Antivirus Software: Reviews

Updated January 2012

The best antivirus software is effective, of course, but it also doesn't slow your computer to a crawl. Our analysis identifies several that are worth considering, including free antivirus programs that are surprisingly effective and programs that protect Mac computers from the growing number of attacks targeting that operating system.

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Best antivirus software

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012

*Est. $25 Compare Prices

Reviewers say Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 is the best antivirus software this year. It gets top marks from experts, including certifications from three well-respected testing labs. Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 earns excellent… expandmarks for removing malware and spyware, gets false positives very rarely, and uses fewer resources than it did in previous years. Scan times are particularly speedy, and the bright, user-friendly interface earns praise. However, Kaspersky's effect on boot times and memory usage is average. The program also had some issues removing scareware in a PCMag.com test. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

AV-comparatives.org: Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 is one of a handful of programs that earns AV-Comparatives.org's highest Advanced+ certification in both on-demand comparative testing and the more difficult proactive/retrospective test, which identifies how well antivirus programs identify threatening files that aren't included in the software's definition database.

AV-Test.org: The independent testers at AV-Test.org evaluate security software with an eye toward usability as well as virus removal and repair.

PCMag.com: PCMag.com's Neil Rubenking isn't quite as sold on Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 as the independent testing labs.

Virus Bulletin: Virus Bulletin is an independent testing lab that certifies security products for a variety of separate operating systems.

Download.com: CNET's Download.com awards Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 an "Outstanding" 4.5 (out of 5) rating.

AntivirusWare.com: Like Download.com, AntivirusWare.com relies on data from the independent testing labs in its antivirus reviews, supplementing that information with a first-hand system performance and interface analysis.

Walmart.com: Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 has amassed nearly 250 user reviews at Walmart.com, and the majority are highly complementary.

TopTenReviews.com: TopTenReviews.com's review of Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 is long and detailed, and it includes separate ratings for different aspects of the software, such as performance and features.

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Buy from Amazon for $15.40
Trinity Software for $24.00	UnbeatableS- ale, Inc. for $61.98	TigerDirect- .com for $49.99

Antivirus software for older/slower computers

Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus 2012

*Est. $40 Compare Prices

If you've got an older or budget computer with limited memory or storage capabilities, Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus 2012 should fit your needs. The software has been completely redesigned and recoded, and its impact… expandon system performance and resources is a fraction of its competitors; Webroot needs 128 MB of RAM and 10 MB of storage space to install. Expert testing shows it to be one of the most effective antivirus programs, despite its small program size. Webroot's light footprint is achieved in part because it relies heavily on virus definitions stored on Webroot's cloud servers rather than locally stored files on your computer. While that means protection is excellent when connected to the Internet, it can falter when offline. Also, false positives are an issue in one test, and a small number of users report that Webroot slowed performance on older, Windows XP computers. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

AV-comparatives.org: AV-Comparatives.org ran into trouble with the cloud-based elements of Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus 2012 and ended up disqualifying the program from certification consideration as a result.

Virus Bulletin: To receive certification from Virus Bulletin, an antivirus program must detect all viruses "during both on-demand and on-access scanning," according to the website.

PCMag.com: Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus 2012 earns an Editors' Choice award and splits best antivirus software duties with Norton AntiVirus 2012 at PCMag.com.

MaximumPC.com: Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus 2012 earns a 9 rating in this lengthy round-up of security software, but its reduced offline effectiveness leads Paul Lilly to give Norton Internet Security 2012 Maximum PC's Kick Ass award over Webroot.

Amazon.com: Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus 2012 boasts a high overall rating at Amazon.com, after more than 100 users check in.

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for $30.00

Security suite with antivirus software

Norton Internet Security 2012

*Est. $70 Learn More

Kaspersky might get the nod for standalone antivirus software, but among all-in-one security suites -- which combine antivirus software with spam filters, anti-spyware protection, firewalls and parental controls -- Norton… expandInternet Security 2012 gets top billing. Like Norton Antivirus, this security suite is easy to install and has a minimal impact on computer performance. Reviewers like that most operations occur seamlessly in the background. In addition to its excellent antivirus performance, experts say Norton Internet Security 2012 has a stellar firewall that blocks each intrusion in many tests. The suite also gets high marks for its anti-phishing and anti-spam performance. Although Norton's virus removal capabilities are also top-of-the-line, it has a penchant for misidentifying safe files as malware. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

AV-comparatives.org: Norton AntiVirus 2012 -- the antivirus component of Norton Internet Security 2012 -- manages to snag an Advanced certification from the highly respected AV-Comparatives.org in this on-demand comparative test.

