If you search Google for information on the best antivirus and you will get a whole host of information about the latest software available to protect your PC from threats. This is great, but the reality is that some of it is biased. Spoof websites which appear genuine are often not, and review websites are sometimes given kickbacks by the software providers. This means that it is hard to determine which information to rely upon.
What Do I use?
Kaspersky – I have Kaspersky Internet Security on my home laptop. It is relatively affordable (about £40) and seems to offer a great deal of protection without using too many system resources. The interface is simple and I have never had a virus! What more do you want? RATING 4/5
PRO’S - Good protection without using too many system resources.
CON’S - Well, there don’t seem to be any so far. The interface isn’t as clean as others, but it really does do what it says on the tin. The only query I have with Kaspersky is why do they offer 2 products? Namely, Kaspersky Internet Security and Kaspersky Antivirus. Surely the 2 go hand in hand. I mean, if I get a virus it’s likely to come from the internet. Just a money spinner if you ask me!
ESET NOD 32 – Despite having a very strange name and a very strange graphic of a metal robot on the box, this antivirus is very refreshing to use. The interface is intuative and attractive and the virus database updates daily without being intrusive to your PC usage. Cost is reasonable.
PRO’S – Simple to use, easy to install and gets to work fast.
CON’S - None come to mind. RATING 4/5
BitDefender - I have this on my main home PC. Personally, I don’t really like it. The antivirus itself does the job. I’ve never had a proper infection on my PC. The drawbacks are that the software seems intrusive. I often get pop-ups and messages about scanning my drives. I don’t want that. The software costs from £30. RATING 2/5
PRO’S - It does what it is supposed to do.
CON’S – Personally I don’t feel at home using the interface. It’s very red and angry and the pop-up messages get on my nerves.
Mcafee – I was given this as a trial when I bought my Sony Vaio and I have it on my work PC. The software appears very intelligent. It really does just get on with the task in hand without being intrusive or ever seeking for your attention. If you do get a virus then Mcafee calmly notifies you and gets rid of it. The only reason I didn’t extend the license when the trial ran out was because it would have cost me £50. A little steep in my opinion. RATING 4/5
PRO’S - By far the best I have used. Low on resources and not intrusive.
CON’S - For me, just a little too expensive. That’s all.
AVG Free Edition – I has this as a student. It never failed me – ever – and that is good going when you consider what I used to do with my laptop at the time (share with friends, let people put music on it, watch a bit of blue perhaps!). AVG Free served me for about 3 years. It got rid of a good few viruses. The only thing I noticed about AVG Free is that it was rather intensive on memory. Now, this could be down to the computer it was run on too, but overall, a superb package for absolutely no money. RATING 4/5
PRO’S - It’s a FREE antivirus which works very well.
CON’S - It appeared to use lots of memory when it did a scan and the odd advert for the ‘paid for’ edition came up occasionally.