How to Choose the Most Ideal Antivirus Software for You

Knowing the importance of antivirus software to guard your PC is one thing. But to decide which product is best for you is a whole different matter. Among so many alternatives being offered all with perplexing technical information, you need to be alert not to fall for the useless one. In order for you to do some effective comparison, here I list 7 easy tips you should do when doing an antivirus software comparison.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• internet access
• common sense

1. Have a taste before you purchase: download their trial version first. By getting the free trials, you will have the opportunity to get a “feel” for the software, to see if it manages to satisfy your needs, and if the operation is easy enough for you. What might seem to work and look fine for other people is not necessarily the same for you. And by downloading trial version, you can conduct the next tips.

2. Find out its effectiveness. You need to know what kind of threat it can protect you from. Spyware, adware, trojans and worms are becoming a very big threat now and have been used in cases of identity fraud. In addition to protection against virus, you need your antivirus software to be capable of uncovering those malware threats too besides being able to handle virus. For actual testing score, you can refer to independent organizations that regularly conduct antivirus testing. These organizations include Virus Bulletin, ICSA Labs Anti-Virus, and West Coast Labs. Just look at every publisher main page and find whether they have these organizations approval logo or not. Every product that manages to get passed the test will be just fine. Now, you just concentrate on other aspects like feature richness.

3. Pick the most user-friendly. See whether the product provides an easy to use interface and also whether or not it comes with a manual or user guide. Find out what kind of supporting services it provides, such as a live chat service, call center, 24/7 online mail service, or remote assistance. The more they have the better they get.

4. Pick the package with at least daily virus definition update. As new viruses are identified, an update in its database of virus is required for an antivirus software. The more it updates its virus database, the more you are protected from the latest virus attack.

5. Pick the package with low system resources consumption. Get more info on how much of the system resources are required in order for the antivirus software to operate. Both when it runs in the background and when it runs full system scan. Some products may slow down your general computer processes. You should test how long does your Windows start up before and after the antivirus installation. Check also whether it slows down your computer processes when opening and operating other applications. If the answer is yes, you should find the other package with lower system impact.

6. Look for features richness. Today’s security protection is not only about traditional method of virus protection. Safe surfing or website threat analyzer that will warn you every time you enter suspicious website is quite common among antivirus products. There is also firewall, spam blocker, anti key logger, anti screen grabber, and parental control as an additional protection. Simply choose the product with most features.

7. Finally make a summary and pick the most balanced package. With previous 6 factors to look for, pick the package with the best combination between effectiveness, user friendliness, low system resource, feature richness, and of course price. Nothing’s perfect and this is also true with antivirus protection. But what you can do is choosing the most ideal package for you. And remember, what ideal for others is not necessarily ideal for you. So, choose wisely.

Tips & Warnings

• Security publisher generally published more than one version of their security package. But basically, there are three types of security package. The first is basic version which offers you antivirus plus, for some cases, additional firewall features. This is good for you who don’t use internet often and don’t bank or shop online. The second type is internet security package. This package is equipped with the most complete protection that is very suitable for those who are actively online and frequently shop online. The last type of package is usually equipped with additional PC optimization module. Each version is priced differently, the more feature it has the more expensive it gets. So choose wisely. Pick the one that resembles your online activity.
• Look for special offers or discounts from security companies. As an extra, I will give you some of interesting offers in the resource box below, just make sure you take a look. I will update it very often as soon as I get the newest one.

Resources

• 10% Discount All Norton Products--Click Here and Enter Coupon Code: SYM2010NEW
• 20% Discount ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2010--Click Here and Enter Coupon Code: EXTREME
• 25% Discount New AVG Internet Security 9--Buy Now

[cindyscorner]

on 8/26/2009 Great information! 5 Star

[meme007]

on 8/25/2009 Good advice. Norton 360 works wonderful for us. But like you mentioned, one has to look for what suits them best! 5 stars and recommend.

[dorigillman]

on 8/24/2009 great steps

[survivoryea]

on 8/24/2009 Really good information - I have Norton on one computer and McAfee on the other and can't decide which I like-I might try some of the ones you suggest.5* and recommend

[celticfrost]

on 8/22/2009 Nice article, especially the trial idea i wouldn't have thought of that