What is the best anti-virus software?

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Best Anti-virus

 

 

There is not really one best - Everyone has different preferences, computers, internet usage - So it's what will work best for you. I have used Norton, Zone Alarm, AVG, and I am currently using Avira Antivir Personal along with Comodo Firewall and Windows Defender .
Advice from different contributors:

The best software would have to be Trend Micro Anti-virus 2009 because I've heard Norton Anti-Virus slows you computer down.

• The Best would be Avast, AVG, Avira Antivir (FREE) and Kaspersky....(NOT FREE)

• I've used almost all antivirus in market found that: Avast edition is good but some how weak in disinfection but the updated program of Nod32 and Kaspersky are good

• I say it is Nod32 only nothing else

• Kaspersky still at top, but according to overall Mcafee's internet security is the next, you may also use nod32 latest version

 

• In my opinion the best anti virus program is Windows Live Onecare. Onecare isn't just an anti virus program. It is unique software that protects a user against all threats. This includes the major types adware, spyware, viruses, Trojans and worms.

 

• There is no best. There are two free ones that are as good as any other. AVG and Avast. Any virus program is only as good as it's updates.

 

• True, most anti-virus programs are relatively equal; but I do find Kaspersky Anti-Virus and a general knowledge of [a]what you are downloading and [b]where you are downloading it from to be the best tools in combating adware, foistware, spyware, trojans, worms and all other types of malware. =)

 

• I like the Frisk antivirus, from www.f-prot.com. It's small, lightweight, and powerful. You can run a scan while using Office or Excel. Try that with Norton. It's also priced competitively. I agree whole-heartedly with a and b in the answer above.

• Kaspersky, Nod32 and Avast are the best
  

• Probably PC Tools Spyware Doctor with Antivirus - it's one of the most used and trusted security programs for Windows and besides that, it's fast and user-friendly. (

That is one of those questions that you will likely receive different answers from everyone you ask.
I have tried many different security suites and they all have weak points. It seems that none are anywhere near perfect. Here is my breakdown of the major anti virus software I have tested rated in order of of their effectiveness:
1. Norton Internet Security 2009 - Very light on resources compared to previous Norton products-very good detection rate, firewall-decent virus removal
2. Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 - Excellent detection and removal - fairly light on resources - hard to install on infected computers - will not work with other security software
3. PC Tools Internet 2009 - Excellent detection/removal - good firewall - annoying messages
4. Trend Micro 2009 - Good detection and removal - slows computer down moderately - good firewall
5. Bitdefender 2009 - Same quality as Trend Micro 2009
6. Avast Pro - Excellent detection/Good removal - confusing interface
The Bad - Avoid!:
1. Panda 2009 - Good detection - Poor removal - Heavy on system - Expensive
2. CA Antivirus 2009 - Fair Detection/removal - very difficult to install
3. McAfee Internet 2009 - Good detection - poor removal - Bad impact on system resources
4. Zone Alarm 2009- Avoid at all costs! Poor excuse for Anti-Virus
As far as free antivirus/anti malware:
1. Malwarebytes - This is the best Trojan/spyware, free or paid! - Removes 100% of everything I have come across
2. Spyware Doctor (Free Version) - Excellent detection/good removal
3. Avast Home (free) - The best free antivirus - as good as many paid AV
4. AVG Free - Everyone seems to like this one - I don't!

• There are a lot of anti-virus..one of those is MCAFFE, it is known all over the world, next is the NORTON, when you buy a PC or a laptop expect that it has the package of NORTON anti-virus. The most famous one is the AVG, most people download it from the internet because of its capacity to kill viruses and worms at the same time aside from the fact that its for FREE. But the one I'm using right now is the BEST anti-virus ever.. AVAST! it works like AVG too but it provides deeper scanning and you can customize the way the scanning process would be, its really awesome and when it had located a virus, a scary sound will be heard and you will be aware that there is a virus. but nothing to worry you just have to follow the instructions of the AVAST. it is really great!!

These are the top antivirus

Bit Defender
McAfee
Kaspersky
NOD
Panda
AVG
Norton
Avast
Depending on what you categorize as being the best.

