As anyone who owns a laptop or PC knows, good anti-virus software is essential to prevent viruses, worms, trojans or any other bugs. With so many anti-virus options on the market, it can be confusing to determine which is the most effective, which is why I have compiled an anti-virus software guide to help you choose the software that is right for your needs.
The following popular anti virus software options have been researched:
- McAfee
- AVG
- Avast
- Symantec
- Kaspersky
Prices, free editions, trials, pros and cons are given for each option – all you have do is then decide which anti virus best suits your business or home protection requirements!
1. MacAfee:
http://www.mcafee.com
MacAfee offers a range of home and business anti virus solutions, with excellent features and easy to use software. Scans run in the background and do not take much effort, and security features are also of excellent standard. There are a number of free trial options for download, including the popular Site Advisor, plus business products and free scan products.
Free Versions:
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McAfee SiteAdvisor™ – Full protection against internet threats, plus warnings of major threats
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Free Scan – Scans your computer for worms, trojans and other threats
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Virus Removal Tools – Removes all present viruses and threats
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Total Protection – 30 day free trial
Home Products:
http://home.mcafee.com/Default.aspx
McAfee Total Protection 2009:
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$49.99
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The ultimate easy-to-use, all-you-need, auto-updating PC protection.
McAfee Internet Security™ 2009:
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$44.99
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Revolutionary threat protection against Identity Theft, Viruses and more.
McAfee VirusScan® Plus 2009:
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$39.99
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The industry’s fastest threat detection programme.
Small Business Products:
http://www.mcafee.com/us/small/products/index.html
McAfee Total Protection Service
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$175 for five licenses and $3,000 for 100
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Includes anti-virus, anti-spyware, web security, and a desktop firewall.
Medium Business Products:
http://www.mcafee.com/us/medium/products/network_security/total_protection_secure_business.html
McAfee Total Protection for Secure Business
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$139.86 – $111.90 (11 – 100 nodes)
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Includes anti-virus, anti-spyware, web security, and a desktop firewall.
2. AVG
http://www.avg.com
AVG is one of the most popular anti virus options, and for good reason. Smoothly running the background and offering total protection against all known threats, AVG is easy to use and has an excellent free version available for download. The paid options include home and business security, with full features including safe search to ensure that your computer is kept safe at all times.
Free Versions:
- Basic Anti Virus Protection – Antivirus and antispyware protection
- AVG Identity Protection – Identity theft protection
- AVG Internet Security – Comprehensive real-time protection now with identity theft protection
Home Products:
http://www.avg.com/221
AVG Internet Security 8.5
- $49.99
- Identity Theft Protection, Safe Internet Surfing and Searching, Chat Protection, Antivirus, Antispyware, Anti-Spam, Anti-Rootkit and Firewall
Business Products:
http://www.avg.com/business-security
AVG Anti-Virus Network Edition
- Starts at $247.99 for 5 computers
- Antivirus and antispyware protection designed for Microsoft Small Business Server networks. Protecting everything including e-mail servers.
AVG Internet Security Network Edition
- Starts at $259.99 for 5 licenses
- Comprehensive protection designed for Microsoft Small Business Server networks. Protecting everything including e-mail servers
3. Avast
http://www.avast.com
Avast is a high quality home and business anti virus protection suite that offers excellent features, full anti virus options, scans, anti-spyware tools and more. It runs seamlessly in the background, and scans are done automatically – meaning you don’t have to remember to manually scan. Avast offers free anti virus for both home and office, which is downloaded once you register at the website. Software is then renewed once year, quickly and easily. This is one of the easiest and smoothest anti virus programmes available, and keeps threats down to the bare minimum.
Home Products:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
Avast Home Edition
- Free
- Continuous data protection against all types of malware and spyware. Includes ANTI-SPYWARE protection, certified by the West Coast Labs Checkmark process, and ANTI-ROOTKIT detection based on the best-in class GMER technology.
Business Products:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_professional.html
Avast Professional Edition
- Free 60 day trial, then R400 for 1 license, for 1 year
- Complete virus protection, offering full desktop security including a resident shield with anti-spyware technology.
