Refined for 2010, the Security Starter Kit will ensure that your sanity lasts way longer than your resolutions through a collection of must-have programs to protect your Windows computer.
In our six categories this year, we offer the core essentials of Antivirus and Anti-spyware, as well as ancillary but important categories such as In-browser Security, Firewall, Encryption, and Parental Control. If you're looking for more than security, there's also our Windows Starter Kit.
Antivirus
Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus
- CNET editors' rating: 5.0 stars
In the tripartite competition between the most popular free antivirus software, Avast Home Edition Free has arguably gotten the least attention outside of Europe, but we expect that to change. In the most recent independent efficacy testing done by AV Comparatives, Avast was the only freeware offering to score in the highest category, Advanced+. It's the only program tested that was faster than Norton AntiVirus 2010, and was tied with Microsoft for second place in fewest false positives detected. The detection score was also high, at 98 percent. That's worse than Avira, but Avast has far fewer false positives.
Avast doesn't skimp on the protection it offers, either. It guards your PC with multiple shields that scan files and the network connection. It comes built with a robust set of tools, including antivirus, antispyware, antirootkit, heuristic-based detection, and shields for P2P transfers, instant messaging, network traffic, and the Web. You can select parameters for scanning, choose wild cards to exclude specific file types, and block certain URLs and file operations, such as writing to files or even renaming, deleting or formatting them. You can adjust the sensitivity level for the program's detectors. The interface can cordially be described as "utilitarian," but the default also resembles a media player. While this is annoying, there are many skins that can be downloaded from the Avast Web site, and they will automatically install after downloading. With immediate real-time protection, clockwork updates, and much more, this free software is highly regarded.
Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus
- CNET editors' rating: 5.0 stars
Avira AntiVir Personal Free Antivirus does double duty, protecting against spyware and viruses alike. The latest version introduces antispyware protections, scanning tech that can crack open "locked" files, improved internal security to prevent AntiVir's files from being maliciously altered, and one-click threat removal--no more baby-sitting the program to get it to complete a scan. Third-party testers have determined that while AntiVir has one of the highest detection rates around, its false positives are also high. AntiVir's scans are flexible, allowing the user to check all hard drives, choose a preloaded scan--for rootkits, for example--or customize. The heuristic scan can be turned on or off completely or partially, with three different intensity levels. The quarantine offers extensive support, too, although the definition file updater can be sluggish.
One of AntiVir Free's biggest drawbacks is the pop-up ad that pesters users to upgrade to the paid version after each definition file update. There are ways to disable it, but using the program as it was intended has the potential to frustrate gamers and those who enjoy full-screen video playback. Nevertheless, AntiVir's protection is highly regarded, as it should be.
