Which Anti-Virus Program Is Really Better For Your PC? Another favorite topic of mine. Security software comes in many flavors and people just seem to have their own preference in taste. Therefore, the accompaning thoughts surrounding subject software tend to be overwhelming at times. Read carefully as I have included very detailed points often left out of the marketing world but are quite important to the purpose of having any security software installed. This may include configurations, targeted/limited studies, indirect false impressions or simple omission of data.

Now -- The fun part!

Problems with your computer.. did someone say to you: "hey, try this.."? For example, ever here (or even said yourself) either of these two statements regarding a new program for your computer?

• ** It slowed my computer down!
• ** I tried that one but I still got a virus!

Oh those two comments are abundant in the world of Internet Security software. Want to know why those problems exist? I will explain them a clearly as possible.

First let's take a look at some of the top Internet Security programs. Below is a short list and a description of associated issues in my opinion:

• Norton 360 / Symantec: (Pros) - powerful, reliable, good overall protection. Under the right circumstances, this is a quality product! / (Cons) - Easily broken (aka. software corruption) and can be both memory and processor intense. / If maybe you bought a less powerful computer because all you wanted was email, chat and surf then your computer probably isn't prepared to take on this guy without a few upgrades for it to be more effective. Oh Peter Norton, what have you done.. (ref: buy.norton.com/estore/mf/landingProductFeatures)
• AVG Internet Security: (Pros) - powerful, reliable, fast, top notch protection, cost effective, good product support, also a top quality product with a personal touch from the company owner actually caring. Light load on your system. Updated often - ensures better protection. / (Cons) - can be a bear to install in rare instances due to your windows registry, does not compensate well with shortcomings in MS Windows Operating Systems (note: notice the cons refer to issues with Windows and not necessarily this product). / For the average consumer - this one just may be what you need. Includes online banking protection, URL validation, ID Theft protection and much more. (ref: avg.com)
• Panda Internet Security 2010: (Pros) - very powerful, reliable, fairly fast, rates beside the best in quality protection, easy to operate, flexible. / (Cons) - Easily broken (aka. software corruption), when it is working it is working quite well, however, if something slips by its stability engine (a mini program that maintains good operation of the entire suite) then you may be busy trying to repair the issue. Difficult completing the registration process in some cases. / Product support is fairly good but not always immediate. (ref: pandasecurity.com/usa/)
• McAfee: (Pros) - fast, light load on your system, reasonably priced. / (Cons) - ah we can't have it all. I should call this one fast, vast and Last! It is just as adaptive and objective as the rest but it simply does not always deliver. The fast speed may be due to possibly skipping some steps or deep scans and advanced heuristic techniques cut short. I am sure it is better than nothing at all. Nothing against the company, simply does not stack up in my book. (ref: home.mcafee.com)
• Microsoft Live One Care - (Pros) - its there. (Cons) - It's Microsoft (where focus is on marketing and not delivery). You would think having an all-in-one similar and compatible package as a supplement of the Operating System would be a fantastic direction to turn, however, the reality is we need to remember that it is built on top of Windows - a less-than-adequate foundation in most cases. Back to the ole 'convenience' first and achieving expected results last. NOTE: Microsoft has discontinued this product line and is moving to a FREE (ref: microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx) integrated solution (don't hold your breath for relief in protection).

That covers the overview but let's get back to those two famous comments (shown above with two asterisks ).

• Slowing down the computer... The reality here is simple! A) The Files: Anytime you install any additional software, especially those types that run as a service when your computer starts up (ie. all that anti-ware protection programs) includes the "file load time" for those extra files. In other words, with keeping in mind that program files can not be used until they are read from disk and loaded into memory that we must also remember to wait for this to happen. This is normal and the most affected time is during initial system start-up. After the few extra seconds in booting your computer, the speed should return to normal. B) Auto Scans: Were you aware than many Internet Security programs have a default setting to scan your computer at normal intervals, periodically based on how many boots since last scan, after some updates and more? Very true! Often, after putting that new program on or during its routine scan, your computer seem to come to a screeching halt. This annoyance factor is a necessity but the default times or settings can be changed in most cases! Take the time to configure your software product for both optimal performance, protection and yes, compatibility with your needs. For those more patient or remembered your patience vitamins today, your system speed should return from vacation soon. C) Other: OK. The Not so fun news. The instances where there wasn't an auto-scan yet your system appears to struggle just moving the mouse along the way. Sad to break the news but fact is there is usually only two reasons for this scenario. 1) System corruption where your Windows simply needs to be seriously cleaned of other anti-ware programs or more likely, reloaded / reinstalled (the most common reason!). 2) Compatibility issues where your product is compatible with windows but not necessarily other programs already installed, a configuration issue between your system and the anti-ware software or similar issue.
• That virus got me even with anti-ware program "xyz" installed! How'd that happen?!?!? Not a ROFL moment by any stretch of the imagination but may come close once you know why. A) Updates: How often do you update your protection software? Important: In most cases, anti-virus programs can only protect you from a virus that it is aware of! Oh, your anti-virus program wasn't at the meeting / didn't get the memo? How about those TPS reports? Anti-virus vendors discover new viruses constantly! Many of them provide updates to your program's virus definition list up to a few times a day. Did you just say "oh, my updates are set to weekly"? Wait - no, perhaps my subscription is expired and I no longer receive updates! There you have it folks. We need to fix our TPS Reports! Please do your updates often! By the way, don't miss the next meeting! ha B) Scans: This little guy is often overlooked. There just aren't enough hours in the day to go to work, clean the house, keep mama happy and still have time for some scan. This fast paced world of our left off the importance of scans, especially after fixing your TPS report! If you just performed an anti-virus update, it is most likely aware of viruses now that were not on the previously definition list. Do yourself a favor! Take advantage of your now more intelligent anti-virus program and re-scan your computer as it may find something that it never could have acknowledged, before.

Before I click the enticing "Submit Article" button, may I include a side note for those wanting extra PC Security. Please do NOT install more than one Anti-Virus or other software at a time. They most often have notable conflicts with one another and the thought of doubling your protection may have actually just cut your protection in half or completely off.

How important is your data? Simply pretend that each time you see your data is the last time you will ever see your data. Then decide how often you should make another copy (aka. Back-it-up).

A bonus note for those experimenting with various PC protection software, consider also investing in a quality "drive / partition imaging" program for your computer! This will allow you to take a snapshot of your stored information in the event the software installs/uninstalls may eventually lead to a full hard system crash with potential of losing all data. You will then, and only then, have the "option" of restoring that snapshot "drive / partition image" back to its full previous state. Note: this is completely unrelated to a Microsoft Restore Point and may deserve a bit more attention or consideration. I have no favorites here so check around for the imaging product that best fits your needs.

OK wonderful world in a web - have any comments, suggestions, argument, compliments, complaint better yet, a challenging question? Follow me to my home web site where you may find other great links for ensuring a better overall protected computer system.