This page is a work inprogress covering antivirus options, a general history of antivirus products, and current products. Please let me knowif you have any questions.
Check back, as I will update this last with reviews and additional information as it becomes available.
Antivirus and internet security software are essential for protecting your computer and personal information from online threats such as malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. With so many options available, choosing the best antivirus solution for your unique situation can be overwhelming. Here are a few things to consider when evaluating and comparing antivirus products:
- Effectiveness at detecting and blocking threats: A good antivirus product should effectively detect and block a wide range of threats, including emerging threats. Be sure to research the track record of the product you are considering and look for independent test results that demonstrate its effectiveness.
- Performance impact: Some antivirus products may significantly impact system performance, particularly when running scans or other resource-intensive tasks. If you have an older or less powerful system, it may be worth considering a product with a lighter performance impact.
- Additional features: Some products may include a firewall, email security, parental controls, a password manager, or tools for optimizing and cleaning the system. These can be useful for users who want a more comprehensive security solution or have specific needs, such as protecting against phishing attacks or managing multiple passwords.
- User experience: Choose a product that is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface. This can make it easier to manage and configure the product and help ensure that it is used consistently and effectively.
- Support: Look for a product that provides a high level of support, including documentation, knowledge bases, and customer service. This can be particularly important if you encounter any issues or have questions about the product.
By considering these factors and researching and comparing multiple products, you can find an antivirus solution that meets your needs and helps protect your computer and personal information from online threats.
here are a few interesting trends that can be observed in the history of computer viruses:
- The early development of computer viruses in the 1960s and 1970s was driven by research into self-replicating programs and the theoretical foundations of computing.
- In the 1980s, computer viruses became more prevalent as personal computers and networks became more widespread. This led to the development of antivirus software and the emergence of the first commercial antivirus companies.
- The 1990s saw the rise of the internet and the proliferation of malware that was designed to exploit vulnerabilities in internet-connected systems. This led to the development of internet security software and the emergence of new types of threats, such as ransomware and phishing attacks.
- In the 2000s and beyond, the continued growth of the internet and the rise of mobile devices have led to new types of threats, such as mobile malware and malware that is specifically designed to target IoT devices. This has led to the development of new security technologies and approaches, such as machine learning and cloud-based security solutions.
Overall, the history of computer viruses reflects the evolution of computing technology and the changing nature of online threats. As technology and threats continue to evolve, it is likely that the field of antivirus and internet security will continue to adapt and innovate in response.
Avast Free Antivirus: Avast Free Antivirus is a comprehensive antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats.
Avast Premium Security: Avast Premium Security is an advanced antivirus program that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, and a basic firewall.
AVG Antivirus Free: AVG Antivirus Free is a reliable antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats.
AVG Antivirus: AVG Antivirus is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats.
AVG Internet Security: AVG Internet Security is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and email security.
Avira Free Security: Avira Free Security is a free antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes web protection to help protect against malicious websites.
Avira Internet Security: Avira Internet Security is an advanced antivirus program that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, and email security.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free: Bitdefender Antivirus Free is a free antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes macro protection to help protect against malicious macros in documents.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, and a firewall. It also includes web protection to help protect against malicious websites.
Bitdefender Internet Security: Bitdefender Internet Security is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security to help protect against malicious emails.
Check Point ZoneAlarm PRO Antivirus + Firewall: Check Point ZoneAlarm PRO Antivirus + Firewall is a security suite that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, a firewall, and intrusion detection and prevention (IDS/IPS) to help protect against network-based threats. It uses a third-party antivirus engine (Kaspersky) for malware detection.
Check Point ZoneAlarm Extreme Security: Check Point ZoneAlarm Extreme Security is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, a firewall, intrusion detection and prevention (IDS/IPS), and web protection. It also includes email security to help protect against malicious emails.
Cisco Immunet: Cisco Immunet is a free antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It uses a third-party antivirus engine (ClamAV) for malware detection.
ClamWin Free Antivirus: ClamWin Free Antivirus is a free antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. For real-time protection, it can be used with a separate on-access scanning program, such as Winpooch or Clam Sentinel.
Comodo Internet Security: Comodo Internet Security is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes a sandbox to help protect against potentially harmful programs by running them in a simulated environment.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus: ESET NOD32 Antivirus is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes email security to help protect against malicious emails.
ESET Smart Security Premium: ESET Smart Security Premium is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security, parental controls, and a password manager.
Fortinet FortiClient: Fortinet FortiClient is a security suite that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes a firewall and web protection to help protect against malicious websites.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus: Kaspersky Anti-Virus is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes email security to help protect against malicious emails.
Kaspersky Internet Security: Kaspersky Internet Security is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security, parental controls, and a password manager.
Kaspersky Total Security: Kaspersky Total Security is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security, parental controls, a password manager, and additional tools for protecting against online threats.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes a tool for removing malware that may have already been installed on the system.
McAfee Antivirus Plus: McAfee Antivirus Plus is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes a firewall and web protection to help protect against malicious websites.
McAfee Internet Security: McAfee Internet Security is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security, parental controls, and a password manager.
Microsoft Defender: Microsoft Defender is an antivirus program that is included with the Windows operating system. It provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes a firewall and web protection to help protect against malicious websites.
Norton AntiVirus: Norton AntiVirus is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes a firewall and web protection to help protect against malicious websites.
