[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Best Security Suites: PC Bodyguards here

[BenjaminTangjxpr]

I've read that Win 7 is pretty robust (as compared to Win XP). And so all I do is supplement the OS' security features with "Windows Security Essentials" which can be downloaded free. Wonder how this plus Win 7's built in firewall stack up against the competition??

[Mattvm8v]

BenjaminTangjxpr, on 30 January 2012 - 11:30 PM, said:

I've read that Win 7 is pretty robust (as compared to Win XP). And so all I do is supplement the OS' security features with "Windows Security Essentials" which can be downloaded free. Wonder how this plus Win 7's built in firewall stack up against the competition??

To answer your question you just need to go to AV-Test.org. Microsoft Security Essentials has the lowest protection rate of any AntiVirus software free or paid. Only scoring a 2/6 in protection. That said it did tie AntiVir in removal. While Panda Cloud AntiVirus ranked highest amongst the freebies in both protection and usability. AVG free and AntVir ranked highest combo with 14/18. However AVAST has the most shields and is the only one with true x64 support. AVG claims to have a x64 version but it's not full as it still installs in the programs (x86) folder. So in the end it depends on the OS you use, what is most important to you and if you're willing to pay for AntiVirus or not. If you have a 32 bit system then you can use Panda combined with other AntiVirus software (that's at least their claim). So what they say you could combine Panda Cloud with Microsoft Security Essentials for the best overall combo. But there are better options than MSE by itself. Panda,AVG,AVAST OR AntiVir are better choices due to MSE's low protection rate. I myself prefer AVAST and AntiVir. AVAST on x64 and AntiVir on x86. If I'm using paid I go with Kaspersky. It seems to be the most reliable paid AntiVirus year in and year out.

And as for Firewalls go, Windows 7 is an improvement but it's not on par with Comodo Firewall, not by a long shot. And Comodo Firewall is also free. Just remember to turn off Windows Firewall if you wish to use Comodo Firewall to avoid any conflicts.

This post has been edited by Mattvm8v: 31 January 2012 - 05:02 AM

[Internet2k4]

I'd been a happy Norton IS user since 2007, on the effectiveness versus really low resource demand, but a recent update to 2011 began demanding unbelievable hard drive I/O (CPU and RAM remained very low) and this persists in 2012. I didn't renew my subscription and have defaulted to MSE plus occasional MalwareBytes scans. I'm a pretty wussy browser with equally wussy online contacts, expect MSE is "good enough" - it should have been included in the reviews here, though I've read an update is anticipated near future and maybe that explains the omission.

[WallyDuke]

The chart near the end of the article is promising. Let's hope these guys can keep up the good work. I've been using free AV (Avast) for several years now and am very happy.

[BenjaminTangjxpr]

Mattvm8v, on 31 January 2012 - 04:46 AM, said:

BenjaminTangjxpr, on 30 January 2012 - 11:30 PM, said:

I've read that Win 7 is pretty robust (as compared to Win XP). And so all I do is supplement the OS' security features with "Windows Security Essentials" which can be downloaded free. Wonder how this plus Win 7's built in firewall stack up against the competition??

To answer your question you just need to go to AV-Test.org. Microsoft Security Essentials has the lowest protection rate of any AntiVirus software free or paid. Only scoring a 2/6 in protection. That said it did tie AntiVir in removal. While Panda Cloud AntiVirus ranked highest amongst the freebies in both protection and usability. AVG free and AntVir ranked highest combo with 14/18. However AVAST has the most shields and is the only one with true x64 support. AVG claims to have a x64 version but it's not full as it still installs in the programs (x86) folder. So in the end it depends on the OS you use, what is most important to you and if you're willing to pay for AntiVirus or not. If you have a 32 bit system then you can use Panda combined with other AntiVirus software (that's at least their claim). So what they say you could combine Panda Cloud with Microsoft Security Essentials for the best overall combo. But there are better options than MSE by itself. Panda,AVG,AVAST OR AntiVir are better choices due to MSE's low protection rate. I myself prefer AVAST and AntiVir. AVAST on x64 and AntiVir on x86. If I'm using paid I go with Kaspersky. It seems to be the most reliable paid AntiVirus year in and year out.

