Top Rated AntiVirus Software
In the earlier days, viruses and spyware used to be much less dangerous. Today, they are able to cause real damage to the computer, steal important data such as credit card numbers or passwords, and even use the infected machine to spread spam and do further damage to other people while making it look like it's the infected user's fault.
Having a top quality anti-virus application is a must. Although the differences between them might be minimal, installing any of the top 5 anti-viruses will make a huge positive impact on your security level.
Must Have Features
Top rated anti-virus software must feature a couple of additional modules and capabilities such as spyware removal, malware detection, email protection, browser vulnerability monitoring, anti-phishing and most of all, real time protection against all of these threats. Without real time protection, none of the other modules will do users much good unless they were to scan their computer all day long.
This is why Internet Security Suites are definitely the best thing a user could buy. AntiVirus companies will include all of their standard modules but also add more extensive features such as real time internet protection, browsing filters as well as parental control. Internet security suites are slightly more expensive than their standard anti-virus versions, but they are well worth the cost. Since you are using the internet, consider acquiring one.
Computer Performance
Back when the computers were way slower and less powerful, first versions of anti viruses used to considerably affect their performance. The combination of a non optimized software application and a slow computer was really annoying. None of this is an issue today.
Top rated anti-viruses as well as newer computers are faster, more stable and a lot more reliable these days. User experience is completely preserved. In case that you do buy a good anti-virus or even a complete internet security suite, and still experience slow downs, please see the tuneup utilities guide before you consider upgrading your computer.
Scan Effectiveness
Anti-viruses can be packed with many cool sounding and sleek looking features, but if they are highly ineffective as far as actual scans are concerned, they are worthless. Effective protection is obviously the most important thing to look for.
Scans should be quick and thorough, with the ability to be scheduled and done in the background. They must not interfere with the user's computing experience in any way.
Frequency of Updates
Since new threats are appearing everyday, the company needs to follow up with very frequent virus definition updates. Outdated databases are also worthless because the new versions of viruses and any other malicious threats are designed to bypass security measures and stay completely invisible.
Top anti-viruses will usually provide daily automatic updates. Some of them even on an hourly basis.
Ease of Use and Support
The application will need to provide a clean user interface with detailed instructions in case that the user is not really sure what a specific option will do. Apart from comprehensive well written help files, tips, tricks and knowledge bases, the company must give full support to it's users 24/7 by phone and email, or even via real time chat directly on their website.
Compatibility
Does the application support your version of Windows? If not, everything that we've already covered goes out the window. The program needs to be able to run on both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.
If your operating system version is older than Microsoft Windows XP, you should seriously consider switching to Windows 7 or at least Windows Vista.
Top 5 AntiVirus Software - Table of Comparison
The following table of comparison will give you an idea of how much a top rated anti-virus application typically costs, what can it do for you and where to get it. Click on the names of the anti-virus products in order to go to their official home pages.
| Product | BitDefender Antivirus Plus | Kaspersky Anti-Virus | Symantec Norton AntiVirus | AVG Anti-Virus | ESET Nod32 Antivirus |
| Price (1 year) | $49.95 (3 PCs) | $59.95 (3 PCs) | $39.99 | $36,85 | $39.99 |
| Malicious Threats Removal | |||||
| Viruses |  |
|
|
|
|
| Spyware | |
|
|
|
|
| Trojans | |
|
|
|
|
| Worms | |
|
|
|
|
| Malware | |
|
|
|
|
| Rootkit | |
|
|
|
|
| Phishing | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Software Capabilities | |||||
| Advanced Scanning | |
|
|
|
|
| USB Detection | |
|
|
|
|
| File Quarantine | |
|
|
|
|
| Compressed File Scan | |
|
|
|
|
| Scheduled Updates | |
|
|
|
|
| Real Time Protection | |
|
|
|
|
| Operating Systems | |||||
| Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7 | |
|
|
|
|
| (32/64 bit) | |
|
|
|
|
| Customer Support | |||||
| Chat | |
|
|
|
|
| Phone | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|