AVG

Product DescriptionAVG Free Edition is the well-known anti-virus protection tool. AVG Free is available free-of-charge to home users for the life of the product! Rapid virus database updates are available for the lifetime of the product, thereby providing the high-level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers. AVG Free is easy-to-use and will not slow your system down (low system resource requirements).
Is AVG Still Free? You bet, and it's the most common e-mail topic I get. (Hey, isn't anyone reading my blog?) AVG's still free and you can read about it in "AVG Antivirus is Still Free (Stop Worrying)" here. Comments Interesting to note; one of the first things a customer said to me today, (Setting up 2 new Sony laptops for him), "Would you please get rid of that annoying nagging Norton thing and put that anti-virus you put on my big PC. It must work because I sure don't have any problems." Which is AVG free. cfourkays

BitDefender

About BitDefender®BitDefender is the creator of one of the industry's fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified security software. Since our inception in 2001, BitDefender has continued to raise the bar and set new standards in proactive threat prevention. Every day, BitDefender protects tens of millions of home and corporate users across the globe — giving them the peace of mind of knowing that their digital experiences will be secure. BitDefender solutions are distributed by a global network of value-added distribution and reseller partners in more than 100 countries worldwide. More information is available on our security solutions' site.

NORTON SECURITY

What is Email Scanning? Norton AntiVirus Email Scanning verifies that email and attachments are free from viruses and other malicious code as you download them from your Internet service provider (ISP). The Outgoing Email Scanning feature verifies that the email that you send is free from viruses and malicious code before you send it. What type of email servers does Email Scanning support? Incoming Email Scanning supports POP3 mail servers. POP3 is the industry standard, which is used by the majority of Internet service providers. It also supports the less common APOP, QPOP, and VPOP standards. Outgoing Email Scanning supports SMTP servers. Does Symantec make an email scanning product to protect a Microsoft Exchange Server? Yes, Symantec has an antivirus solution for companies that are running Microsoft Exchange Server. For more information about Norton AntiVirus for Microsoft Exchange, click here. Does Email Scanning support Secure Password Authentication? Yes, Email Scanning supports Secure Password Authentication

NODE 32

ESET'S NOD32 Smart Security "Threats are no longer in the form of pure virus or spam or phishing. They now come as ‘blended’ threats which require an integration and intelligence among individual security features. Smart computer users are looking for the best level of integrated protection with the minimal amount of inconvenience."- Phil Hochmuth, senior security analyst at the Yankee Group. "ESET, the leader in proactive threat protection, is pleased to introduce ESET Smart Security, a new, integrated security solution for consumers and businesses. It includes antispyware, antispam, firewall, and is built on ESET’s award-winning advanced heuristics ThreatSense® detection system and the ESET NOD32 scanning engine. ESET Smart Security combines speed, accuracy and minimal computer system impact to deliver a significant improvement over traditional solutions in the marketplace today.

PANDA SOFTWARES

Panda Antivirus 2007 offers inexpensive protection against viruses and spyware, but you get what you pay for. In testing, its antispyware performance was so-so, and two spyware samples kept the scan from workingPanda Antivirus 2007's middle-of-the-road malware detection results, inadequate default settings, and poor disinfection performance offset its useful features and attractive pricing to produce an unimpressive fifth-place ranking in "Virus Stoppers," our roundup of eight stand-alone antivirus programs.Protects against viruses and spyware. Includes heuristic protection against unknown threats. Scans files on access, in incoming e-mail attachments, and when sent by IM.Some test malware crashed the scanner. Lacks some expected features such as scheduled scans and quarantine. Some other important features are turned off by default.

QUICK HEAL

Panda Antivirus 2007's middle-of-the-road malware detection results, inadequate default settings, and poor disinfection performance offset its useful features and attractive pricing to produce an unimpressive fifth-place ranking in "Virus Stoppers," our roundup of eight stand-alone antivirus programs.AntiVirusDetects and removes viruses, worms and trojans automatically. Protects your files, scans and cleans infection from email attachments and Internet downloads automatically.· AntiSpywareBlocks spywares before they get installed on your PC. Protects your privacy by detecting and cleaning spywares and blocking their activities of identity theft automatically

