The Best Antivirus for Removing Malware
by Frank Jovine on 12/01/2009 in Antivirus Software, Security
You may think what you are using for an antivirus solution can effectively remove and quarantine most Malware, but think again. In a recent test conducted by AV-Comparatives.org, they tested the effectiveness of sixteen antivirus solutions, only a few were considered effective. The testing included the following samples of; FakeAV, Vundo, Rustock and ZBot (Zeus).
Products tested and how they scored
The test, including the following antivirus solutions – Avast Professional Edition 4.8; AVG Anti-Virus 8.5; AVIRA AntiVir Premium 9.0; BitDefender Anti-Virus 2010; eScan Anti-Virus 10.0; ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4.0; F-Secure AntiVirus 2010; G DATA AntiVirus 2010; Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010; Kingsoft AntiVirus 9; McAfee VirusScan Plus 2009; Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0; Norman Antivirus & Anti-Spyware 7.10; Sophos Anti-Virus 7.6; Symantec Norton Anti-Virus 2010; and Trustport Antivirus 2009.
Their conclusion
“None of the products performed “very good” in Malware removal or removal of leftovers, based on those 10 samples. eScan, Symantec and Microsoft (MSE) were the only products to be good in removal of Malware and removal of leftovers.
Facts about Microsoft’s Security Essentials
Microsoft’s Security Essentials is a freeware application that has achieved 98% detection rate for 545k Malware samples including viruses, bots, trojan horses, backdoors and Internet worms, also achieving 90.95% detection rate for 14,222 adware/spyware samples it was tested against according to tests conducted by AV-Test.org.
Be Proactive
- Make sure your operating system is up to date with the latest patches
- Make sure your AV software has the latest definitions (Usually updates automatically)
- Remove all free third-party applications
- Remove all browser plug-in vulnerabilities
You’re the best defense against Malware!
Download Microsoft’s Security Essentials – It’s FREE!
A. Zuck
Dec 1st, 2009
Well, when Microsoft does the best job, I guess you must give them their props.
Frank J
Dec 1st, 2009
They deserve props for sure!
Debbie
Dec 2nd, 2009
Frank J.,
Help I have read all through this website with you giving advice on this blasted “Security Tools” virus.
1. I can’t delete the 28801928 file out of the document/settings .
2. Can’t run in safe mode. It blocks anything I try to even do.
3. Og course can’t load my Norton Anti-visrus software at all.
What can I do. My PC is being held prisoner.
Thanks Debbie Wheeler
Frank J
Dec 2nd, 2009
Debbie,
The instructions and some of the comments also provide more information on removal. It’s a tough one to remove, but so far I received some excellent feedback on the instructions. Have you tried Safe Mode in order to remove that numerical file?
Mike McEvoy
Dec 2nd, 2009
Interesting, I hadn’t seen this report. Thanks. Rather impressive for Microsoft to make this kind of splash. I had heard some other good things about Microsoft’s Security Essentials recently.
Norton Internet Security 2010 has also gotten some good reviews with the arrival of the 2010 product. Seems like they have built on the solid revamping of the product that they did with the 2009 version.
Guess it’s time to give MS Security Essentials a whirl and see how it stacks up. The price is right
Frank J
Dec 2nd, 2009
Mike,
It’s not to often we give props to Microsoft, but it’s deserving this time.
Technokrz
Dec 2nd, 2009
Thanks. I like your quote on “You’re the best defense against Malware!”. That’s valid.
Frank J
Dec 2nd, 2009
It is so true! Thanks for your comment!
HART (aka PetLvr)
Dec 7th, 2009
I’ve dropped using Zone Alarm about 2 weeks ago to start using Microsoft Essentials and find it doesn’t use much CPU memory and pretty good on the malware stuff .. mostly the medium risks. So far, the only “high” risk objects it detected seemed to be in a quaranteed section archived by my Zone Alarm.
There may have been an issue that it caused (not prevented) a virus attack on my system last week .. although, I am still working that out and getting lots of new folders (about 20) that look like this:
windows[][]s[][][][][]m32[][] and registry errors when rebooting.
Other than that – no more annoying messages asking me if I want to be protected – geesh – just protect me!
Frank J
Dec 7th, 2009
Hart,
MSE performs well and you are right in saying it doesn’t use much CPU resources.