4. Symantec
http://www.symantec.com/index.jsp
Symantec Norton anti virus is one of the most commonly installed anti virus programmes, and is often pre-installed on laptops and computers sold at shops such as Computer Mania or Incredible Connection. Despite it’s popularity and wide-spread use, Norton is known for being one of the most impossible programmes to remove, and is not known for being very user-friendly. This is a common entry level anti virus which less educated computer users use without experience or knowledge of other more effective programmes. Free trials of 30 days are available before users have to purchase the software.
Free Versions:
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Norton 360™ Version 3.0 – Comprehensive, automated anti virus and anti spyware protection
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Norton Internet Security 2010 – Fast anti virus, spyware and internet protection
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Norton AntiVirus 2010 – Total protection against viruses, spyware and other threats
Home Products:
http://www.symantec.com/norton/products/charts/comparison.jsp?pcid=os
Norton 360™ Version 3.0
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$69.99 per year up to 3 computers
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Comprehensive, automated anti virus and anti spyware protection. Includes complete anti virus features ideal for home use.
Norton™ AntiVirus 2010
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$39.99 per year for 1 computer
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Total protection against viruses, worms, Trojans, adware, spyware and other threats.
Business Products:
http://www.symantec.com/business/index.jsp
Endpoint Protection 11.0
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$33.39 – $54.18 per license (5 to 1,000 licenses)
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Stops malware such as viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, adware, bots, zero-day threats and rootkits, provides unmatched endpoint protection.
AntiVirus Corporate Edition
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$39.75 – $41.28 per license (5 to 1,000 licenses)
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Combines industry-leading, real-time malware protection for desktops and servers with graphical web-based reporting, centralized management and administration capabilities.
5. Kaspersky
http://www.kaspersky.co.za
A good anti virus software, this option offers all-round protection against viruses, worms, spyware and other known threats. Free 30 day trials are available, after which software must be purchased. Home and business options are available to suit specific needs – all offering good protection, with easy-to-use interface and minimal fuss. There is also an option for mobile protection – a must for those with smart phones!
Free Versions:
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Internet Security 2010 – Antivirus protection with a personal firewall and anti-spam filter
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Anti-Virus 2010 – Provides complete antivirus protection for browsing security
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Mobile Security – Protects smartphones from Internet attacks, malicious programs and SMS spam
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Enterprise Space Security – Protection for Workstations, File Servers, and Mail Servers
Home Products:
http://www.kaspersky.co.za/homeuser.html
Internet Security 2010
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$59.95
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Combines antivirus protection with a personal firewall and an anti-spam filter, preventing malicious code, adware, spyware, hacker attacks, dialers, spam and network fraud
Anti-Virus 2010
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$39.95
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Provides complete antivirus protection that allows you to surf the web safely and keeps your PC free of viruses, Internet and email worms, and Trojans
Internet Security Special Edition for Ultra-Portables
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$29.95
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Designed and customized to work on small and ultra-portable PCs, also known as Netbooks
Mobile Security
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$29.95
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Convenient and reliable solution that protects smartphones from Internet attacks, malicious programs and SMS spam.
Business Products:
http://www.kaspersky.co.za/business_products.html
Small Office Security
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$199.00
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Fast and easy installation, with sensible defaults that let you protect all your systems effortlessly
Total Space Security
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Price tbc
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Protection for workstations / smartphones / file servers / mail servers / Internet gateways
These are just five of the most popular anti virus programmes on the market. Of course, there are many others which some of you may be using with excellent results – and others that you may have tried, only to find it less than ideal. Ultimately, the best option to go with is the one that offers you the most beneficial features, at an affordable cost, with the least amount of effort and stress.
Which anti virus software do you use, and why?
Please take the time to comment :)
Update: I’ve featured NOD32 in another post, for a specific reason and I’ll mention why I left NOD32 off in a few days time.
one extra to add – Eset’s NOD32 – using it in two of our stores, looking after about 20odd pc’s.
