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1) Editor's Choice: BitDefender
Softwin, which owns BitDefender, has been around since 1990, and boasts an international team of technical experts who strive to continually improve software and respond to new threats. BitDefender's products provide protection to home office users, family computers, small businesses and corporate users in 200 countries. Their products include anti-spyware, anti-virus, anti-spam and parental control options, all of which are available in a variety of products they offer. They also offer 24/7 customer care and cater to every kind of operating system, from Windows to Linux.
They offer a variety of products with a range of prices: Mobile Security for "smart phones" is $19.95 annually; the mid-range basic household package, Antivirus 10 is $39.95; and the heavy-duty package, Internet Security 10, runs $69.95 for two computers for two years.
CNet gives BitDefender a "Good" ranking of 6.8 out of 10 for its low price and flexibility, but it lost points for being slower than the competition and difficult to uninstall. PC World, on the other hand, ranked BitDefender as its No. 1 antivirus software in 2006, giving it a "Superior" rating of 92 out of 100. The rating was for performance, ease of use and features, but again it lost points for being sluggish.
2) Kaspersky
Founded in 1997 by Eugene Kaspersky, the Moscow-based company has had great success leading the industry in anti-virus protection. Kaspersky has won many awards, including a "highly commended" distinction by SC Magazine in April 2007 in three categories: Best Anti-Malware Solution, Best SME Security Solution and Security Product of the Year. German magazine ComputerBild also recognized Kaspersky as the most compatible anti-virus software for Windows Vista.
Kaspersky's basic anti-virus package for the home user, the Anti-Virus 6.0, offers both reactive anti-virus and spyware detection as well as proactive protection against malware, spam and malicious programs. This package costs $49.95 for one year, up to $99.95 for three years.
For the more advanced home user, Kaspersky offers Internet Security 6.0, which includes a personal firewall and proactive protection from spam, spyware, hacker attacks and viruses. It also detects computer usage and suspends scans during periods of high usage, so you never have to worry about your virus protection slowing the performance of your machine.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal 5.0 comes in at No. 3 on PC World's Top 10 Antivirus Software companies. Its 85 of 100 rating was awarded for "Superior" performance and "Good" ease of use and features. The magazine applauded Kaspersky for having the "fastest response to new malware outbreaks."
CNet gave Anti-Virus 6 a "Good" rating of 6 out of 10. They enjoyed its superior virus protection and the fact that Kaspersky offers a free version of its software. On the negative side, CNet remarks that the interface is "a bit complicated."
3) Norton Anti-Virus
Owned by global security giant Symantec, Norton Antivirus is by far the most popular and widely used security system in the United States.
Norton offers a small range of products for the home user, small business owner and large corporation with 1000+ users. The sparest package, Norton Antivirus 2007, blocks spyware and viruses for $39.99 annually; the inclusive Norton 360 offers protection against all threats from identity theft to spam and Trojans. It costs $69.99 annually for three computers, or $134.99 for two years.
In their 2006 review, PC World ranked Norton's standard package, Norton Internet Security (at $39.99) No. 5, with 80 out of 100 points. The rankings were all "Good" but none "Superior." CNet put Norton 360 in its top spot in 2006, with 8 out of 10 points. They noted its subtlety, and called it "mercifully light on system resources." The negative things they pointed out are that Norton is not compatible with Mozilla Firefox or Opera, does not include security for wireless Internet and has no secure storage for password and credit card information.
4) McAfee
McAfee is another big name in Internet security and a large competitor for Norton Antivirus, although their prices are virtually the same.
McAfee's basic program, Virus Scan Plus, offers antivirus, firewall and antispyware protection for one year for $39.99; the median package, Internet Security Suite, offers sufficient protection for the casual user at $49.99 per year; and the top-of-the line product, Total Protection, goes so far as to back up important files such as pictures and music for $59.99 per year.
McAfee's Virus Scan software came in at No. 2 after BitDefender on PC World's list of the best antivirus software 2006, with 87 of 100 points. Performance was rated "Superior," and ease of use and features were "Very Good." CNet rated McAfee's Total Protection at 7.3 out of 10, a rating of "Very Good." They noted the range of protections the package offers and the addition of wireless security. Problems noted were a lack of a cohesive interface and focus, with tools split between two menus.
5) F-Secure
Based in Helsinki, Finland, F-Secure has been in the computer protection business since 1988. The company offers protection for the family computer, to home office users all the way up to corporations with large numbers of telecommuters spread all over the map. F-Secure's easy-to-use interface allows for intuitive installation and updates, but allows advanced users a range of options as well.
