Best AntiVirus Software Review

Today, an unprotected computer isn’t just vulnerable, it’s probably already infected. New viruses, spyware, trojans, worms and other malware debut every day. New threats are disguised to bypass other security measures and specifically designed to catch your PC off guard. The virus landscape has also changed. Viruses that used to be annoying pranks have evolved into pernicious threats capable of destroying your computer and stealing your identity. The benefits of installing a basic security solution on your PC are obvious, but the cost in system slowdown used to make it tough to bear. Luckily, modern antivirus software haven’t just improved their level of protection, they’ve significantly improved resource efficiency and overall speed. You can have ultimate protection without giving up your resources. With advanced technologies and straightforward usability, antivirus software is more effective than ever. Say goodbye to annoying security warnings and noticeable slowdown; current antivirus programs deliver constant protection and can actually speed up your computer.

The last generation of antivirus software brought advanced heuristic detection into the mix. Continuing to improve, the current lineup of antivirus products often incorporate further developed proactive protection with better behavior checking and file-reputation analysis. Several of the products incorporate in-the-cloud security and other advanced technologies to increase safety and convenience. From gamer modes to battery saving settings to integrated web-link scanners, antivirus applications are more versatile and have upped the ante for features and functionality.

On this site you’ll find a side-by-side comparison of the best antivirus software, helpful articles on computer security, security tips and tricks, buying guides, videos and comprehensive reviews to help you make an informed decision. Three antivirus software products achieve the best test results from AV-Test: Bitdefender Antivirus, Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Panda Antivirus Pro.

• How to Remove/Prevent Viruses
• Top Rogue Scanners to Avoid
• Worm or Virus…What’s the Difference?
• Is Antivirus Software Enough?

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

Antivirus Software: What to Look For

All security software is not created equal. Like all consumer products, antivirus software has the good, the bad and the mediocre. The choices for antivirus protection are many and varied. We feature the best antivirus software available today from a number of providers and compare them. When it really comes down to it, effectiveness and usability can either make or break antivirus software. Our top-ranked antivirus software combine optimal security with user-friendly features and tools.

Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS uses to evaluate and compare antivirus software:

Scope of Protection
While most security solutions tout multi-layered protection and 360-degree defense, some are more thorough than others. The best antivirus solutions will include traditional protection from viruses, worms, Trojans and spyware, but should also include defense from keyloggers, phishing scams, email-borne threats and rootkits. While antivirus programs are by no means full-blown internet security suites, they should protect from as many threats on as many fronts as they can.

Effectiveness
Antivirus is specifically designed to protect your computer, so if it doesn’t do that well, what good is it? All the features, bells and whistles and sleek interfaces can’t make up for poor performance. We look at results from the industry-standard security software testers and professional security organizations to find the most effective software available.

Ease of Installation and Setup
Security software shouldn’t be a chore to install and should have you protected as soon as possible. From download to install, to the first scan, implementing antivirus software should be quick and easy.

Ease of Use
Antivirus software is complex stuff, but shouldn’t require a degree in computer security. The best security programs have all the features security experts want, but are just as easiy for a beginner. Everyday computer users want a security solution that they can install and forget about; software that doesn’t require constant maintenance or have annoying interruptions. The best antivirus software is flexible enough to do exactly what you want to (even if that means running by itself).

Features
A well-rounded feature set takes a security solution from good to great. More than bells and whistles, added features provide security, usability and performance benefits.

Updates
Security software is only as good as its latest update. Viruses are being identified and added to signature databases all the time. So it’s important that your virus definition list updates accordingly. Modern antivirus software are equipped with automatic updates that perform regularly enough that you get faster updates that don’t slow down your system. The best security providers push updates to you as soon as they’re available.

Help & Support
The best software doesn’t require reading an in-depth manual to use, but still has one available. For specific questions, troubleshooting and additional help, the best antivirus manufacturers provide superior product support online and off. Additional support for software may come in the form of assistance over the phone, email, live chat or through a number of additional resources (knowledgebase, FAQs, tutorials).

A well-balanced antivirus solution is effective, efficient and easy to use. Combining all the right features with a usable interface, our top antivirus software choices deliver the best security and usability without a serious investment in time, money or system resources.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™