is bitdefender the best antivirus software?

[nrakid88]

Is Bit Defender the best anti virues software? ANyone know what consumer reports reccomends?

[Soldier415]

I use a combination of Comodo (Antivirus, firewall, and realtime protection) and Symantec Endpoint

[nick]

Nope, it's not. Not sure what Consumer Reports recommends (they're not exactly an authority on IT, anyway), but in my experience there's no such thing as the "best" antivirus software. There's better software and worse software, and you need to use it in combination with other software for best results. My personal list is like this:

Antivirus - F-secure, Kaspersky, TrendMicro are good. Symantec and McAfee are pretty bad. Everything else is in-between.

Antimalware - Malwarebytes and Spybot are good. Most of other mainstream antimalware software is in roughly the same league. The antimalware software bundled with antivirus or "total protection" packages is generally not in the same league, but it's better than nothing.

Personally, I use F-secure Client Security (antivirus, desktop firewall, process monitoring, antimalware (Lavasoft engine, it's ok, but not great), antirootkit (not great, but there's no great automated antirootkit software)) and the paid version of Malwarebytes (paying for it enables real-time protection).

[Ricky-Ray]

I would not trust consumer reports. Personally I've been using AVG free edition for over 5 years now and have never had any major issues with it. The few viruses that I've come in contact with AVG was able to take care of it without problems.

For spyware/malware I run a combination of Spywareblaster, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Window's Defender, along with running Firefox as my web browser. I've been running that combo for the last 3+ years and have not had major spyware/malware issues.

[i1800collect]

For anti-virus, I prefer Microsoft Security Essentials (free) and ESET NOD32 (paid).

[Scratch705]

kaspersky is the best anti-virus on the market IMO.

[Brianguy]

avast! rocks and its free

[KaHuNaZ]

Nod32

[ldivinag]

the best one is the one you use, keep updated daily and scan your machine on a daily basis...

[johnny_22]

PC and MAC

I use a combination of hardware and software anti-virus.

For PC (Windows XP Pro):

Zone Alarm Security Suite which blocks software from accessing the web or making modifications (that and having a limited account for day to day activities).

Hardware: ZyXel ZyWall P1 firewall with Anti-virus scan and Intrusion detection, to scan everything before it reaches the PC.

For Macintosh (G4 10.5.x):

Intego's anti-virus and firewall: Intego (a French company) has been making anti-virus software for 10 years+. They are the leader, where Norton/Symantec gave up on Macs.

Hardware: ZyXel ZyWall 2: Content filter: Keeps my big thumbs from going to the wrong web sites. Really helps.

McAfee was the worst anti-virus software I have ever had on my PC. Came free with the Toshiba. When the year was over, it was removed, with extreme prejudice.

Also my router has the ability to block certain web sites. I use the "Evildomains" list from a ALT2600 writer, that keeps us away from those sites.

[nrakid88]

If only everyone agreed with eachother.

[ZenMasta]

+1 for Kaspersky, been using it a long time. You wont regret it.

if you are looking for free av, Avast beats avg and avira.

[Rascal]

Avast!

I have used Avast on all my computers for about 3 years now and don't have any problems.

[sholling]

I've been an IT guy for decades and run ESET NOD32 on my computers.

[jdam777]

I have several computers and have tried most of the popular named Anti-virus software programs out there. After years of trial and error I have to say AVAST is the best out there. It is a free download on line, You will love it!