Light on resources, regular updates, nice and fast scanning too.
Topnotch SA support too!
I must admit Naeem, I’m using ESET on my home computer and I’m really happy with it. The problem with this article is that there is so much anti-virus software out there, that to cover them all would take far too long. What I’m hoping is that lots of people will leave their opinions and I could do a follow up piece.
What did you use before ESET?
As a person working in the IT industry for the last 10 years, I have to say that NOD32 is by far the best AV product I have ever used.
Mcafee and Norton are TERRIBLE and the only other one in that article i would consider is Kaspersky.
Just my 2 cents worth…..
Been using NOD32 now for 3 years running and must say its really the best Anti Virus out there. Before NOD32 I used Macafee, it was not that bad but as the years progressed it started to become sluggish like Norton. Thats what I like about NOD32 is the fact that its lite on resources and there is updates daily and as mentioned local support is brilliant.
I would def say NOD32 is the best AV out at the moment. We use and resell it and have had not problems so far.
I hate Norton’s with a passion esp when it uses most of your system resources.
I used Symantec for ages until about 4 years ago. Kaspersky was not very good in the beginning, but have to say it improved year after year. I doubt if I will ever change. Not the cheapest to start with. Symantec is a resource glutton. License allows Home user to install on more than one PC.
Would like to mention that none of Kaspersky is free. Only have 30 day trials.
AVG is best free anit-virus.
Avast FTW! been using it without issue for over 3 years.
Used AVG and Kaspersky before (corporate) and havent had an issue but in my opinion not as nice as Avast.
McAfee? Symantec? You couldn’t pay me to use them.
I’m not sure you can call it a complete guide without at least a reference to the 900kg gorilla’s entry into this market.
I have been running Microsoft Security Essentials on my work machine since the beta came out and with it going out of beta recently, I have now replaced AVG free with it at home. It seems to have less of an impact on machine performance and has caught some trojans that tried to sneak onto my work machine, so I’m pretty happy with it.
Interesting responses, I’m not surprised to hear that a lot of you are saying that NOD32 is fantastic, it’s the anti-virus that I currently use and I’m thrilled with it thus far. Avast is great too and Kaspersky has also been a pleasure in the past, but not recently.
I guess it’s really hard to decide which anti-virus to use if you’re not a regular computer user, I often wonder how these poor SMME’s decide which one to use, I guess they take the word of their techie?
Got to say NOD32 all the way. Struggled for years with others (esp. Norton – that program gives your PC AIDS – ie. slow puncture). Now my whole office is on NOD32 and we have no issues ever. Its an absolute pleasure!
Ye PistolPete – I have to agree, I used Norton for a while and was just tired of the endless problems and resource hunger it presented me with.
@Chris RE: How PC luddites decide on AV S/W
In my experience, if a user has had a major issue (lost files etc…) they’ll buy the most expensive A/V for the sense of security.
If they need a copy of A/V because somebody non-technical told them they need it, they’ll pay money for which ever one the salesmen recommends. (DIE Norton!)
Otherwise if they consult their IT friend (everybody has an IT friend) they’ll end up getting a decent free one…
Ye, that’s similar to what I’ve heard – Fork out a ton of money for Norton, because it’s the one so many people talk about, argh. Quite scary to think that a simple email to a tech friend would result in a great anti-virus which will either be free or cheap, compared to a mass expensive!
ClamAV is from the opensource world. It available for Linux and Windows and operates on servers and PCs.
It integrates with Linux email servers to scan incoming and outgoing email. It integrates with Outlook to scan email on the desktop.
It has been shown that virus updates are as quick and often quicker than proprietary solutions.
I use it in my company and it has no noticeable effect on server or desktop performance.
Remember the Norton days. Even if you owned a 10 year subscription it would still pop up every day with the “your subscription expires in 3650 days – click here to renew your subscription”. What a joke
Lol @PistolPete – I do remember that!!!
