Solutions to the compatibility
conundrum
Experts agree that antivirus,
anti-spyware and firewall
applications are essential. Yet,
many of the otherwise best
antivirus programs are
incompatible with anti-spyware and
firewall programs made by other
companies.
Professional reviewers usually
test software on "virtual
machines," so they don't
encounter the conflicts that
real-world users do. We found
helpful information by searching
through owner comments on multiple
websites. CNet.com users are
encouraged to review and rate
products they use or have tried.
We found huge gaps between ratings
from CNet editors and user
reviews. For example, editors give
Norton AntiVirus a rating of 7.0
(out of 10) while users give it an
average rating of just 3.2.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus receives an
editorial rating of 8.0, while
users give it a 5.8 average score.
McAfee VirusScan Plus receives a
CNet rating of 6.0, while CNet
users award it a lowly 2.8 out of
10. A high percentage of
unsatisfied consumers complain
about conflicts.
Conversely, NOD32 is more
highly regarded by consumers than
CNet.com; editors give it a 7.3
rating while users rate it 9.4 on
a 10-point scale. Users do not
experience conflicts with NOD32.
Along with great performance, that
makes it an excellent choice for
people who are using top-rated
security applications like Webroot
Spy Sweeper, PC Tools Spyware
Doctor or ZoneAlarm Pro firewall.
However, as discussed above, NOD32
is difficult to use.
We searched many websites to
identify antivirus programs that
are less likely to conflict with
other security programs. Trend
Micro Antivirus 2007 emerges as
the best alternative. Users report
no conflicts.
Trend Micro Antivirus isn't
reviewed as a standalone program,
but the PC Magazine review of
Trend Micro Internet Security 2007
is encouraging. The Internet
security suite is downrated
because of shortcomings in its
anti-spyware and firewall
components, but the antivirus
component is rated very highly.
See our full report on Internet
security software for more
information about Trend Micro and
other suites.
The Trend Micro programs consume
more computer resources than the
Kaspersky and NOD32 programs. The
latter programs may also provide
better protection. If you use
multiple security programs (and
experts recommend using several
anti-spyware programs), Trend
Micro is more likely to work and
play well with them than Kaspersky
or ZoneAlarm programs. Reviews
indicate that Norton and McAfee
programs insist on being king of
the hill; they don't like to
coexist with other security
programs. Note that you cannot use
two antivirus programs in the same
way you can use multiple anti-spyware
programs.
Other notable antivirus
software programs
Norton AntiVirus 2007 is the
bestselling program. It's popular
because it is effective at
detecting and blocking viruses,
spyware and worms. It's also
aggressively marketed, and
retailers frequently offer
free-after-rebate promotions.
Reviews say that Symantec made a
concerted effort to put its
security programs on a diet and
improve efficiency. Most reviews
agree that the new versions are
significantly improved over the
2006 versions, but are still
fatter and slower than most
competing products. In tests
conducted by ThePCSpy.com, only an
enterprise (corporate) version of
McAfee VirusScan causes more
system drag than Norton Internet
Security 2007.
PC Magazine's Neil Rubenking cites
improvements in Norton Internet
Security. It earns an Editors'
Choice designation from PC
Magazine. Its antivirus and anti-spyware
components along with its firewall
are all strengths, according to
the magazine.
Norton customer service is a
sticking point in reviews, though
the company has added a live-chat
option. In tests at CNet.com,
editors waited about 15 minutes
for a response through free online
chat. They waited three days for a
response to an email. Phone
support costs $9.95 per call. CNet
recommends Norton AntiVirus, but
not Norton Internet Security. CNet
readers experienced installation
difficulties with Norton AntiVirus
and incompatibility with ZoneAlarm
Pro firewall and Spy Sweeper anti-spyware
software. Continued
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