Re-run of last years' test to make sure the security software I recommend (AVG Internet Security) is still the best choice for protecting my customers
This testing is completely unbiased towards AVG - if a different product had of come out top then I would have looked further into this and considered changing my recommendation, it is in no way fixed or tested to favour my recommended product, the whole point of the hours spent testing is to make sure that I and my customers are using the best protection available
This years results show that AVG do have competition in this area now, with BullGuard scoring very well in tests and also including online backup as part of the package - I will be testing BullGuard on my own computers over the coming weeks/months - and if BullGuard continues to perform as well as or better then I will consider supplying/recommending this product as well as or instead of AVG (depending on results)
It is clear from the testing that no product will give 100% protection, but a good product such as AVG along with a secure browser such as Internet Explorer will give you the best protection possible
Results
Product |
Virus Infection |
Virus Detection |
Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP) |
System File Protection |
Phishing Emails |
Usage |
Comments |
AVG Internet Security 2013 |
12/12 |
97.6% |
PASSED |
PASSED |
FAILED |
PASSED |
Good results - only area it failed in was the email phishing links - which Internet Explorer would have blocked anyway
Includes a TuneUp and Driver Updater which can cause problems, so I would advise not using, but these can be ignored/disabled so did not affect overall result |
BullGuard Internet Security 13 |
12/12 |
96.1% |
PASSED |
FAILED |
PASSED |
PASSED |
Good results apart from protection of system files during test
Includes a data backup tool with 5gb of online storage space, parental controls, spam filter and vulnerability scanner (to check for missing security updates) |
avast! Internet Security 8 |
11/12 |
96.8% |
FAILED |
FAILED |
PASSED |
PASSED |
Okay results, failed in a couple of important tests though
Includes handy software updater to make sure all your software is up to date with the latest security fixes |
BitDefender Internet Security 2013 |
11/12 |
97% |
PASSED |
PASSED |
FAILED
|
FAILED |
Test results not too bad, but slowed computer down noticeably, speed of browsing, booting all affected |
GFI VIPRE Internet Security 2013 |
11/12 |
93.7% |
PASSED |
PASSED |
FAILED
|
FAILED |
Failed in important tests, and caused computer to crash during testing |
ESET Smart Security 6 (NOD32) |
10/12 |
88.9% |
PASSED |
FAILED |
PASSED |
FAILED |
Failed in important tests and constantly bombards user with pop-up messages asking questions |
Kaspersky Internet Security 2013 |
12/12 |
93.3% |
FAILED |
FAILED |
PASSED |
FAILED |
Failed multiple tests, slows down computer quite considerably, constantly asking questions rather than just getting on with its job |
Norton Internet Security |
9/12 |
88.4% |
FAILED |
PASSED |
FAILED
|
FAILED |
Quicker than previous versions, but failed miserably in most tests |
McAfee Internet Security 2013 |
11/12 |
97.1% |
FAILED |
PASSED |
PASSED |
FAILED |
Takes ages to install, slowed down computer, takes ages to scan/remove viruses and failed important tests |
Microsoft Security Essentials |
11/12 |
37.2% |
FAILED |
FAILED |
FAILED
|
FAILED |
Very low virus detection result and took hours to try and scan/remove what it did find, and also slowed down the computer |
F-Secure Internet Security 2013 |
6/12 |
94.3% |
PASSED |
FAILED |
FAILED
|
FAILED |
Poor results in tests, constant pop-up messages asking what you want it to do |
G Data InternetSecurity 2013 |
11/12 |
98.1% |
FAILED |
FAILED |
FAILED
|
FAILED |
Failed numerous tests - constant pop-ups asking what you want it to do with the files it has found |
ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2013 |
5/12 |
77.5% |
FAILED |
FAILED |
FAILED
|
FAILED |
Failed miserably on all tests, slowed down computer and very slow to scan/remove what it did manage to detect |
