Best AntiVirus Software for 2015

I noticed that the anti-virus software was only ever tested for Vista in 2010. They tested as recently as 2014 for XP. They started testing for Windows 7 in 2010. Is the Windows 7 platform so similar to Vista that there was no need to test on Vista once 7 was out?

I have disabled MSC since or longer than 2013 when your last expose confirmed my own research. I have used Bitdefender but have stuck with Malwarebytes Premium essentially for reasons it's simple to configure, does not hog resources, effective and relativity economical. Can't understand why Malwarebytes are not in any of the lists though I will try to find out if interest or time dictates.

And thanks again Bob, for a well constructed and informative article.

On your recommendation I've used AVG Free for the past two years, along with MBAM and Zone Alarm Free and have had no problems. Thanks for your good work, keep it up.

Readers of Ask Bob Rankin who have Xfinity/Comcast internet service get free, excellent, Symantec Norton Security Suite software, as part of its service. I have been told by a Symantec service representative it is essentially Norton 360, available at retail for about $80.00 every year, under another name. In addition to daily anti-virus updates and scans, it also provides internet identity protection, hard drive back-up service, disk optimization and file cleanup. A nice benefit from Comcast.

From the looks of things, most of us have a "winning" A/V program, on our computers! That's a very, good thing.

What is amazing to me, is that almost all of the top A/V software companies, are doing a great job, overall. I remember the days, when most of the A/V software companies, where "ifie", at best. Changing times and newer technology.

I am still very happy, with Avast! A/V program. It simply, works for me and does a bang up job, too. I do have the paid version, but, I used the FREE version, for almost a decade and highly recommended it. Bottom line, I am an Avast! fan.

Right now, Malwarebytes' program, is strictly, for malware, not Viruses or Trojan Horses or Worms. However, in reading their blog and just seeing the way the
"wind blows", I would not be a bit surprised, that Malwarebytes "jumps" into the A/V software business.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Two points: (1) Malware is a generic term that includes viruses, spyware, rootkits, trojans, worms, and any other type of "bad" software. (2) MBAM (paid edition with real-time scanning) already does a fine job of finding and removing most forms of malware, including viruses.

Please publish a similar ranking of your opinion of the best free programs since you have in the past advised that several are on a par or better than paid versions
Cheers Rich

Thanks for another informative article, Bob! Is Windows Defender in Windows 8 the same product as MSE in other versions of Windows, and just as bad at virus protection?

Firstly thank you for your columns, this is one of your best.

I've been using the free Bitdefender for a couple of years and no complaints. Very unobtrusive and automatically updates. The odd time it warns me of a bad site, I believe it and go somewhere else.

I'm a bit of nerd when it comes to safety though and also use the free versions of malwarebytes and Superantispyware.

Your periodic AV solutions are welcomed for their conciseness and recommendations.

Since few of us will change suppliers frequently, it would prove helpful to include a brief history of the proffered solutions while pointing at those that have consistently remained outstanding throughout the last relevant time frame.
We consumers will be more willing to change to a new vendor if we were fairly confident that the move would not be a sporadic one.

Been using Avira for a couple of years and never had any problems. Satisfied!

As always great article Bob, thanks !

Several years back I used BitDefender, but developed a problem with the updates. I had to go to the web site and manually download updates, then after a while that wouldn't work. I wasn't able to resolve the issue. An internet security package that can't be updated is useless!

As luck would have it, in 2012 you reviewed Webroot's package, and I was particularly intrigued by its small footprint and unintrusive presence, as well as its performance. I had a month to go on my BitDefender subscription, but took the leap early to Webroot. I have been using it ever since and am very happy with it.

It may not be in your top 5, but I'll stick with it for now.

Why is PC Matic or any of it's components NOT listed above ????????????????

EDITOR'S NOTE: Because they choose not to participate in the testing done by AV-TEST.

I use AVAST Free, and it seems to work ok.
But I don't see it in the top for Orotection & Performance. Was it not evaluated?

Bob, thanks for correcting me and making me understand, what malware truly means and entails.

I had somehow, gotten the idea, that malware was an all inclusive term, for spyware and the like. It may have occurred, because, I always saw "spyware/malware" written in that manner, in earlier days.

Note: I also, have the paid version of Malwarebytes. Love the program, which was explained by you, in various articles. It is also, excellent at getting PUPs. :O)

Why hasn't PC Matic been mentioned?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Because they choose not to participate in the testing done by AV-TEST.

Bob,
Do you know what the difference is between Bitdefender Internet Security, and Bitdefender Quickscan as an "Add-on" in Firefox (& maybe others)?
The add-on is certainly faster than any of the other free antivirus that I have tried. I am also using MBAM Premium, with Spybot S&D, and "Norton Security Scan" weekly.
Have used Avast, Avira and ZoneAlarm in the past, but found they choked my system while running. I have not (touch wood) been compromised since I started computing with a Commodore 64.
Thanks for the great review.

AVIRA
did buy the software already for a week but still waiting for the license very very bad service you should not recommended at all they are useless
thanks

Problem with Comcast/Norton freebie is that it is resource hog. Avast free is my current product.

I have used Trend Micro for many years, have not had a problem. The max premium edition covers my 6 machines and at $230 for 2 years is about $20 per machine pa, gives me 24/7 telephone help and a great password manager.
I seldom see Trend Micro in the reviews and am curious why.