 | |
 ClamWin running on Windows 11 | |
| Developer(s) | ClamWin Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 0.103.2.1 / June 7, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-06-07) |
| Repository | |
| Written in | C++ and Python |
| Operating system | Windows 98 and newer |
| Type | Antivirus software |
| License | GPL-2.0-or-later |
| Website | clamwin |
ClamWin Free Antivirus is a free and open-source antivirus tool for Windows. It provides a graphical user interface to the Clam AntiVirus engine.
Features
- Scanning scheduler (only effective with user logged in).
- Automatic virus database updates on a regular basis.
- Standalone virus-scanner.
- Context menu integration for Windows Explorer.
- Add-in for Microsoft Outlook.
- A portable version that can be used from a USB flash drive.
There are Firefox extensions that allow the users to process downloaded files with ClamWin.
No real-time scanning
ClamWin Free Antivirus scans on demand; it does not automatically scan files as they are read and written.
The non-affiliated projects Clam Sentinel and Winpooch are add-ons that provide a real-time scanning capability to ClamWin.
Effectiveness
Historically, ClamWin Free Antivirus has been criticized for its poor detection rates and slow scans compared to other antivirus programs. In past evaluations, it struggled significantly in detecting various types of malware. For example, in 2009, ClamWin Free Antivirus failed to detect almost half of the trojan horses, password stealers, and other malware in AV-TEST's "zoo" of malware samples.
In the 1–21 June 2008 test performed by Virus.gr, ClamWin Free Antivirus version 0.93 detected 54.68% of all threats and ranked 37th out of 49 products tested, with the highest-ranking product detecting over 99% of threats. Similarly, in the 10 August-5 September 2009 test, ClamWin Free Antivirus version 0.95.2 detected 52.48% of all threats and ranked 43 out of 55 products tested, where the best performer scored 98.89%.
These evaluations are over a decade old. In recent years, ClamWin has seen several updates, though comprehensive independent test results from major antivirus testing organizations are scarce. Users should consider that ClamWin remains primarily a free, open-source antivirus solution, which might not offer the same level of comprehensive protection as some commercial products.
Despite the absence of new effectiveness information from major testing organizations, ClamWin continues to be a popular choice for users seeking a free and open-source antivirus solution. Users looking for more robust protection may need to consider additional security measures or alternative antivirus solutions.
In 2011, cNet gave ClamWin Free Antivirus a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, acknowledging its user-friendly interface and regular updates but also noting its relatively slower scanning speeds and lower detection rates compared to other antivirus software.
See also
- List of antivirus software
- List of free and open-source software packages
- ClamTk, a similar interface for ClamAV, but for Linux desktop use.
References
- "About ClamWin Free Antivirus". ClamWin Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 25 January 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- "FireClam". 3 February 2016.
- dynclient (January 2010). "Clam Sentinel". Retrieved 2014-06-19.
- "Winpooch". Retrieved 2014-06-19.