Best Antivirus - Download Anti virus Software

In deciding which is the best antivirus analysts put the top antivirus software through rigorous tests and rank their performance. The best antivirus is determined by its effectiveness in detecting viruses and other security threats as well as meeting various other user needs.  

Bitdefender Antivirus 2009 

Bitdefender is ranked as the best antivirus software for 2009. The software from Softwin is easy to download and install (takes less than half an hour). The software scored highly in a test carried out by SV-Test.org, where it was exposed to viruses and managed to identify more than 98% of them. 

Bitdefender antivirus will not take up much of your hard disk, just 60MB. Prior to installation, it removes any other anitvirus software in the operating system. This is important if you want to avoid diminished performance and compromised protection of your computer caused by the presence of more than one antivirus. 

Every time you boot your computer, Bitdefender antivirus scans your boot-up files and all files that have been accessed recently. The software keeps a record of the last time and date each file was used. If a file has not been opened since the last scan, it will be skipped in the present scan, therefore increasing scanning speed.  

Bitdefender also offers the best internet security any antivirus available in the market can offer. Received and sent emails are scanned for threats. Users can authorize the software to deter threats with JavaScript or ActiveX. Bitdefender can even remove threats from the HTML stream to your computer before they can gain access to it. Updates of new virus signatures are set by default to be carried out automatically every hour ensuring security.  

This software not only protects you from the latest known threats but also from those that have yet to be reported. It includes a Virtual Machine that works behind the scenes. The Virtual Machine tests running application for suspicious code. This includes any code that does not match with the virus signatures in the database but appears similar to a virus.  

Bitdefender antivirus is a complete antivirus. It however has slower scanning speeds than other top antivirus which may be attributed to the high level of security it offers.  

Kapersky Antivirus 2009 

According to several antivirus reviews, Kapersky antivirus is the second best antivirus available in the 2009 market so far. Kapersky Antivirus is just as effective as Bitdefender in detecting viruses (also detected more than 98%). It however scored lower points in the detection of spyware (It only managed to detect 92%).  

Kapersky antivirus, like Bitdefender antivirus, offers a high level of security and therefore also has lower scanning speed when compared to other anitvirus software. Kapersky antivirus however will save you time by simultaneously running scans for the detection of viruses and spyware unlike other antivirus programs which carry out separate scans for the detection of the two types of threats.

One of Kapersky antivirus outstanding features is that it assists users in creating a rescue disk. This will help them retain important information in the event that their computers security is threatened and the system fails to reboot.  

The fact that Kapersky’s uninstall utility leaves no traces of the program in your operating system inspires confidence in Kapersky Labs, as it shows that they fully understand their own product. Downloading and installation are both quick and simple and updates occur automatically every hour.  

Just like Bitdefender, Kapersky antivirus scans emails but only scans port 80 traffic (Bitdefender scans both port 80 and port 443 traffic). Trojans, viruses and other malware that are online can be detected and prevented from making their way into your system. Kapersky antivirus also safeguards your computer from malicious code by locking certain registry keys which would otherwise be targeted and used to cause damage to the system. This anitvirus program also keeps out rootkits, unwanted dealers and adware and unauthorized remote access tools.  

Webroot Antivirus  

The third antivirus software, Webroot antivirus, includes firewall and antispyware in its package. This antivirus has the ability to make self modifications when it encounters a new threat that is not currently recorded within its database of virus signatures.

This is thanks to the inclusion of the complete version of SpySweeper. This means that the user’s computer is protected from even those viruses and malware that have yet to be reported to the developers at Webroot. 

Webroot antivirus has a simple interface that makes the program easy to use. It was designed specifically for use in the home. The anitvirus software developers therefore kept in mind that most users will not be conversant with information security and threats to security. The antivirus program therefore configures itself and requires little or no user intervention.  

The Virus Bulletin 100 awarded to Webroot is testament of its effectiveness at detecting viruses (it managed to detect 100% of those it was exposed to in the wild). It is one of the most effective antivirus programs in the market when it comes to detecting viruses.  

Webroots antivirus’ internet security is top of the line. Apart from the scanning of emails and attachments, the program includes about seventeen shields that offer protection for your browser, network, windows system, attachments and boot up files.

Webroot antivirus will also provide you with information regarding the latest threats to information security. There are constant alerts bearing news on the latest threats as they appear. The program also includes a Game Mode utility. This suspends scheduled scans or updates while you are playing a game or watching a movie on your computer. You will therefore be able to enjoy your entertainment without interruption.  

Like Kapersky and Bitdefender  antivirus, Webroot antivirus is easy to download from the Internet and only takes a few minutes. The program was designed to interfere as little as possible with the running of other programs in the system. Users can therefore run scans and not experience the slowing down of processes that is experienced when running scans with some of the other antivirus software.  

G-DATA antivirus 2009 

G-DATA antivirus 2009 is the fourth amongst the best antivirus programs for 2009. The antivirus scanner may not be one of the fastest in the market but is definitely one of the most effective when it comes to detecting and deleting viruses which is the most important aspect of any antivirus. 

G-DATA antivirus is also attributed with the ability to use a small portion of the resources on your computer. Its effectiveness and ability to use a small amount of resources can be attributed to the inclusion of parallel scan technology. This technology allows quad or dual processor computers to spread the work load and ensure that the resources are distributed efficiently.  

G-DATA’s heuristic scanner maintains surveillance on files and keeps a look out for files that have characteristics similar to those of viruses. The program also scans and monitors emails and attachments as well as scanning removable hardware for malware. Updates occur constantly (up to every minute) ensuring that the users computer is protected from the latest threats.  

The G-DATA package includes a boot CD. This can be used before the actual installation of the antivirus program. Running this CD enables the detection and removal of rootkits via a Linux based scan that is completely safe. This ensures that your operating system is completely free from viruses before the installation of new antivirus software. Furthermore, you can create a similar boot CD that can be used on a different computer. Installation of the program is simple and only requires that you follow the prompts on the screen.  

ESET NOD 32 antivirus 

This antivirus program was ranked fifth amongst the best antivirus programs of 2009. This antivirus software can detect threats even before a report has been made about them. It is highly effective in the detection of viruses (managed to detect 98% in a test by AV-Test.org) but not as effective in the detection of spyware (only managed to detect about 92%). The advantage it offers is a fast as well as effective scanner. Amongst all the products mentioned here, this is the only antivirus that offers both high speed and effective scanning.  

The scanner furthermore interferes very little with other processes running on your computer. Users can therefore run scans as they work on their computers. When compared to other products including the top 10 best antivirus software for 2009, this antivirus showed the least interference with other computer processes.  

ESET NOD 32 is the ideal antivirus for those still using older operating systems. The antivirus still supports systems such as DOS and earlier versions of Windows. It is also just as effective with Windows Vista and Windows XP operating systems.