Group test: what's the best antivirus?

The top 5 antivirus programs you can buy or download

By | PC Advisor |

PC Advisor reviews the top 5 antivirus programs you can buy or download in the UK right now. Updated, 24 April, 2012

See also: Antivirus software reviews

Internet security suites

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5. Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus Plus 2011

Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus Plus 2011
  • Reviewed on: 28 January 11
  • RRP: £29 inc. VAT
  • Rating: Rated 7 out of 10

Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus Plus 2011 performed well in most of our tests, and is worth your consideration.

4. Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011
  • Reviewed on: 30 November 10
  • RRP: £29 inc VAT (1-PC, 1-year licence)
  • Rating: Rated 8 out of 10

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011 is very effective at blocking new malware attacks and is easy to use, but it slows system performance more than we'd like.

3. G-Data AntiVirus 2011

G-Data AntiVirus 2011
  • Reviewed on: 6 December 10
  • RRP: £24 inc. VAT
  • Rating: Rated 8 out of 10

Although it has some minor issues, G-Data AntiVirus 2011 is a very strong package overall, and is worthy of your consideration.

 

 

2. BitDefender Antivirus Pro 2011

BitDefender Antivirus Pro 2011
  • Reviewed on: 7 December 10
  • RRP: £14 inc. VAT
  • Rating: Rated 9 out of 10

Every product has its strengths and weaknesses. BitDefender Antivirus Pro 2011 is a pretty solid package, with a healthy set of features. But while it did a very good job in most malware detection and removal tests, you should bear in mind that it may not block brand-new malware attacks very well.

1. Norton Antivirus 2011

Norton Antivirus 2011
  • Reviewed on: 2 December 10
  • RRP: £39 inc. VAT
  • Rating: Rated 9 out of 10

All things considered, Norton Antivirus 2011 is a great all-around package, and is worth considering if you're in the market for new antivirus software.

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Comments

MissMoppet said: Kaspersky wrecked two of my machines.

Missmoppet said:  I agree. I installed Kaspersky on my PC running XP and laptop with Win 7. Locked up both during installation. Took me 2 days to uninstall. Ghastly: tec help useless though they did refund cost.

Cbcobra said: 'Microsoft Security Essentials' One would expect the 'Major' player on the internet to have a superior net security programme than some of these 'dodgy' competitors! Well I for one will carry on using 'MS Security Essentials'  and it's FREE....

Matt Egan said: Not at all. We update all of our group tests at least once month. If we've not found better products, the list remains that same. However, in this case I accept that it looks a bit odd as we're still in the process of testing some of the 2012 products. Matt

D Zaster said: I agree with Stuart in that Nortons user base consists of Mr Average Joe Public who reckons he needs a computer because everyone else has got one (and the same with Broadband) so he gets his PC or laptop from PC World/Currys/Comet (wherever) and the sales assistant sells the pre-installed package at a bargain price of £30 because "you must get an anti-virus package if you are going on the internet" etc.Yes, you can get rid of Norton - Google "Norton Removal Tool" (Just spotted your note Gary but thought I'd leave this on)

Cliff said: Kaspersky's 2011 removal tool has serious problems.has trashed 2 of my machines.Both had to have the XP o/s completely reinstalled. Their tech team have not responded to my latest emails. NEVER AGAIN!

Gary Gemmell said: As an engineer I can tell you mcafee used to be a real pig and Norton is probably the worst especially to remove.This is acknowledged as both products specifically have removal tools on their own websites! Well hidden I might add!The best AV is undoubtedly Kaspersky and Sophos.This is also backed up by many crackers and security researchers at the latest Chaos hacking conference in Germany and by many researchers and fellow engineers I have met over the years!

cakeboy said: just restored a lappy running norton 360. 36 trojans that mbam removed , all VERY common yet norton dont see them.some of the worst infected pc's ive come across were running norton or mcafee.i wouldn't use anything that leaves 300+ reg entries and several services running AFTER its been uninstalled.

Stuart said: Norton was a screaming joke before 2009, it required a nuclear power station to run it and napalm to get rid of it.So the 2009 versions onwards are much better,,so what!2011 is very different with "free" alternatives that are just as good but not as well known.Norton has a core customer base which is the mug punters who buy it with their new pc and usually don't have a clue how their pc works or how to secure it.Ive used free products for the last ten years and never had any major problems.Norton has survived through people being lazy and falling into the trap of believing that all software comes at a price and a one year licence key to be any good.Maybe in these troubled times they might look around to save them from paying a stupid price to make their pc's secure but i won't hold my breath..

Skidz said: Norton products since 2009 have been absolutely superb. If you havent tried them since the awful 2008 and before that versions ... give it a go. I used to detest Norton but now its the only System security i'd use.

Richard Turpin said: I agree with "tried most" the worst anti virus to load on a system is Norton it really is virtually impossible to eradicate from a system successfully, the only way to restore to working system is a wipe of the system. Incidentally how the hell did they ever get in the ratings at all??

Matt Egan - Editor said: I'm intrigued by this, to be honest. For the past two years Norton has been top or near the top of all of our independent lap tests for antivirus and security suites. Three, four years ago it was nowhere near. I'm no Norton advocate (although I do use Norton 360 on one of my PCs), but it is much, much better than it ever was, and right now offers the best protection on the market. I wonder if the anti-Norton commenters have used any of the more recent builds? (Incidentally, like Jezclayton I am a big fan of MS Security Essentials - which I use on most of my systems.)

Richard Turpin said: I agree with "tried most" the worst anti virus to load on a system is Norton it really is virtually impossible to eradicate from a system successfully, the only way to restore to working system is a wipe of the system. Incidentally how the hell did they ever get in the ratings at all??

Jezclayton said: Why anyone pays for antivirus I will never know.Microsoft Security Essentials works just fine for me and costs.......nothing.

tried most said: Once Norton is on your computer it seems to take over system files and replaces them with its own and you can never get rid of it. I would never use it again

brendan84 said: What happened to No3?

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