SPY SWEEPER

Keep Your PC Safe from Spyware Spyware grows more sophisticated every day. There's more of it, and it's more malicious than ever before. Experts agree: Webroot Spy Sweeper delivers the most advanced spyware detection, blocking and removal available to beat dangerous spyware programs. Browse Where You Want, When You Want Dangerous and annoying spyware can infect your system in many different ways when you use the Internet. Webroot Spy Sweeper gives you 360 degrees of protection. Powerful Smart Shields offer real-time protection by blocking known and emerging spyware threats as you browse - before they ever reach your computer and personal information. If your PC is already infected, Webroot Spy Sweeper's advanced discovery methods locate and completely destroy malicious spyware that hides within your PC - even spyware that hides using rootkit technology. Download Your Favorite Music, Pictures and Videos Without Spyware Intruders File sharing programs and swapping music, photos or other files are notorious avenues for spyware infection. Webroot Spy Sweeper can effectively identify slight changes in new spyware threats or variants to prevent spyware threats from ever installing on your PC.

AVAST

From ALWIL Software: Avast Home Edition is a complete ICSA & Checkmark certified antivirus, Checkmark certified anti-spyware & anti-rootkit package. Avast includes the following components: On demand scanner with skinnable simple interface, just select what do you want to scan in which way and press the Play button; On access scanner, special providers to protect the most of available e-mail clients; Instant messaging--ICQ, Miranda; Network traffic--intrusion detection, lightweight firewall; P2P protection for Kazaa, BitTorrent; Web shield--monitors and filter all HTTP traffic; NNTP scanner--scans all Usenet Newsgroup traffic and all operations with files on PC; Boot time scanner--scans disks in the same way and in the same time as Windows CHKDSK does.Version 4.8.1201 improves compatibility with Windows XP SP3This impressive software provides the same steadfast protection of well-known antivirus programs, yet it's surprisingly free.Avast Home Edition guards your PC and the network with multiple shields that scan executables and files. You can select parameters for scanning, and even choose wildcards to exclude specific file types. You can adjust the sensitivity level for the program's detectors when it comes to scanning downloaded files, instant messages, e-mails, and a host of P2Ps. Its efficient interface opens up window after window to tweak its settings to your liking, for novice to advanced level protection.Though it took quite some time to run, we're impressed with this application's boot-time antivirus scan. Fortunately, if you're in a pinch you can bypass it. If malicious contents are detected, Avast comes to the rescue with handy virus cleanup tools. Some decent PC controls are even handed out here. You can block certain URLs and file operations, such as writing to files or even renaming, deleting or formatting them.With immediate real-time protection, clockwork updates, and much more, this free software is highly regarded in our book.

F-Secure Anti-Virus

F-Secure Antivirus is a great product that offers many of the standard functions associated with antivirus software, but also goes above and beyond the bar set by others with efforts by F-Secure to educate the people that use F-Secure Antivirus on general security practices as well as specific threats.Ease of Use: F-Secure Antivirus is very easy to use and comes preconfigured with the most effective options for your computers security. The menu's within F-Secure Antivirus are simple and quick to display the options under each of them.Effectiveness: F-Secure Antivirus is one of the most effective antivirus programs on the market. Its heuristic scanner is considered by many to be one of the fastest and most complete on the market.We did have some problems with its on-access scanner though. The test system we used is a pretty fast system. Intel Pentium D 2.8GHz with 1GB of RAM. The on-access scanner would sometimes bring this system to a halt when opening programs or moving files. Updates: F-Secure Antivirus checks for updates every two hours. This is fine for most people and shouldn't cause any problems. One issue that we did notice is that one of the updates that was receive required a reboot of the test system. While we had a choice in the reboot, it was odd that it should require a reboot to apply new virus signatures or even minor program updates.

Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware

Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware is a full featured and well equipped program that is geared towards keeping your home computer free of viruses and spyware. It is easy to configure for nearly any antivirus need. It causes significant computer slowdowns occasionally, but makes up for these issues with thorough scanning and frequent updates.Trend Micro Screenshots. Ease of Use: Trend Micro Antivirus plus AntiSpyware is extremely easy to use. Nearly all of the configuration options are set after the install is finished. Scanning and updating are as easy as clicking a button on the overview page within the program. Changing settings and configuring advanced settings is easy and each of the settings is clearly explained within the program.Effectiveness: Trend Micro has a history of producing effective products that have been used in homes and enterprises for years. The included virus scanner is well equipped and has a high success rate on par with many other high end antivirus programs.Despite its high marks in scanning, Trend Micro Antivirus is slow when scanning and can cause problems with freezing and slowdowns. It also has a tendency to not play nice with Firefox and MSN Live Messenger.Updates: Updates can be done automatically or manually depending on your needs. Automatic updates default to being done every 3 hours. They are done in the background by default as well. The only time you will be notified of an update is if it requires a reboot for some reason. Take note that updates can take quite some time to complete depending on the size of the update.Feature Set: Trend Micro Antivirus plus AntiSpyware includes the antivirus scanner as well as the antispyware scanner noted in its name as well as including a utility to track unauthorized changes to your operating system or system files.Ease of Installation: Installing Trend Micro Antivirus plus AntiSpyware is as simple as reading a couple screens and hitting next a few times. The only problem we experienced was the initial update that the program gets after installation is finished. That update took nearly 30 minutes and required a reboot.