Norton Internet Security: Norton Internet Security is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security, parental controls, and a password manager.
Norton 360: Norton 360 is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security, parental controls, a password manager, and additional tools for protecting against online threats.
Panda Free Antivirus: Panda Free Antivirus is a free antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes a firewall and web protection to help protect against malicious websites.
Panda Internet Security: Panda Internet Security is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security, parental controls, and a password manager.
Trend Micro Antivirus: Trend Micro Antivirus is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes email security to help protect against malicious emails.
Trend Micro Internet Security: Trend Micro Internet Security is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security, parental controls, and a password manager.
Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus: Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes a firewall and web protection to help protect against malicious websites.
Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete: Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security, parental controls, password manager, and additional tools for protecting against online threats.
Comodo Antivirus: Comodo Antivirus is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes a firewall and web protection to help protect against malicious websites.
Dr.Web Antivirus: Dr.Web Antivirus is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes email security to help protect against malicious emails.
Dr.Web Security Space: Dr.Web Security Space is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security, parental controls, and additional tools for protecting against online threats.
F-Secure: F-Secure is a security company that offers a range of antivirus and internet security products. Their products include features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. Some of their products also include email security, parental controls, and a password manager.
G Data Antivirus: G Data Antivirus is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes email security to help protect against malicious emails.
G Data Internet Security: G Data Internet Security is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security, parental controls, and a password manager.
G Data Total Security: G Data Total Security is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security, parental controls, a password manager, and additional tools for protecting against online threats.
Nano Antivirus: Nano Antivirus is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes a firewall to help protect against network-based threats.
Spyware Doctor with Antivirus: Spyware Doctor with Antivirus is a security suite that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes a firewall and web protection to help protect against malicious websites.
360 Total Security: 360 Total Security is a comprehensive security suite that provides protection against a wide range of online threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, heuristics, a firewall, and web protection. It also includes email security, parental controls, a password manager, and additional tools for optimizing and cleaning the system.
VBA32 Antivirus: VBA32 Antivirus is an antivirus program that provides protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It includes features such as on-demand scanning, on-access scanning, and heuristics to detect and block potential threats. It also includes a firewall and web protection to help protect against malicious websites.
It is difficult to rank antivirus and internet security products in a definitive way, as different products may excel in different areas and may be more suitable for different users depending on their specific needs and preferences. Some factors to consider when evaluating and comparing antivirus and internet security products include:
- Effectiveness at detecting and blocking threats: This includes the ability to detect and remove malware, ransomware, and other types of threats. It is important to choose a product that can effectively detect and block a wide range of threats, including emerging threats.
- Performance impact: Some antivirus and internet security products may impact system performance more, particularly when running scans or other resource-intensive tasks. It is important to consider the impact on performance when choosing a product, particularly if you have an older or less powerful system.
- Additional features: Some products may include a firewall, email security, parental controls, a password manager, or tools for optimizing and cleaning the system. These can be useful for users who want a more comprehensive security solution or have specific needs, such as protecting against phishing attacks or managing multiple passwords.
- User experience: Choosing a product that is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface is important. This can make it easier to manage and configure the product and help ensure it is used consistently and effectively.
- Support: It can be helpful to choose a product that provides a high level of support, including documentation, knowledge bases, and customer service. This can be particularly important if you encounter any issues or have questions about the product.
Ultimately, the best antivirus or internet security product for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Researching and comparing multiple products to determine the best fit for you. Some factors to consider when evaluating and comparing products include their effectiveness at detecting and blocking threats, their performance impact, any additional features they offer, their user experience, and the level of support provided. Additionally, it is important to keep your antivirus or internet security product up to date to ensure that you are protected against the latest threats.
- Avast Free Antivirus
- AVG Antivirus Free
- Avira Free Security
- Bitdefender Antivirus Free
- Cisco (originally Immunet) Immunet
- ClamWin Free Antivirus
- Comodo Antivirus
- Dr.Web Antivirus
- Microsoft Defender
- Nano Antivirus
- Panda Free Antivirus
- VBA32 Antivirus
FAQ (Links to Articles as Completed)
Which is the best antivirus?
This is somewhat subjective, making it very hard to answer, but I will say Windows Defender has come out on top of most antivirus testing.
Is there a 100% free antivirus?
Yes, Windows Defender is 100% free. There are also other free options some free options but they will show you ads for upgrades.
Which antivirus is best for free?
Without a doubt Windows Defender is the best FREE option for Windows computers.
What are the 5 types of antivirus?
- coming soon
Is it worth buying an antivirus?
I do not think the paid options at this point show any value over the top choice free option of Windows Defender. This might be something that will changes as we do our testing of all the antivirus options. Still, Windows Defender is very hard to beat for a free option.
What is the difference between paid and free antivirus?
Look for the article to get a full comparison when it gets published. Simple differences include how much they ask you to do or interrupt your day, with paid options often being very noisy as they need a way to justify you paying each year.
What is antivirus?
Antivirus is a program that runs on your computer to prevent problematic programs from running. These programs are known as malware, such as viruses, ransomware, and worm, to name a few.
Do I need antivirus software?
It is highly recommended to get an antivirus solution. I think the real question is whether or not you should be paying for one.
What is the best antivirus software?
See above the question, “Which is the best antivirus?”
