Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware is a stripped-down security option, offering only the most basic of protection. That's not a bad thing, but except for the Smart Protection Network, which leverages anonymous data from customers to block malicious threats that are manifesting on users' computers, we're not sure how this differs from its freeware competitors. There is strong customer service, of course, and the user account-style lockdown to prevent unauthorized changes to programs. However, the program lacks consistent performance, and a lack of recent independent testing numbers on Trend Micro has made it equally hard to determine how effective it is. Unless you're a die-hard fan of Trend Micro, we'd advise staying away from the bare-bones AntiVirus and AntiSpyware version this year.
Publisher's description
Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware is an essential security you need to safeguard all your data and files. With automatic scans, updates, and outbreak alerts, you can rest easy knowing you have systematic, ongoing protection against the latest malicious viruses, worms, Trojan horse programs, and spyware. This product is powered by the PC-cillin Internet security engine, proven technology that protects your computer from unforeseen intrusions. Key features include: prevent unauthorized changes, enhanced software history cleaner, improved Web browser cookie management, customizable security warnings, security activity report, fully compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista install trend, protection against viruses, protection against spyware, computer scans, real-time protection, quarantined file recovery rather than immediately deleting potential or uncleanable threats, Trend, automatic updates and outbreak alerts. Version 17.50 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes. What's new in this version: Version 17.50 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes. Download Now (81.17MB)
Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware is a stripped-down security option, offering only the most basic of protection. That’s not a bad thing, but except for the Smart Protection Network, which leverages anonymous data from customers to block malicious threats that are manifesting on users’ computers, we’re not sure how this differs from its freeware competitors. There is strong customer service, of course, and the user account-style lockdown to prevent unauthorized changes to programs. However, the program lacks consistent performance, and a lack of recent independent testing numbers on Trend Micro has made it equally hard to determine how effective it is. Unless you’re a die-hard fan of Trend Micro, we’d advise staying away from the bare-bones AntiVirus and AntiSpyware version this year.
Publisher’s description
Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware is an essential security you need to safeguard all your data and files. With automatic scans, updates, and outbreak alerts, you can rest easy knowing you have systematic, ongoing protection against the latest malicious viruses, worms, Trojan horse programs, and spyware. This product is powered by the PC-cillin Internet security engine, proven technology that protects your computer from unforeseen intrusions. Key features include: prevent unauthorized changes, enhanced software history cleaner, improved Web browser cookie management, customizable security warnings, security activity report, fully compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista install trend, protection against viruses, protection against spyware, computer scans, real-time protection, quarantined file recovery rather than immediately deleting potential or uncleanable threats, Trend, automatic updates and outbreak alerts. Version 17.50 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes. What’s new in this version: Version 17.50 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes. Download Now (81.17MB)
Consistently at or near the top of independent efficacy testers, Avira’s AntiVir remains one of the best freeware security solutions around. Its scans are flexible, allowing the user to fully scan both internal and external hard drives, run a preloaded scan–for rootkits, for example–or customize a scan. The latest version introduces antispyware protections, scanning tech that can crack open “locked” files, improved internal security to prevent AntiVir’s files from being maliciously altered, and one-click threat removal–no more baby-sitting. There are few interface changes in version 9, and older users are not likely notice anything different in the interface besides a refreshed banner logo. The main window offers a left side navigation with drop-down menus and a central pane for more detailed information. AntiVir opens to the Status menu, informing you of your last scan, your last definition file update, whether the real-time guard is active, and premium upgrade link. Events logs changes to the program and the Reports tab keeps a history of threats. Both are exportable. The Local Protection and Administration navigation options reveal the Scanner, Guard, Quarantine, and Scheduler features. Combined with the Configuration button located at the top of the central pane, users can customize their scans as necessary. Quarantined file information is on display, with options to scan it again, restore, delete, and e-mail the file to Avira. The rebuilt heuristic engine retains the same choices from the previous version’s, and can be turned on or off in part or in full and offers three intensity levels. The scheduler offers much that other free antivirus programs don’t, and the help features are excellent, with mouse-over information on each feature. Savvy users will notice the removal of the on-demand e-mail scan, and AntiVir is still challenging to fully uninstall. Despite these hang-ups and the nag screen that follows definition file updates, AntiVir offers such effective protection and a well-rounded set of features that as long as the updates keep coming, it’ll be our first line of defense.
Publisher’s description
Avira AntiVir Personal Free Antivirus is a comprehensive, easy to use antivirus program, designed to offer reliable free of charge virus protection to home-users only. Avira offers: Extensive Malware Recognition of viruses, Trojans, backdoor programs, worms; Automatic incremental updates of antivirus signatures, engine and entire software; Permanent virus protection, with Virus Guard real time monitoring; Install and configuration in just a couple of steps, setup to protect your PC in minutes; Virus protection against known and unknown threats, using an advanced heuristic system; Scheduler where you can set the scanner to make automatic virus scans or updates on your system; Forum and phone support; Knowledge Base with virus descriptions available on web site; Rootkit Detection and Removal; A modularized AV-search engine for improved scan performance.
Version 9 introduces a quick-removal button for eliminating viruses with a single click, enhanced anti-spyware and anti-adware engines, and support for low resolution netbook screens.
What’s new in this version: Version 9.0.0.415 is a maintenance release. Download Now (29.48MB)
At one time this freeware security suite was ubiquitous, but this edition isn’t for the faint of heart. McAfee VirusScan Plus 2008’s interface strives to be novice-friendly, with cute green check marks and red crosses. Unfortunately, while the interface is novice-friendly, the program is not. Some advanced configurations are available only after drilling down two or three menus. During installation, McAfee asks for user input on an important settings question, but the small dialog box doesn’t offer enough information to fully explain the ramifications of the settings. Attempting to cover every security function, this suite handles more than viruses by adding a firewall, hard drive cleaner, disk defragmenter, and network security manager. By including everything and the kitchen sink, McAfee VirusScan Plus 2008 feels bloated and it used more memory than we would have liked. Help is convoluted, and there’s a chasm between the novice and expert user. We simply found McAfee too complex for novice users and not as advanced-user-friendly as similar suites.
Publisher’s description
McAfee VirusScan Plus offers proactive PC security to prevent malicious attacks, so you can protect what you value as well as surf, search, and download files online with confidence. McAfee SiteAdvisors Web safety ratings help you avoid unsafe Web sites. This service also provides security against multi-pronged attacks by combining antivirus and antispyware technologies. McAfees security service continuously delivers the latest software so your protection is never out-of-date. You can now easily add and manage security for multiple PCs in your home. Moreover, improved performance allows it to protect, without disturbing you. Download Now (1.17MB)
NOD32 Antivirus System provides well balanced, state-of-the-art protection against threats endangering your PC and enterprise systems running various platforms from Microsoft Windows through a number of UNIX/Linux, Novell, MS DOS operating systems to Microsoft Exchange Server, Lotus Domino and other mail servers. Viruses, worms, trojans and other malware are kept out of striking distance of your valuable data. Advanced detection methods implemented in the software even provide protection against the future threats from most of the new worms and viruses. The fourth generation of the NOD32 Antivirus System features a fully integrated software suite characterized by an unprecedented detection track record, the fastest scanning rates and extremely low utilization of system resources. Download Now (17.36MB)