And as for Firewalls go, Windows 7 is an improvement but it's not on par with Comodo Firewall, not by a long shot. And Comodo Firewall is also free. Just remember to turn off Windows Firewall if you wish to use Comodo Firewall to avoid any conflicts.

Thanks for the link, Matt.

[downhiller80]

Since I just started using it at home, I'm just wondering where GFI's VIPRE would have stacked up with this bunch. Any reason why it wasn't included?

[Mattvm8v]

downhiller80, on 31 January 2012 - 09:24 AM, said:

Since I just started using it at home, I'm just wondering where GFI's VIPRE would have stacked up with this bunch. Any reason why it wasn't included?

I doubt that well. Vipre only scored a 3/6 in repair which is tied for 3rd worst overall in repair. Overall it scored 13/18 which is 11th best in paid AntiVirus. I don't think even if you factor in speed and stability would it make it any higher.

This post has been edited by Mattvm8v: 31 January 2012 - 10:06 AM

[gillmore22p3pg]

i had norton 360 for past 4 yrs never had a issue i think its the best i had trend woke up one day trend security was not working had a serious vires thumbs up to norton.. ps noton as a ultimate prium service for $20 a month for any issue virus trojan etc vs dell which they charge you per incident

[gregwashere2]

How does Malwarebytes 1.60 stack up?

[gregwashere2]

How does Malwarebytes 1.60 stack up?

[DTNick]

gregwashere2, on 31 January 2012 - 11:36 AM, said:

How does Malwarebytes 1.60 stack up?

This particular roundup only covered security suites, not freebies or standalone paid antivirus. But we'll definitely keep it in mind for future coverage.

[jscott418]

I have not bought any security since installing Windows 7. Have had no issues using Microsoft Security Essentials. AVG Free is good too. To me the paid ones are just more annoying.

[jscott418]

Mattvm8v, on 31 January 2012 - 04:46 AM, said:

BenjaminTangjxpr, on 30 January 2012 - 11:30 PM, said:

I've read that Win 7 is pretty robust (as compared to Win XP). And so all I do is supplement the OS' security features with "Windows Security Essentials" which can be downloaded free. Wonder how this plus Win 7's built in firewall stack up against the competition??

To answer your question you just need to go to AV-Test.org. Microsoft Security Essentials has the lowest protection rate of any AntiVirus software free or paid. Only scoring a 2/6 in protection. That said it did tie AntiVir in removal. While Panda Cloud AntiVirus ranked highest amongst the freebies in both protection and usability. AVG free and AntVir ranked highest combo with 14/18. However AVAST has the most shields and is the only one with true x64 support. AVG claims to have a x64 version but it's not full as it still installs in the programs (x86) folder. So in the end it depends on the OS you use, what is most important to you and if you're willing to pay for AntiVirus or not. If you have a 32 bit system then you can use Panda combined with other AntiVirus software (that's at least their claim). So what they say you could combine Panda Cloud with Microsoft Security Essentials for the best overall combo. But there are better options than MSE by itself. Panda,AVG,AVAST OR AntiVir are better choices due to MSE's low protection rate. I myself prefer AVAST and AntiVir. AVAST on x64 and AntiVir on x86. If I'm using paid I go with Kaspersky. It seems to be the most reliable paid AntiVirus year in and year out.

And as for Firewalls go, Windows 7 is an improvement but it's not on par with Comodo Firewall, not by a long shot. And Comodo Firewall is also free. Just remember to turn off Windows Firewall if you wish to use Comodo Firewall to avoid any conflicts.

Bottom line is that any of the free ones provide decent protection for Windows 7 users. I read the latest report from av-test and the December ratings show MSE not doing so bad. They just updated MSE and added
more protection features. Maybe your no fan of Microsoft and that's perfectly OK. But I find most of these tests split hairs on any of the popular programs. They all seem to have weakness in some areas. But most of them
seem to work fine for Windows 7. I would be more concerned about results if I was running Windows XP.

[LiveBrianD]

DTNick, on 31 January 2012 - 12:09 PM, said:

gregwashere2, on 31 January 2012 - 11:36 AM, said:

How does Malwarebytes 1.60 stack up?