@IITQ – I tried out ClamAV when it was first released and found that it didn’t pick up a trojan, which NOD32 did. I guess it was still early days when I was trying it out? I’m very happy with NOD32 though, so I’m not sure I’d retest ClamAV, seems like these anti-virus software packages get just one shot – hit or miss style!
I cant believe that Nod32 isnt on this list Chris :P
Honestly I have had a bit of a shady past with trojaning etc, and whenever it was against the bigger names like Norton/mcafee/KAV and most of them were really a joke to get around (basic checksum changes got the payload through) but Nod32 when I first heard about it a couple of years ago, i tried it and it was solid, fast and quite secure.
I know every1 has their own taste, but NOD32 is def the 1st thing I install when I reinstall Windows :P
Sjoe..I initially looked at the list and didn’t see NOD32 which got me worried because that’s what we use. Then I saw all the comments about how good it is so I feel much better now! :)
I like Comodo Internet Security:
* All-in-one Firewall & Antivirus
* Defends your PC from Internet attacks
* Detects and eliminates viruses
* Prevents malware from being installed
* Easy to install, configure and use
* Free to both business and home users
http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/free-internet-security.php
Yup, looks like NOD32 is the one that everyone’s punting here :)
@Ruark – Don’t under estimate me mate, could have been a reason for that ;)
AVG announced its V 9.0 product release on 10/6 promoting softer that is faster, safer, and easier to user. It provides real-time safe surf capabilities through AVG LinkScanner(r) among a number of enhancements. This includes free access to home users of Identity Theft Recovery Unit services in case of identity theft.
http://www.avg.com/us-en/home-small-office-security
@Craig – Have you tried it out?
AVG is by far the best. Kaspersky is close second.
visit http://www.avgsecurity.co.za
@freddie – You gota tell us why it’s the best please, we’re all looking to understanding these anti-virus systems – help us understand! :)
http://www.crn.com/security/ to see what CRN is saying about the product.
This has been a fantastic thread, so great to see everyong sharing their views.
Should I run a poll?
Great web site to visit at leisure is AMTSO.org (Anti-malware Testing Standards Organization). The Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO) was founded in May 2008 as an international non-profit association that focuses on the addressing the global need for improvement in the objectivity, quality and relevance of anti-malware testing methodologies.
This links leads to some pdfs on best practices for testing/evaluating security software http://www.amtso.org/documents.html
If evaluating security SW (or in polls): it’s important to do “like vs. like” Free vs. free, consumer versus consumer, for example. Consumer suites versus Business security suites don’t make sense.
I am running windows 7 64bit and I am using Microsoft Security Essentials. I havnt had a problem with it yet although the GUI could be a little better. MSE is also quite light on resources and scans fairly quickly :)
I haven’t tried Windows 7 yet, but MS sent me a copy via a connection, so the CDs sitting on my desk, I just need to find the time; One thing though, the official release comes out fairly soon, so I might wait for them to send me an official copy before I move..
Microsoft Security Essentials is not specific to Windows 7; it work on XP and Vista as well.
Ye Steve, absolutely true, I just prefer to be able to make comparisons when I’m on the same environment, especially when it’s an operating system which is new.. :)
Not surprised you’ve picked up heat for levaing out NOD32 – why did you, seeing as you use it?
Simple reasons why I switched to it and happily pay for 3 machines at home each year:
* It has never missed one virus in the wild so far (afaik)
* I hardly notice it is there
* Updates are small and fast
* A lot of techies I know swear by it.
When it comes to security products I’d rather have a commercial relationship with a supplier – at least I know I can sue the SOB if there is a ever a serious problem.
From a long search that took me deep inside the Norton website after I got my new PC last year… I bring you…
The Norton Removal Tool!
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039
Works a charm.
Also, I installed Win 7 RC on my NB100 netbook and it worked great. Until I put AntiVir (my preferred free AV) on. Made it just about unresponsive. Scrolling down a window took about ten seconds. So I tried AVG. Same thing. So I thought bugger it, I’ll be careful. Can always format and reinstall. And then Win Security Essentials came along a few weeks ago. It promised a light footprint, and I figured it would play nicely with Win 7 so I tried it.
