There is nothing worst than to be surfing the web when all of a sudden you get one of those fake anti-virus programs that pop up and start screaming at you that you have 100+ infected files on your PC. With so many types and brands of anti-virus software out there, choosing one can be as time consuming as car shopping – which one can I afford and what suits me best? I’ve came up with a list of 15 popular anti-virus programs of 2011. Some of them are good, while others should be classified as ‘paid viruses’. We’ll start with the worst and then work our way down to the best. *I am not affiliated with any of the following anti-virus companies and all reviews are based upon my own personal opinion.
15. Webroot AntiVirus 2011
Webroot Antivirus 2011 is a virus you buy. In other words, you buy it, install it, and your PC runs like it has the HIV. This so-called anti-virus will not detect any malware – especially those ‘fake’ anti-virus programs I mentioned above. I recently fixed a computer that was riddled with viruses but sure enough, Webroot was scanning away and it didn’t find or fix anything. I ended up using MalwareBytes to get rid of the malware that had infected the computer. As far as support goes, they never return your calls (let alone answer), or respond to emails. I guess when you support a product that slows down your PC and doesn’t combat viruses, your support team could be a tad overwhelmed. The only thing that is okay is the average price of $40. Bottom line, avoid Webroot, save your money, because your better off with a free anti-virus program or taking your chances without any anti-virus software.
Virus Detection = F
Support = F
PC Performance = F
Average Price = C ($39.95)
Overall Grade = F
14. Element Anti-Virus
Element is a new anti-virus program from the UK. Although it sounds cool, I think the program itself is out of it’s element. It looks like it’s a rogue program and it doesn’t do much for removing viruses. It has limited features and it’s very resource demanding. At a retail price of $40, it would be cooler to see what would happen if you took two $20 bills and jammed them into the CPU fan of a computer than wasting it on Element. I had it installed on an infected laptop and it kept scanning and scanning and scanning until five hours later when I came back, my computer was frozen. There is little support available. I’m sterotyping but the Brits have bad teeth, bad food, and bad anti-virus software. Perhaps in the future once they get their hands dirty in the world of anti-virus software, they will be ok but for now, avoid it.
Virus Detection = F
Support = D
PC Performance = D
Average Price = C ($39.99)
Overall Grade = F
13. Avira AntiVir Personal
Avira Antivirus 2011 is near the bottom of barrel for PC protection. I ran a scan on an infected laptop and it didn’t detect any problems. After a second scan, I used MalwareBytes once again to clear the trojans. PC performance is a failure. While it’s installed, my memory usage and page file was 61% above normal operating rate. It claims to have an effective anti-virus program but unfortunately, it couldn’t detect anything. One a positive note, it features a rescue system which creates backups time to time. Its Mail Guard scans all your incoming emails and FTP transfers which is good if you want to take a performance hit. The price to install it on one PC is $30, or there is a free version which includes basic features. That’s not a bad price but, it still doesn’t out weigh the performance issues. Avoid Avira, there are better solutions out there.
Virus Detection = D
Support = C
PC Performance = F
Average Price = A ($29.99)
Overall Grade = D
12. ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4
ESET NOD32 is a virus removing tool which claims to counter all types of virus threats on your computer. I can claim that I can climb
Mt. Everest too… The main thing I noticed with ESET NOD32 was software bugs. I’m not talking about viruses either, what I mean is the run time errors I get with Windows 7. I had this installed on a newer desktop with Windows 7 Pro 64-bit edition and it would scan for viruses then it would crash and display an error message. How can an infected PC get fixed when the anti-virus program isn’t built solid enough to run a simple scan? Answer: it can’t. It’s equipped with a rescue disk feature which scans, disinfects and restores infected files which are necessary for the operating system – not bad. It features sysInspector and sysrescue that performs system scans and diagnostics. It did pick up a few viruses but it also missed the newer ones. It offers free technical support, probably because the retail price is $60. Overall, if you like calling technical support or talking to technical support people then ESET NOD32 is for you. The outlandish price and bugs are holding it back – there are better choices out there.
Virus Detection = D
Support = B
PC Performance = D
Average Price = F ($59.99)
Overall Grade = D
11. AVG Anti-Virus 2011
AVG Anti-Virus 2011 started out very popular because it was free and it did a better job than most paid anti-virus programs. A decade later… not so much. It has an easy to use and easy to understand interface but that’s about all it has going for it. While the virus detection method isn’t bad, the PC performance (while scanning) is like swimming in a lake of honey. I installed this on my old Windows XP Pro laptop and went to some Russian hacker web sites to get a plethora of viruses, trojans, and malware. It detected the viruses and trojans, but the malware still remained. Their phone support is effective – if you can get a hold of someone. The cost for a one year subscription is $40. Overall, if you want a memory intensive interface that’s descriptive, easy to use, and is $40 – AVG is for you.
Virus Detection = C
Support = D
PC Performance = D
Average Price = C ($39.95)
Overall Grade = D
10. McAfee AntiVirus 2011
McAfee is the largest anti-virus company in the United States. It’s anti-virus software is a rugged veteran in the war on computer threats, however, it can’t kill all of the viruses as it claims. I have used McAfee Anti-Virus 2011 on servers and desktops but switched over to a different brand because some would slip through. The support is pretty good, performance is moderate, but the $60 price is too much for what it’s worth. Yeah, there are lots of features like: email scanning, digital data shredder, anti-spam, parental controls, etc. but those features are useless if you can’t use your computer because it has a virus. It all comes down to, will it protect your computer from new viruses? The answer is: not like other anti-virus programs. With all of the bells and whistles, you have to ask yourself: Is it really worth paying $60 to have the extra gadgets but not the best anti-virus? If yes then McAfee is for you.
Virus Detection = D
Support = B
PC Performance = C
Average Price = F ($60.00)
Overall Grade = D
9. ClamWin Free Antivirus
ClamWin is a free open source anti-virus program. It may look bland but it’s one of the best free anti-virus programs out there. As far as catching viruses, it does an average job when it’s updated, but like most anti-viruses, it can’t nail the newer viruses. It doesn’t bog your computer down unless it’s running a scan. There is no support so, if you have problems there is no number to call for help – you’re on your own. Bottom line, it’s free, it sorta works, but there’s no support. This would work well if you teamed it up with MalwareBytes.
Virus Detection = B
Support = F
PC Performance = B
Average Price = A (Free)
Overall Grade = C
8. Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011 is mediocre. There are a few good features such as: Safe Run which protects systems from questionable programs and websites, and File advisor which gives program information details from Kasperky’s database. Like some anti-viruses, it failed to catch some viruses and the spam filter is laughable. The cost for a one year subscription for one computer is $40. The support (if you want to call it that) is not good at all. It doesn’t really cause too much strain on your computer, except during updates. I would only suggest getting this if you want to constantly run Safe Run, that’s about all it’s good for.
Virus Detection = C
Support = D
PC Performance = A
Average Price = C ($40.00)
Overall Grade = C
7. Norton Internet Security 2011
Norton is a well established brand known for its qualitative antivirus products. Norton Antivirus 2011 is packed with new features providing enhanced security. It scans quickly, updates frequently and uses fewer resources (unlike Norton 360 which is a resource nightmare) which boosts the systems performance. Norton Reputation Service identifies and stops new crime ware faster than any other anti-virus available. The support isn’t that bad if you can understand their thick Indian accent. The price of Norton Internet Security 2011 is $40, for one computer, for a one year subscription. All in all, Norton is another veteran that is hit or miss each year with their products. Not a bad choice but not the best.
Virus Detection = A
Support = C
PC Performance = C
Average Price = C ($40.00)
Overall Grade = C
6. Vipre Antivirus
Vipre Antivirus was designed to detect viruses while keeping your computer running fast. Performance wise, it runs pretty smooth on your computer but it’s not the fastest. It does detect most viruses, trojans, and worms as long as it’s updated often. The support is pretty good. On their website under support, you can start a chat with a support technician right away to get any problems resolved. The downside is the price. $48.90 for a one year subscription and CD-ROM. This is an all around decent package, as long as you’re ok with the $49 price.
