We review the top antivirus software for both PC and Mac users, performing various tests for each to assure their quality and effectiveness. Along with thorough reviews, we apply an overall rating following our scoring criteria, making it easy for you to find the right antivirus.
| OverviewNorton’s Antivirus 2010 has the highest virus detection and removal score with the quickest virus definition updates occurring at every 5-15 minutes. Its transparency lets you work normally on your PC while running scans without a noticeable change in performance in most cases. What hurts this software a little is their spyware feature which scored much lower than that of Kaspersky’s latest. Aside from this, Norton is a reliable choice and covers all of the main features needed for a quality antivirus software. Note: An economical choice however would be their Norton 360 which is a complete security bundle giving you many additional security features such as identity theft protection, parental controls, a 2 way firewall, spam filter, and much more all packaged in one bundle with 3 licenses; protecting up to 3 household computers as oppossed to the single license offered with their stand alone antivirus software. |
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Protection
In independent tests, Norton's latest antivirus successfully detected and removed 98.7% of malware which is the most we've seen out of all the antivirus software we review. The software also boasts no 'false positives' during the test which is matched only with Eset who can claim the same. Where they scored a little lower was with their anti-spyware feature with 95.4% which is a touch lower than both the Kaspersky Antivirus 2010 and the Panda Antivirus Pro 2010 software.
Automatic virus definition updates are every 5-15 minutes making them the most frequent of all software reviewed, assuring protection from even the newest threats.
Features
Norton’s Antivirus 2010 has the following main features and components:
- Anti-Virus
- Anti-Spyware
- Anti-Phishing
- Anti-Rootkit
- Instant Messaging Protection
- Email Scanning
Its list of features covers everything an antivirus product should and is in par with its competition. It lacks in comparison to Panda however as they are the only antivirus product including additional features such as a firewall and spam filter. These features can be found with Norton in their more complete security bundle Norton 360 which is actually an economical choice as the bundle comes with 3 licenses as opposed to only one with their stand alone antivirus.
Customer Service
Norton offers phone, email, and live chat support and all have proved to be of very high quality. Emails were answered thoroughly and within 2 days while the live chat and phone support both provided us with assistance from what seemed to be a very knowledgeable staff.
Ease of Use
If you are just getting into antivirus software, Norton’s layout makes it easy to understand for beginners while still providing the more experienced users with enough customization and options at their finger tips to be satisfied. Overall, a very easy to use software.
Cost
If you are a single user, the cost of Norton’s antivirus product is in line with other antivirus software however they do not offer a rebate for multiple PC’s unless you need 5 licenses or more in which case we recommend taking a look at their complete security bundle Norton 360 which will save you money and protect up to 3 household computers much more thoroughly.
1 PC:Protection for 1 year - $39.99 5 PC’s:Protection for 1 year - $89.99 10 PC’s:Protection for 1 year - $149.99 |
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Conclusion
Norton has the most effective virus detection and removal feature and the most frequent virus definition updates. For anyone with multiple computers, the economical choice would be to go with their Norton 360 product as it has 3 licenses, more than double the features including identity theft protection, a 2 way firewall, spam filter, parental controls, and so much more at an even lower price than their stand alone antivirus. If you have one computer to protect and your concern lies strictly with viruses, Norton's Antivirus 2010 is a very reliable software.
More Reviews:
Complete Security for PC:
- Real Broadband Essentials
- Norton 360 Version 3.0
Antivirus for PC:
- Kaspersky Antivirus 2010
- Norton Antivirus 2010
- ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4
- Panda Antivirus PRO 2010
Antivirus for MAC:
Complete Security for PC:
- Real Broadband Essentials
- Norton 360 Version 3.0
Antivirus for PC:
- Kaspersky Antivirus 2010
- Norton Antivirus 2010
- ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4
- Panda Antivirus PRO 2010
Antivirus for MAC:
Rating Critera:
All of our review are based on the following criteria:
- Customer Service
- Ease of Use
- Protection
- Features
- Cost
What is a virus?
We all know it's something you probably want to avoid, but what is a virus anyways?
What is spyware?
Spyware is different than a virus. Here we explain the differences.
What is a firewall?
Some antivurs products offer it while others keep it for there larger bundles. Why you want a firewall in your antivirus and what is does.