PHStrawberrry
Forum Veteran
Update status ✓
Removed both McAfee & Norton
New reviews/information regarding each and every antivirus on this thread.
Please note that the Antiviruses labeled "Internet security" has their
own built in Firewall.
Added bonus features for each and every antivirus on this thread
ANTIVIRUS RECOMMENDATIONS
I'd like to start off by saying that Anti-virus software aren't fool-proof and cannot protect you from every virus attack, every time. Multiple anti-virus software can give you better protection, but as long as computer viruses change and evolve as rapidly as they do now, there will not be a program that is a cure-all. Also there are a great amount of threads in this vary section regarding a Antivirus software. Many members around this section constantly bombard this section with threads like "Which Antivirus is best?". Be sure to inform me if i missed any details/efficient information on any antivirus, by via PM or simply just posting it. I hope that this thread can clear out all these common threads and give a better understanding on what antivirus not/to install on their systems.
WHICH SOFTWARE IS THE BEST?
Every year, antivirus vendors paint the same gloom-and-doom portrait, their canvases filled with startling statistics outlining the rapid spread of malware. As a consumer, the natural reaction is to look at these reports with a fistful of salt and a sack of skepticism—after all, AV vendors have a vested interest in promoting a need for security software, but are we really as vulnerable as they say? It all depends on your computing habits, but make no mistake, the web is a dangerous place to roam.
IS IT WORTH IT?
If you're reading this and you don't have antivirus protection installed on all your PCs, stop reading right now and install some kind of free antivirus protection. I don't care which, for now. Done? I thank you, and the rest of the world thanks you as well. Fewer unprotected PCs worldwide means fewer easy targets for botnets and virus infestations that can affect far more than just the owner of the PC. Now that you've got an antivirus working to protect your PC (and the rest of us), you can take the time to consider what's the best free solution for your situation. That's the nice thing about free antivirus; you're not locked in by your choice. You won't be wasting 40 or 50 dollars if you decide to switch. Which is best for you can depend on your situation.
WHICH SOFTWARE IS THE BEST?
Virtually, no one who uses Windows-based computers is immune from viruses. Every time your computer handles a new file, chances are that it could be infected. In particular, that is the case when you open attachments in your emails, when you download a program from the Internet or when you copy a file from one computer to another. Unless your computer is completely isolated from the outside world, which would make it pretty useless, the risk of infections is quite high. There are 60,000 to 70,000 active viruses and worms, with 10,000 new ones appearing every year. Nearly all are designed to infect Windows PCs. That means that Mac users don't need anti-virus protections because their machines can not run any program written for Windows, including viruses.
CAN I INSTALL MORE THAN ONE?
Antivirus software is somewhat of a necessity if you're a Windows user, but the software you choose really does matter, and one app might not be enough. While you should never run two antivirus programs at the same time, having two on your system can be beneficial. Most antivirus software (e.g. McAffee, Norton) try to track down viruses on the web and elsewhere to identify them, then send you an update with virus definitions so your system can detect potential threats. This might seem good, but to identifies two (of many) major issues with this approach to antivirus software. Again, The important thing is to make sure you do not run both applications simultaneously. Antivirus programs do not usually play well together, and running two at the same time will often lead to one singling out the other as a virus, or in some cases, even cause file corruption. Plus, running two apps can really eat up system resources, as per the fact their file-skimming functions can mistake each other for viruses themselves.
Removed both McAfee & Norton
New reviews/information regarding each and every antivirus on this thread.
Please note that the Antiviruses labeled "Internet security" has their
own built in Firewall.
Added bonus features for each and every antivirus on this thread
ANTIVIRUS RECOMMENDATIONS
I'd like to start off by saying that Anti-virus software aren't fool-proof and cannot protect you from every virus attack, every time. Multiple anti-virus software can give you better protection, but as long as computer viruses change and evolve as rapidly as they do now, there will not be a program that is a cure-all. Also there are a great amount of threads in this vary section regarding a Antivirus software. Many members around this section constantly bombard this section with threads like "Which Antivirus is best?". Be sure to inform me if i missed any details/efficient information on any antivirus, by via PM or simply just posting it. I hope that this thread can clear out all these common threads and give a better understanding on what antivirus not/to install on their systems.
WHICH SOFTWARE IS THE BEST?
Every year, antivirus vendors paint the same gloom-and-doom portrait, their canvases filled with startling statistics outlining the rapid spread of malware. As a consumer, the natural reaction is to look at these reports with a fistful of salt and a sack of skepticism—after all, AV vendors have a vested interest in promoting a need for security software, but are we really as vulnerable as they say? It all depends on your computing habits, but make no mistake, the web is a dangerous place to roam.
IS IT WORTH IT?
If you're reading this and you don't have antivirus protection installed on all your PCs, stop reading right now and install some kind of free antivirus protection. I don't care which, for now. Done? I thank you, and the rest of the world thanks you as well. Fewer unprotected PCs worldwide means fewer easy targets for botnets and virus infestations that can affect far more than just the owner of the PC. Now that you've got an antivirus working to protect your PC (and the rest of us), you can take the time to consider what's the best free solution for your situation. That's the nice thing about free antivirus; you're not locked in by your choice. You won't be wasting 40 or 50 dollars if you decide to switch. Which is best for you can depend on your situation.
WHICH SOFTWARE IS THE BEST?
Virtually, no one who uses Windows-based computers is immune from viruses. Every time your computer handles a new file, chances are that it could be infected. In particular, that is the case when you open attachments in your emails, when you download a program from the Internet or when you copy a file from one computer to another. Unless your computer is completely isolated from the outside world, which would make it pretty useless, the risk of infections is quite high. There are 60,000 to 70,000 active viruses and worms, with 10,000 new ones appearing every year. Nearly all are designed to infect Windows PCs. That means that Mac users don't need anti-virus protections because their machines can not run any program written for Windows, including viruses.
CAN I INSTALL MORE THAN ONE?
Antivirus software is somewhat of a necessity if you're a Windows user, but the software you choose really does matter, and one app might not be enough. While you should never run two antivirus programs at the same time, having two on your system can be beneficial. Most antivirus software (e.g. McAffee, Norton) try to track down viruses on the web and elsewhere to identify them, then send you an update with virus definitions so your system can detect potential threats. This might seem good, but to identifies two (of many) major issues with this approach to antivirus software. Again, The important thing is to make sure you do not run both applications simultaneously. Antivirus programs do not usually play well together, and running two at the same time will often lead to one singling out the other as a virus, or in some cases, even cause file corruption. Plus, running two apps can really eat up system resources, as per the fact their file-skimming functions can mistake each other for viruses themselves.