My AntiVirus Software Check

**Regeneration** · July 15th, 2007, 10:35 AM

During the weekend I’ve tested many AntiVirus, Firewall and security suites. The problem with the included XP firewall is that it fails to do its job. It is blocking only applications that acting as servers, and it also can be turned off remotely (net stop ICF). So basically, I tested the most known security applications just to check them out, and of course I used some old HD because I don’t want to trash my primary OS.

Norton Internet Security - Score: 5/10
Well, Norton does its job but its hell bloated. The GUI is very nice, but it consumes too much resources and memory. The folks in Symantec must to do something about it, we’re buying DDR sticks not just to run their crappy security suite, we need it for our own needs. I don’t understand why a background application would consume so much memory. Bottom line, it’s bloated and sucks. Use it only if you’re a total newbie and you use P2P and suspicious sites. Recommended for newbies

NOD32 - Score: 7/10
Unlike the other suites, NOD is the less bloated one and probably aimed at performance pigs, like us. NOD32 is indeed a wise choice for people like me, who totally hate bloated software. However, the minus in NOD is the fact that it is only available as AntiVirus. No firewall and other protections are included, so if some applications are trying to ‘call home’, or unknown trojan, then you’re pretty screwed. NOD is more like for IT professionals, lite GUI and cool. Recommended for gamers.

AVG - Score 6/10
AVG has both Free version and a pro one. Like NOD, AVG is not consuming so much resources like Norton. The pro version has Firewall and many goodies included. However, the GUI is simply horrible! The interface and the options are a joke. I’d suggest the developer to rebuild the entire GUI and make it more friendly and easier to use, other then that, it seems to be fine. Bottom line, the free version is good because it is free, but the pro one sucks.

McAfee - Score 5/10
Bloated like Norton and the GUI is a bit annoying. It seems that they are hiding options and there is a mess in the options. It also available in a full security suite with a firewall. However, McAfee seems to ‘eat’ less resource then Norton, but it is still running shitload of services and a bit annoying. Recommended to newbies.

Micro Trend PC Cillin - Score 8/10
This suite is my favorite. The GUI is great, it includes a great firewall, anti-spam, some kind of feature like Vista’s UAC and includes a lot of features. However, this one is a bit bloated too, but surely less bloated then the other suites. The Firewall is indeed great and it surely does its job. A lot of features, good GUI and less bloated, surely the best suite out there. Recommended to newbies and IT professionals. This is my choice.

Kaspersky - Score 7/10
Almost the same like PC Cilling, great GUI but this one is also bloated. This one would be my second choice since the GUI is quite nice and it includes a lot of features. I checked the prices and this one is really expensive. The firewall is not bad as well, and basically is a good product. Recommended to these who don’t like Micro Trend.

Avast! - Score 5/10
This AntiVirus can’t even detect old viruses from the MS-DOS days - like DIR II. Looks like a very small budget company is behind this one. It looks like a cheap product, end of story. Recommended for poor people.

BitDefender - Score 6/10
The GUI looks like they stole it from Symantec. It is bloated but offers nice features, It looks like they made it for total newbies, but the firewall is really nice. It also includes AntiSpam and spyware protection, but it’s too bloated as hell.

zme-ul · July 15th, 2007, 10:47 AM

where's Avira?

Zamoldac · July 15th, 2007, 12:09 PM

i'm using NOD32 and i haven't got a problem in like about 2 years.

Mac Daddy · July 15th, 2007, 01:34 PM

Micro Trend PC Cillin interesting will have to try it out !!

I have been using AVG and Sygate firewall .... I found Kaspersky too bloated same as you did

gen.Rage1991hrv · July 15th, 2007, 02:33 PM

mac pc cillin sux
nod is the best for now (dont have problems with scaning like rest of them and its not puting too much processes)

morbo · July 16th, 2007, 07:10 AM

on the subject of cool free software
id thought id give these guys a plug

Free Firewall Software - Comodo™ Firewall

free software firewall for us hardware challenged peeps

edit oh yeah
avg has my vote

Shin_Mike · July 16th, 2007, 08:36 AM

what do you mean with bloated? lol

**Regeneration** · July 16th, 2007, 08:50 AM

I mean.. it has too much services, and consumes too much CPU time and memory. Feels like you're running some heavy game. Background software shouldn't use too much RAM and resources, and it shouldn't take it years to load.

Mac Daddy · July 16th, 2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gen.Rage1991hrv

mac pc cillin sux
nod is the best for now (dont have problems with scaning like rest of them and its not puting too much processes)

THX for the feedback Bro seems Rege had good things to say about NOD too I just like the idea of having fewer processes and a lighter app ... what Rege said above this post is very true !!

Amana · August 11th, 2007, 08:59 PM

Well, Regeneration... I'm trying to decide if I'll purchase another year license to Norton Internet, or stay with Avast (because, at least in this year, I'm a poor people

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regeneration

Avast! - Score 5/10
This AntiVirus can’t even detect old viruses from the MS-DOS days - like DIR II. Looks like a very small budget company is behind this one. It looks like a cheap product, end of story. Recommended for poor people.

But, after reading your personal score, I start to think in PC Cillin; problem is, I read some reviews destroying the product, as follows:

Quote:

Absolutely kills my PC's and laptops with a process named PcScnSrv.exe alone using over 85% of CPU continually, and 120 MB+ memory, just for this process. Trend Micro PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007 is terrible. I've used PC-Cillin since version 2003, and until this version is has been a good product. Even 2006 was fine. 2007 is a bomb, so do not purchase it or upgrade it. Just delete your registry keys for Trend and reinstall your 2006 version, and you will be better off, until Trend Micro fixes this disastrous problem. I've been working with technical support every day (the "Customer Escalation Team") since 04/05/2007, with no end in sight so far, and it is now 06/04/2007!

Other reviews in the same tone here >>--> FileForum | Trend Micro PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007

So, I don't know what to do... any comments about? My PC usage is like this:

65% work
20% net sniffing
15% gaming