Features

avast! Free Antivirus is loaded with tons of features. From the home tab you can gain quick access to your system status, virus scan, software updater, stats, and the market. Features like the firewall and SafeZone require a premium subscription.

The software updater that's included with avast! Free Antivirus alerts users about outdated applications that are installed but only offers a link to the program page to download the latest update. Paying for a premium subscription will allow you to update your apps within the application. There's even an option to update automatically in the paid versions of avast!

avast! Free Antivirus offers more than just virus protection. The application also includes "cloud services," which gathers information from other avast! users to compare the reputation of similar files. These updates are constantly streamed to and from avast! so users don't have to worry about downloading updates.

New to avast! Free Antivirus is the Market where you can purchase additional features and services. The app itself is very good at reminding users how many features are missing so the Market makes it even more tempting to upgrade. Purchases can be made directly inside the application.

Usability

Using avast! Free Antivirus is very straightforward. Features and sections of the application are clearly marked with short explanations about what each feature does.

Like with many other antivirus applications, the amount of options and features is a little overwhelming. There are icons in the Security tab that are clearly marked with a green status light indicating everything is working as it should. This makes it easy to see what parts of the application require user action.

For the most part, avast! Free Antivirus is an application that you can configure and forget about. The program will display a popup if anything needs your action.

Quality

avast! Free Antivirus is well designed with tons of features. While it's not as simple as it could be, it works well and is completely free. It's nice that avast! Free Antivirus doesn't include an annoying tool bar, but it does install a web extension to monitor malicious links while you're browsing.

While avast! Free Antivirus excels as an antivirus application, it doesn't do much in the way of being a one-stop-shop for all your computer maintenance needs. Other apps like IObit's Advanced Systemcare with Antivirus offer more features that will make sure your computer is running its fastest.

Scans were performed quickly but not the best we've seen. This really depends on your hardware and how many files you have on your computer.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it's easy to see what avast! Free Antivirus remains at the top of our download charts. The amount of features that free users have access to is amazing. While it's annoying that the app nags you to upgrade to a paid subscription, it's a small price to pay for a well designed antivirus solution that's completely free. Now if only avast! could include some computer maintence features.

What's new

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This is the case of ESET NOD32 Antivirus, an anti-virus tool that you may find simpler than other similar applications, but this simplicity is precisely the key to its success. In fact, NOD32 is one of the most popular anti-virus apps among computer users.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus is easy to install and launches without even restarting the system (something most anti-virus tools require after installation). The program has a simple, straightforward design, though you'll soon discover that this is actually the Standard mode display and that you can choose the Advanced mode if you prefer to have more options and tools at your fingertips.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus includes basic anti-virus tools such as system analysis, antispyware filters, filters to exclude certain applications, a scheduling tool for automatic analysis and seamless integration within Windows Explorer. Being used to more complex anti-virus solutions though, I missed having an email and web browsing filter. Also, I found the Settings menu a bit too hidden and difficult to use. Apart from these small flaws, ESET NOD32 Antivirus is definitely worth a try, especially if you want to have a simple, hassle-free anti-virus that takes care of your system and doesn't bother you all the time.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus may be simpler than other anti-virus tools, but it's perfect for users who prefer an easy, unobtrusive app even if that means giving up on certain advanced functions.

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Installation and configuration

Norton Antivirus is a quick download and installs in just a few minutes. It also doesn't require any technical configuration. Luckily for tech-savvy users, the Norton Antivirus 2013 Settings menu also includes a bunch of configuration options.

Full protection for your computer

Once Norton Antivirus 2013 is up and running, your system will be protected from both viruses and spyware in real time. The program also includes filters for web browsing, downloads and email – all of these without constantly interrupting your work with nagging messages. There’s even a special Facebook scan that Norton Antivirus uses to detect malicious links.

Norton Antivirus 2013 includes the SONAR technology, already featured in previous versions but improved in this latest one, which keeps you safe from both new and unknown threats. Other interesting tools are the Norton Performance System, which controls system performance by tracking the usage of processor and memory, and Norton Tasks, with which you can keep track of the app's current jobs and pending tasks.

New features

The new Norton Antivirus 2013 is described by its developers as faster, more effective and with more powerful options. Norton's new Threat Removal Layer goes a step deeper in seeking out and destroying threats to your PC. It also offers an automatic update feature. In addition, every time a new version comes out, it will install immediately, saving you the time and hassle of having to manually check for new updates.