McAfee VirusScan

McAfee is an industry leader in computer protection and VirusScan is their #1 defense against viruses. This software comes with a ScriptStopper, to prevent virus to propagate from one computer to another via email, and WormStopper.Some downsides to the program are it doesn't provide instant message protection, P2P/file sharing protection or registry startup protection. Check out the Gold product if you're looking for these featuresEase of Use: If you use the default settings, setup is a breeze. The default settings provide very good protection against viruses, Trojans, worms, malicious ActiveX controls and Java applets.The SecurityCenter has several tabs besides the VirusScan tab. There is one for Personal Firewall+, Privacy Service and SpamKiller. These are other programs offered by McAfee.Effectiveness: VirusScan boasts one of the best virus detection records. The software received the VB100% award for 2007, the ICSA award for 2007 and passed both level 1& 2 Checkmarks from West Coast Labs.Updates: McAfee VirusScan 9.0 automatically downloads updated virus definitions from the Internet on a regular basis. Staying up to date will dramatically decrease any possibility that a virus will infect your computer. On Average, McAfee comes out with new virus definitions on a daily basis.You will have to register and login to get updates-this makes the process longer than it needs be.Feature Set: McAfee VirusScan offers a rich list of features. You can set VirusScan to scan your computer at a preprogrammed scheduled time. The program also scans for spyware and adware.You can't add several tasks to the Scheduled Scan. This would be a nice quality so you could scan all files once a month and only program files weekly or any other tasks you would like to set up.McAfee has an Antivirus Emergency Response Team that continually monitors the worldwide virus activities to provide you with the utmost safety. The always-on protection guards against viruses, spyware and other Internet threats that may enter your PC via e-mail, instant message attachments, Internet downloads, and web browsing.

CA Antivirus 2008

Ease of Use: CA Antivirus is extremely easy to use. Full system scans are only 2 clicks from the main program screen. If you need to change any advanced options, of which there are very few, you will have to go a little bit deeper within the program to find them.Effectiveness: CA has been known for having solid products throughout their history. They didn't fail to impress this time around. The engine that is used for CA Antivirus is WCL, ICSA and VB100% certified and is well equipped to find and clean any viruses that it finds on your computer.Updates: Updates are checked for once a day if set to update automatically. If you have a need to get faster updates, there is an option to change the frequency of the automatic updates. You also have the ability to update manually if you have the need to do so.Feature Set: CA Antivirus includes no extended features that we could find in our testing of the product. Standard antivirus features such as a virus scanner, scan scheduling utility and quarantine are present, but are the extent of features included with CA Antivirus.Ease of Installation: Installing CA Antivirus was fast and easy. There was a glitch on the registration screen that wouldn't allow us to register the product correctly. This issue did not hold us back though as we could just cancel the registration.Help/Support: Support for CA Antivirus 2008 includes in program help as well as online support options. The options available online consist of a knowledgebase/FAQ. CA also offers direct phone support for $19.95 per incident. If you are inclined to search around the support website, you will find that they also offer free chat and email support. These additional options are somewhat buried and may be difficult to find.Summary: CA Antivirus 2008 is a good product for specific antivirus needs. It includes a good antivirus engine and stops there. Extended features are saved for other products within the CA family. If you have a specific need for JUST an antivirus program though, CA Antivirus is a good option.

