Antivirus Software Reviews  

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Features:

• Firewall included
• Free Technical Support
• Designed & Certified for Windows XP
• Integrates Functionality with MS Explorer
• Macro Virus-Monitoring Module
• No Need to Reboot After Installation
• Virus Protection Definition Updates (free for 1 year)
• Uses Very Low System Resources
• Scans Incoming and Outgoing Email Messages
• Blocks Virus Infections in Real-Time

Editor's Ratings:

Virus Checker:
Spyware Checker:	Not included
Adware Checker:	Not included
Firewall:
Ease of Use:
Value for money:
Technical support:
Overall:

Average User Review:

Cost to buy:

• Initial Cost: $29.99
  (Normally $49.99!)
  Save $20 here!
• Updates: Free for 1 year
• Annual reneweals after first year: $14.99
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Pros:
	Fast, effective virus scanning
	Free, automatic updates of virus definition files for one year
	Very effective built-in firewall
	Low system resource utilization, meaning that this virus checker doesn't slow down your computer
	Real-time, on-demand and on-access file scanning
	Slick, intuitive user interface
	Excellent on-line tutorials and user manuals
	Free technical support - many of the other well known virus software packages, like McAfee and Norton, charge around $30 - $40 per call for technical support!
Cons:
	None. This is our favorite Virus Checker, and is leagues ahead of the competition we reviewed in terms of it's high speed, low resourse utilization, and its ability to detect new and emerging threats. It's also great value for money, and as if that's not enough, it comes with a firewall, which far exceeds the built-in firewall that comes as standard with Windows XP.

Editor's Verdict:

The Shield Pro 2007 from PC Security Shield provides essential virus protection from viruses, hackers, Trojans and privacy threats. Powerful yet easy to use, protect yourself, your family, and your PC online with The Shield Pro. The Shield Pro gives you 1 year of protection and PCSecurityShield gives you all the free technical support you need to successfully protect your computer. The Shield Pro now comes with Easy Installer, to make download and installation simpler than ever before.

The Shield Pro accurately detects and repairs viruses with its fully optimized and separated antivirus engine for Macro, Script and Windows viruses. It is distinguished from the other Antivirus tools by its high-speed scanning capability. It also scans and cleans email messages on a real time basis before they ever reach your computer.

The Shield Pro 2007 gives you both virus protection and hacker security by providing ongoing support and updates. When a virus breaks out, The Shield Pro 2007™ will provide a patch within 2-3 hours and a fix for the virus within 5 hours. You can set you computer to update viruses weekly and run a complete virus scan.

We ran it on our test PC (a Pentium 4, 3GHz, 1Gb RAM, running Windows XP) and didn't notice any performance degradation, which is very unusual. We were impressed with the resposne time of the technical support team too. In short, The Shireld Pro 2007 offers unbeatable virus protection and its low price makes it outstanding value for money. Highly recommended!

>> Read the Full Review and User Reviews and see a screenshot of The Shield Pro 2007 here!

Features:

• Includes spyware and adware protection
• Includes a built-in firewall
• Removes viruses automatically
• Protects email & instant messages
• Defends against emerging threats
• Automatic File Protection
• Unlimited Updating of Virus Definitions
• Hostile Activity Detection
• Windows 98\Me\2000\XP Compatible
• Free pop-up blocker included!

Cost to buy:

• Initial Cost: $39.95 (Normally $69.95!)
• Updates: FREE
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Pros:
	Fast, effective virus scanning
	Free, automatic updates of virus definition files
	Spyware/adware checker and remover included
	Built-in firewall
	No noticeable deterioration in system performance through having this virus checker running
	Smooth, intuitive user interface
	Additional software includes a free pop-up blocker
	This is a less well known virus checker, which can be an advantage. It means this virus checker is less likely to be targeted by virus programmers, who often try to exploit loopholes in well-known anti-virus software.
	Excellent on-line tutorials and user manuals
	Excellent customer service
Cons:
	Has a high refund request rate among customers so far!

Editor's Verdict:

Micro Anti-Virus is easy to use and offers virus, spyware and adware protection. Best of all, it also comes with a built-in firewall! This software markets itself as your one-stop shop for PC protection and peace of mind. Most of the viruses, spyware an adware were effectively removed from our test PC and we found only a negligible change in the PC's performance through having this software running. However, the virus definition files are slow to update and that may leave your computer vulerable to attack. Although we liked the user interface provided by Micro Anti-Virus, many users did not, resulting in a fairly high refund-request rate for this product. It gets our number two spot because of the fact that it detects viruses, spyware, adware, has a built-in firewall and has free updates. However, in terms of virus-protection, we believe you can't beat our No. 1 choice.

