Win32 Virus Removal

Many security vendors offer a veritable smorgasbord of products. Free antivirus, "Pro" antivirus, antivirus plus firewall, security suite, mega-suite with backup, and so on. Even leaving out the nearly-irrelevant distinction between antivirus and antispyware software, the possibilities are still endless. Clearly we can't review every variation, so I've always chosen the biggest, most feature-packed offering from each company—the suites. However, that makes it tough for readers specifically looking for standalone antivirus/antispyware software. In the last few months I've started reviewing both the biggest product and the standalone antivirus from each company that offers both. Going forward, I'll try to add standalone antivirus reviews for major vendors that didn't get this two-fold coverage. Let's be clear: this isn't a complete list—that's something I'll be working on over the coming year. Still, if you take a look at the nine antivirus apps I've covered recently, you're sure to find one that meets your needs, whether you want a free one or are willing to pay for it.

Avast! Free Antivirus 5.0 includes the same anti-malware protection found in company's full suite, avast! Internet Security 5.0. However, its protection level is more on par with the better free antivirus software than with the best suites or standalones. The same is true of McAfee Virus Scan Plus 2010 and the forthcoming McAfee Total Protection 2010, though neither of these is free. All four are significantly better at keeping malware out of a clean system than at cleaning up active malware on an infested system.

Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 is the star player in the security lineup from PC Tools. In my own hands-on testing it holds the top scores for both malware removal and malware blocking, even beating out previous champion Norton Internet Security 2010. From the same company as Spyware Doctor, PC Tools Internet Security 2010 offers this same level of protection plus antispam, firewall, antiphishing, and a browser protection toolbar.

Unlike the products mentioned so far, AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0 and AVG Internet Security 9.0 offer different levels of malware protection. The free product scored significantly lower than the suite for both malware blocking and malware removal, and also scored lower than several other free malware solutions.

Panda Cloud Antivirus - Free Edition 1.0 and Trend Micro HouseCall 7.1 don't have the same kind of direct link with their related suites (Panda Internet Security 2010 and Trend Micro Internet Security Pro (version 3)). The free Panda standalone scored noticeably better than its sibling suite in my malware blocking test, tying with Spyware Doctor. HouseCall, on the other hand, wasn't as effective at malware removal as the Trend Micro suite, and it doesn't include real-time malware blocking at all.

During this same period I reviewed a couple of standalone-only products, IObit Security 36 and Double Anti-Spy Professional. The IObit product distinguished itself by scoring lowest or second-lowest in all of my tests – avoid it. Though double Anti-Spy relies on two anti-malware engines its performance against malware was just decent. However, it scored better than all others at removing commercial keyloggers and preventing their installation, even those that use rootkit technology to evade detection.

This isn't a comprehensive list of standalone antivirus tools. As more such reviews become available I'll expand this ongoing roundup to be more inclusive. In the meanwhile, tell us in the comments section about your standalone AV app, whether it's covered here or not.

avast! Free Antivirus 5.0

Free
The new user interface of avast! free antivirus makes it easier to use, and its new technology eliminates more malware. This tool offers more control over settings and more detail in reporting than some of its free competitors.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0

Free
AVG believes everyone deserves free basic protection against Internet threats. The company's free antivirus offers that protection, and it's better than Microsoft's free product. Of course, the best for-pay anti-malware tools are even better, but not everyone can afford to pay.

Double Anti-Spy Professional

$29.95 (direct)
This product's two antivirus engines double its detecting power, but it doesn't clean up as well as it detects. It's as big and slow as using two separate products would be. On the plus side, the two engines don't conflict, and you only have to pay for one product.

IObit Security 360

Free
IObit Security 360 installs and scans quickly. The problem is, it just doesn't do the job of removing malware or preventing malware installation.

McAfee Virus Scan Plus 2010

$39.99 (direct)
McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2010's user-friendly new interface is a welcome departure for McAfee. On clean systems, it's great at blocking malware. Installing and running it on infested systems can be tough, but McAfee offers tons for such problems.

Panda Cloud Antivirus - Free Edition 1.0
 
Free
Panda Cloud Antivirus offers free malware protection in a lightweight package with an ultra-fresh user interface.

Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010
 
$39.95 (direct)
Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 adds numerous new "guards" against malware and promises enhanced malware detection and cleanup—and delivers. This product, our new Editors' Choice, broke records in my malware-removal and malware-blocking tests.

Trend Micro HouseCall 7.1

Free
Trend Micro's HouseCall gets to work quickly and uses a cloud-based malware database to find viruses and other threats. It's great for a second opinion alongside your existing solution because it doesn't run in the background when not scanning. That lack of real-time protection also means it shouldn't be your only anti-malware solution.