This particular roundup only covered security suites, not freebies or standalone paid antivirus. But we'll definitely keep it in mind for future coverage.

I'm curious about that. MSE, according to av-test.org, isn't nearly as good as Avast, but it seems to work pretty well.

[DTNick]

ReadandShare, on 31 January 2012 - 02:09 PM, said:

test

Yep, comments work.

(I tease. )

[Mattvm8v]

jscott418, on 31 January 2012 - 03:12 PM, said:

Mattvm8v, on 31 January 2012 - 04:46 AM, said:

BenjaminTangjxpr, on 30 January 2012 - 11:30 PM, said:

I've read that Win 7 is pretty robust (as compared to Win XP). And so all I do is supplement the OS' security features with "Windows Security Essentials" which can be downloaded free. Wonder how this plus Win 7's built in firewall stack up against the competition??

To answer your question you just need to go to AV-Test.org. Microsoft Security Essentials has the lowest protection rate of any AntiVirus software free or paid. Only scoring a 2/6 in protection. That said it did tie AntiVir in removal. While Panda Cloud AntiVirus ranked highest amongst the freebies in both protection and usability. AVG free and AntVir ranked highest combo with 14/18. However AVAST has the most shields and is the only one with true x64 support. AVG claims to have a x64 version but it's not full as it still installs in the programs (x86) folder. So in the end it depends on the OS you use, what is most important to you and if you're willing to pay for AntiVirus or not. If you have a 32 bit system then you can use Panda combined with other AntiVirus software (that's at least their claim). So what they say you could combine Panda Cloud with Microsoft Security Essentials for the best overall combo. But there are better options than MSE by itself. Panda,AVG,AVAST OR AntiVir are better choices due to MSE's low protection rate. I myself prefer AVAST and AntiVir. AVAST on x64 and AntiVir on x86. If I'm using paid I go with Kaspersky. It seems to be the most reliable paid AntiVirus year in and year out.

And as for Firewalls go, Windows 7 is an improvement but it's not on par with Comodo Firewall, not by a long shot. And Comodo Firewall is also free. Just remember to turn off Windows Firewall if you wish to use Comodo Firewall to avoid any conflicts.

Bottom line is that any of the free ones provide decent protection for Windows 7 users. I read the latest report from av-test and the December ratings show MSE not doing so bad. They just updated MSE and added
more protection features. Maybe your no fan of Microsoft and that's perfectly OK. But I find most of these tests split hairs on any of the popular programs. They all seem to have weakness in some areas. But most of them
seem to work fine for Windows 7. I would be more concerned about results if I was running Windows XP.

First off if you read the new test released in January based on Nov/Dec tests you would see MSE rated low on protection. Looks like you're picking and choosing the tests to look at. Not surprising for a Microsoft fanboy. But the fact remains with me I use the best product available, I don't play favorites. I choose Avast and AntiVir because they are the best free AntiVirus programs year in and year out. AntiVir always wins AV-Comparatives top free AntiVirus award and AntiVir personal has never failed the VB100. It's the only product that hasn't failed the VB100 yet. So if you want to use an inconsistent freebie that is up and down in both protection and repair then go for it. I'd rather stick with a product that's always consistently top 5 in free products.

[Mattvm8v]

LiveBrianD, on 31 January 2012 - 05:34 PM, said:

DTNick, on 31 January 2012 - 12:09 PM, said:

gregwashere2, on 31 January 2012 - 11:36 AM, said:

How does Malwarebytes 1.60 stack up?

This particular roundup only covered security suites, not freebies or standalone paid antivirus. But we'll definitely keep it in mind for future coverage.

I'm curious about that. MSE, according to av-test.org, isn't nearly as good as Avast, but it seems to work pretty well.

The only thing you have to worry about is MSE's protection. Just pair it up with Panda Cloud. I use x64 bit so my best free option is Avast. I'd choose AntiVir if I had a x32 bit system. Because as I said in my last post it's the most consistent.

[Regats]

Didn't say much about Norton which placed second, and McAfee in 14th place?? - How?

Any thoughts about an the excellent and free Dr. Web anti virus?

[phoenixtommy]

Why don't you ever review Norton 360? I've used it for 5 years and am mostly happy with it, but I'd sure like to know how good it is compared to others.

Please help.