Conclusion

Norton Antivirus 2013 has improved its footprint on system resources; it's lighter and faster than the previous version, and provides shorter and quicker scans as well. Also, the interface in Norton Antivirus 2012 has been slightly redesigned to make it clearer and easier to use. The downside of a simpler design however is that the interface is not as informative as it could be, at least at first sight.

Norton Antivirus is a powerful security application that will help you keep viruses, worms and other online threats away from your system without hassle.

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With Norton Internet Security 2013 your system will be fully protected against viruses and spyware, including the network connections and when web browsing. The program features filters to prevent unauthorized access to your computer and avoid identity theft on the web, as well as protect your web browser and email from other online threats – all of these without constantly interrupting your work with nagging messages. Norton Internet Security even includes a special Facebook scan to detect malicious links.

Like Norton Antivirus 2013, Norton Internet Security 2013 also includes the new Norton Insight Protection and the Performance Alerts. The first one informs you of emerging threats thanks to the Norton user community, while the second one helps you optimize the system's performance with warnings about slow apps.

The interface in Norton Internet Security 2013 has been slightly redesigned to make it clearer and easier to use. The downside of a simpler design, however, is that the interface is not as informative as it could be, at least at first sight.

Norton Internet Security 2013 is an excellent security suite that provides you with all the tools you need to fully protect your system against online threats.

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Comprehensive protection

Norton 360 takes care of all aspects of safety for your computer, including viruses, hacker attacks, spyware, identity theft, and data loss. The Norton 360 dashboard controls four main areas: PC security, Identity, Backup and PC Tuneup. Each of these areas then provides access to the main tools and tasks needed to keep your system safe. Every area is comprehensive in nature, with various different customization options and choices to choose from.

Security features

Among the security utilities that Norton 360 offers are email protection, anti-phishing filters, IM monitoring, anti-virus and anti-spyware protection, and functions for safe web browsing like scanning your Facebook wall. This program will also perform PC tune up-asks that improve the performance of your system, and it can back up important data in the event of a computer meltdown.

Norton 360 has several configuration options that allow you to modify various areas. Unfortunately, although lots of the features sound good, the suite is geared at intermediate users. Norton 360 does a good job of everyday security, but lacks the more advanced features and information that higher level users might seek. If you're looking for a little more antivirus power, check out Avast! instead.

Norton 360 lives up to its name, providing comprehensive 360-degree protection for your computer.

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This free, standalone app from Norton has been especially designed to remove the most persistent computer viruses, such as scareware and fake security suites. Therefore, Norton Power Eraser features a really powerful, in-depth analysis that can be configured as either Normal or Aggressive.

As it doesn’t require installation, you can set up Norton Power Eraser and have it scanning your system in no time. It’s also a perfect tool to clean USB memory sticks. When the analysis is finished, Norton Power Eraser displays the results and asks you what to do next. It’s here where you should be careful not to tell Norton Power Eraser to remove critical system files.

Fortunately Norton Power Eraser lets you check the File Insight online database to learn more about the file you’re about to erase. Simply double check the information before deleting the file. Regardless, Norton Power Eraser creates a restore point in case something goes wrong.

Norton Power Eraser is a free, standalone security tool that removes aggressive malware from your computer.

Download Norton Power Eraser 2.0.0.52 in Softonic

New for 2013 is a completely redesigned interface with tons of additional features that make it a holistic security suite for your PC. Antivirus is still at the heart of Panda Antivirus Pro but it also includes a firewall, USB 'vaccine,' multimedia/gaming mode, and safe browser.

The interface of Panda Antivirus Pro has been completely redesigned since the last version with a focus on making it easy to read and use. Functions are now big, colorful icons and the most vital information is presented at the top with charts and large text. Menus and their explanations have also been simplified so you know exactly what each feature does.

New in Panda Antivirus Pro 2013 is the USB vaccine, which prevents malicious software from automatically running when connected to the computer. This is a pretty basic way to prevent infections from external devices but useful, nonetheless.

Performance of the application is good with quick scans and consumes minimal system resources. Panda Antivirus Pro focuses on creating an unobtrusive security experience and it succeeds on the most part. You can set up Panda and just forget about it. It will run in the background and will only alert you if an infection is found or if you need to take action. The firewall replaces the Windows default firewall and has the ability to allow connections from common applications. You'll have to decide whether to give an app that hasn't been white listed internet access.

When tested against standardized virus attacks, Panda Antivirus Pro stopped infected files immediately and without major interruption of our work. We especially liked the fact the Panda Antivirus Pro doesn't fill up the screen with unnecessary warnings all the time.

Panda Antivirus Pro is an unobtrusive, efficient and user-friendly antivirus app that protects your system without needless interruptions.

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