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Head-to-Head Antivirus Software Comparison


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    Which programs would you like to compare?

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    Note: Boxes with this color show the winner in each test.

    Norton vs McAfee
    Comparison Winner:
    $39.99
    Norton Antivirus Software 2012 Review
    $49.99
    McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2012 Review
    Category I: Virus & Spyware Protection
    Real-time Virus Protection 99 90
    Manual Virus Scanning 96 68
    Virus Removal 95 68
    USB Virus Scanning 70 69
    Spyware Detection 84 76
    Antivirus Updates 84 76
    Winner: Norton Antivirus Software 2012
    With better performance in 5 of our 6 antivirus and anti-spyware test categories, Norton easily beats McAfee.

    In the one category where McAfee did carry the day, Antivirus Updates, it's the least important of the six categories, and it won by just one point, a margin almost not worth mentioning in this particular category.
    Category II: Additional Security Features
    Web Protection 99 90
    Chat/IM Protection 79 0
    Email Protection 90 0
    Winner: Norton Antivirus Software 2012
    While both products only offer good web protection, Norton wins this category, too, since McAfee doesn't provide email virus protection like Norton does.

    Sure, we saw McAfee doing better at protecting against IM-based viruses, but that's less important for most people than having the type of email and web protection that Norton does.
    Category III: Other Usability Factors
    Installation 100 40
    Uninstallation 75 92
    Resource Usage 90 72
    User Interface 86 60
    Technical Support 70 71
    Winner: Norton Antivirus Software 2012
    While McAfee wins the least important category, uninstallation, in our comparison of McAfee vs Norton here again, it's another landslide for Norton, with it winning five of these six areas, too.
    Conclusion:
    vs.
    When you compare Norton vs McAfee, it's a clear win for Norton in our book.

    Both companies may both be heavyweights in the PC security business, but Norton impressively captures five of six of our most important antivirus tests, and it also winsn bothour Additional Security Features and Other Usability Factors.

    On top of that, it has a great installer and even offers Virus Removal Assurance for one year as a nominal $10 upgrade.

    For 2012, the verdict is clear: Norton Antivirus beats McAfee.
    $39.99
    Comparison Winner: Norton Antivirus Software 2012