The problem of virus infection of Windows-based computers is as relevant today as ever. More and more new viruses are created at such a frantic 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? There are too many packages on the market for this type of application today. How to find out which program will fully provide comprehensive protection and will suit a certain type of operating system? Read on for this and more. It goes without saying that absolutely all anti-virus packages cannot be considered, so we will focus on the most popular and most frequently installed by users.
Which antivirus for Windows is better: what to look forattention 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 anti-virus software packages produced can be divided into free, paid and shareware. As for regular antiviruses, they are mostly presented in the form of free programs and shareware applications with a trial period of validity, usually 30 days. Paid software in its purest 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 remove them without buying a license). Such utilities will not be considered in our case. We are talking about stationary means of protecting the operating system and user information.
So, what is the best antivirus to install on your 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;
- fast response to known and potential threats;
- the ability to neutralize the virus and disinfect infected objects without deleting them;
- false positive;
- presence of a self-defense module;
- frequency of updating anti-virus databases;
- load on computer resourcessystem;
- presence of additional modules that expand the standard features of the program;
- easy to set up and use.
For now, let's take a look at some of the more popular antivirus packages. In the end, based on the existing criteria and indicators, we will try to find out which antivirus is better for Windows or for Android mobile systems.
Most popular antivirus packages
There are so many things on the software market in this area today that the average user just runs up their eyes.
No wonder, because every developer praises his software product, stating that it 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 are 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.
Somewhat earlier this list could have included a wide variety of Symantec software products, 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. Further brieflyLet's consider each package, because it's impossible to describe absolutely all the features of the presented anti-virus programs simply physically. But we will pay special attention to some basic functions, advantages and disadvantages. And let's start with free versions of popular anti-virus packages that are available to any user, although absolutely all developers listed above have shareware utilities.
AVG Antivirus
A conversation 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 far as the free package is concerned, we must pay tribute - it has several interesting features. Particular attention should be paid to the IdentityProtection and LinkScanner modules. The first module is designed to prevent the theft of user data or any other confidential information. The second tool is needed to quickly identify potentially unsafe links on the Internet if the user is going to click on them. Another feature is the presence of the built-in PC Analyzer module, which can be described as a kind of lightweight version of the optimizer designed to monitor the operation of the operating system and speed up the PC.
Avast
The next question that must be considered is "Which antivirus is better for Windows7"?" Many users and experts rightly believe that the Avast software package is the best option.
Yes, indeed, in a sense, this antivirus is unlike any other, it has a high speed, does not load the system and can load additional tools to expand the existing standard capabilities. In principle, this software product during testing produces quite good indicators. But, as they say, this barrel of honey has its own fly in the ointment. The main problem of this antivirus is that it allows some types of threats to pass, while completely unreasonably blocks official programs, considering them not only suspicious, but even dangerous and unwanted. All this leads to such serious conflicts at the system level that Windows simply "flies" (quite often this happens even after updating).
Microsoft Security Essentials
Continuing the conversation about which antivirus is best for Windows 7, we can not ignore the security software from Microsoft. Many Windows 10 users know it by the name "Defender". Actually, it's the same thing. As for the antivirus itself, in a sense it is 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 surprising thing is that this particular package has received many prestigiousCheckmark certificates, although Microsoft itself has never specialized in the release of security software.
Avira
Continuing the consideration of the question of which antivirus is better, it is worth briefly dwelling 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 usually does not cause any complaints. In general, the package shows stable results for all testing criteria, even if not the highest level. However, it is he (and this is confirmed by many experts) that is recognized as one of the most effective means to neutralize the so-called polymorphic viruses. And this is already saying something.
Panda
Which free antivirus is the best, one can say very conditionally, since the ratings themselves for the most part also differ, and often quite strongly.
However, it is recognized by all that this software product, being the most common, can claim the palm. Judge for yourself. His work has clear boundaries for the division of functional responsibilities. The threat detection module is installed on a personal computer, and all other components of the package are located on a remote server. When a potential threat is detected, i.e. 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, andonly then issues permission or prohibition to enter. In addition, this "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 performance, speed of response to the load on system resources, this package, based on the ratings of 2017, shows the best results.
McAffee
Speaking about which free antivirus is better, we should dwell on McAffee software products. You should not expect anything special from this package, but it is perfect for all those users who value 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 includes this package from Chinese developers. The program compares favorably in that it is almost the most lightweight among all presented, has a high speed of work and copes quite well with the detection of threats of any type. For the stationary version, as well as for the previous package, you can find a mobile counterpart designed to work in the Android operating system environment. True, in a sense, the application clearly resembles the developments from AVG,because it also has built-in optimization tools for computer and mobile systems. Thus, it can be called a pure antivirus very 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 accelerating computers and mobile gadgets.
Trend Micro
Continuing the conversation on the topic "Which antivirus is better for the 7th version of Windows", we should also note the Trend Micro software product, designed to provide comprehensive protection when working on the Internet. In addition to the standard ability to detect threats, this software product is very successful in fighting ransomware viruses, preventing redirects to phishing sites, and through the use of the unique Folder Shield module, it prevents the theft of personal data not only on local computers, but in cloud storages like Dropbox, blocking access to files and folders that may contain sensitive information.
