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{{Infobox Software
{{Infobox software
| name = ClamWin Antivirus
| name = ClamWin Free Antivirus
| logo = [[Image:ClamWin icon.png|100px]]
| logo = ClamWin Logo.png
| screenshot = [[Image:ClamWin_Wine_screenshot.png|250px]]
| screenshot = ClamWin on Windows.png
| caption = ClamWin 0.92
| caption = ClamWin running on [[Windows 11]]
| collapsible =
| developer = alch
| developer = ClamWin Pty Ltd
| type = [[ClamAV]]
| latest release version = 0.103.2.1
| latest_release_version = 0.92
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2021|06|07}}
| latest_release_date = {{release_date|2008|01|20}}
⚫
| programming language = [[C++]] and [[Python (programming language)|Python]]
| operating_system = [[Microsoft Windows]]
| operating system = [[Windows 98]] and newer<ref>{{cite web|title=About ClamWin Free Antivirus|url=http://www.clamwin.com/content/view/71/1/|publisher=ClamWin Pty Ltd|access-date=26 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125005824/http://www.clamwin.com/content/view/71/1/|archive-date=25 January 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
⚫
| programming language = [[C++]] and [[Python (programming language)|Python]]
| genre = [[Antivirus software|Anti-virus]]
| genre = [[Antivirus software]]
| license = [[GNU General Public License]]
| license = [[GNU General Public License|GPL-2.0-or-later]]
| website = {{official URL}}
| website = [http://www.clamwin.com/ www.clamwin.com]
}}
}}
'''ClamWin''' is a [[free software|free]], [[open source software|open source]] [[antivirus software]] for [[Microsoft Windows]]. It provides a graphical user interface to the [[ClamAV]] (Clam AntiVirus) engine.


ClamWin Free Antivirus is licensed under the terms of the [[GNU General Public License]] and can be downloaded from the official website for no charge.
'''ClamWin Free Antivirus''' is a [[free and open-source]] [[antivirus software|antivirus tool]] for [[Windows]]. It provides a graphical user interface to the [[Clam AntiVirus]] engine.


== Features ==
== Features ==
* Scanning scheduler.
* Scanning scheduler (only effective with user logged in).
* Automatic virus database updates on a regular basis.
* Automatic virus database updates on a regular basis.
* Standalone virus-scanner.
* Standalone virus-scanner.
Line 26: Line 25:
* A portable version that can be used from a [[USB flash drive]].
* A portable version that can be used from a [[USB flash drive]].


There is also an [[Extension (Mozilla)|extension]] for [[Mozilla Firefox]] that uses ClamWin Free Antivirus to scan downloaded files for [[Computer virus|viruses]] (currently only supports Firefox 1.5).<ref>[https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/771 ClamWin Antivirus Glue for Firefox]</ref>
There are Firefox extensions that allow the users to process downloaded files with ClamWin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/seamonkey/addon/fireclam/|title=FireClam|date=3 February 2016 }}</ref>


=== Real-time scanning ===
=== No real-time scanning ===
ClamWin Free Antivirus scans on demand; it does not [[real-time protection|automatically scan files]] as they are read and written.
ClamWin does not yet [[real-time protection|automatically scan files]] as they are read and written. This feature is planned for inclusion in the next major version update.<ref>[http://www.clamwin.com/content/view/35/27/ Real time on access scanning in ClamWin Free Antivirus<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> However, this feature has been claimed to be in development since at least [[10 December]] [[2005]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.clamwin.com/content/view/35/27/ Internet Archive Wayback Machine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It is currently possible to add this functionality by using [[Winpooch]].


The non-affiliated projects [[Clam Sentinel]] and [[Winpooch]] are add-ons that provide a real-time scanning capability to ClamWin.<ref name="ClamSentinel">{{cite web|url=//sourceforge.net/projects/clamsentinel/ |title=Clam Sentinel |access-date = 2014-06-19 |last=dynclient |date=January 2010}}</ref><ref name="Winpooch">{{cite web|url=//sourceforge.net/projects/winpooch/ |title=Winpooch |access-date = 2014-06-19}}</ref>
== Efficacy ==

In the ''23 April - 10 May 2007'' test performed by Virus.gr, ClamWin version 0.90.1 detected 47.95% of all threats and ranked 39th out of 53 products tested.<ref>[http://www.virus.gr/portal/en/node/28 23 April-10 May 2007 | :: Virus.gr ::<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
== Effectiveness ==
Historically, ClamWin Free Antivirus has been criticized for its poor detection rates and slow scans compared to other [[Antivirus software|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 horse (computing)|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 [[organization]]s are scarce. Users should consider that ClamWin remains primarily a free, [[Open source|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|open-source]] antivirus solution. Users looking for more robust protection may need to consider additional security measures or alternative [[Antivirus software|antivirus]] solutions.

In 2011, [[CNET|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|antivirus]] software.


== See also ==
== See also ==
{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}
*[[ClamAV]]
* [[List of antivirus software]]
*[[Winpooch]]
*[[List of free and open-source software packages]]
* [[ClamTk]], a similar interface for ClamAV, but for Linux desktop use.


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category|ClamWin}}
*[http://www.clamwin.com/ Official Website]
* {{Official website}}
*[http://sourceforge.net/projects/clamwin/ SourceForge.net project page]
* {{sourceforge|clamwin}}
*[http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/clamwin_portable ClamWin Portable] - run ClamWin from a removable drive


{{Antivirus software}}
{{FLOSS}}

⚫
[[Category:Antivirus software]]
[[Category:Free antivirus software]]
[[Category:Free antivirus software]]
⚫
[[Category:SourceForge projects]]
[[Category:Free security software]]
[[Category:Free security software]]
[[Category:Free software programmed in C++]]
[[Category:Free software programmed in Python]]
[[Category:Portable software]]
[[Category:Windows security software]]
[[Category:Windows-only free software]]
[[Category:Windows-only free software]]
[[Category:Windows software]]
[[Category:Software using the GNU General Public License]]

[[ar:كلاموين]]
[[de:ClamAV#ClamWin_f.C3.BCr_Windows]]
[[et:ClamWin]]
[[es:ClamWin]]
[[fr:ClamWin]]
[[nl:ClamWin]]
[[no:Clamwin]]
[[pl:ClamWin]]
[[pt:ClamWin]]
[[ru:ClamWin]]
[[sv:ClamWin]]
[[ta:கிளாம்வின்]]

Latest revision as of 06:51, 8 January 2025

ClamWin Free Antivirus
Developer(s)ClamWin Pty Ltd
Stable release
0.103.2.1 / June 7, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-06-07)
Repository
Written inC++ and Python
Operating systemWindows 98 and newer[1]
TypeAntivirus software
LicenseGPL-2.0-or-later
Websiteclamwin.com Edit this at Wikidata

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

[edit]
  • 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.[2]

No real-time scanning

[edit]

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.[3][4]

Effectiveness

[edit]

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

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "About ClamWin Free Antivirus". ClamWin Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 25 January 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  2. ^ "FireClam". 3 February 2016.
  3. ^ dynclient (January 2010). "Clam Sentinel". Retrieved 2014-06-19.
  4. ^ "Winpooch". Retrieved 2014-06-19.
[edit]
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