F-Secure only supports Windows operating systems, including 2000, XP Home, Professional and Media Center editions. In February 2007, F-Secure began offering protection for Windows Vista users as well.
A one-year, one-computer subscription to F-Secure's Be Sure virus protection software costs EU$74.90. A three-year subscription for up to three computers is EU$129.00. The software includes protection from viruses, spyware, phishing and spam along with a parental control setting.
CNet gave F-Secure's Internet Security 2006 suite a "Very Good" rating of 7.3 of 10. They applauded its comprehensive package with a price smaller than any of its competitors and its user-friendly interface. Problems noted included slow reboot times and the lack of an anti-spam toolbar.
PC World gave the $40 F-Secure Anti-Virus 2006 a score of 83 of 100, a "Very Good" rating. The magazine noted its "Superior" performance and "Good" ease of use and features. PC World also noted its response time to new threats and its breaking news system that informs users of new issues.
6) Shield Anti-Virus 2007
PCSecurityShield offers protection against viruses, hackers and privacy threats to help keep you and your family surfing safely. Shield also offers free technical support and an Easy Installer that make downloading and installing the software easy for the home user.
With only one package to choose from, the $29.99 per year Shield Antivirus 2007 might be the answer for the casual user looking to protect his or her family computer with an affordable piece of software. It offers protection from viruses and hackers, but not against worms, spyware or other more advanced threats.
Shield Antivirus was not on PC World's Top 10 list in 2006, and CNet has not reviewed the product.
7) Protector Plus
Proland Software offers virus protection with its Protector Plus package, compatible with Windows Vista, XP, Me, 2000 and Netware. Protector Proland is proud of its team of experienced engineers, who have been working on anti-virus software and computer protection programs since 1989.
The Protector Plus 2007 edition has been re-designed with an easily navigable interface geared toward first-time users. Proland says its software is continually updated as long as the computer is connected to the Net, and it scans programs in real time.
The Submit Sample feature allows a user to send a suspicious file to Proland for evaluation via the user interface. Proland can then determine whether the file is infected and what course of action a user should take. Protector Plus also performs Virus Database updates every day, scanning for new viruses and releasing emergency updates whenever a new virus is detected.
You can download a free 30-day trial of Protector Plus at the Proland website, or purchase a year-long desktop subscription for $29.95. A year-long server subscription is $249.95.
Neither CNet nor PC World have reviewed Protector Plus.
8) DefendGate
Canada-based DefendGate offers everything from protection against viruses and identity theft to office productivity suites and desktop accelerators.
The DefendGate ID Theft Protection package protects against key-loggers and fraud attacks while you're surfing the Net. It creates digital fingerprints that prevent others from submitting information under your name, and it prevents your computer from storing cookies that could be used to collect your personal information. In addition, it protects against viruses, pop-up ads and offensive material. It can also be set to scrub your search trail for increased privacy. The price is not listed on DefendGate's website.
The SmartFix Security Center 2007 offers a fairly comprehensive package for the serious user. At $15.98 per customer, or $29.99 for three customers, the price is right. SmartFix offers live updates, anti-spyware software, a firewall, the IntruShield, which protects against unknown security threats and hackers by allowing only trusted programs to run, and a "file shredder" that you can use to permanently erase files and documents from your hard drive.
CNet and PC World have not reviewed DefendGate.
9) PC DoorGuard
This program is PC DoorGuard is designed for those looking to protect their email from spam, viruses, Trojans and worms. PC DoorGuard boasts the ability to find and eliminate Trojans, even if they were already on the computer.
PDG offers weekly updates of its Trojan databases to protect against new threats, and it edits the registry and monitors all ports into and out of your computer for threats to your email. PDG is Windows-compatible and runs at $29.95 for one computer. A $70 family-pack covers four computers for one year.
10) CA Antivirus
On its website, CA Antivirus says it provides software to 98 percent of Fortune 500 companies and boasts that it was the first antivirus software to be awarded certification with Microsoft Vista in 2007. CA is so confident in its product that it offers consumers insurance against a program failure.
With Anti-Virus, at $49.99 per year for three computers, you receive up to $1,500 protection against damage caused by viruses. The Total Internet Protection package, at $69.99 per year comes with the $1,500 in virus protection and an additional $5,000 in identity theft protection.
CA did not make PC World's Top 10 Anti-Virus Software list in 2006. CNet gave it a rating of "Good" at 6.4 out of 10. CNet's complaint was that CA could be fooled into thinking a compromised machine was safe, and it only protects against basic malware without spyware protection.
