The Problems With Free Antivirus Software

Free antivirus software promises protection, but the hidden trade-offs can put your privacy and security at risk, and why solutions like ESET may be preferred. Here’s why.

There was a time when I would’ve told anyone who asked that Avast Antivirus was a solid choice. It was free, had decent protection, and even came with some advanced features you wouldn’t expect from a no-cost program. I installed it on hundreds of machines over the years and never thought twice about it.

Then I found out what was really happening behind the scenes.

Avast wasn’t just scanning for viruses—it was collecting and selling user data. Not just basic browsing history, but deeply personal information like religious beliefs, political views, financial status, and even location history. And they didn’t just do this quietly—they got caught and fined over $16 million by the FTC for misleading users.

That was my wake-up call.

I started digging into how free antivirus programs actually work, and what I learned changed the way I look at cybersecurity entirely. If you’re using Avast, Windows Defender, or any other free antivirus, you might want to read this—because there’s more to the story than most people realize.