AMSI Protection, turned on by default, ties Sophos into the Windows AntiMalware Scan Interface.

There’s one new feature for the free edition that you’ll only see as a Dashboard setting. It’s quite a different setup from most antivirus utilities. You can even launch a scan of the remote computer if necessary. Since all configuration happens in this online dashboard, your friends and family members can’t mess up their antivirus installation. The Web tab (also reached by clicking Web Protection on the Status tab) similarly contains settings that you shouldn’t turn off. The one exception is the scheduler-if you like, you can set Sophos to run a full antivirus scan on any days of the week. Most users shouldn’t touch the controls on this page, as doing so would turn off various protective features. You can also reach the General tab by clicking Antivirus Protection on the Status tab.

With a Sophos Home Premium subscription, you can manage up to 10 installations. There is a limit of three installations per subscription, but of course you could set up another subscription on a different email address if necessary. In a consumer setting, this lets you install protection for any friend or family member and take care of any problems without paying them a visit or trying to talk them through it over the phone. That makes perfect sense, given that in a business setting the IT department manages security remotely. With Sophos, you install a small local agent on each PC or Mac that needs protection and manage all the settings from an online console. And, of course, it doesn't cost you a cent. It’s an especially good choice if you manage antivirus protection for family members or friends.

This no-cost product earned perfect scores in two of our hands-on tests. Consumers can get that same high-end antivirus protection in the form of Sophos Home Free. Business-level antivirus is all about central management, and Sophos is a big name in that realm. When a big company’s CISO deploys an antivirus system, they don't want every random employee to meddle with it. For our top recommendations for free antivirus protection, please see our roundup of the best free antivirus utilities. How to Set Up Two-Factor AuthenticationĮditors' Note: This product is no longer available.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.

Sophos reviews