Reviews of antivirus programs and security suites

If you're like me, you find many software reviews, especially those published in hard copy, lacking in detail. I recently ran across a long article All my Life's a Circle: More Rounds with new Security Guards written by someone who identifies himself only as Briard. I don't know this person, but the article is published in conjunction with The Support Alert Newsletter, which, in my opinion, is a credible source.

The article starts at a high level, reviewing and aggregating other reviews of antivirus programs. This led Briard to conclude there are six top antivirus programs (in alphabetical sequence):

• AntiVir
• Bitdefender
• F-Secure
• Kaspersky
• NOD32
• Norton

Most of the article though, is first-hand reviews. The following security suites are reviewed: ESET Smart Security, AVIRA Premium Security Suite, Kapersky Internet Security V7, F-Secure Internet Security 2008 and Bitdefender Internet Security 2008. Also reviewed are three "All-in-one security and housekeeping suites" Norton 360, McAfee Total Protection 2008 and VCOM/Avanquest System Suite 8 Professional.

I didn't detect any bias in the article which is dated January 2008.

See a summary of all my Defensive Computing postings.

[FrankTurd]

Wow...Norton made the cut, eh...hmmm...that's interesting. I've always heard that Kaspersky was the best. Tried NOD32 and didn't care for it. Thanks for the tip on the article.

[john55440]

I use Norton Internet Security 2008, a PC Magazine Editor's Choice.

On the performance front, I use it on a lowly 2002 computer with only 512MB of memory, and have no complaints.

In it's default mode, it's a "nonchatty" program that does it's thing in the background, and doesn't annoy the user with lots of pop-ups.

It's simple for beginners, but has lots of configuration options for advanced users.

[Doug Woodall]

Glad to see BitDefender in there. Ive been using it for about 2 yrs now and I like it. Im even using it with Vista.

[ruminator]

And your point in posting this is?

[RicABlair]

F-secure is my choice; it's more expensie because there's never any rebate like some of the others, but it doesn't hog memory and its interface is simple.

[MarkJacobs]

I used to hate Norton because it slowed down my computer to a crall. Recently a friend who has 2 computers and a 3 computer Norton Security Suite license gave me a license. My CA AV, which I found very unobtrusive and efficient ran out so I figured I'd try Norton until I get something better. I was very surprised. It runs very well. I doesn't slow my computer down like the old Nortons did. And I use the firewall in the ask mode so I can turn off the User Account Control in Vista. This gives even more control and you only have to answer once for each program. One drawback is that it doesn't tell where and what program it blocked but I've always been afraid to second guess and override my AV as a false positive in this case is much better than letting a virus through.

[Gundam0012]

i am currently using ESET smart security and i really recommend this suit because it runs with a small amount of memory also it is fast and reliable and it doesn't slow down the performance of the computer.

[bigcycs1]

well i just bought avanquest fix it utilities professional 9 and its a great program its got all the features like iolo system mechanic 8 but adds antivirus and antispyware antimaleware from sunbelt it even has a way to burn a rescue cd to restore your cpu if things ever go wrong only thing its missing is a firewall program other than that its a good choice for system maitence and protection on all levels