Avira Antivirus

This Antivirus will install bloatware on installation so proceed with caution and high resource usage because of avira on demand file scanner

Avira is more bloatware than antivirus. It comes packed with junk software that has nothing to do with antivirus protection. It's also laced with ads about the other junk Avira products for purchase.

Simply awful, would suggest to stay away. The default Windows Defender is entirely sufficient and is not as invasive as this application. It cannot even be properly uninstalled, which is the reason there are so many guides for it. Just don't install it and safe yourself some headache.

This used to be recommended, but not any longer.

Installation of Avira now includes Phantom VPN, the Opera browser, and something called "Speedup". These are not optional components. You cannot opt out of installing them. If you install the anti-virus, you get other software packages Avira has partnered with, whether you want them or not.

Given that some of these are questionable at best (Opera browser is now owned by a Chinese consortium that has a very shady reputation with respect to privacy issues), having them installed without the user's consent is unscrupulous. For an antivirus vendor, whose product is security, it's appalling.

Avira's official forums have so many complaints about this that Avira's simply started to delete complaints. I took the hint and uninstalled it.

If you want to see what good alternatives there are, check out AV Comparatives, which has monthly updates.

Quality free antivirus from Germany

They released a new version this year that changes everything. wow!

A PC tech advised that you stay away from big-name security suites like Avira, Avast, Norton, AVG, etc...they're crap and full of bloatware. He did recommend Webroot Secure Anywhere.