2009 Antivirus Roundup

[bigbadbrad]

I'm surprised you didn't give a "Best Value" award... I'd say for best value go with Trend Micro, for less than $20 you can get protection for 3 PCs for one year (Look online you will find it). I use it on all my computers and no complaints.

 

[Guest]

why no webroot?

 

[Tomsguiderachel]

[citation][nom]falchard[/nom]Was this review bought or something? For Norton to get such a good review I am leaning towards it being bought. I mean c'mon, Norton not being a resource hog and stealing your system. How do you expect us to believe that?[/citation]
How many times do I have to tell you guys that nothing is "bought." Why do you keep saying that as though it is a logical thing to say?

 

[sanctoon]

I will always stay very biased towards nod32 antivirus, but not the smart security, plain vinilla AV is enough.

 

[webgrunt]

Falchard, maybe you should actually take a look at Norton 2009 before you form an opinion about it. You obviously haven't, since you think it's a resource hog. Norton scrapped last year's version and built a new one from ground up for 2009. I was skeptical at first as well, but they actually are light on resources now. I guess an old dog can learn new tricks.

 

[bigbadbrad]

Glad to hear the good reviews on Norton. As an IT person, hearing the word "Norton" has sent shivers up my spine for the last several years. The last version I worked with made it virtually impossible to set up file & printer sharing.

 

[leafblower29]

McAfee shouldn't even be on there it's so bad it's almost a trojan, why do you think Comcast gives it out for free?

 

[sublifer]

[citation][nom]cbigfoot1987[/nom]why no webroot?[/citation]
Probably didn't have it available in France?

I agree on the Norton pessimists. No, I haven't tried the latest and I probably never will. Norton has been horrible for years and I've refused to use or install it since I found out how horrible the suites were that came with crashguard and cleansweep. I've dealt with Norton on many other peoples' computers since then and it always felt just as bad as I remembered. If they've fixed it, then good but I still won't trust them, and I'm not sure I trust this review.. you'd think they'd at least have mentioned how horrible Norton had been but is now so much better...

 

[Guest]

You forget to mention an important aspect regarding GData. It doesn't have its own engine, but it uses 2 AV engines, those from BitDefender and Avast, so that's why is so impressive.

 

[surfer1337dude]

just curious, but wats with the wrong pics on the avg page? also wondering if they went through and did things like tell avg to scan all files instead of the media only files (which is set default) and tell it to scan for rootkits?

But I do use AVG and have been happy with it, but maybe I will try something else when my subscription runs out next year (just renewed :-\)

 

[theblackbird]

I have used a lot of different security programs, and I have read a lot of reviews on various sites. There's only one I stick with: Eset NOD32: fast, light, instant realtime updates, and never failed me once.

Use the VB100 bulletin to base your choice upon, not some general IT-site like this one or similar, because all of them have quite a different product ranking. How reliable is that...

 

[Guest]

this whole review is all screwed up, just look at the pictures lmao!!

 

[Guest]

This article is complete FAIL.
"To gauge anti-virus protection performance, we looked at how well the software detected threats"
How EXACTLY did you do that?? Did you actually pack malicious executables with both known and self-made packers or something?
How in the WORLD did you come up with the idea that G-Data offers the best virus protection?
I can send you the damn Conflicker packed with my own packer and G-data won't even suspect it. Heck, even some less-known packers would work.
The best security suite available on the market is Kaspersky Internet Security. No other AV product can match it, plus the firewall features are top-notch. (And this is determined by ACTUAL TESTS, not your personal impressions.)

Again, EPIC FAIL.

 

[surfer1337dude]

I think that this article should have been better done, for example list how the tests were conducted with all of the settings laid out. For example, were they quick scans or full system scans (38 minutes for avg is pretty fast, mine takes hours and I only have a 200 gig hdd, but this is a full system scan, scanning for anything including root kits)

 

[Guest]

Horrible review, screenshots are in wrong places and not even in english!. I expect more from tom's hardware/guide! Set this reviewer out to pasture.

 

[Shadow703793]

[citation][nom]goose man[/nom]@Shadow703793: NOD32 is in page 14http/www.tomsguide.com/us/2009-a [...] 15-14.html@romain_75: Kaspersky in page 15http/www.tomsguide.com/us/2009-a [...] 15-15.html@shurcooL: So do I, use AVG for last 3 years thinking it was best one.May be good time for change ...[/citation]
t lol. I completely missed it. Nice catch. Thanks.

 

[bigdaddycool]

I must make a summary comment here:

"Everyone should be using AVG Free Edition only"

Reasons:

1. 99% of all 3rd party "security packages". being Norton, McAffee, Trend, Panda etc all come with "FIREWALLS" built into their products. -=- Windows has a firewall to stop INCOMING connections -=-. By todays standard you would only require a 3rd party firewall in two situations.

A. Your running some sort of Enterprise Server open to the Internet for hosting various services.
B. Your on dial up as it creates a direct connection to the computer.

Other then that if your on broadband of any sort, so long as you have a BOX called a Modem/Router. It is your firewall, so you dont need one on the computer. That modem/router converts your connect to NAT. It's a long story.

Bottom line is this.

If Windows was meant to stop outgoing traffic, and could do so without causing problems. IT WOULD.

All the internet security packages fail due to having a firewall, when something goes wrong a BAD UPDATE, A VIRUS ETC.... when they damage the firewall component, NO MORE INTERNET/LAN

No file sharing, no shared printers, no network shares, no msn, no internet explorer....... = BAD

AVG Free Edition is solely a Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware package using the Windows Firewall (as they all should) .... and works good.

It may lack parental control and fraud detection and other useless dummy things..... but in the same respect makes up for that in being less bogged down by those "extra's".

As a system builder/system admin and head tech...... I stand by this:


Every single machine that comes into be repaired, upgraded etc etc..... I automatically every since one REMOVE Norton, Trend, McAffee, Panda, Nod32 .....

Every single machine goes out with AVG Free Edition.

Occasionally we have the stupid customer that removes AVG and puts on Trend etc...... then rings up and goes MY INTERNET ISN'T WORKING SINCE I GOT IT BACK.

Did you put any third party security packages on? Like What? ....... Like Trend Micro or Norton 360 etc. "YES" ..... well there you go, remove it...... and if your lucky things will work again. Sometimes however when u remove it you need a special tool to fix your network so your internet works again.

Sorry for the long winded whirl of explaniation here. Point is.

1. Dont use anything that comes with a Firewall. Windows has one.
2. The less the better (Viruses/Spyware/Link Checking/Fraud)
3. Fast/Efficient/LESS ANNOYING

******* DONT USE ANY PRODUCT THAT SAYS IT WILL ADD A FIREWALL *****

 

[croc]

I am SO glad to read a security review conducted by true security professionals! / sarcasm off.

there were so many things wrong with this review that it is pointless to even start. Sorry I wasted my time.

 

[surfer1337dude]

I agree with Bigdaddycool, but I do think that the paid version of avg is more worth it...I do use the firewall, but thats just me (alrdy knew I dont need it), but the reason that I see paid is better is that it can detect root kits (which can be used to hide trojans)...either way

 

[bigdaddycool]

Symantec Endpoint 11 is morely pointed toward Enterprise/Server setups... not your average desktop so I guess thats why it wasn't included.

But yea Symantec Endpoint 11 is a brilliant product, even with the use of their firewall. However their firewall again is like most others, it's known to cause issues. I've had one clients server ground terminal services and rdp etc due to the firewall.

Firewalls are just so erratic, better off not using any really.

But yea AVG, Symantec Endpoint 11 = Winners