New model-year security products used to come out in the fall, like new model-year cars. In 2011, though, the first 2012 antivirus (G Data AntiVirus 2012 ($29.95 direct, 3.5 stars) turned up way back in May. It's almost May 2012, so it's time to declare the model year ended and get ready for the 2013 models.
Testing the Tools
To evaluate antivirus utilities, always rely on hands-on, real-world testing. The malware removal test involves installing each product on a dozen malware-infested virtual machines and challenging it to clean them up. For the malware blocking test, try to install the same collection of threats on a clean system protected by the product being tested.
Also refer to reports from major independent antivirus testing labs. The labs have vastly more resources and they can perform large-scale tests that would take more time. The chart below summarizes our test results as well results from the independent labs.
Antivirus Comparison Chart
Webroot Secure Anywhere Antivirus
OS Compatibility
Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7
Type
Business, Personal, Professional
Malware Removal
4.5
Malware Blocking
5.0
Independent Lab Results
Fair
Norton AntiVirus 2012
OS Compatibility
Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7
Type
Business, Personal, Professional
Malware Removal
4.5
Malware Blocking
4.5
Independent Lab Results
Good
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2012
OS Compatibility
Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7
Type
Business, Personal, Professional
Malware Removal
3.5
Malware Blocking
3.0
Independent Lab Results
Excellent
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012
OS Compatibility
Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7
Type
Personal
Malware Removal
3.0
Malware Blocking
3.5
Independent Lab Results
Good
Cleanup-Only Tools
Four of these recent products are specifically designed to clean up malware infestations, with no real-time protection component. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Free 1.51 (Free, 4 stars) was the most effective of these. Its detection rate wasn't high, but effective removal gave it 6.4 points overall. The commercial Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware PRO 1.51 ($24.95 direct, 3 stars) does add real-time protection, but it was the least effective of the entire group.
Norman Malware Cleaner 2.1 (Free, 3.5 stars) wasn't as effective as Malwarebytes. Its rootkit removal score is especially low because most of the rootkits it detected were still running after its alleged removal.
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Comodo Cleaning Essentials (free, 4.5 stars) is full portable, so malware can't evade it by interfering with installation. It was particularly effective against rootkits.
While not free like the others, avast! Rescue Disc ($10/once direct, 3.5 stars) is inexpensive. Rootkits and other malware types that subvert Windows itself should yield to this bootable tool. However, in testing one rootkit remained running even after alleged removal.
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