The problem of virus infection of Windows-based computers is more relevant today than ever. More and more viruses are being created at such a furious pace that security software developers do not have time to track their spread. But in any case, the computer and user information must be protected. For this, special software products called antiviruses are used. But which antivirus is better? Too many packages are currently on the market for this type of application. How to find out which particular program will fully provide comprehensive protection and will suit a certain type of operating system? Read more about this and much more. It goes without saying that absolutely all anti-virus packages cannot be considered, so we will focus on the most popular and most often installed by users.
Which antivirus for Windows is better: what to look for when choosing software
For many users, for some reason, the functionality and stability of the antivirus is in second place. From the point of view of a simple layman, this is understandable, because all released anti-virus software packages can be divided into free, paid and shareware. As for the regular antiviruses, they are mostly presented in the form of free programs and shareware applications with a trial period of validity, usually 30 days. Pure software in its pure form can only be found among additional utilities designed, say, to detect ads, browser hijackers and other similar threats (a vivid example of this is SpyHunter, a program that detects threats, but does not delete them without buying a license). Such utilities in our case will not be considered. It will be about stationary means of protecting the operating system and user information.
So, which antivirus is better to install on a computer? To answer this question, it is necessary to pay attention to a number of the most important characteristics of software products:
- system scan speed on demand;
- speed of response to known and potential threats;
- the ability to neutralize the virus and treat infected objects without removing them;
- false alarm;
- the presence of a self-defense module;
- frequency of updating anti-virus databases;
- load on computer system resources;
- the presence of additional modules that expand the standard features of the program;
- ease of setup and use.
For now, consider some of the most popular antivirus packages. In the end, based on the available criteria and indicators, we will try to find out which antivirus is better for Windows or for Android mobile systems.
The most popular antivirus packages
So many things are presented on the software market in this area today that ordinary users simply have their eyes run up.
It is not surprising, because each developer praises his software product, stating that it is he who is the best, which is not always true. But among all that can be found on the Internet, the most popular, most common and powerful include the following:
- AVG.
- Avast!
- Microsoft Security Essentials
- Avira
- Panda.
- McAffee
- Norton Security
- 360 Total Security.
- Trend Micro.
- Comodo.
- AhnLab V3 Internet Security.
- Dr. Web
- Kaspersky Lab.
- Eset.
Several earlier Symantec software products could be included in this list, but in recent years, only Norton Security modifications can be found among security products, although it was initially believed that this company was at the forefront of computer security. Next, we briefly consider each package, since it will not be possible to describe absolutely all the features of the antivirus programs presented simply physically. But we will pay special attention to some basic functions, advantages and disadvantages. And let's start with the free versions of popular anti-virus packages that are available to any user, although absolutely all the developers presented in the list above have shareware tools.
AVG Antivirus
The discussion on the topic “Which antivirus is better for Windows” should start with AVG software products. This is a free version, although you will have to pay for a similar Internet Security package from this developer (the cost of an annual license is about 2300 rubles).
As for the free package, we must pay tribute - it has several interesting features. Of particular note is the IdentityProtection and LinkScanner modules. The first module is designed to prevent theft of user data or any other confidential information. The second tool is needed to quickly identify potentially insecure links on the Internet if the user is going to click on them. Another feature is the presence of an unknown why the built-in PC Analizer module, which can be described as a kind of lightweight version of the optimizer designed to monitor the operation of the operating system and accelerate the PC.
Avast!
The next question that must be considered is "Which antivirus is better for Windows 7?" Many users and specialists reasonably believe that the best option is the Avast software package.
Yes, indeed, in a sense, this antivirus is not like any other, has a high speed, does not load the system and can load additional tools to expand existing staffing capabilities. In principle, this software product when testing gives quite good performance. But, as they say, this barrel of honey also has its own fly in the ointment. The main problem of this antivirus is that it skips some types of threats, while it completely unjustifiably blocks official programs, considering them not only suspicious, but even dangerous and undesirable. All this leads to such serious conflicts at the system level that Windows simply crashes (often enough, this happens even after an update).
Microsoft Security Essentials
Continuing the conversation about which antivirus is better for Windows 7, you can not ignore the protective software product from Microsoft. Many Windows 10 users know it under the name Defender. Actually, this is one and the same. As for the antivirus itself, it is, in a sense, also a firewall, which provides the ability to block potentially unwanted software installed by the user, or one that tries to install its components into the system spontaneously. But the most amazing thing is that it was this package that received many prestigious Checkmark certificates, although Microsoft itself has never specialized in producing security software.
Avira
Continuing consideration of the question of which antivirus is better, it is worthwhile to dwell briefly on Avira software products, in particular, free versions, since this developer also has enough paid utilities. The functioning of this package with the use of the VirusGuard module is usually not satisfactory. In general, the package shows stable results for all testing criteria, even if not of the highest level. However, it is he (and this is confirmed by many experts) that is recognized as one of the most effective means of neutralizing the so-called polymorphic viruses. And this already says something.
Panda
Which free antivirus is the best, you can say very tentatively, since the ratings themselves for the most part also vary, and often quite strongly.
However, it is recognized by all that this software product, being the most common one, can claim the palm. Judge for yourself. His work has clear boundaries for the separation of responsibilities. The threat detection module is installed on a personal computer, and all other components of the package are located on a remote server. If a potential threat is detected, that is, a virus that tries to penetrate the system, for example, from the Internet or from removable media, the program first sends it to the so-called “sandbox” (Sandbox) for analysis, and only then gives permission or a ban on entrance. In addition, such a "separation of duties" allows you to get rid of another important procedure - the daily download and update of anti-virus databases. All these processes are performed in the “cloud”, and the user does not need to worry about such procedures. Actually, in terms of speed and speed of reaction to the load on system resources, this package, based on the 2017 ratings, shows the best results.
