Avast and AVG are the most widely used antiviruses in the world

The OPSWAT institute has published the latest antivirus usage rates. Unsurprisingly, the market is dominated by Avast and AVG’s solutions, while Microsoft Security Essentials is also progressively taking ground.

Due to the large number of Microsoft Windows in the world (the most under threat OS), you can’t help but notice that the antivirus market seems to be evergreen. While effective commercial solutions are available, consumers orient more and more often towards free antiviruses, believing that these will be enough to stop any eventual threats from the Web.

Following the collection of 43 000 pieces of work collected from around the world between the 23rd of March and the 15th of May 2011, the  OPSWAT institute has published a report on the most widely used antiviruses. Like last year, Avast has come in first place (12.37% of the market) with their free antivirus solution that has spread so well thanks to word of mouth. The antivirus this year has shared their first place with AVG with the two products market share being identical.

The third place goes to Avira with 12.29% market share, followed by Microsoft with Security Essentials (11.24%). This free solution, now available in version 2.0, has especially picked up market share in the United States where it is the preferred solution with 17.07% market share. It is a good bet that Microsoft Security Essentials will continue their march forward, pushed by the success of Microsoft’s OS.

The results are overwhelming: the free antiviruses are clearly the most widely used by the general public, while commercial solutions (widely used in the professional sector) now control reduced market share.