Nowadays, having security tools that prevent computer attacks is more important than ever. Especially considering the enormous amount of phishing that cybercriminals threaten all types of users on a daily basis. Something that even the OCU seems to take very seriously, as it has shared in a new report. 

Following its own criteria, and even regardless of whether you use Windows or Mac, the Organization of Consumers and Users has determined which is the best free antivirus that you can currently find for your computer. To do this, it has analyzed and compared some of the best-known alternatives that can be downloaded without having to spend a single euro. 

The best free antivirus for Windows, according to the OCU

For the OCU there is no doubt about it: to begin with, they praise the reliability of Windows Defender. The reason they argue is simple: most cyber attacks have Windows as the main recipient. Because? Well, because there are many people who use it, it is a safe bet for them. 

Furthermore, although Windows Defender is a veteran program, which was actually released back in 2006, the OCU is clear that its evolution has been really effective when it comes to confronting cyber threats. Although its numbers when it comes to blocking malware are similar to those of previous years, it must be taken into account that it now slows down computers less while it works.

But above all it has an added advantage: there is no need to install it, since it is a tool that already comes standard in the Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems. On the negative side, the OCU warns that Windows Defender does not offer great protection against unknown threats nor does it have a specific anti-phishing defense. 

Perhaps that is why the best free antivirus for Windows, according to the OCU, is Bitdefender Antivirus Free. Another bet available to anyone, which detects 99.81% of malware and also represents a great guarantee when it comes to stopping access to illegitimate pages; or in other words, it also acts reliably as anti-phishing. 

And what happens in the case of Mac?

When it comes to computers that work with Mac, the OCU has also been equally forceful. Of all the options that you have analyzed in depth, one stands out above the others, at least based on your criteria: In this case, the best free antivirus would be AVG Free Antivirus. 

Despite everything, the OCU itself also warns that, despite how useful these antiviruses can be when detecting cases of phishing, they are not one hundred percent infallible either. Especially since new threats of this type seem to emerge every day.

What does this mean deep down? Well, staying alert and knowing even slightly how cybercriminals usually act never hurts. In matters of security, as we know, any concern is little.