If you want to know where you’re going to get the very best antivirus software, it’s always a good idea to simply take a look at what’s popular.
This isn’t always true of everything. For example, popular music, modern jazz, the Ford Pinto, American Idol. Popular things aren’t always good! However, when it comes to killing viruses, nobody really has anything in mind except… killing viruses, so you can generally trust that people aren’t going to be praising software that doesn’t get the job done.
So, by user reviews, here are some of the very best, top rated, most well reviewed virus scanners available.
McAfee Security Center
McAfee Security Center, depending on where you get your reviews, tends to get an average of four to five out of five possible stars, and for good reason. McAfee is designed to be the only security software you’ll ever need, and in many a reviewer’s opinion, mission accomplished.
McAfee gets regular updates, it’s incredibly easy to use, and it will cover you on every possible front, from virus, to spam, to popups to spyware, it gets the job done. Fifty bucks would be a little much to ask for just one of these, but it’s the only program you’ll ever need to keep your computer safe, so you’re saving money in the end.
Avira AntiVir
Avira AntiVir may very well be, bar none, the very best free virus scanner available. In fact, it’s something of a surprise that it’s being offered for free in the first place, as it could easily compete alongside many of the bargain priced antivirus programs, and certainly beats a few of them. Avira usually ranks around five stars. Part of that is because it’s a great program for being free, and part of that is simply because it’s a great program, period. It receives updates every single day, sometimes several times in one day, and it’s only the rare update that requires reinstallation. Most updates will apply themselves with no hassle at all on your part.
Avast! Home Edition
Avast Professional Edition offers a sixty day trial offer and tends to rank around four or five stars in customer reviews, while Avast Home Edition is completely free… and tends to rank around four or five stars. The home edition is probably all you need. It’s a slightly more complete package than Avira, though Avira takes the lead for ease of use and frequent updates.