Editor's Ratings:

Virus Checker:
Spyware Checker:
Adware Checker:
Firewall:
Ease of Use:
Value for money:
Technical support:
Overall:

>> Go to MicroAntiVirus.com

Features:

• Fast, effective virus protection
• Updates itself automatically
• Scanner finds out the latest virus threats
• Disables any computer Worms and Hacking tools from entering your computer
• Allows you to completely wipe viruses from your PC beyond recovery
• Compatible with all other Virus program for added extra security
• Runs safely in background protecting you from viruses, worms, hackers and anyone invading your privacy

Cost to join:

• Initial Cost: $19.99 (Normally $39.99!)
• Updates: Unknown
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Pros:
	Effective virus scanning
	Low system resource utilization, meaning that this virus checker doesn't slow down your computer
	On-access and on-demand virus scanning
	Straightforward, east-to-use user interface
	Good on-line tutorials and user manuals
	Package is basic, but effective and cheap and thus excellent value for money
Cons:
	No additional bundled software

Editor's Verdict:

This is another great, affordable product from PAL. The software is quite light and basic (only a virus checker is included) but it is very cheap and runs quickly without slowing down your computer. This is a really good option if you're just looking for a virus checker at an affordable price and nothing else. This virus checker is currently retailing at half-price by the vendor. Recommended by PC Format and PC World, PAL Emergency Resposne is our cheapest antivirus product. It's also fast and effective and is updated automatically on a regular basis - all in all great value for money. It's set-and-forget approach also makes it ideal for novice users.

Editor's Ratings:

Virus Checker:
Spyware Checker:	Not included
Adware Checker:	Not included
Firewall:	Not included
Ease of Use:
Value for money:
Technical support:
Overall:

Features:

• Removes viruses automatically
• Protects email & instant messages
• Real-time Protection and Monitoring
• Protects against Trojans and Worms
• Blocks access to sensitive files
• Hostile Activity Detection
• Unlimited Free Updates
• 24/7 Live Technical Support
• For Windows 98\Me\2000\XP
• FREE Hacker Protection Software!
• FREE Adware Protection Software!
• FREE Privacy Protection Software!
• FREE Registry & Error Repair!

Cost to join:

• 1 year membership: $19.95
• 2 years membership: $24.95
• Lifetime membership: $39.95 (Limited Offer!) - usually $59.95 (Best value!)
• Pop-up & Message Blocker: additional $9.95
• Spyware protection: additional $9.95
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Pros:
	Effective virus scanning
	Free, automatic updates of virus definition files for as long as your membership lasts
	Low system resource utilization, meaning that this virus checker doesn't slow down your computer
	Straightforward, east-to-use user interface
	Lots of free bundled software - see the features list opposite for details.
	Good on-line tutorials and user manuals
Cons:
	Virus scanning can take a long time when performing a full system scan

Editor's Verdict:

Unlike the other sites, you can choose to join for a year, two years or for life with My Virus Guardian - this really pertains to the length of time for which you will be able to update your virus definitions file. If you do decide to go for this site, then we highly recommend the lifetime option, as this will allow you a lifetime of free automatic updates - and after all, a virus checker is no good unless it's up-to-date. An effective virus checker, which removed most of the viruses from our test PC.

Editor's Ratings:

Virus Checker:
Spyware Checker:
Adware Checker:
Firewall:	Not included
Ease of Use:
Value for money:
Technical support:
Overall:

Features:

• Removes viruses automatically
• Protects email & instant messages
• Real-time Protection and Monitoring
• Protects against Trojans and Worms
• Blocks access to sensitive files
• Hostile Activity Detection
• Unlimited Free Updates
• 24/7 Live Technical Support
• For Windows 98\Me\2000\XP
• FREE Hacker Protection Software!
• FREE Adware Protection Software!
• FREE Privacy Protection Software!
• FREE Registry & Error Repair!

Cost to join:

• 1 year membership: $19.95
• 2 years membership: $24.95
• Lifetime membership: $39.95 (Limited Offer!) - usually $59.95 (Best value!)
• Pop-up & Message Blocker: additional $9.95
• Spyware protection: additional $9.95
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Pros:
	Effective virus scanning
	Free, automatic updates of virus definition files for as long as your membership lasts
	Straightforward, east-to-use user interface
	Lots of free bundled software - see the features list opposite for details.
	Good on-line tutorials and user manuals
Cons:
	Virus scanning can take a very long time when performing a full system scan

Editor's Verdict:

This virus checking software is much the same as our no. 4 choice - My Virus Guardian. The features and joining fees are exactly the same, and we found the software had the same functionality and even had the same user interface, implying that the engine was also the same. Nevertheless, we were fairly impressed with My Virus Guardian, and are equally impressed with VirusNuke. As with My Virus Guardian, we highly recommend that if you do purchase this product that you purchase the lifetime membership option with spyware protection added. This will give you a lifetime of free updates to the virus definition files.

Editor's Ratings:

Virus Checker:
Spyware Checker:
Adware Checker:
Firewall:	Not included
Ease of Use:
Value for money:
Technical support:
Overall: