Anti-Virus
Ratings and Reviews of Anti-Virus Software |
Anti-Virus Software
If you've
picked up
the
newspaper
or any
major
business,
news or
technical
trade
magazine
lately,
you know
that
viruses,
worms and
other
destructive
software
are a very
"hot"
topic.
And, if
you've
been "hit"
by any one
of them
whether
the SOBIG
email
virus or
one of the
viruses
that have
in the
past
attacked
such areas
as
Microsoft
Word
templates,
you know
that a
virus or
worm on
your
system can
really be
a very
nasty
experience.
It's
obvious
therefore,
that
having
anti-virus
software
for your
system is
an
essential
part of
protecting
your
business
and
business
data.
But with a
number of
packages
and
companies
to choose
from , who
should you
trust to
protect
your
business
assets.
We believe
there are
some
"basics"
to look
for when
choosing
and
purchasing
your
anti-virus
software.
-
Automation
- we are
partial
to
software
that
"automatically"
cleans
your
disks
(runs a
scan on
a
regular,
hopefully
daily
basis),
incoming
and
outgoing
email
and
files
(including
archived
or
compressed
ones)
each
time you
open
them.
We also
look for
software
that
automatically
updates
and
upgrades
to
include
new
virus
signatures
as they
are
developed.
-
Quarantine
-
the
package
should
automatically
quarantine
any
"suspect"
file and
allow
you to
take an
appropriate
action -
clean or
delete.
-
Scripts
-
many of
the
"latest"
in
viruses
and
worms
contains
scripts
that
execute
on your
system,
performing
such
functions
as
blasting
email or
sending
your
private
information
to
another
entity
or even
giving
over
control
of your
system
to that
entity.
A good
anti-virus
package
will
also
contain
the
intelligence
to
recognize
possibly
dangerous
scripts
and halt
their
execution.
So if
you're
ready to
choose
software
that is
really a
system
"insurance
policy" as
well as
policeman,
read on.
Some
vendors
offer more
than one
package in
this
category.
We'll
review
them in
table
format
within
that
vendor's
detailed
review.
Anti-Virus Software Review
Anti-Virus
Software*
(Rankings
- best, 5
symbols,
worst, 1
symbol)
|
Company
|
Best
For* |
Simple Start-Up |
Cost |
Time Savings |
Ease of Use |
Works With |
Support |
Features
|
Overall
Rating |
|
alwil |
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$1/2 |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYYY |
ppp |
iiii |
%%%% |
|
Avira |
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
Inc. |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYYY |
ppp+ |
iii1/2 |
Inc. |
|
BitDefender
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY1/2 |
pppp |
iiii |
%%%% |
|
Boomerang
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY |
ppp |
iiii |
%%%% |
|
Broderbund
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY |
pp1/2 |
iiii |
%%%1/2 |
|
Bullguard
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$1/2 |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY |
ppp1/2 |
iiii1/2 |
%%%% |
|
CA
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY |
ppp1/2 |
iiii |
%%%% |
|
Cosmi
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY |
ppp |
iiii |
%%%1/2+ |
|
F-Secure |
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY1/2 |
pppp |
iii1/2 |
%%%1/2+ |
|
Grisoft |
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY1/2 |
ppp+ |
iii1/2 |
%%%1/2 |
|
Intego
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$1/2 |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYYY |
ppp |
iiii |
%%%% |
|
Iolo |
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY |
pppp |
iii1/2 |
%%%1/2+ |
|
Kaspersky
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY |
pppp |
iiii |
%%%% |
|
McAfee
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹
|
@@@@ |
YYY |
pppp1/2 |
iiii+ |
%%%%+ |
|
Norman
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹
|
@@@@ |
YYYY |
ppp1/2 |
iii1/2 |
%%%1/2+ |
|
Novatix
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹
|
@@@@ |
YYY |
ppp |
iii1/2 |
%%%1/2 |
|
Panda Software
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$1/2 |
¹¹¹¹
|
@@@@ |
YYY |
ppp1/2 |
iiii |
%%%% |
|
PC Security Shield
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY |
ppp1/2+ |
iiii+ |
%%%%+ |
|
Symantec
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$1/2 |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYYY1/2 |
pppp |
iiii |
%%%% |
|
Trend
Micro
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$1/2 |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY1/2 |
pppp1/2 |
iiii1/2 |
%%%%1/2 |
|
Webroot
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY |
pppp |
iiii |
%%%% |
|
Zone Labs
|
ARP |
¹¹¹¹ |
$$$$ |
¹¹¹¹ |
@@@@ |
YYY |
ppp1/2+ |
iiii |
%%%
% |
* A =
Amateur,
R =
Rookie,
P =
Pro
alwil
Simple Start-Up
-
¹¹¹¹
alwil's anti-virus software is straight forward to download,
install and setup for use.
Cost
-
$$$$1/2
alwil offers a number of anti-virus options. Pricing is
outlined in the table below.
|
Software |
Price |
O/S
Supported |
Overview |
Features |
Compatibility |
|
avast! 4 (version 4.74) Professional Edition |
Pricing per
license - 1 license, 1 year $39.95, 2 years $57.94, 3 years $74.13, 2-4
licenses 1 year $33.95 per license, 2 years $49.24 per license $3 years
$63.00 per license, 5-9 licenses 1 year $28.25 per license, 2 years $41.94
per license, 3 years $53.63 per license10-19 licenses 1 year $24.95 per
license, 2 years $35.94 per license, 3 years $45.83 per license, 20-49
licenses 1 year $20.95 per license, 2 years $30.34 per license, 3 years
$38.79 per license, 50-88 licenses 1 year $17.95 per license, 2 years $25.94
per license, 3 years $33.13 per license, 100-199 licenses 1 year $15.09 per
license, 2 years $21.88 per license, 3 years $27.99 per license |
Windows 9x, ME, NT4 SP3, 2000, 2003, XP, Vista |
Anti-Virus Software |
-
Anti-Virus Kernel - almost 100% protection, ICSA certified
-
User Interface - memory test during program startup, MS
Outlook style interface, testing whole disks or selected folders,
defining and running of tests, actions on infected files, store scan
results, virus encyclopedia, log viewer, skin support, fun form Explorer
context menu, antivirus screen-saver, boot-time scan, command-line scan
-
Updates - incremental updates, automated, standard updates
twice a week, PUSH updates immediately when published
-
Resident protection - standard shield protects file system,
generic SMTP/POP3/IMAP4 scanner, MS Outlook plug-in, heuristic analysis
in email modules, script blocker
-
Web shield - monitor and filter HTTP traffic, acts as
transparent HTTP proxy
-
NNTP Scanner - scan newsgroups
-
Repairing - some direct repair, repair files using Virus
Recovery Database
-
More - task scheduler, news delivery system, four default
preset scanning tasks, set test details report files Outlook Express
archive unpacker
|
Microsoft Outlook,
POP3,SMTP, IMAP4 |
|
avast! 4 Home Edition |
Free |
Windows 95, 98,
ME, NT 4, 2000, XP, Vista |
Anti-virus Software |
- Antivirus kernel - nearly 100% protection, ICSA
certified
- User interface - memory test at program startup, test
whole disks or selected folders, actions with infected files, virus
encyclopedia, log viewer, skin support, fun from Explorer context menu,
antivirus screensaver
- Updates - incremental updates, automatic updates
- Resident protection - file system, generic
SMTP/POP3/IMAP4 scanner, MS Outlook plugin, heuristic analysis in email
modules
- Repair - limited direct repair, repair files using
Virus Recovery Database
|
Microsoft Outlook, POP3,SMTP, IMAP4 |
|
avast! Linux Home Edition |
Free |
Linux |
Anti-virus Software |
- Antivirus Kernel - nearly 100% detection, ICSA
certified
- User interface - independent of installed graphic
libraries, test whole disks or selected folders, define and run
antivirus tests, work with scan results, actions on infected files,
store scan results, virus encyclopedia, command-line scanner with STDIN/STDOUT
mode
- Updates - non-incremental updates, automatic updates,
standard updates twice weekly
- Other - SMTP alerts, works on all modern
distributions, shell scripts for common tasks
|
|
|
avast! Antivirus U3 Edition |
$19.95 for one year, $28.95 for two years |
U3 Smart Drives |
Anti-virus Software |
- On-demand scanning
- Virus shield for real time protection
- Scan host device
- Size optimized
- Speed optimized
- Updates
- Customization
- Multiple scan options
- Decompression of archive files
|
U3 Smart Drives
|
|
avast! Bootable Antivirus & Recovery Tools CD |
Pricing per license - 1 license, 1 year $299.00, 2 years
$358.00, 3 years $411.00, 2-4 licenses 1 year $259.00, 2 years $312.00, 3
years $360.00, 5-9 licenses 1 year $229.00, 2 years $275.00, 3 years $316.00 |
Pentium PC |
Anti-virus Software |
- Virus scanner - nearly 100% detection, ICSA
certified, archive format support, wizard, UNICODE filename support
- Healing - direct healing of macroviruses in
documents, removal of most infections
- Updates - incremental updates, can be burned to CD,
updated twice a week, use updated database when running CD
- Licenses - administrator, serviceman
- Registry editor - full read/write access to registry,
automatic scanning for installed OS, load specific registry file,
interface compatible with Windows Registry Editor
- Disk checker - scan and fix errors, works with HDD
