There are many free anti-virus software applications available on the internet. There are also many expensive anti-virus software applications. How can free software be as good as software you have to pay for? Well, usually it isn't, and sometimes it can even end up damaging your computer or scamming you out of money. Let's look at how free anti-virus software stacks up against other security software on the market.

Lack of Features
While some free anti-virus software like Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Microsoft Security Essentials works sometimes better than software you have to pay for, free anti-virus software lacks many features that paid security software offers.

For example, most free software lacks the ability to scan emails, instant messaging chats and websites for viruses. Many of these applications also say that they scan your computer on a set schedule, but they often need to be started manually to perform a through scan of your drives. Usually you don't have this problem with paid anti-virus software. Free anti-virus software's lack of features may leave your computer open to attacks.

Where does free anti-virus software come from? It is usually a simplified version of a more feature-laden piece of software. Companies will draw in customers by getting them hooked on the free brand while constantly urging them to upgrade using pop-up ads, emails and advertisements that display on the software's control panel. This can be an aggravation that just may not be worth the lack of a price tag.

Scams Abound
Not all free anti-virus software is just a dumbed-down version of another product. Some are actually created to scam you out of money or to infect your computer. This malware, called hoax anti-virus software, is very common.

This type of software is usually distributed through pop-up ads on the internet. The ads will appear to be a security software control panel. They inform victims that their computers are infected and need to be cleaned. They suggest that users download the free anti-virus software to their computer.

Once the software is downloaded, it infects the computer with a virus that makes the system slow. This tactic makes the computer user believe that the computer is infected with a very bad virus. The software will claim to have deleted some viruses, but that to get rid of the other infected items, the user will have to purchase an upgraded version of the software. During all of this, the virus also spreads to other computers in the network. The user ends up with worthless software, less money and an infected computer that was fine before the download.

You can avoid fake software by downloading free anti-virus software from reputable publishers. Never download software from third-party sites, emails or pop-up ads.

For many people, the chance of downloading bogus software and the lack of features will make using free anti-virus software too aggravating. Luckily, there are many high-quality choices on the market that you can purchase, hassle-free.

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