Top Anti-Virus Software (Published 2009)

New anti-virus releases come with the same problems as every other software genre but one critical difference is understanding the importance updates which dictates their success or failure at keeping your system clean. Anti-virus software is a must today and there is enough information floating about to justify that. However, an average pc user is always in a dilemma as to which one to buy out of the mind-numbing choices available. Given below is a brief take on some of the popular software for Internet and computer security:

Kaspersky Internet Security 2009: A brand new release this year and it is already making a name for itself as one most comprehensive and hyper-vigilant anti-virus and Internet security software, all rolled into one. Developed by the famed kaspersky labs and brought out to be an ally for the average, non-techie pc user, this Internet Security suite is truly a god-send because it literally keeps your computer away from the very latest of the malicious programs. Available at a reasonable price for both the single user license and multiple computer licenses, this is a major improvement from its predecessors.

What’s good: The neat, user friendly console which makes operating the Suite child’s play; the price and the features such as parental control add constant vigilance to the computer(s).

What’s Bad: It sometimes gets a little troublesome while installating; some computers have the blue screen of death once installed. Known to slow down Internet Usage speeds.

BitDefender Anti-Virus 2009: Read a review of BitDefender Anti-Virus 2009

BitDefender Anti-Virus 2008: BitDefender is slowly emerging as a veritable competitor in the security suites and anti-virus markets and is almost threatening to beat the others to a pulp! Having launched this year’s latest version of BitDefender anti-virus 2008, it delivers a “Gamer Mode” feature that minimizes impact on gaming performance by removing any pop-ups or warnings during game play while still protecting your computer. The software has received rave reviews from publications such as PC Magazine and it also comes with nifty features such as “Root kit detection and removal” and “Privacy Protection”.

What’s Good: Virus Bulletin rated BitDefender a VB100% (an honor of the highest possible standard in the industry); very inexpensive compared to the rest of the packages in this range.

What’s Bad : BitDefender is known to be a resource hog, although not as much as Norton or McAfee; when used on my system, it literally kept my system in abeyance for an indefinite period of time; the user panel is rustic and could have done with being much more user friendly.