Comodo
Now let's look at the question "which free antivirus is better for Windows systems" from a slightly different angle. Among the simple and stable programs, it is worth noting the security tools offered by Comodo. If you look, there is nothing particularly remarkable in this software package. Simply put, he is such a middle peasant, however, he has a very stable job. Standard threat detection does not raise questions, but amongThe main disadvantages include the lack of parental control and limited support, when a user, when contacting the service, cannot count on a quick solution to his problem.
AhnLab V3 Internet Security
And yet, what is the best antivirus for Windows? Before us is an absolute newcomer to the rating, which scored the maximum number of points in AV testing in 2017.
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 latent threats and blocking phishing Internet resources, autoload blocking in the basic set from removable media, tools to permanently delete data from any type of media, manage security policies, send suspicious files for analysis to the "cloud" and much more.
BitDefender
Answering the question of which antivirus is better, one cannot ignore such a giant as BitDefender. Its work is based on the use of a specially designed engine for this, which was subsequently used by many third-party developers in their software products.
And it's not for nothing that this package takes the honorable third place in AV testing. Particular attention should be paid to this: despite the huge number of proposed settings, the interface is surprisingly not overloaded, and management is very simple. Its settingswill be understandable 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 being able to set a preferred security level.
Norton Security
Now let's see which antivirus is better, so to speak, among the giants in the field of computer protection. And first, a few words about Norton (not to be confused with the commander). It is believed that this particular antivirus has the broadest development prospects, since, according to many experts, every year it becomes better and more convenient. By the way, if you are in doubt which antivirus is better for Windows 10, the solution is in front of your eyes. Many believe that this particular software product is fully compatible with the latest modification of the operating system and even in some sense can be its integral part, even despite the presence of the built-in "Defender". In addition to standard tools, the program includes bank payment protection, a built-in firewall, an anti-spam tool, and an additional computer optimizer.
Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Lab, no doubt, today can be called the undisputed leader in the development of anti-virus 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 various threats is at such a high level that other developments with theseantiviruses and scanners simply cannot compete. True, some users still complain about the excessive load on system resources (apparently, completely unfounded). Separately, it is worth noting the disk utility Kaspersky Rescue Disk, which has its own bootloader and allows you to boot from removable media even before the start of the operating system, detecting even viruses that are deeply seated in RAM.
Dr. Web
Another giant in the field of anti-virus protection of computer systems is Dr. Web. In principle, in these programs one can find some similarities with the applications of Kaspersky Lab both in terms of the principle of operation and in the areas 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 regular antiviruses, and portable scanners, and disk utilities). By the way, many of these programs are able to even find adware in the system, which ordinary antiviruses skip due to the fact that they have the status of trusted applications and even certificates of authenticity.
Eset
Another bright representative in the field of virus protection is Eset. She has no free software products.
However, both the antivirus and the Internet security tool can be used completely legally without buying a license. To do this, re-activation is performed every 30 days on the basis of freely distributed ininternet of keys. Now, however, it is impossible to enter logins and passwords in the interface of the antivirus itself, since it is a license that is required. To convert the initial data on the Internet, a special site is provided with the so-called rectifier, which, based on the login and password, generates the necessary license code. As for the level of protection, this, as they say, is not discussed. Above all praise.
Which antivirus for Android is better?
In the end, it remains to say a few words about mobile systems. So, which antivirus for Android is better (free of charge, of course)? To figure it out, just look at the Play Market storage, look at the ratings of applications and read reviews about them. Of course, there may also be reviews from users who do not understand anything about security issues, but for the most part the comments are true.
But we digress. So what is the best antivirus for a smartphone or tablet? As already mentioned, most of the software products described above also have mobile versions. As for the choice, it is difficult to advise something specific, because each user has his own preferences. But anyway, let's try to find out which antivirus for Android is better to install on a mobile device, based on practical considerations. I think 360 Security is a good fit. This will save the owner of the device from installing additional software in the form of an optimizer, and at the same time protect the system.
Also looks goodthe CM Security & AppLock application, not to mention all the other analogues of stationary antiviruses presented above. But these two utilities are perhaps the most lightweight and compare favorably with the rest by the presence of optimization modules.
Instead of total
That, in fact, is all that concerns the choice of anti-virus software for use in stationary and mobile operating systems. What is the best antivirus? I don’t want to advise users of something specific, because everyone is free to choose what to use on their computer, smartphone or tablet. However, if we approach the issue of choice from a practical point of view, it is undoubtedly better to give preference, if not to paid, then shareware software products (for example, Eset NOD32, Eset Internet Security or something like that). It is these packages that are able to provide maximum protection. But it is better to refuse completely free antiviruses and not chase complex packages with built-in optimizers. Among them, at best, you can use Panda or Korean antivirus from AhnLab.
