Antivirus software is must-have protection. This review picks the best antivirus software for Windows based on its malware detection scores in independent antivirus tests, system performance, and usefulness of features.
1. Bitdefender Internet Security Suite
Bitdefender has consistently performed considerably better than many of its competitors on virus detection and removal tests. Additionally, Bitdefender is often first to market with important new features - such as the first to add a firewall or behavioral-based protection to supplement traditional signature scanning. Bitdefender Internet Security 2012 continues the tradition of firsts, offering social networking protection for Twitter and Facebook as well as incremental background scanning for enhanced system performance.
2. Avira Internet Security 2012
Avira is an internationally respected security company that provides a full range of anti-malware and security products. Avira Internet Security 2012 (formerly known as the Avira AntiVir Premium security suite) is one of the company’s flagship products, earning a well-deserved reputation for its detection and protection capabilities as well as its low impact on system performance. Avira Internet Security has a long track record of solid performance in malware detection testing performed by AV-Test.org, AV-Comparatives, and other third-party malware testing organizations.
3. Bitdefender Sphere
Home users often have a range of mixed computing devices, from PCs to Macs, to smartphones and tablets. This wider range of devices makes applying antivirus software and security protection a more costly endeavor. Bitdefender Sphere helps solve that problem by securing an unlimited number of Windows, Mac, and Android devices for up to 3 users within a single home. It's not just hardware and software protection either. Credit monitoring and Bitdefender's specialized social networking security for Twitter and Facebook extend the protection so users themselves are also protected.
4. Kaspersky Internet Security 2012
The Kaspersky engine consistently outperforms many of its competitors in third-party independent antivirus tests. Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 combines the core Kaspersky engine with a two-way firewall, spam filtering, parental controls, and identity theft protection.5. F-Secure Internet Security Suite
Families that need to control Internet access for younger children and teens will find much to like about F-Secure Internet Security. Parental controls can be set to accommodate various user types, including time limits imposed on Web surfing.