and removable media, surface scan
- Command line - interface compatible with cmd.exe,
batch file support, start external Windows applications
- More - bootable CD, BARD CD shell for control, text
viewer/editor, UNICODE support, mouse support
|
|
|
avast! 4 PDA Edition |
Pricing per licenses - 1 license 1 year $19.95, 2 years
$28.94, 3 years $37.03, 2-4 licenses 1 year $16.95, 2 years $24.54, 3 years
$31.37, 5-9 licenses 1 year $13.95, 2 years $20.44, 3 years $26.28, 10-19
licenses 1 year $11.95 per license, 2 years $17.44 per license, 3 years
$22.38 per license, 20-49 licenses 1 year $9.95 per license, 2 years $14.64
per license, 3 years $18.86 per license, 50-99 licenses 1 year $8.95 per
license, 2 years $12.94 per license 3 years $16.53 per license, 100-199
licenses 1 year $7.49 per license, 2 years $10.88 per license, 3 years
$13.93 per license |
Windows CE, Palm |
Anti-virus Software |
- Antivirus kernel - nearly 100% detection, ICSA
certified
- Updates - automatic, only a few hundred bytes,
ActiveSync update support, GPRS updating available
- More - log viewer, works on all distributions
including SmartPhone, low memory requirements
|
|
Time Savings -
¹¹¹¹
If you've
ever had
an
intruder
"plant" a
worm or
other
destructive
software
on your
system or
had them
'takeover'
your CPU,
you'll
know that
anti-virus
software
is a
productivity
boost -
just in
PREVENTING
lost time
due to
data
destruction
and system
outages.
Ease of Use
-
@@@@
alwil's anti-virus software includes wizards to help you customize your
anti-virus software.
Works With -
YYYY
alwil offers products for Windows, Linux, Palm and Windows CE.
Support
-
ppp
The technical support area of the alwil web site includes a FAQ
and software forums where you can discuss your problems with other users.
If you need more help, tech support is available via email only.
Features
-
iiii
alwil offers some interesting anti-virus solutions. In
particular the U3 smart drive solution, BART CD solution for technicians and PDA
solution for both Windows CE and PALM handhelds and smartphones. Even
their free software for Windows and Linux include an anti-virus screensaver.
Overall
Rating -
%%%%
Even their free software isn't bad. If you
need anti-virus software for your PDA, or you're a technician - even better
solutions.
Avira
Simple Start-Up
-
¹¹¹¹
Avira's anti-virus software is straightforward to download,
install and use.
Cost
- Incomplete
U.S. pricing was not available for the Avira products - however,
AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic is a free download, AntiVir PersonalEdition
Premium is $20 Euro, and AntiVir Mobile is $19.89 Euro.
|
Software |
Price |
O/S
Supported |
Overview |
Features |
Compatibility |
|
AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic |
Free |
Windows 98, ME, 2000, NT, XP,
Vista
Linux
FreeBSD
Solaris
|
Anti-Virus Software |
|
|
|
AntiVir PersonalEdition Premium |
$20 Euro |
Windows 98, ME, 2000, NT, XP,
Vista
|
Anti-Virus Software |
- Graphic user interface
- Download server for updates
- POP3 scanner
- Scan function for folders and directories
- License manager
|
POP3 |
|
AntiVir Mobile |
$19.89 Euro |
Pocket PC 2002, Windows Mobile 2003 for
Pocket PC, Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, Windows Mobile 5, Windows
Mobile 6 (Professional Edition)
Symbian 7.0 - 8.1, Series 60 - Nokia 3230,
6260, 6600, 6620, 6630, 6670, 6680, 6681, 6682, 7610, N70, N72, Panasonic
X700, X800, Samsung SGH-Z600, SGH-D720, SGH-D730
Symbian 7.x, Series 80 - Nokia Communicator
9300 and 9500
|
Anti-Virus Software |
- Malware protection
- ActiveSync installation
- Informs of every detection
- 150 to 220KB in size
|
|
Time Savings -
¹¹¹¹
If you've
ever had
an
intruder
"plant" a
worm or
other
destructive
software
on your
system or
had them
'takeover'
your CPU,
you'll
know that
anti-virus
software
is a
productivity
boost -
just in
PREVENTING
lost time
due to
data
destruction
and system
outages.
Ease of Use
-
@@@@
Avira's software comes with graphical user interfaces for simple set up.
Once installed, they just "run".
Works With -
YYYY
Avira's free version works on Windows, Linux, FreeBSD and Solaris equipment, the
"paid" software is designed for Windows, Windows CD, Windows Mobile and Symbian
OS's.
Support
-
ppp+
The technical support area of the Avira web site includes online
manuals, user forums, FAQ's and downloads. If you need more help you can
get telephone support for an additional cost of 20% of the software itself.
