CA Antivirus 2007 Review

What the reviewers like:
Reviewers say the CA Antivirus is a very slim program, so it doesn't take up a lot of disk space, and it scans quickly. Unique among security-software manufacturers, CA warrants that users will not get a virus.

What the reviewers don't like:
Reviewers take CA to task to charging $29.95 for each call to tech support. In testing, CA Antivirus doesn't prevent all types of malware. In user reviews, customers report a wide variety of issues and give CA Antivirus a lower average rating than competing software.

CA Antivirus 2007 review highlights

According to reviews, CA Antivirus 2007 is controversial. Almost every reviewer reproaches CA for its $29.95 tech support calls. That's an especially big deal if the program prevents you from accessing the Internet or even booting, as happened to some users. On the other hand, CA Antivirus uniquely offers a warranty on its software. In lab tests, CA Antivirus gets mixed results. Only Consumer Guide rates CA Antivirus 2007 as one of the better programs, but it's unclear from this review how much editors actually tested the software.

CA (formerly named Computer Associates) is a leading manufacturer of security software, but we didn't find a comprehensive review of CA Antivirus 2007. CNet.com comes the closest; its review doesn't directly cover performance or compatibility, but is otherwise thorough and well balanced. Computer Shopper and Consumer Guide have short reviews of CA Antivirus 2007 that include some information of value to prospective buyers. Consumer Reports only has a review of last year's version of CA Antivirus.

Also see full report: Antivirus Software

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. CNet.com
CA Antivirus 2007: Review
Robert Vamosi
Nov. 15, 2006

In separate articles from September through November, Robert Vamosi reviews seven antivirus programs, including CA Antivirus 2007. CNet does not test effectiveness in preventing malware; it relies on independent lab tests for that, but Vamosi evaluates other factors of usage. Vamosi makes an assumption that CA's virus protection is among the best, but details many disadvantages nonetheless.

2. CircuitCity.com
CA Anti-Virus 2007 Reviews
Contributors to CircuitCity.com

Circuit City customers are invited to rate antivirus software programs in four categories. Users reviews for CA Antivirus 2007 are mixed overall, but due to the small number of reviews we found, no strong pattern of issues emerges.

3. Computer Shopper
Reviews > CA Anti-Virus 2007
Matthew Murray
Feb. 2007

In this short review Matthew Murray commends CA Antivirus' minimal use of system resources, but does not evaluate its ability to prevent viruses or co-exist with other security programs. A list of pros and cons concisely covers other buying considerations.

4. PC Magazine
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AV-Test.org Reports Stats from Antivirus Roundup
Larry Seltzer
May 22, 2007

The university-based AV-Test.org does not review products, but it tests security software and sells the test results to clients such as PC Magazine. PC Magazine commissioned a limited test that measured virus detection, but not removal, of leading antivirus software. CA Antivirus 2007 is not tested, but another CA program, eTrust-VET, is rated last of the 29 tested.

5. Consumer Guide.com
CA Anti-Virus 2007
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Mar. 20, 2007

Consumer Guide's short review documents no testing of the CA Antivirus 2007's ability to prevent viruses. It also fails to cover use of system resources or compatibility with other programs. The review focuses on installation and ease of use, and CA Antivirus isn't compared to any other antivirus software.

Also see full report: Antivirus Software

CA Antivirus 2007 Review