Free Antivirus Software: top 5

	1. Avira AntiVir Personal Avira Antivir Personal offers great, thorough protection and top-notch scan speed, but some nontechies might find its interface frustrating. Full Review • Test Report
	2. Alwil Avast Antivirus Home Edition Avast Antivirus Home Edition provides solid antimalware protection and a good set of features, but its outdated interface needs a makeover. Full Review • Test Report
	3. AVG 8.5 Free Though AVG 8.5 Free has a good, straightforward interface and useful blocking of Web-based attacks, its malware blocking is below average. Full Review • Test Report
	4. Microsoft Security Essentials Beta An effective but somewhat slow utility, Microsoft Security Essentials will be a solid contender when it comes out of beta around the end of 2009. Full Review • Test Report
	5. PC Tools Antivirus Free Edition PC Tools Antivirus, which neglects to detect spyware, allows far too many pieces of malware through for it to realistically protect any PC. Full Review • Test Report

2010 AntiVirus Software Ranking & Review

1. BitDefender Antivirus 2010

BitDefender Antivirus 2010 provides advanced proactive protection against viruses, spyware, phishing attacks, and identity theft. Superior ease of use and automatic hourly updates make BitDefender Antivirus the best solution to keep your PC protected without slowing it down.

BitDefender Antivirus 2010 offers a robust set of features and utility, but is flexible enough to meet the needs of various users. It is Offering rock-solid security, simple usability, effective use of resources, and a valuable pricetag, BitDefender Antivirus 2010 is the best antivirus software solution we’ve seen. BitDefender delivers an easy to use security solution.

The same holds true for price. This is the beauty of BitDefender: It provides comprehensive protection, takes up little space on your computer, costs less and requires little maintenance. If you’re a gamer you should consider the special GameSafe edition of BitDefender Antivirus 2010.

2. Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010

Kaspersky Labs has been one of the best antivirus software developers in the world for over a decade and now Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010 only strengthens that reputation. Founded by Natalia and Eugene Kaspersky in 1997, this Russian company is often the first to find and identify new viruses. Long used in Russia and Europe, Kaspersky is now making inroads in the North American market. Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009 is one of the most effective antivirus packages in the world today and boasts a great interface with easy to use and intuitive controls.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus is a complete antivirus solution with real-time protection from a number of threats, including viruses, Trojans, bots, worms, and even spyware. The software is more than equipped for comprehensive security, and has some nice new features this year to help combat new threats, Kaspersky also offers a 3-user license option $59.95(for 1 year), so it’s actually a very cost-effective way to protect all of your home computers. ( 2009 is a user license for $39.95) .

It is on the high-end of the software we reviewed. There are no complaints about Kaspersky’s effectiveness or easy -of-use. As a result, Kaspersky Anti-Virus is the “TopTenREVIEWS Silver Award” winner. If you’re looking for Protects workstations, file servers and mail servers from all contemporary Internet threats, the best offer:Kaspersky Endpoint and Network Security Software

3. Webroot AntiVirus with SpySweeper 2010

Webroot Antivirus with Antispyware and Firewall is a solid product from Webroot Software . This competent defender earns our “TopTenREVIEWS Bronze Award” because it not only includes sophisticated antivirus components but also includes a full version of Spy Sweepr anti-spyware software. Both programs have been awarded all major industry awards and certifications and can dynamically alter themselves to fight emergin threats that hit the World Wide Web every second of the day.

From viruses to rootkits, to malicious hacking tools and vulnerability exploits; a multi-layered approach is almost essential for everyday protection. Webroot’s antivirus/antispyware software has all the right Features: Gamer mode for full-screen without interruptions , Free (and automatic) remote file storage , proactive heuristic detection for “zero-hour” threats and more.

The internet provides unlimited opportunities for communication, education, commerce and entertainment; however, it also provides opportunity to malevolent programmers and pranksters to distribute their viruses, spyware, worms, keyloggers and more. It is absolutely necessary that all internet connected computers have a serious, up-to-the-second form of protection, like Webroot’s Antivirus with Anti-Spyware.

5.ESET Nod32 Antivirus 4

Eset Nod32 Antivirus is rapidly becoming one of the best pieces of antivirus software on the market today, complete with effective protection and advanced features. ESET’s NOD32 once again has delivered an excellent product that is highly effective, and now, easy to use. The strength and beauty of this software is its light footprint, relatively fast scanning and superior ThreatSense® Technology that detects malicious software before it has been reported. Its interface is intuitive and easy to use for the average home user, but can be configured and tweaked by the advanced user. The one-user, one-year package is priced at $39.99, which is the middle range of the antivirus software products reviewed.

6.AVG Antivirus 9

AVG Anti-Virus 2010 offers a number of compelling features and the right technology to keep your PC protected. Its free version is one of the most downloaded files on the Internet in the Computer Security sector. The new interface is clean and intuitive while still remaining useful.

AVG went through a re-write of their virus scanning engine and included two of their stand alone products with AVG Antivirus as well. AVG Antispyware and AVG Antirootkit were both integrated with the virus scanner. Also revamped is the way AVG Antivirus uses the hardware within your computer. It has been changed to make better use of the multiple cores which are common in todays computers. This should speed up scanning as well as reduce slowdowns.

7. F-Secure Anti-Virus 2010

F-Secure Anti-Virus is a great product that offers many of the standard functions associated with antivirus software, but also goes above and beyond the bar set by others with efforts by F-Secure to educate the people that use F-Secure Anti-Virus on general security practices as well as specific threats.

8. G DATA AntiVirus 2010

G DATA’s AntiVirus software isn’t a full internet security suite, but it comes pretty close with comprehensive protection. Antivirus and antispyware protection are combined with complete web protection. G DATA is equipped and armed to protect your computer from any number of threats (online or off), including phishing scams, dialers, adware, malicious scripts, Trojans, rootkits, worms and more.

G DATA AntiVirus also incorporates advanced protection from malware spread through email or IM. The software goes as far as scanning outbound email (messages you send) for viruses and other malware

9. Avira AntiVir Premium

Avira AntiVir Premium is one of the best antivirus software available. With over 20 years under their belt, Avira continues to gain new users worldwide. Their free antivirus software is very popular, and the extra protection from the paid solution is certainly worth it. Features: AHeAD (Advanced Heuristic Analysis and Detection) , Protection from drive-by downloads , Impressive (and consistent) detection rates.

Avira’s antivirus software has you covered, protecting from malware and it’s various forms (dialers, spyware, rootkits, worms, adware, malicious scripts, etc.). The paid version includes advanced protection from a number of online threats, including phishing scams and drive-by downloads.

10.Trend Micro AntiVirus + AntiSpyware

Trend Micro AntiVirus + AntiSpyware is a full-featured and well-equipped program that is geared towards keeping your computer free of viruses and spyware, combining a healthy dose of security features with simple usability. The software is well equipped to protect your computer from a number of threats with proactive technology and real-time protection, Such as keyloggers, hackers, OS exploits, dialers, malicious cookies and scripts, Trojan horses, rootkits, and worms.

Trend Micro isn’t a complete security suite, and misses some of the features found in other multi-layered antivirus software.

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