If you are someone trying to figure out which AntiVirus Software is right for you, then remember this:

All antivirus software and all antivirus programs have a side effect of slowing down your computer, so this antivirus review is going to focus on 2 Basics:

1. An in-depth examination of antivirus software and antispyware programs in relationship to
   a) computer performance and
   b) feedback we have collected (opinions only)
   
   
2. Our non-biased and our biased recommendations, where we give you our opinions based on neutral viewpoints, as well as views influenced by those in the field who swear by their choices. Don't be surprised if you see some hints of bias, BUT REMEMBER the focus of our Review Process remains true to COMPUTER PERFORMANCE.

Lets take a look at Antivirus software in terms of how much of a PC Computer's resources are required to perform antivirus scans. The results of this test show that the resources from the antivirus software were impacted, as the ensuing scanning speeds searching for Virus Infections and other comparable variables ranged in a 0.6% to 6.4% drain of the computers resources, specifically effecting the computers memory.

This test was conducted using the top 10 brands of Antivirus software that averaged the most consumer sales to date. 
By looking at this Antivirus software comparing virus scans to memory usage, the lower the percentage of usage, the faster ones computer will perform.




In reviewing the antivirus programs volume of memory during a manual virus scan, the results show a lighter aggregate of memory in use with the VIPRE Antivirus software, while the Trend Micro AntiVirus takes up more than 4 times the amount of attributed memory resources.

                                                         AntiVirus Software volume of memory
                                             during a manual Virus Scan (in Megabytes)

Aside from the VIPRE AntiVirus program, the other AntiVirus Programs have demonstrated a heavy-weighted strain on the memory usage. These antivirus programs is one of many factors that can reduce the performance of a Windows Operating System




To see the software homepage that we recommend,
including additional Charts demonstrating

1. CPU Usage during Scans
2. an analysis on Scanning Speeds
3. the antivirus software we rated as First Place
   
              
    Click Here:
   
   or
   READ THE PROS & CONS BELOW:   
   

Now for the feedback of those we have surveyed. Products are listed in the order that our antivirus review recommends them in:

VIPRE AntiVirus + AntiSpyware GETS OUR FIRST PLACE RATING
Pros:   Extremely Light on your Computer, giving you the ability to work without any slow downs, especially when detecting and removing Computer Virus Threats.
Pros:   Phone Support is toll free, does not cost extra, and is unlimited. We found no waiting times unlike Webroot. Support is US based and speak English better than any other AntiVirus Software Company we have found.
Pros:   Easy to install.
Pros:   Great Price for single users (cost under $30), and even better for their multi-user home site license (covers everyone in a home for under $50 bucks)
Cons:  The July 2008 Beta Version required a reboot during the installation (not after), but that was fixed in August 2008, so no Cons to date. . . please check back.

ESET NOD32 AntiVirus Software GETS OUR SECOND PLACE RATING
Pros:   Is efficient at removing computer virus threats.
Pros:   Lets advanced computer users manipulate it to their abilities.
Pros:  Easy to install.
Cons:  Phone Support is limited in hours
Cons:  Phone Support is not free.

Kaspersky AntiVirus GETS OUR THIRD PLACE RATING
Pros:  Kaspersky Antivirus software (like Norton) has a recovery feature, that lets you configure a rescue disc in case your computer becomes compromised by a Computer Virus.
Cons:  Not easy to install. Support is limited. Not light on system resources.

Panda AntiVirus GETS OUR FOURTH PLACE RATING
Pros:   Is easy to install.
Pros:   Has few options to choose from when operating, so people do not get confused.
Cons:  Price averages at $49.95
Cons:  Support is not free.

BitDefender GETS OUR FIFTH PLACE RATING
Pros:   Easy to use.
Pros:   Great Price.
Pros:   Has few options to choose from when operating, so people do not get confused.
Cons:  BitDefender may classify some safe programs as viral, and may either remove them or quarantine what it perceives as a virus threat.
Cons:  No phone number is given to call for support without making you jump through hoops, always referring you back to their knowledgebase to troubleshoot problems before contacting them. Very frustrating.

Norton 360 GETS OUR SIXTH PLACE RATING
Pros:   Offers an excellent Virus and Spyware Scan.
Pros:   Has a Firewall feature to fight intrusions and hacker attacks.
Pros:   Excellent live support using Live Chat
Cons:  Scans for Virus and Spyware slows down your computer (where you have to walk away from your computer and let it finish its antivirus scanning)
Cons:  Price is high for Antivirus Software (ranges from $50 + / -  for current versions, Version 2)
Cons:  Scheduling scans feature does not always work properly, as noted in examples of scans that should take place at 1AM or 2AM but happen at other times of the day
Cons:  Phone support takes forever (they seem to route your calls to the Far East)

McAfee AntiVirus GETS OUR SEVENTH PLACE RATING
Pros:   Loading process was simple and straightforward with no complications
Pros:   Employs a helpful website safety evaluation feature, that tells you if a website is safe to visit or has potential virus threats when surfing the net
Cons:  Reduces speed of computer operations (general utilities decreased enough to notice . . . not as bad as Norton, but enough to be upsetting)
Cons:  Poor on phone support

Trend Micro GETS OUR EIGHTH PLACE RATING
Pros:   Loading process was simple and straightforward with no complications
Pros:   AntiVirus was easy to use
Pros:   Free phone support
Cons:   Overall we really think this is for advanced computer users
Cons:   Not simple to load (possibly because it includes more than just features found in antivirus programs)
Cons:   The Anti-Spyware component was not able to completely remove all spyware

Webroot GETS OUR NINTH PLACE RATING
Pros:   Easy to install
Pros:   Easy to navigate
Pros:   Free phone support
Cons:   Automatic Updates are problematic and have caused slowdowns of computer operations
Cons:   The constant Warnings alert Feature activates too often, causing too many false alarms
Cons:   Phone lines are often busy when calling for help (30 minutes of waiting till the average support person was available)


PC Tools GETS OUR LAST PLACE RATING
Pros:   Easy to use for beginners
Pros:   Includes an anti spyware program called Spyware Doctor
Pros:   Toll Free phone support
Cons:   Takes too long to scan for computer viruses 
Cons:   Not efficient at finding PC computer viruses
Cons:   Slows down your computer painfully slow


For more information on our review, you may Contact Us.