Telephone support is available weekdays, from 7:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. in Germany,
Austria and Switzerland.
Features
-
iii1/2
Basic anti-virus
protection. Best solution is for mobile phones.
Overall
Rating -
Incomplete
Basic anti-virus protection plus support for
mobile phones.
BitDefender
Simple Start-Up
-
¹¹¹¹
BitDefender's anti-virus products are straight forward to install and set up for
use.
Cost
-
$$$$
BitDefender AnitVirus 2008 is priced at $24.95, Internet Security
2008 at $39.95 and Total Security 2008 at $59.95.
|
Software |
Price |
O/S
Supported |
Overview |
Features |
Compatibility |
|
BitDefender AntiVirus 2008 |
$39.95 for 1 PC for 1 Year, $49.95 for 2 PCs for 2 Years |
Windows 2000, XP,
Vista |
Anti-Virus
Software |
- AntiVirus Protection - real-time protection with
hourly updates
- Proactive Protection
- Anti-Rootkit
- Gamer Mode
- Privacy Protection
- Anti-Spyware
- Web Anti-Phishing Protection
|
|
|
BitDefender Internet Security 2008 |
$39.95, 1 user 1 year |
Windows 2000, XP,
Vista |
Security Suite |
- Real-time Anti-Virus Protection
- Proactive protection
- Anti-Rootkit
- Gamer Mode
- Privacy Protection, Anti-spyware
- Web Anti-Phishing
- Firewall Protection
- Wi-Fi Wireless Protection
- Protection form SPAM Email
- Email Anti-Phishing
- Parental Control
- Web Time Limiter
- Application Control
|
-
Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft
Outlook Express, Netscape, Pegasus, The Bat
-
Internet Explorer
|
|
BitDefender Total Security 2008 |
$59.95, 1 user 1 year |
Windows 2000, XP, Vista |
Security Suite |
- Real-time Anti-Virus Protection
- Proactive protection
- Anti-Rootkit
- Gamer Mode
- Privacy Protection, Anti-spyware
- Web Anti-Phishing
- Firewall Protection
- Wi-Fi Wireless Protection
- Protection form SPAM Email
- Email Anti-Phishing
- Parental Control
- Web Time Limiter
- Application Control
- Data Backup
- PC Tune-Up, Trace Clean-Up
|
-
Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft
Outlook Express, Netscape, Pegasus, The Bat
-
Internet Explorer
|
Time Savings -
¹¹¹¹
If you've
ever had
an
intruder
"plant" a
worm or
other
destructive
software
on your
system or
had them
'takeover'
your CPU,
you'll
know that
anti-virus
software
is a
productivity
boost -
just in
PREVENTING
lost time
due to
data
destruction
and system
outages.
Ease of Use
-
@@@@
All of the BitDefender products have easy to understand and use
user interfaces.
Works With -
YYY1/2
BitDefender's "standard" products are for the Windows
environment. However they also offer Linux/Unix freeware.
Support
-
pppp
BitDefender's web site includes a searchable knowledge base, downloads, a FAQ
and user manuals. If you need more help, you can use BitDefender's online
live chat service to contact tech support. Live Chat is available 24/7.
Features
-
iiii
BitDefender Anti-Virus 2008 provides
solid anti-virus and anti-rootkit/phishing protection. Internet Security
and Total Security add extras like firewall, SPAM protection, wireless
proteciton and more.
Overall
Rating -
%%%%
It's hard not to like the BitDefender
products. Solid features and functions, competitive pricing and a good
technical support strategy. Definitely should be on your purchasing "short
list".
Boomerang
Simple Start-Up
-
¹¹¹¹
Boomerang's
eXtendia
AntiVirus
AVK
Professional
is easy to
install
and
set-up.
Cost
-
$$$$
eXtendia
AntiVirus
AVK Professional is priced at $29.75 for the download, $29.95 for CD.
|
Software |
Price |
O/S
Supported |
Overview |
Features |
Compatibility |
|
eXtendia
AntiVirus
AVK
Professional |
$29.75 download, $29.95 CD |
Windows
98,
ME,
NT
4.0,
2000,
XP |
Anti-Virus
Software |
-
Automatically
removes viruses
-
Scans and
cleans incoming email
-
Automatically
performs daily virus identification updates
-
Protects
against viruses in compressed files - ACE, ARJ, CAB, LHI, RAR, ZIP and
others
-
Protects
against viruses, Trojan horses and malicious ActiveX code and Java
scripts
-
Protects
against macro viruses
-
Boot-sector
protection - scan system before you boot up the system
-
Recovers,
protects and restores applications and/or data files from deletion
and/or virus damage
-
Schedule
program and virus updates
-
Quarantine
isolat | |
