What an actual virus does to your body, the same does a computer virus to your computer/ laptop. It gets induced in the system, disrupting its smooth functioning and operation. Traditionally, speaking a Computer Virus, is a program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs without your wish. It attaches itself to another program or replaces it by overwriting it so that it can reproduce itself without you knowing it. It can quickly use up all the available memory on your computer and seriously slow down the system, and even stop it completely.
Viruses can:
- damage data files
- destroy files
- make disks unreadable
- even cause damage they weren’t designed to.
Thus, to protect your system and the data within from all such hazards , an anti-virus program is a mandate.
An anti-virus software, is a program or set of programs that are designed to prevent, search for, detect, and remove software viruses, and other malicious software like worms, trojans, adware, and more.
There are several different companies that build and offer anti-virus software and what each offers can vary but all perform some basic functions. A list of some of the most popularly used anti-virus softwares used, based on user reviews along with their specific features are stated below:
Bit Defender Antivirus Plus:
With four-hundred million PC users using Bit defender security products. Bit defender Antivirus Plus is a strong defense against hackers and is the best antivirus for windows 8. It is easy to use, marvelous at protecting against malware and capable of disinfecting previously infected PCs. In addition to good performance, it includes excellent features and praiseworthy technical support. Bit defender features protection against identity theft, provides privacy on social networks and gives you advance warning of fraudulent websites.
Pros :
Bit defender Antivirus Plus is excellent at preventing malware infections, and it can disinfect a PC that is already infected.
Cons
Bit defender has 400 million users worldwide, so it is surprising that it does not enjoy better brand recognition
Price:
Rs.1764.54
Kaspersky Antivirus:
Kasersky is one of the top used antiviruses for windows 8. It is easy to use, effective at protecting PCs from malware and capable of cleaning computers that are already infected. Kaspersky Anti-Virus is also a winning antivirus for Microsoft Windows 8 product because of its antiphishing capabilities and useful feature set. Kaspersky can check legitimate applications such as Java and Adobe Reader to see if they have been hacked to exploit your system. Kaspersky can also stop ransomware from blocking your computer.
Pros
Kaspersky Anti-Virus is easy to use, provides marvelous malware protection and is capable of cleaning PCs that already have infections.
Cons
Kaspersky Anti-Virus is so good that we would be insincere to imagine a shortcoming. So we will just point out that one of its competitors narrowly beats it in some performance tests.
Price:
Rs. 3532.02
Norton Antivirus:
Symantec’s Norton Antivirus software for Windows 8 is high-performance software that is among the best in its class. Superbly designed for ease of use, it finds and foils malware and cleans PCs that have infections. Independent test labs show that Norton is among the best antivirus for Windows 8 products. Its help and support is free. You can get help at any time via chat, telephone and email.
Pros
Independent test labs rate Norton Antivirus as one of the best antivirus products, and our evaluation concurs with theirs.
Cons
It is excellent at blocking and removing malware but merely very good at avoiding false positive labeling. In other words, there is really nothing about this product that is worthy of blame.
Price:
Rs. 2356.05
F-Secure Antivirus:
F-Secure Anti-Virus is award-winning virus protection for Windows 8. It protects against malware and manages its own updates so that it is always current. F-Secure is Windows 8 internet security that does not slow down computers. It is a winner according to AV Comparatives, Virus Bulletin 100 and AV-Test. F-Secure scans local hard drives, portable drives and compact discs to discover threats. F-Secure manuals are available online. You can query the online community forum or search the knowledgebase for answers to your questions. You can also submit a malware sample to F-Secure. If you want to chat online, email or telephone customer service, F-Secure agents respond.
Pros
F-Secure is high quality antivirus software for Windows 8, according to independent test labs.
Cons
As good as F-Secure is at protection and repair, some of its competitors are slightly better in terms of impact on system performance.
Price:
Rs.2356.05
Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus Plus:
Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus + is antivirus for Windows 8. It is much more effective than most antivirus software at protecting computers from viruses, spyware, key loggers, operating system exploits, dialers, malicious cookies, scripts, Trojan horses, rootkits and worms. It also detects and eliminates fake antivirus software. When you buy Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus + for Windows, it includes Trend Micro Smart Surfing for Mac. You can customize this virus protection for Windows 8 by adding an image or photo. In other words, you can “skin” it.
Pros
Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus + occupies little space on your computer because it uses cloud technologies.
Cons
Trend Micro’s virus protection for Windows 8 does not automatically check removable storage for threats.
Price:
Rs.2535.70
Bull Guard Antivirus:
BullGuard is one of the best antivirus for Microsoft Windows 8 products, especially when you consider its ability to protect your PC from malware and to repair computers that are already infected. This antivirus software for Windows 8 also knows what to do with spyware to protect your privacy. BullGuard uses cloud technologies to recognize when unknown threats behave in a fashion similar to known threats. Spam is also something that this Windows 8 internet security product can help you control. The feature set is thorough. Help and support are accessible and free.
Pros
BullGuard Antivirus gets a good protection score from the independent lab AV-Test.
Cons
BullGuard is excellent at protection but merely good at repairing already-infected PCs.
Price:
Rs.1764.54
AVG Antivirus:
AVG Anti-Virus makes our best antivirus for windows 8 product lineup, not because it is excellent, but because it is very good. Furthermore, it has collected third-party test lab endorsements and many loyal followers. It isn’t just antivirus for Windows 8; it also knows how to defend against phishing attempts and threats via social networks. If you have an Android device, this antivirus software for Windows 8 can keep it safe as well. AVG’s Windows 8 internet security finds and prevents most viruses, worms and Trojan horses. It stops malware that has already installed itself, such as rootkits. AVG checks out email attachments to see if they are safe. AVG protects you from infected sites where criminals lie in wait for you to drive by. It keeps you safe from dangerous links on Face book and Twitter. You can protect Android devices for free with AVG Mobilation, which is included with AVG Anti-Virus.
Pros
AVG Anti-Virus discovers malware. The PC version includes protection for Android devices.
Cons
AVG has lower repair test scores than many of its competitors.
Price:
Rs.2061.47
Avast!Pro Antivirus:
Avast Pro Antivirus, one of the top 10 contenders in the antivirus for Windows 8 market. Avast is Windows 8 internet security with many useful features. There is a gaming mode, which lets you play or surf without interruption. A virtual browser lets you bank online with safety. You also have the ability to give remote control to a trusted person to help you fix any issues.
Pros
Avast does not tax system resources and it is accurate at discerning safe versus dangerous files.
Cons
Online chat is not one of the technical support options.
Price:
Rs. 1472.31
So go, choose the best pick to the earliest in relevance to your benefits and requirement and protect your PC from the deadly Trojans of the internet!