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by: Chris Channing
Word Count: 492
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 Time: 11:28 PM
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An antivirus program is useful for when you want to protect your investment in your computer- which probably cost you a pretty penny. They don't always come cheap, however, so it is a good idea to know what you are buying and to know that you got the best deal you possibly can in the matter.

McAfee is almost a household name, known for its security package that has been around for many years. McAfee has had much experience under their belt, and have had great prize-winning security software packs in recent years. The main problem that some have with McAfee is the support- which has been rated very poorly due to long delays in answers and high costs if you call the company.

Symantec Norton AntiVirus is another option that is well known. They too have pricey phone support, which costs even more than McAfee in some cases. While they have a free support option, users are sometimes driven to the paid option by the company. As far as security goes, Symantec is in the same league as McAfee's option, so it may be hard to find a winner among the two.

Some free programs exist that can shield your computer from viruses and other malware. One is Avast! - which is an antivirus that is put out by a company called Alwil. This product is free, but it has a version that is paid and offers more protection. It hardly seems worth obtaining the free version knowing that you may be at higher risk for threats since you did not upgrade. As such, this may not be the best choice despite being free.

A good program for those new to technology would be BitDefender, since it has one of the easiest to navigate user interfaces available. While that may be up for debate, BitDefender also has other redeeming qualities, such as its ability to provide protection that is on part with other mentioned programs. It has a bit slower scan speeds than other options, so it may not be the best option if you don't like to wait around. For a fast computer, this shouldn't be a problem.

Kaspersky Lab Anti-Virus is another option, which is particularly powerful as it has been rated as the option that has the highest response time during new threats. This is important in securing your computer from threats that other programs don't know about. Kaspersky doesn't have the best interface, but this too can be overlooked thanks to the extra security it provides those who use it as an antivirus.

Closing Comments

You shouldn't make an impulse decision in choosing an antivirus. The proper antivirus for you will be found through recommendations of friends, websites, and the result of much research over the Internet. If you are still at a loss, try asking a professional in your community for advice.

About the Author

Learn more on Norton downloads and Norton Antivirus.

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