Works a charm, my system barely notices it. So big up to Windows Security Essentials.
@Dave – I’ll reveal the reason for leaving out ESET at the end of next week ;)
@Nick – Haha, that’s a great tool indeed! Ouch, I’ve been there before, there’s nothing worse than having a computer completely die from memory resource sucking! Nice to hear that Win Security Essentials are working so well, thanks for sharing that mate! :)
Yep – rather odd that NOD32 / ESET Smart Security is left out here…
@Pan – Are you an ESET user?
@Chris M – Yeah – been using it for a number of years now and have done numerous comparative studies. Each of the products have their strengths (and weaknesses) – and out of the whole lot of them, NOD32 seems to outshine the lot! There are one or two issues with it I must admit, but as an IT professional and a PC resource abuser, having NOD32 on my system I have peace of mind and at the same time I have the power I payed for when buying my PC.
Thanks Chris for this excellent guide as to which anti virus software best suits my business and home protection requirements.
Personally I use the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, always have always will, was referred by friends and colleagues and it’s really working out well for me.
I mean I almost have no worms or viruses whatseover ;-)
@myphotographer just note that you may not use AVG free for bussiness purpose.
Quote:
* AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition may only be used on one computer for personal use.
This has turned into such a fantastic thread, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to come and share valuable experiences with the anti-virus softwares.
It’s threads like this that present social media as something that can really result in both brand recognition as well as customer feedback!
AVG’s AVG Free Anti-Virus 9.0 is now available to download. See my earlier post on some of this free.avg.com . It has LinkScanner included, as well. linkscanner.avg.com to read about linkscanner and to download and use for free (home) to work with your current product (it’s part of AVG Free and other AVG products)
In my experience, Norton and McAvee are not worthwhile at the moment. Kasperski is still widely used, but I don’t have personal experience with it. Avast works well, but I’ve had some technical issues with Avast, likewise with the Comodo Suite of products (both free editions…). I have foun d that it’s best to stay away from AVG. Like McAvee, AVG tends to miss quite a number of viruses.
I’ve recently installed Windows 7 and found a product, called BullGuard Internet Security which is quite impressive. It updates every couple of hours and their support team responds within the hour. For someone from Southern Africa that is quite amazing. The products also have very little performance impact and each purchase of the suite is licenced for 3 PC’s. (for about $70.)
Hi Rudolph, thanks so much for coming and sharing your experience, I’ve not heard of BullGuard Internet Security, but from what you say, I think I should have a look at it and see what it’s all about – $70 for 3 licenses is a good deal too!
For those of you who were interested, this is why I left ESET NOD32 off the list – http://imod.co.za/index.php/2009/10/21/i-took-1st-place-in-the-avg-anti-virus-seo-competition/ :)
Hi There, great thread. I’m a journalist working in the UK and writing an IT-related column for two South African newspapers. I’m particularly keen on good, free software as it helps many a poor South African when they don’t have to fork out for software priced in US$!!
Problem is I recently wrote about Microsoft Security Essentials and gave a link to downlaod it – http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/ . When my readers try this link, they are told it’s “not available in your country” however I can see from this thread that some of you are using MSE in South Africa – can you please help a lot of people by telling me how you downloaded it / obtain it and what, if any, trouble you had? Much appreciated – Thanks!
Hi Andrew,
When I click through to the link you provided, there is a download button, but instead, I selected my operating system from the right under “Operating Systems” and it popped up a link for download and allowed me to download the file – I’m not going to install it as I’m already running anti-virus software, but possibly you could try for your readers?
@ Chris M: Thanks so much for trying. I am very glad that you were able to download the MSE software. Before committing myself in the press though, I wonder if anyone would be so kind as to download and install MSE so I can see if the installation fails during the install process once it detects the locale as South Africa? Nobody responded to my column, which gave the link as in my first post, saying they were able to install successfully, and I need to understand why before committing the info to the papers again!
