*NEW* VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware

It's difficult for a relative newcomer like VIPRE to introduce a brand-new version of antivirus software into this very competitive field.

But VIPRE is no ordinary antivirus.

And Sunbelt Software, makers of VIPRE, is no ordinary company.

With this release of VIPRE, Sunbelt has managed to pack a mighty blow against viruses, spyware, and all forms of malware in one powerful punch.

Not only has VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware come out of the corner swinging, but they've done it with the grace and expertise consumers demand from antivirus software.

It's easy to install, easy to use, and is the lightest running antivirus application we've ever seen. Read on to find out why we choose VIPRE as the best antivirus software of 2010...



Really, this should come as no surprise since Sunbelt, founded in 1994, has a track record of producing award-winning programs for Windows.

With their latest release of VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware, Sunbelt Software is getting rave reviews just about everywhere you look.

Among other things, we wanted to know:

Does it hold up against the powerful malware foes out there today? Can it really run that light and still be that potent?

In a word: yes.

And, equally impressive was the software firewall, called "Personal Firewall," which is a very inexpensive ($10) add-on to VIPRE.

Adding it to VIPRE gives a complete antivirus firewall solution, comparable to the Internet Security Suites offered by other A/V vendors.

After reviewing VIPRE, it easily captured the lead as the best antivirus software of 2010.

Antivirus Software Overview

• Solid antivirus protection
• Great antispyware protection
• Combines antivirus and antispyware in one application
• All Customer support based in the U.S.
• Light and fast
• Easy to install
• Easy to use
• Good file eraser tool
• Email virus protection
• Handy process viewer
• Clean history eraser

In most cases, VIPRE uses less than half of the resources of its competitors. And, the scanning speed is still the highest we've ever seen:





What Does VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Do Right?

For starters, the good folks at Sunbelt (the makers of VIPRE) have wisely combined Antivirus and Antispyware into one seamless application.

This seems like a no-brainer, but few antivirus applications do this by default.

Using separate antivirus and antispyware applications can cause conflicts, thus making them less reliable. By combining the two together, spyware, viruses, trojans, rootkits, and all other malware are easily thwarted in harmony.

Up next is the impressive light resource usage. Everyone knows that antivirus applications tend to make your PC sluggish and heavy-running. Not so with VIPRE. Testing shows VIPRE runs light and fast while still keeping a watchful eye out for danger.



The scanning speed impressed us as well.

Nobody likes to sit around waiting for their antivirus to scan their system for hours at a time looking for threats. VIPRE figured out a way to develop an antivirus application that catches the bad guys while keeping antivirus scan time to a bare minimum whether you're scanning on demand or on a pre-set schedule.



The install is easy. VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware walks you through some basic setup steps, then you're on your way. There's a slight lag time after the initial install, however, which some people might find confusing. Here's what's happening and why there's a lag:

After the quick initial install, VIPRE connects to the Sunbelt Software/VIPRE antivirus definition database and installs the latest virus definitions for your protection.

This can take a while on a slower connection: up to 10-15 min or so, but you want to let it finish.

After that, updates are very fast and not nearly as long since you're only getting new definitions and not re-downloading all the antivirus updates.



Antivirus + Antispyware Features

• Fast scanning
• Low resource usage
• Latest antivirus + antispyware technology
• Advanced anti-rootkit technology
• Real-time monitoring with Active Protection
• Checkmark Anti-Virus Certified
• Email virus protection
• Secure File Eraser
• History Cleaner
• PC Explorer

How Well Does VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Do to Prevent Future Infections?

Independent tests show VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware to be at the top of its game. While no antivirus firewall software is 100% bullet-proof, VIPRE is the closest we've seen this year.

Two thirds of malware were wiped out on sight before they even hit the system, and the other third was labeled as potentially dangerous for the user to decide what to do. Against a competitive field of the best antivirus software made, VIRPE scored in the top percent with the best of them in protection.

Nicely done.

On top of that, there are a couple of bonus tools as well. VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware includes a secure file eraser which writes 0s and 1s repeatedly over sensitive files you want to permanently delete.



A solid history cleaner is also included as well as a 'PC Explorer.' This is a process and services monitor that lets you know what processes or services might be potentially harmful. Well done! In today's world of very sneaky viruses and other malware, this tool might be just the difference in keeping your computer safe.

VIPRE also does a good job with email viruses. There's direct support for Outlook, Outlook Express and Windows Mail as well as support for any email program that uses POP3 and SMTP.

Is There Any Downside to VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware?

The only thing we didn't like was the lack of a built-in firewall.

Many antivirus software applications don't include a firewall, but VIPRE was on such a roll we kind of expected it! But fear not, Sunbelt offers a separate inexpensive, powerful firewall that integrates with VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware, giving you a complete antivirus firewall software solution.

It's worth noting that when you order VIRPE, Sunbelt offers a 50% discount on the Sunbelt Personal Firewall, so you might want to consider adding it with VIPRE. At that point the software firewall protection is just $10 more.

Antivirus Review Conclusions

Hands down, VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware is easily our number one pick for 2010. It's fast, light, easy to install, removes viruses, spyware, and malware, blocks future infections, and is inexpensive as well.

Aside from the fact there's no personal firewall included, Sunbelt was wise enough to allow easy integration of the two. Plus, you can get 50% off the already very reasonable software firewall price and combine VIPRE antivirus and antispyware protection into a complete PC protection solution similar to the Internet security suite for Microsoft Windows PCs.



Support

Good user guide and extensive knowledgebase. You can contact Sunbelt support via email or phone. As we always do, we've personally spoken with reps from Sunbelt, and they're top notch.

In a day-and-age where so much customer support goes offshore, we were thrilled to learn ALL customer support calls and emails to Sunbelt--from the most basic antivirus package to their top-of-the-line corporate security products are all handled by techs in the U.S.

From top-to-bottom, Sunbelt and VIPRE Antivirus & Antispyware are truly impressive.

System Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems:
  • Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit (all versions)
  • Windows XP: SP1, SP2, SP3 32 and 64-bit
    (Home, Pro, Media Center, Tablet)
  • Windows 2000 SP4 RollUp 1
  • Windows Server 2008
  • Windows Server 2003
• CPU: 400MHz (or faster)
• RAM: 256MB (or more)
• Free disk space: 150MB (or more)
• Internet Explorer 6.0 (or later)
• Internet access
• Supported Email Applications:
• Outlook 2000+
• Outlook Express 5.0+
• Windows Mail on Vista
• SMTP and POP3
  (Thunderbird, IncrediMail, Eudora, etc.)