2013 Antivirus Software Reviews

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Panda Antivirus Pro 2013 Overall Score: 69%

by Josh Christofferson, Co-Editor

Panda Antivirus Pro 2013 provides adequate basic virus protection, though they are challenged in removal and it simply doesn't stand up to its competitors.

Though perhaps just a quirk, when attempting to download the software, we kept being directed to

Panda's Spanish site, even though we gave no indication we wanted this. We also received a Welcome email after download that was written in Spanish.

Updates are not downloaded during installation with no warning of this fact.

Also during installation, Panda requires separate installation of their firewall that is not intuitive. Their entire user interface, actually, is not easy to understand. Their technical support is not helpful and too expensive.

Overall, we find Panda to rate poorly in our tests and do not offer our recommendation this year.

Certified by:

• AV Comparatives
• Anti-Malware Test Lab (low score)
• PC Security Labs
• Malware Research Group
• AV-Test (low score)
• ICSA

Panda provided adequate real-time protection in most tests, though it was challenged on more serious threats.

It includes a firewall, which isn't standard in basic antivirus software, but it didn't improve its performance by much.

Panda was also challenged in removing all components of an infection.

Finally, "Panda Permanent Protection" crashed periodically, which can be fixed by a "hotfix" from Panda that you have to request - it's not offered as a part of their regular software update.
Panda's resource usage was fairly average, but there were a few high spikes.

CPU when idle ran below 1% most of the time, but a few spikes averaging about 4%. Memory usage while idle was acceptable at around 55%.

During a manual scan, CPU usage was average at around 44% while memory usage was also acceptable at about 62%.

There was some random system drag occasionally, but overall ok.
Panda's user interface is functional, at best.

First of all, it's extremely dark, making settings hard to read at times, depending on your monitor.

We also found instructions confusing. For example, during installation, Panda requires you to install the firewall separately. There is a small link at the bottom of the page that simply says "install". It's only when you over it when it indicates "install firewall".
Panda offers both free and paid technical support.

Free support comes in the form of FAQs, forums and video tutorials. We found these good resources, but hard to locate on their webpage.

There is also a "wizard" option, but instead of helping narrow your help search, it's actually an email form.

Paid support is another issue altogether. Panda outsources their support to an all-inclusive tech-support company called "Advanced Tech Support." They offer a yearly subscription to maintain your computer and remove any viruses that may slip through Panda for $250/year. Or, you can pay them $130 for a one-time virus removal (the support representitive informed me that these prices can vary depending on the nature of the virus — in other words, some viruses cost more).

We think this is a very poor option for Panda users. Not only doesn't Panda suppor their own product, the cost for third-party service is well beyond resonable.

For this, Panda's tech-support gets very low marks from us.
Updates are not downloaded upon installations, leaving your system partially unprotected until its next scheduled download. We were, however, prompted with a large, red warning to immediately check for updates.

Updates are automatically downloaded on a set schedule. You have an option to turn updates off, but not an option to modify the schedule.
Panda Antivirus Pro 2013 offers several useful extra features.

Software Firewall is unique offering from a basic antivirus protection program, which is nice to have, but it's not capable enough to protect against advanced threats.

USB Vaccine disables the Windows "auto run" feature for USB drives to prevent them from spreading malicious programs.

Virtual Keyboard offers the ability to type passwords with mouse clicks, avoiding potentially traceable keyboard usage.

Panda simply does not perform to today's protection standards.

It had the most trouble with emerging threats and removing viruses from our systems.

Its user interface is frustrating.

And, it's technical support is clearly not designed with the user in mind.

We do not recommend this product with so many other better options in the marketplace.