• I would say that the main 3 categories that define an antivirus as being the best are PRICE, EFFECTIVENESS (how many definitions it can detect based on the top competitors), FRIENDLY USAGE (features versus simplicity in using them)

• My recommendation is to get Avira Antivir. It is by far the only antivirus that can meet all 3 categories to a rate of 9 out of 10.

 

• I'd say Norton. Norton is a very popular however, also a very, very big MB size wise program. If you need to completely remove it, you must be very, very careful in following the instructions and using specific dedicated programs. Also, be aware that in XP, using Norton's removal tool can and has resulted in corrupting MS Automatic Updates (source CastleCops.com and personal experience as of March 2007). By their very nature, ALL good av software sneaks its way around in your system. You would not want a simple virus to easily disable your av program. There are many av software programs that are all about equally effective including a few freeware versions (if you qualify eg., home use only). Cnet.com provides some detailed av reviews. In looking at their Editor's ratings also compare to their user's rating. The Editor's might give a program a 9.0 rating while a number of users rate the program a 3 (very low). You should look for why.

• Avg because its free and good.

• I'd go with AVG too, it's easy and not annoying.

• Kaspersky Lab Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal 5.0

• Anti virus Nod32 or Kaspersky use only one anti virus on your computer

• To stop unknown spyware and viruses threat - Firewall zone alarm
  

• Kaspersky and Avast are the best
  

• I got Avast and it blocks a lot of virus on the internet and downloads

Free Anti Virus

1. AVG Free Edition
2. Avast! Home Edition
3. AntiVir Personal

Commerical Anti virus software

1. Kaspersky Anti-Virus
2. NOD32 AntiVirus

AntiVir Personal 9.0.0.386
Avira GmbH - 28.61MB (Freeware)

Avast! Home Edition 4.8.1335
Alwil Software - 29.81MB (Non-Commercial Freeware)

AVG Free Edition 8.5.287
Grisoft Inc - 60.80MB (Freeware)

BitDefender 10 Free Edition
BitDefender.com - 21.08MB (Freeware)

ClamWin 0.95.1
ClamWin - 26.57MB (Open Source)

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 8.0.0.506
Kaspersky - 36.92MB (Commercial Trial)

McAfee VirusScan 10
McAfee - 9.54MB (Commercial Trial)

NOD32 AntiVirus 4.0.314
ESET - 29.87MB (Commercial Trial)

Norton AntiVirus 2009 16.5.0.134
Symantec - 60.10MB (Commercial Trial)
It all depends on your computer specifications. And which anti virus you are comfortable with. An anti virus which tops the virus comparison chart may not be the best one for you
If you are looking for a free antivirus i really recommend you the AVG Free Edition. it is fast and quite easy to use for all users of computer.
If You want a Good Anti Virus, You'll Have To Buy it.
I Have Kasperksy, it works CHARMS!!! it catches the ' bugs ' Tell You about it. YOU decide if you wanna delete it or not, then if you say, " I want to delete it. " it removed the Bug entirely from your computer without damaging the file!!! it keeps a report about the viruses you have, and has anti-spam, anti-popup...yeah...and parental controls. I TOTALLY RECOMMEND IT !!!!!! _____________________________________________________________________
I Have Windows Live One Care and it works perfectly it has good virus catching and also it has a good firewall and also it has tune-up with backs up your files and and removes any unwanted files and programs and it checks for updates for your computer and it also then scans your programs and files for virus's and it also helps save space on your computer by defragmenting you disks and hard drives.
This would depend if you want to get a free anti virus software or get a commercial one .
Here are some options of the most popular ones

Free Anti Virus
AVG Free Edition 8.0.100
Avast! Home Edition 4.8.1201
AntiVir Personal 8.1.00.295

Trial Version of Commercial Anti virus software
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 8.0.0.357
NOD32 AntiVirus 3.0.650
It all depends on how must protection you need

Free Anti Virus

1. AVG Free Edition
2. Avast! Home Edition
3. AntiVir Personal

Commerical Anti virus software

1. Kaspersky Anti-Virus
2. NOD32 AntiVirus

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First answer by Ranger22. Last edit by Sdresh. Contributor trust: 2584 [recommend contributorrecommended]. Question popularity: 168 [recommend question].