Norman Antivirus and Antispyware 5.81

Ease of Use: Norman Antivirus and Antispyware is easy to use. It includes a menu that has some options in an intuitive spot, while leaving others deep within a maze of menu options that can be rather difficult to navigate.For most users, Norman Antivirus and Antispyware has a default configuration that should help to keep them from having to navigate the maze of options and changes that can be made.Effectiveness: Norman is certified by VB100%, WCL Level 1, as well as ICSA Labs. It offers protection that is standard of the middle of the pack of antivirus solutions. Norman has shown a commitment to solidifying their scanning abilities by continuing to enhance their antivirus engine. The current engine, while slow in some cases, is another shining example of Norman's commitment.Updates: Updates are released daily on average. There is also the ability for Norman to push an update if there is a significant threat that is found. You have the ability to manually update, or set a time each day to look for new updates. Feature Set: Norman Antivirus and Antispyware includes the basic antivirus and antyspyware scanning. Also included are quarantines for both, as well as task scheduling and email protection. The email protection is based on the protocol that is used for gathering and sending email rather than integrating with specific email programs. This allows scanning of email attachments to occur no matter what program you use to handle your email.Ease of Installation: Installing Norman Antivirus and Antispyware was simple and only required a couple of clicks to get done. The software didn't require a reboot when it finished installing on our test machine, and updated itself immediately after the install was finished.Help/Support: Norman has a very effective support website that includes a product FAQ, customer support forums, a well equipped knowledge base, as well as security bulletins and webcasts. They also include phone and email support in the event that you have lost your connection to the Internet.Summary: Norman Antivirus and Antispyware is solid option to keep your computer safe from the terrors of the Internet. It includes an award winning antivirus scanner as well as an antispyware scanner. The software does suffer from some issues with overall system lag, but these are due to the on access scanner, and can be minimized for each system according to Norman's support site.

G DATA Antivirus 2008

Ease of Use: G DATA Antivirus is very simple to use. The main configuration and information page has most of the functions that you will need. If there is an option on that page that you can't find, there is an Options page that includes some more advanced configuration options for each section of the program.The beauty of G DATA Antivirus is that there isn't much user intervention needed. The default configuration is sufficient for most home users and if you set the scans to a time when you are not using your computer there is little chance you will even notice the program running at all. Effectiveness: While slow, the antivirus engine within G DATA is very thorough. It is also nice that it doesn't eat up many resources while scanning. This gives you the ability to work in other applications while the scanner is running.Updates: Updates for G DATA Antivirus are downloaded every hour by default. You can change the schedule if you wish, but there shouldn't be any need to change this.Feature Set: G DATA Antivirus doesn't come with a whole slew of extra features. It does include a two part antivirus scanner that is rated very high as well as including an email scanner and a heuristic scanner.Ease of Installation: Installing G DATA Antivirus is as simple as following the prompts and letting it run. After you are finished with the installation, there is a significant update to the software that needs to be downloaded. At the time of this review, the size was about 15 Megabytes. This isn't done by the program during the install phase, so you will have to either do it manually or wait for the scheduled update an hour from the end of the installation.Help/Support: Support for G DATA Antivirus 2008 is a little bit anemic. All that is included at this point is an incomplete FAQ and a support request form on their website.Summary: In the overall scheme of things, G DATA Antivirus is a simple and effective antivirus product. It includes only the virus scanner, email scanner, and heuristic scanner. These all work well together to make G DATA Antivirus one of the most light weight in the market while still remaining very effective

F-Prot

F-Prot for Windows is easy to install and use. This antivirus program has a nice interface although it would be better if the options were available from the Taskbar instead of from the Start Menu or desktop. All of the options are straightforward and practical. Some of these options include right-click, on-demand, on-access and scheduled scanning.F-Prot claims their scan engine uses very low system resources and therefore runs under Windows 2000, 2003 or XP.The RealTime Protector scans all files your system accesses for viruses. The built-in Scheduler automates tasks like updating the virus definition files and scanning. The program is simple to configure, but still gives you plenty of options. The on-demand Scanner is used to manually scan your files, folders and drives.You can also scan a file, folder, or drive from within Windows Explorer by right-clicking and selecting "Scan". We didn't notice much of a performance hit during normal PC usage.

PC Tools AntiVirus

PC Tools AntiVirus program is easy to use and navigate. You can choose from two different scans. The full scan is what the average user will most often use. This will scan your entire computer. The other is a custom scan where you can choose which files you would like to scan.One of PC Tools strengths is it makes a complicated process simple for the average user. This company has a good registry repair program as well as an anti-spyware program. Both have incorporated the same type of interface, which is great for the average user. The program has some great update features offering both automatic and manual updates, but overall this software doesn't offer as many features as the top-ranked products.PC Tools Antivirus passed the VB 100% in 2007 and the West Coast Labs CheckMark 1 and 2. However, we did not see it on the ICSA 2007 list. Its scanning process is very slow-way below the average scan time. On average PC Tools updates their virus definitions on a daily basis.We contacted their email support; they answered all our questions and added an apology because it took six days to get a response.