Mcaffee
Speaking about which free antivirus is better, it is worthwhile to dwell on McAffee software products. You should not expect anything special from this package, but it is perfect for all those users who appreciate high speed and stability. Separately, it is worth noting that this particular software product is installed by default in some versions of Android operating systems, taking into account the specifics of the mobile devices themselves.
360 Total Security
If you thoroughly understand which free antivirus is better, you can not say a few words about the newcomers to the security software market, which include this package from Chinese developers. The program compares favorably with the fact that it is almost the most lightweight among all presented, has a high speed of work and copes quite well with detecting threats of any type. For the stationary version, as well as for the previous package, you can find a mobile analog, designed to work in the environment of Android operating systems. However, in a sense, the application clearly resembles the development of AVG, because it also has built-in optimization tools for computer and mobile systems. Thus, it can be called a pure antivirus rather conditionally. Apparently, now the global trends are such that developers create anti-virus programs of the All-in-One category (all-in-one), including anti-virus models and tools for monitoring or speeding up computers and mobile gadgets.
Trend micro
Continuing the discussion on the topic “Which antivirus is better for the 7th version of Windows”, we should separately mention the Trend Micro software product, which is designed to provide comprehensive protection when working on the Internet. In addition to the standard threat detection capability, this software product successfully fights against ransomware viruses, prevents the passage to phishing sites, and by using the Folder Shield module, which is unique in nature, it prevents the theft of personal data not only on local computers, but in cloud storage like Dropbox by blocking access to files and folders, which may contain confidential information.
Comodo
Now let's look at the question "which free antivirus is better for Windows-systems" is somewhat different. Among the simple and stable programs, it is worth noting the protective tools offered by Comodo. If you look, there is nothing particularly remarkable in this software package. Simply put, he is such an average person, though he is distinguished by a very stable work. The standard threat detection does not raise questions, but among the main shortcomings, one can note the lack of parental control and limited support when the user cannot count on a quick solution to his problem when contacting the service.
AhnLab V3 Internet Security
And yet, what is the best antivirus for Windows? This is an absolute newcomer to the rating, which scored the maximum number of points in the 2017 AV test.
Korean developers have created a truly unique software product in the all-in-one category, including real-time system protection modules, anti-spyware, tools for timely detection of implicit threats and blocking phishing Internet resources, blocking startup from removable media, tools permanently deleting data from any type of media, managing security policies, sending suspicious files for analysis to the "cloud" and much more.
Bitdefender
When answering a question about which antivirus is better, one cannot ignore such a grandeur as BitDefender. His work is based on the use of a specially developed engine for this engine, which was subsequently used by many third-party developers in their software products.
And it is not for nothing that this package occupies an honorable third place in AV testing. This is especially worth paying attention to: despite the huge number of proposed settings, the interface is surprisingly not overloaded, and management is very simple. Its settings will be clear even to those users who are just starting to get acquainted with computers. There are two versions: paid and free. The second has some limitations in terms of the ability to set your preferred level of security.
Norton security
Now let's see which antivirus is better, so to speak, among the grandees in the field of computer protection. And to begin with, a few words about the "Norton" (not to be confused with the commander). It is believed that this particular antivirus has the widest development prospects, since, according to many experts, from year to year it is becoming better and more convenient. By the way, if you doubt which antivirus is better for Windows 10, the solution is before your eyes. Many people believe that this particular software product is fully compatible with the latest modification of the operating system and even in a sense can be an integral part of it, despite the presence of the built-in “Defender”. In addition to standard tools, in the program you can find bank payment protection, a built-in firewall, a spam protection tool and an additional computer optimizer.
Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Lab, without a doubt, today can be called the undisputed leader in the development of antivirus software. Initially, absolutely all anti-virus tools were shareware, and only recently have free software products appeared. What to say? The detection and neutralization of all kinds of threats is at such a high level that other developments simply cannot compete with these antiviruses and scanners. True, some users still complain about the excessive load on system resources (apparently, completely unreasonable). Separately, it is worth noting the Kaspersky Rescue Disk utility, which has its own bootloader and allows you to boot from removable media even before the start of the operating system, even detecting viruses that are deeply embedded in RAM.
Dr. Web
Another major in the field of anti-virus protection of computer systems is the software development company Dr. Web In principle, in these programs you can find some similarities with Kaspersky Lab applications both in terms of the principle of operation and the lines of activity in detecting virus threats. And this is not surprising, since both companies are Russian. This developer has enough applications for all occasions (both full-time antiviruses, and portable scanners, and disk utilities). By the way, many of these programs can even find ad units in the system that ordinary antivirus programs skip due to the fact that they have the status of trusted applications and even certificates of authenticity.
Etset
Another outstanding representative in the field of virus protection is Eset. She does not have free software products.
Nevertheless, both the antivirus and the Internet security tool can be used completely legally without buying a license. For this, re-activation is carried out every 30 days on the basis of keys freely distributed on the Internet. Now, however, it is impossible to enter logins and passwords in the interface of the antivirus itself, since it requires a license. To convert the source data on the Internet, there is a special website with a so-called rectifier, which generates the necessary license code based on the username and password. As for the level of protection, this, as they say, is not discussed. Above all praise.
What is the best antivirus for Android?
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