2012 Antivirus Software Ratings

VIPRE Antivirus 2012

With it being a two-time winner of our Editor's Choice, we had high expectations for VIPRE 2012.

The first thing we noticed was that installation takes longer than the 2011 version. It also takes longer than most competitors.

Next, once it's installed you'll see the new interface. While it is new for 2012, it's mostly a rehash of the 2011 VIPER interface.

If you've used VIPRE before, it'll feel nice and familiar; if you haven't, and you're used using other antivirus software, you might find VIPRE isn't as pretty as what you're used to.

Make no mistake, the most important reasons we like VIPRE are definitely there. It excelled in our tests of virus protection and removal, and all of the other major testing labs agree.

So, when it comes to core, antivirus and antispyware prevention, VIPRE is an excellent choice.

Their real-time protection also proved to be very effective against both "zero-day" threats as well as hidden viruses, trojans, spyware, rootkits, and other malware.

(For maximum protection take a look at the VIPRE Internet Security 2012, which comes with everything in VIPRE Antivirus, and adds an excellent firewall and a strong anti-phishing filter.)

Even though the installation took longer than most antivirus software, it's actually very, very easy: put in your license key, click install, and the installer takes it from there.

In the process it automatically downloads the latest virus definitions and does a pre-installation virus scan for you.

Most antivirus software claims to do this, though a surprising number don't do one or the other. VIPRE does both, so even if it takes a little longer to install, it's worth the wait.

Then of course is the top-notch customer service that GFI (makers of VIPRE) provides. It's 100% free from installation to virus removal to any other issue you may have.

We haven't seen this level of customer technical support from any other antivirus company, much less any other tech company.

Because of their continued strength in virus protection and excellent customer support, VIPRE Antivirus 2012 gets our top position this year again.

	Next: Virus & Spyware Protection

VIPRE Antivirus 2012 Features

• Real-time Antivirus
  
  Protects your computer from zero-day and emerging threats in real-time 24/7.
• Anti-spyware
  
  Stops spyware from infiltrating your system. Helps keep spyware agents from seeing your personal information.
• Anti-adware
  
  Helps prevent unwanted advertisement software from infecting your PC.
• Rootkit Protection
  
  Scans your core system to discover and eliminate rootkits deeply embedded on your computer.
• FirstScan
  
  A pre-boot scan that finds and blocks viruses and malware before they can launch with Windows.
• Email Protection
  
  Keeps dangerous links and attachments out of your email.
• PC Explorer
  
  Organizes your system processes in an easy-to-view way while clearly identifying potential threats.
• File Eraser
  
  Permanently deletes personal or sensitive files on your computer.
• Low Resource Usage
  
  Minimizes system resource usage so your PC won't become sluggish.