AV-Test.org: Norton Internet Security 2012 earns certifications for both Windows XP and Windows 7 from the independent AV-Test.org lab.

PCMag.com: PCMag.com's Neil Rubenking heaps praise -- and an Editors' Choice award -- on Norton Internet Security 2012.

MaximumPC.com: Maximum PC evaluates 10 security suites and standalone antivirus programs and awards Norton Internet Security 2012 a 9 rating and a Kick Ass award as the best PC protector in the land.

Virus Bulletin: Norton Internet Security 2012 didn't perform as well in Virus Bulletin's independent testing.

Download.com: CNET's Download.com singles out Norton Internet Security, calling it "Spectacular" and awarding it a perfect 5 star rating.

Which? magazine: Which? magazine's review of Norton Internet Security 2012 isn't as thorough as the ones found at some of the more techcentric publications, but it touches on all the major points.

Amazon.com: A large number of users review Norton Internet Security 2012 at Amazon.com.

Free antivirus software

AVG Anti-Virus Free 2012

Free Learn More

Numerous reviewers say AVG Anti-Virus Free 2012 provides the most comprehensive antivirus protection available from a free program. Testing results are excellent -- the program receives certifications from Virus Bulletin… expandand AV-Test.org, praise and awards from Maximum PC and PCMag.com, and a rare Platinum Checkmark Certification from West Coast Labs. Few premium programs earn that many kudos, much less free programs like AVG. Aside from an increased PC start-up time, its impact on system resources is minimal. Critics say AVG struggles to get the details right, however; the interface is cluttered, and the software reports a lot of false positives. It also leaves a lot of nonactive remnant files from malware installed on your computer after neutralizing the active portions. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

AV-comparatives.org: AVG Anti-Virus Free 2012 manages to neutralize more than 95 percent of malware in AV-Comparatives.org's August 2011 on-demand comparative tests, but a high number of false positives -- 51, the third-highest total among evaluated programs -- keeps it from snagging the highest Advanced+ certification.

PCMag.com: Neil Rubenking hands AVG Anti-Virus Free 2012 an Editors' Choice award for best free antivirus software after the program posts high malware blocking and removal scores in his testing.

MaximumPC.com: Although AVG Anti-Virus Free 2012 doesn't rate quite as highly as some premium antivirus software, Paul Lilly dubs it "the King of Free AV" and gives it a solid 8 rating.

West Coast Labs: AVG Internet Security, which includes AVG Anti-Virus Free 2012, earns a rare Platinum Checkmark Certification from the independent researchers at West Coast Labs.

Virus Bulletin: AVG Anti-Virus Free 2012 earns a VB100 certification from Virus Bulletin for every operating system that it's tested on, something few other programs can claim.

Which? magazine: AVG Anti-Virus Free 2012 is one of several programs examined by this Britain-based Consumer Reports-esque publication.

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Best antivirus for Mac

Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac

Free Learn More

Although Macintosh operating systems aren't as vulnerable to malware as their PC counterparts, experts say Mac users should still protect their systems. This is especially true for Macs networked to computers running… expandWindows, or Macs that have both the Mac OS and Windows installed on their hard drives. Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac gets high marks because it is based on the same paid software designed for corporations. The program installs quickly, and reviewers like that it doesn't contain ads or upsell opportunities (a common complaint about free software). Automatic and on-demand scans are available, and the software protects against both Mac- and Windows-based malware. There are also a variety of customization options that help reduce system drag. Sophos doesn't offer telephone support, so you'll need to visit the user forums or online FAQs if you run into problems. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

SecureMac.com: SecureMac.com gives Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac a 5-out-of-5 rating.

About.com: Mary Landesman, the antivirus software guide at About.com, gives Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac a perfect 5-star rating.

Tech Talk: Philip Sellers says Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac meets all of his expectations.

CultOfMac.com: Giles Turnbull, who tests Sophos Anti-Virus for CultofMac.com, says the software has no noticeable impact on his computer's performance and runs unobtrusively in the background.

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