Anti-Virus Software Review

Kaspersky Antivirus 2011

Kaspersky provides real-time protection against viruses and spyware so users are assured of its efficiency and effectiveness. Kaspersky is an efficient virus scanner with additional benefits such as improving website and email scanning against spyware and malware. Identity theft is a common problem for internet users, Kaspersky, however, is able to combat this threat with its advanced technologies.

Kaspersky is also very flexible. Antivirus programs can be very annoying with its constant scanning updates and pop-ups, but Kaspersky offers a great deal of customization that allows users to select their favored settings and pace of scanning. Needless to say, Kaspersky is a user-friendly program. A new feature of this product is the Kaspersky desktop gadget which allows easy access of the program. Another is the vulnerability scan option in which it scans the operating system and applications and offer treatment advices for the vulnerable files.

Advanced technology also allows for installation of Kaspersky even on computers which are already infected. However, a down side to this is that the installation requires the users to uninstall other non-compatible security programs already available.

PROS:

• Clean interface
• Heuristic-based monitor
• Lightweight web-browsing protection
• Powerful scanning engine

CONS:

• Long installation process
• Slows down system performance
• Weak parental control

Avira Premium Security Suite

Avira offers protection while you surf by preventing malware, spyware, and viruses using real-time scanning and monitoring technologies. It also includes firewall for optimum online protection. For most users, Luke Skywalker is very efficient in detecting viruses both traditional and new. In fact, Avira Premium Security Suite gets the job done in terms of antivirus protection. It effectively cleans out all threats that most other antivirus software could not detect.

Aside from the superb antivirus protection, other key features include an antiphishing software, anti-drive by system for cleaning out malicious programs that come with downloaded files, Web Guard, anti-bot technology, antispam, game mode, and parental control.

The best feature of the Avira Premium Security Suite, however, is still its weight on the computer. Avira is the lightweight champion of antivirus programs; it provides fast scanning and monitoring methods in real-time, so users can really see how it does the task at hand. Avira also has a handy “scheduler”, which allows users to set the time for automatic scanning.

PROS:

• Lightweight
• Easy to use
• Organized look
• Real-time monitoring
• Configured to Control Panel and Windows Security Center
• Provides back-up system option
• Parental control

CONS:

• Complex installation method
• Requires updates, which are slow and take a lot of time to complete
• Luke Skywalker does not immediately show the files infected after scanning

Bitdefender Anti Virus Pro 2011

This product offers high-quality security complete with user-friendly interface and an effective use of resources. Bitdefender provides real-time scanning but does not use up a lot of resources so system operations can still go smoothly.

Bitdefender is not only a virus protection application. It can also optimize system performance by identifying programs that slow down your computer. The tune-up feature, then, efficiently speeds up the system while also protecting it from malicious threats.

A new feature of Bitdefender is its active virus control system that protects the computer from stealth threats.

The program is also easy to use, with several customizable options that give the users optimum control over the program’s processes.

PROS:

• User-friendly interface
• Provides safety ratings for search results
• Improved response time to new threats
• Selective file-scanning
• Flexibility

CONS:

• No help file included
• Annoying firewall pop-ups
• Mid-quality malware blocking and removal

ESET Smart Security

This product is relatively inexpensive than most of its competition. However, its effectivity should not be undermined. The most unique feature of the ESET Smart Security software is its advanced proactive protection. The technology blocks most known and undiscovered threats faster so as to prevent infection efficiently. Having a proactive protection is like having body guard while walking on a busy street that goes ahead of you to block out obstacles so you don’t have to deal with them.

ESET’s integrated anti-spam and firewall technologies also effectively clean internet and email traffic to speed up computer operations. The self-defense feature is also a useful feature that prevents certain malware from messing with the computer’s level of protection. On the other hand, file-sharing through removable devices causes a great percentage of unsuspected system infections. Since removable devices are usually plugged into several computers for file-sharing; therefore, several malicious programs and files can easily get transferred to several computers as well. As an added benefit, ESET stops threats from entering your system through removable devices. ESET, therefore, is a great way of reducing the risks that come with file-sharing. ESET Smart Security simplifies system diagnosis and recovery through the SysInspector and SysRecovery. However, these features uses advanced technologies and can be a bit complicated for the average user. Once used, however, these two features prove to be very useful in optimizing system operations.

PROS:

• Improved interface and keyboard shortcuts
• Battery mode
• Game mode
• Password protection
• Efficient virus scanner
• Relatively inexpensive

CONS:

• No web browser protection
• Poor performance of firewall
• Poor detection of newly-discovered malware
• Not easy-to-use

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