Hi Chris & Andrew
I tried that link, but also get the country restriction message – Chris – who’s your ISP here?
I really want to try this software in a VM and see how it compares to ESET.
any other links out there?
Update:
Just managed to get it to download by going through Google’s cached page.
Hi Jon, Thanks for your post – could you confirm you installed MSE OK once it was downloaded? My column is aimed at non-techies so I will probably tell them to download MSE from another site such as http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Microsoft-Security-Essentials.shtml — but I need to know it will install and update properly if installed in South Africa. Please let me know your findings. MSE is a great product, by the way.
I’ve downloaded and installed MSE from filehippo.com and installed it on three different PCs, all in SA.
All works fine as far as I can tell.
Just stick it in anyway, if it doesn’t work you’ll get lots of comments on your post, like on this one :P
Ah, well that’s good news! Thanks for letting us know @Nick. @Andrew – Have you had any luck?
I’ve not had any luck as such (other than the good fortune of coming across this fine blog!) — because I’m sitting here in London. I had no trouble downloading MSE but my readers in SA reported lots of trouble from the same link. SO I wanted to confirm a working link and working install file before responding to them. Seems like we are nearly there. @Nick : could you send me a link to the file you downloaded successfully? Also, could you confirm your PCS are set to South Africa as locale (many are left set to USA by default) – sorry, being extra cautious – this goes into the Cape Times and the Mercury in KZN so not keen to make a big mistake!
@Jon – I’m on an IS ADSL account..
@Andrew – Ah, so you’ll mention iMod in the Cape Times will you :)
@Chris M – it would be my pleasure – but I’ll need firm answers first (hoping these will be posted) – a publically accessible URL to download MSE, and confirmation it downloaded on a South African ISP connection, validated on genuine Windows and updates and runs normally.
@Andrew
As this sounds like a fairly official article you are writing, I would be hesitant to recommend a product that Microsoft clearly doesnt support for SA users.
I have managed to install it and get it updating on a test machine, but only after getting the file from a non-MS source.
I wonder if MS are going to eventually close this loophole, cos they obviously dont want this market using their product. Yet.
Thoughts?
I have to admit – the fact that they don’t list “South Africa” in their drop down menu does make me agree with @Jon when he says “I wonder if MS are going to eventually close this loophole, cos they obviously dont want this market using their product. Yet.”
I completely see your point – but need to close the door on this in the best possible way. If there’s an easy way for users to legally download and install MSE, I need to tell them this alternative — while at the same time explaining why they are not able to obtain the MSE software through the normal means (MS website).
PC Magazine reviewed both AVG Anti-Virus Free 9.0 and AVG Internet Security 9.0 in late October. These were separate articles. The author preferred AVG Anti-Virus Free to MSE. People can google the articles.
Find us some links please Craig, this is very relevant! Mind you, we’re trying to solve this download problem!
Must admit, I’ve gone AVG over MS and am very happy with my decision :)
Here are some links. With respect to the download problem, I would post it to AVG’s CNET Forum http://forums.cnet.com/avg-forum/?tag=rb_mtx;f06-fd
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2355028,00.asp
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354823,00.asp
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=5334&review=AVG+9.0+Anti-Virus+Free+Review
With respect to download problem. I would post to AVG’s CNET Forum http://forums.cnet.com/avg-forum/?tag=rb_mtx;f06-fd
PC Magazine review of AVG Internet Security 9.0
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2355031,00.asp
PC Magazine review of AVG Anti-Virus Free 9.0 . I’ve had to do this in pieces because having all listed in one submission didn’t “stick”
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354825,00.asp
Thanks for all the information Craig, going to see if we can get down to the bottom of this! :)
If the issue hasn’t been submitted to AVG, it should be put on CNET. AVG does monitor that site. http://forums.cnet.com/avg-forum/?tag=rb_mtx;f06-fd
ESET is by far the best AV solution to date doesnt drain your machine! And background updates are a bonus. I work for a big enterprise in SA and find that we wouldnt use any other technology. And it saves me time to read ya blogs.