the best detection. I just won't have to worry about drive-by downloads once GeSWall 64-bit version comes out, just a malicious download infecting me once I mark it as trusted.

In the end I will probably stick with Avast!. It doesn't have the best detection rates, but it has mostly worked smoothly for me. I know Avira Personal has better detection rates, at least according to Virus Bulletin, but I've heard they have problems with their updater.

As for a tester of free AVs, that's a shame. Maybe other companies will follow Avast!'s example and have their free versions participate in AV-Comparatives.

 

Brandonn2010 your current setup is excellent. But it's up to you.

 

I actually realized Virus Bulletin shows the reactive and proactive rates for all free and paid products. Does anyone know their sample size?

 

AV-Comparatives also adds free products to test, what happens is that they must first go through an admission test.

Sample sizes are around 500,000 samples for VB100 and +180,000 in weekly RAP.
But the hardest thing in this test is to achieve 0 false positives. One thing that most products fail

 

Do you know -www.virussign.com?-

 

Oh wow, that's good. I remember Avira Personal did best detection wise, and it did better than Avira Premium somehow. That's always been my backup choice if Avast! goes sour. I'll wait to see if they fix their updater and GUI in version 11. Anyone know when AV Comparatives comes out with their next comparative? I though it was supposed to come out this month?

 

The test will come out a little later this year since the testing started first in mid March.

 

I don't see the point of AV-C testing only the free AVs in an independent test, unless they really want to. Why? Because it won't prove our point that the paid solutions aren't that much better than the free solutions like avast!, AVG, Avira, Panda Cloud, etc. AV-C tests the nantivirus product, correct? Not the IS product? If you've noticed, avast! free IS apart of avast's product solutions. Its the same thing as Norton AV, Kaspersky AV, Panda AV, etc, the only difference being it is free. AVG Free is good enough to join the AV-C.

Avira treats Personal like its apart of its three products, sort of. Downfall is that Avira probably won't include Personal in the AV-C because it doesn't have enough layers of protection. Only one. If Avira were to add the ProActiv Guard and Antidrive-by OR Web Guard in the free version, then I think Avira Personal would be good enough to join the AV-C. Though I doubt this will happen.

 

Avast, AVG, AVIRA (and MSE anyway) are taking part in the detection tests of AV-Comparatives with their free versions this year.

 

Cool.

But would Avira Personal survive? Both avast! and AVG have more than one layer of protection.

 

In the on-demand test only the detection rate is tested, which does not really differ in those products between free and paid version.

 

Oh, just on demand detection. Okay then.

 

That's cool. Can't wait for them to release their latest comparative.

 

A comprehensive comparison to help you decide which (free) anti-malware security software you should use

 

Great article Mr. PC, thanks. Having used all 4, I think you can't go wrong with any of them. However, I do supplement them with a firewall/hips or sandbox program.

Ice

 

You are welcome!

 

AVG free is more full featured than I realized.