• Norton - We currently recommend that customers avoid Norton 360 and any of their internet security suites.  For years we saw customer systems that were messed up from using Norton.  In some cases, the program wouldn't uninstall when the user wanted to change Anti-Virus(we had to purchase a separate tool to remove it from users computers) and in other cases it would block the internet when viruses were found.  We have heard that they're not so bad now, but about 5 years of horror working on customer computers made us swear them off.
• McAfee - has a good balance between security and system inconvenience.  In general, this application provides security for your system without slowing it down very much (because all AntiVirus runs while you use your computer, AntiVirus has the potential to slow down your machine).  This is the product we currently sell at our store.
• Kaspersky - is godly at Virus discovery, but is user toxic. It will constantly pop up dialogue boxes asking if you want to allow or block something, but it's easy to shut down your OS by choosing badly. In addition, a few years ago they pushed an update that broke ALL Kaspersky installations around the world. 
• Avast - isn't bad.  We don't see too many problems with it, but since it isn't used by many people, it is hard to know.  Also, since this is a free AntiVirus, so you don't have the same security as you do with a "paid" antivirus.  Paid systems tend to be more frequently updated.
• AVG is ok, but not if you're doing high-risk activities (you know what I mean).  The Free version however, is more questionable.  Of the customers that come in needing Virus removal, about half of them are running AVG Free.
• G-Data is pretty decent, but shares the same engine and flaws as Kaspersky.
• Microsoft Security - Although Microsoft has the potential to build a good product, right now, the software isn't there.  We have seen it let through viruses that it should have identified.  Currently, it is not recommended. 

Is it possible to get viruses even if I have Anti-Virus installed on my computer?
Unfortunately, yes.  Today, deceptive groups are putting out fake virus alerts, known as scareware, designed to trick people into paying money for software that has no value.  Since they look like real alerts, people will click on the scareware and install the virus... To find out more about these tricks, check out our article on Fake Virus Alerts.

 
Do I have viruses?
There are many ways that viruses can attack your system.  There is no "one way" to tell if you have viruses, but there are some symptoms to look for:

• VERY Slow Computer - When a computer gets viruses, the viruses run every day. As a result, your computer may become very, very slow. 
• No Internet Connection - Some viruses, prevent you from connecting to the internet or only allow you to connect to their site (usually an ad for anti-virus, porn or even viagra!)
• Banking Problems - Keyloggers are viruses that track which keys you hit in an effort to get banking information and other personal data.  If you have recently had a bank account closed and don't know why you may need to check your computer for viruses.
• Pop Ups - Some viruses just continually serve you up ads for anti-virus.  Their goals is to get you to pay them money for products that aren't real.   They make hundreds of thousands of dollars a week with these ads and never provide any actual service.