Antivirus Software Review

Look for antivirus reviews backed by independent testing

This report covers antivirus software, which scans your hard drive, removable media, incoming and outgoing mail, email attachments and instant-messaging chats for malware -- viruses, worms and Trojan horses. Antivirus software is one component of Internet security. Reviewers say Windows computer users should also use a spyware scanner and a firewall to keep their computers safe. ConsumerSearch has separate reports on anti-spyware software, spam filters and firewalls. You can save time by choosing a security suite, which bundles all these features into one program (see our report on Internet security software for more information).

With most computer products, comparative professional reviews can be the best guide to the usefulness and relative quality of a product. However, with antivirus software, professional reviews only provide guidance regarding some of the major buying considerations. Few reviewers answer all three major questions: How effective is the program at preventing malware relative to the competition? Will the program make my computer perceivably slower? What problems am I likely to encounter if I buy and install this software? Common problems include installation and un-installation difficulties, software conflicts and incompatibilities (especially with other security programs) and inadequate tech support.

Most major technology reviewers have abandoned independent antivirus software performance testing. Instead, they rely on one or more of the third-party test labs, such as West Coast Labs, AV-Test.org, AV-Comparatives.org and Virus Bulletin, to gauge effectiveness. Those test labs are now the best sources for comparing the relative effectiveness of antivirus programs, although most don't offer details on the program's installation, interface or tech support. AV-Comparatives.org is one testing lab that provides comprehensive reports. In addition to effectiveness, AV-Comparatives.org discusses factors such as installation, ease of use and interface in its summary report.

PCMag.com and Maximum PC also stand out. Although both rely on results from independent labs, they conduct their own tests, and Maximum PC's includes factors such as annoyance, system performance and pricing. In some cases, their malware testing results differ markedly from the independent labs. Other technology sites, including Download.com (a service of CNET), have valuable reviews but don't conduct their own tests.

User reviews are a good guide to problems. Professional reviewers usually test programs on virtual machines instead of real-world computers, so they often don't encounter the problems that many users experience. That's why average user ratings often fall below professional ratings, making user reviews as valuable as many professional reviews in this category: If a program won't work on your computer, it doesn't matter how effective it is. Amazon.com, Newegg.com and Walmart.com are all good sources for user reviews, though the latest versions are only starting to attract feedback.

In our research, we found that market share and name recognition don't necessarily translate into effective antivirus products. Although critics say Symantec and Kaspersky -- two of the more established security firms -- deliver the goods, the popular McAfee Antivirus Plus 2012 (*Est. $35) receives only a single recommendation from the major reviewers. Although the program scores well in AV-Comparatives.org's On-Demand Comparative test, McAfee chose to sit out the organization's more demanding Retrospective test, which evaluates a program's ability to detect new incoming malware on the fly.