The World's Best Antivirus Software

Cybercriminals are right now testing all the current security software for holes so stay current

Welcome traveler to our continuing hubs on the world's best antivirus software, we have a numbered list of antivirus programs below somewhere to help you find protection for your computing friend, so she can keep the vital data you have stored on your friend warm and safe at all times.

A few points before we can head down the road to find the tool to keep your friend safe while you're surfing the World Wide Web. Firstly of all the security software you can buy to help protect your computer from online threats, antivirus software is undoubtedly the most important. Viruses are malicious programs that can damage vital files, hide important data, and even more. We also recommend antivirus programs for Macs, if only to prevent them from passing on Malware to Windows users (only Norton (6) is currently compatible with Mac OS).

Also, the category Product shows the name of the stand-alone product and, in parenthesis, the name of the security suite that contains the same product, if available on the market. The overall product rating was determined based mainly upon detection of viruses and the features included with this capability (scheduled scans, IM scan, Rootkit detection, and Firewall), user friendliness of product, and the scan speed of the program. The listed prices below are for downloaded versions of the product and generally includes the first year of service, but always check. If you want a boxed version they are typically available in retail stores specializing in software products for about $10 to $15 extra.

Well time to head to the start line, we hope you find what you're looking for hubber.

•1. Trend Micro Antivirus plus AntiSpyware (PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007) Provides the best overall protection from malware hoping to ‘have a little fun' with your computer and antispyware capability is included, which is one of the main reasons Trend Micro appears first on this list of the world's best antivirus software. You can schedule scans if you're the forgetful type or plan to be away from your computer for a few days and want to leave it connected to the Internet, which is not something we would suggest. Scan the instant messages you maybe receiving or sending to important contacts you probably don't want to pass malware onto. Trend Micro's software provides excellent protection against Rootkit viruses, read our hubs on viruses for specifics, and provides a top of the line Firewall. Price $40, with a $40 yearly renewal fee.

•2. Check Point ZoneAlarm Antivirus (Internet Security Suite 7.0) Provides slightly better detection capabilities over the Trend Micro product, especially when it comes to not mistakenly flagging benign data as virus laden. This product comes with all the features included with the Trend Micro software at number one on this list, so the differences there are negligible. The scan speed of Check Point's software was slower than Trend Micro's and Trend Micro does have better user friendliness, but considering the difference in price of the two products each person will have to weight the importance of every feature. One good thing is that both the Trend Micro and Check Point products can be upgraded to their suite versions for $10 to $20. Price $30, with a $20 yearly renewal fee.

•3. Microsoft Windows Live OneCare (Vista) 1.5 Provides as good detection ability as Check Point's product, although it wasn't as good at not flagging benign items as malicious. This product lacks in the ability to safely detect malware in instant messages, so if you use this service a lot, well you get the picture. It also won't detect Rootkit viruses, so if you go this route you might as well get a suite. This product is reasonably user friendly and provides adequate scan speed, depending on your requirements of course. Price $50, with a $50 yearly renewal fee, talk about pricey.

• 4. BitDefender Antivirus (Internet Security) 10 Provides average detection capabilities when compared to the first three on our list. It comes with all the features of Trend Micro's product, and although it doesn't do as good a job with many of the features, they do provide more then adequate capability. BitDefender's product only provides average user friendliness, so some mental juggling maybe necessary, unless you're already a little chaotic yourself in which case this product may exactly fit your order. The one area that BitDefender dropped the ball a little is in the area of scan speed, so if you're hard drive is large and full of files, it may take a while so you probably have time to go to Starbuck's for coffee. Price $30, with a $22 yearly renewal fee, the best price other than the free Alwil program we talk about below.

Here are a few more that made the list, only further along in the reviews.

McAfee ViruScan Plus (Internet Security Suite) 2007

Symantec Norton Antivirus (Internet Security) 2007

Kaspersky Labs Anti-Virus 6.0

Symantec Norton Antivirus for Macintosh 10.1

F-Secure Anti-Virus (Internet Security) 2007

CA/eTrust Antivirus 2007

Alwil Avast Home Edition 4.7 (free download only)

Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus Free 7.5 (free software)

Well that's it for another hub on Internet Security software; we hope you found the protection for your computing friend you were looking for. Join us next time for our continuing hubs on Internet Security Software as we will discuss the world's best antispyware programs. Until then traveler, happy hubbing!