Antivirus software is must-have protection. This review picks the best antivirus software for Windows based in part on comprehensive antivirus testing performed by AV-Test. Because every system is unique, you may want to evaluate several of these choices before making your final decision. AV-Test results are based on performance in the second quarter of 2010 on Windows 7 (32-bit version). A total of 19 scanners were included in the AV-Test analysis. Full test results can be viewed at
AV-Test.org Some choices listed below were not included in the AV-Test analysis. Last updated: August 2010.
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Voters in the
2011 Readers' Choice Awards overwhelmingly selected VIPRE Antivirus as their choice for "best antivirus for Windows". Indeed, 44% of all votes went to VIPRE Antivirus. Who are we to argue with such dedicated fans? In addition to a bevy of loyal users, VIPRE offers a low-impact, high performance scan engine free of the legacy code that can hinder some of the older antivirus scanners. VIPRE's malware detection has been repeatedly certified by all the major certification agencies and the company offers a no-hassle 30-day money back guarantee.
Symantec's antivirus products have historically always provided excellent detection and removal of malware. On the downside, that protection came at the price of often crippling system performance. That's now a thing of the past. Performance overhauls were the hallmark of Norton Internet Security 2009, and enhancements continued in the 2010 product line.
ZoneAlarm Extreme Security takes a holistic approach to security - combining malware and intrusion prevention with online backup and full drive encryption to protect data in the event of a lost or stolen computer.
Families that need to control Internet access for younger children and teens will find much to like about F-Secure Internet Security 2010. Parental controls can be set to accommodate various user types, including time limits imposed on Web surfing.
Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 prevented 81% of the new Web and email malware in the 2Q10 AV-Test analysis. Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 also had the highest scores in detection and removal of existing malware (a 5.5 out of possible 6.0) and for overall usability and performance (also 5.5 out of possible 6.0). This well-roundedness not only earns Kaspersky a spot on the best antivirus to protect against Web and email threats, but also earns it a spot in the overall best antivirus for Windows and a top pick for the best antivirus for netbooks and older PCs.
Smart Protection Network is the key component of Trend Micro Internet Security, included in both the Pro and vanilla version. The Smart Protection Network sets up a continuous communication channel between your PC and Trend Micro's servers, reporting file activities and other system activities on an ongoing basis. Trend Micro's servers analyze the data, create signatures as necessary, and push back the updates to users.
Panda takes free antivirus to a whole new level with Panda Cloud Antivirus. The only free cloud-based scanner, Panda antivirus software takes all the processing off your PC, giving you a lighter, faster, and more proactive antivirus protection. Or for for a very low price you can upgrade to Panda Cloud Antivirus Pro and gain additional features as well as 24/7 tech support.
G Data SecuritySuite uses two antivirus engines, AVAST and BitDefender. Standalone, both engines offer good detection and when combined each picks up where the other might let off. In theory, this could translate into faster signature releases (G Data offers hourly updates) and overall improved heuristics.
AVG Internet Security 9.0 protected against a 3 month average of 88.7% for new malware delivered via the Web and email. However, while AVG Internet Security 9.0 demonstrated solid ability in the Web/email protection category, it fared less well with removing existing malware, scoring only 4.0 out of a possible 6. While detection of rootkit-enabled/stealth malware was 100%, it's ability to remove existing rootktis/stealth malware was only 57%. Overall usability was good; AVG Internet Security 9.0 scored a 5.0 out of possible 6 in the performance and usability category.
