Panda Cloud Antivirus is a free antivirus software for the Windows operating system that comes as a free and professional version which differ in functionality. Both versions offer antivirus protection that includes protection against trojans, viruses, rootkits and spyware and behavioral blocking against new and unknown threats. The pro version adds on top of that a behavioral analysis of running processes on the PC and automatic USB vaccination.
Cloud Antivirus uses a so called thin-client architecture offering several advantages over conventional antivirus solutions. Only the core files are installed on the system and local detection technologies are combined with cloud-based scanning to reduce PC resource usage.
One of the main pillars of Panda Cloud Antivirus is its real-time use of Panda Collective Intelligence, which is an online from-the-cloud system that automates the entire malware protection cycle; collecting new samples, analyzing, categorizing, creating detection and disinfection routines and delivering the protection to each node.
Thanks to this approach users do not need to worry about updating signature files anymore. In fact, detection of millions and millions of different malware variants is no longer limited by the size of a signature database, as Collective Intelligence can hold literally unlimited number of detections without consuming any memory on the users’ PC.
The interface of Panda Cloud Antivirus is best described as minimalistic which is a welcome change to the often overladen interfaces of comparable antivirus solutions.
The cloud based approach takes much of the usual updating process out of the user’s hand. The virus definitions are updated in the cloud taking that off the user’s back. When Panda Cloud Antivirus is started it will always make use of the latest definitions and data providing an Internet connection is available.
The antivirus software displays the status screen on startup which gives the user information about security problems if found on the PC. The button bar at the top leads to the scan menu, report window and recycle bin which contains previously neutralized files.
The only other option is the settings button at the lower left corner which leads to connection settings, autorun and USB vaccination and advanced settings for expert users.
It is possible to scan the whole system, an optimized scan that only looks at core files of the operating system and a custom scan that scans a specified local directory or drive of the computer.
Panda Cloud Antivirus runs in the background all the time protecting the PC with behavioral analysis. Files that are currently analyzed in the cloud are automatically blocked on the system for a maximum of 30 seconds. That’s ample time to receive the information from the cloud. The advanced settings offer to change that limit and other settings.
It is here for instance possible to add file exclusions which are then ignored by the antivirus software. Other options include the generation of an advanced log and disabling behavioral analysis and blocking.
Panda Cloud Antivirus Pro disables autorun on the computer by default which some users may want to change. The setting is available in the options. The same menu holds the option to automatically vaccinate USB drives which protects them when they are connected to other PCs and computers.
Interested users can download Panda Cloud Antivirus from the official website. Panda Security gave us 29 keys (30 actually but I used one) and we would like to give them to you in this giveaway. If you want one leave a comment below. Make sure you add an existing email address as it will be used to contact you if you have won a license in the draw.
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A very reliable product on the cloud.
Thank you for the giveaway!
Count me in, thanks and Happy New Year !
Happy New Year!
I need one.
Thanks.
Count me in.
Happy New Year! I need one also.
I would like to get one, cos my ms essentials do not upgrade to v2…
Nice one! Hope I get a key, great product been using the free version for a while.
I have tried the free version Panda Cloud Antivirus and would love a pro key.
Count me in!
I could definitely use this. My kid’s machine is always getting something on it (kids are kids, what ya gonna do?). MS security essentials isn’t catching everything.
Great giveaway. Count me for this giveaway.
I’d love to get one of these licenses!
Thanks for your offer. I think cloud scanning can be more useful than traditional cd based scanning since the cd drive may not be available. For example, netbooks do not have cd drives. Alternatively, an existing cd drive may be broken or the virus may be adversely affecting use of the cd drive. AB.
I would like to have a license for this software, because I am using Eset Smart Security, but it doesn’t update anymore as of tomorrow (jan 1:st)!
I would like to win your Key :)….thnx for posting
Hi, happy New Year to everyone!
I would like to win this license, so here I am. :)
Yes please, very keen to migrate to AntiVirus checking done in the cloud. Must be the way to go!
I’ve been using Panda for a year or more now. I would love a key. :)
Count me in.
Thanks!
Great giveaway! Count me in
Using the trial right now this AV fells good,secure,it can detect more threats than others..thanks panda and GHACKS
think my first post didn’t get through…
i’m actually using the trial version and it fells good and secure,panda can get more threats than others,
thanks PANDA and GHACKS
I hope to get a free license for Panda thanks
I hope to get a free license
1st of all, Happy New Year to all
please count with me – I’m using Avira free version – eager to try Panda :)
I wouldn’t mind getting a copy of this. =)
Hi there,
Merry Christmas and good celebration for the upcoming New year’s Eve.
Thank you for providing me with one of the remaining keys please.
Thank you
I would love to win a license.
I also want this awesome antivirus :) Count me in too :)
I tried the free version. It’s a good product.
Hi Panda is a very cute, exotic animal. In field of antivirus it is new to me, but I would love to try. Thank you for a possibility. Happy New Year!