Antivirus softwares come in either paid or free versions. Both work well but with some differences in terms of features and options available to the user. If you are on a budget, then you can opt to download the free versions of the regular paid antivirus software. The free version might come with a little less features but it will work as well as the paid one. On the other hand, if you have the cash to spare then you should definitely go for the paid versions. Why? This is because you will be given to access to more features as well as the special options being offered. You can download antivirus software at the company website. It's usually the same company that developed the software; however, there are some antivirus software that are being distributed in other sites. Most of the time it's because that certain website is reviewing a free version of that software and offers direct links to their readers this is only commonly done on free softwares so never ever pay and download for an antivirus software if it's displayed on a non-company related website. Most likely it would turn out to be a scam.

So now that you know where you can get antivirus software, we should talk about what you must look for when deciding on which one to get. After all, there are numerous antivirus softwares available and they all have a unified claim of being the best. Basically, you wouldn't want to spend money on an outdated software that is absolutely useless against newer viruses. Remember, new viruses crop up on a weekly or perhaps even on a daily basis so it's recommended that you choose an antivirus software that will protect your PC against all old and new viruses. So when buying antivirus software, consider the following:

1. Does the antivirus software give you 2 levels of protection? Many of the available antivirus softwares would detect and the clean away all the viruses from your PC when you run a scan. So check if your software has the same kind of protection.

2. How effective has it been with cleaning up all the infected files on your PC? Does it quarantine or remove all the infected files efficiently? It's very important that your chosen antivirus is very effective in cleaning out all the infected files to put an end to the chance of it spreading to other files or worse, another PC.

3. Is it very easy to use? Of course, not all of us have backgrounds on IT and as such, we require something that is very simple in terms of user interface and doesn't require too much to be able to function well. You want it to clean up your PC not learn how it works.

4. Does your chosen antivirus software come with free updates from the website? Even free ones have regular free updates. So check if the company offers regular updates for free, remember that new viruses are always on the rise and as such you want to keep your antivirus software updated.

5. Does the company offer you with great online support for some of your technical difficulties? Are they fast and helpful with responding to even your most mundane questions? A company that provides total support towards their clientele is a great thing.

So there you have it, some ideas about antivirus download sites, what to watch out for and what to look for when choosing an antivirus for you computer.