Virus Detection = A
Support = A
PC Performance = B
Average Price = F ($49.00)
Overall Grade = B
5. Quick Heal AntiVirus 2011
Quick Heal AntiVirus 2011 is one of the best anti-virus software of 2011. It’s available in different versions including one especially for Internet security and one for mobile security. So a particular version should be selected in accordance to the need. It provides protection against worms, trojans, spyware and other malicious threats. It features DNAScan® Technology which provides security against fresh unknown threats. The cost for just the anti-virus is $25.00. That is a great deal. There is good support, just not a lot of content to cover. Perhaps it is because the product works so well or the fact that it is still too new? It performs pretty fast on a Windows Vista computer, even when downloading updates. This could be the next big thing in the fight against computer threats.
Virus Detection = A
Support = B
PC Performance = B
Average Price = A ($25.00)
Overall Grade = B
4. G Data AntiVirus 2011
G-Data Antivirus 2011 is a German engineered effective anti-virus program which quickly detects and fixes threats including spyware, trojans, and viruses. It is faster, more powerful and browser independent. It features double scan technology which enhances the system protection. It is good option for home users on a tight budget – $29.95 for one computer and one year subscription. The support listed on their website just has a number to call and a trouble form to fill out. It’s not very welcoming. It has good performance when running the virus scan/updates and overall a good choice.
Virus Detection = A
Support = B
PC Performance = A
Average Price = A ($30.00)
Overall Grade = A
3. Trend Micro Titanium
Trend Micro Titanium is one of the best computer security packages out there. Some of the features are: Data Theft Protection, Secure Erase, Trend Micro Vault, Parental Controls, and a built-in back up sync program. The price is expensive ($55.95) but you are getting a solid program with a good set of features. Surprisingly with all of the features installed, one could think that it would bog down the computer – it doesn’t. The support is probably the best out there. There’s a large database of help desk and support questions available on their website along with a friendly voice if you have to call them. It does a wonderful job at detecting viruses and updating itself, as long as it is setup properly.
Virus Detection = A
Support = A
PC Performance = A
Average Price = F ($55.95)
Overall Grade = A
2. Faronics Anti-Virus
My personal favorite and runner up is Faronics’ Anti-Virus. It has great virus detection. I haven’t found a virus, trojan, or adware/spware that it hasn’t detected and cleaned. It has a light footprint and the definition updates are done daily. The support is based in Canada and the US and it’s fantastic. The downside (and why it’s number two and not one) is the availability for home users and the price. As of today, Faronics only offers their anti-virus in an enterprise edition which is expensive ($160 for five computers). If you did the math that’s $32 per computer but you have to get the enterprise edition. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for, and in this instance it’s very true but $160?!? If you want to protect five computers, have an anti-virus that will work on its own, a anti-virus that doesn’t slow down your computer, and have North American support, then look no further – Faronics is for you.
Virus Detection = A
Support = A
PC Performance = A
Average Price = F ($160.00)
Overall Grade = A
1. BitDefender Antivirus Pro 2011
BitDefender is the best and most effective anti-virus program available. It earns the gold medal. It is based on anti-malware technology and it features quick scan technology – which identifies viruses active in memory or existing in the files that run at the startup. It offers protection against all types of threat including worms, trojans, spyware and malware. I had an infected desktop and I installed the free version of BitDefender, scanned my PC, found the bugs, and then I was back up and running upon restarting. Keep in mind, that I was just using the free version! The documentation and support is excellent. The cost to have it installed on one PC is $40. This is the only downside that I can think of, but $40 for a good and dependable AV is money well spent. This is a must have anti-virus!
Virus Detection = A
Support = A
PC Performance = A
Average Price = C ($39.99)
Overall Grade = A