All of the tests were done on an identical computer. The latest version of the program was downloaded, updated, and then info taken down.
These tests have nothing to do with actual program effectiveness, but rather the effects they have on the computers when they are installed
and running. These tests were performed 3/26/08.
To see a side by side comparison of the Memory Usage click
Here
| Product Name: |
Avast Anti-Virus |
| File Size: |
96.6MB |
| Trial Length: |
60 Days |
| Number of Processes Created: |
6 |
| Memory Footprint: |
107MB |
| Pros: |
Installed fine. |
| Cons: |
Avast Creates two icons on the taskbar. During the attempted uninstall, the program gave an error and would not continue.
Avast uses 25-35% CPU while simply running in the background. This is the only program that used any significant amount of CPU.
|
| Included Features: |
Anti-Virus Protection, Script Blocking, Resident Shield, Web Shield, Email Scanning, Command-line scanner, and a Firewall wannabe
(Intrusion Detection System). Support for 64-bit Windows platforms. |
| Product Name: |
AVG Anti-Virus |
| File Size: |
39.2MB |
| Trial Length: |
30 Days |
| Number of Processes Created: |
4 |
| Memory Footprint: |
88MB |
| Pros: |
While updating the program, got download speeds up to 1.5MB/s |
| Cons: |
None |
| Included Features: |
Anti-Virus Protection, Anti-Spyware Protection, Anti-Rootkit Protection, Resident Shield, Command-line scanner, and Email Scanning.
Support for 64-bit Windows platforms. |
| Product Name: |
CA Anti-Virus (Computer Associates) |
| File Size: |
11.7MB |
| Trial Length: |
90 Days |
| Number of Processes Created: |
4 |
| Memory Footprint: |
62.3MB |
| Pros: |
Download process is fairly easy. Allow you to register anonymously. Has the longest trial period of those tested. |
| Cons: |
By default it installs the Yahoo Toolbar. Requires registration for using the trial. |
| Included Features: |
Anti-Virus Protection, Anti-Spyware Protection, Resident Shield, and Email Scanning. |
| Product Name: |
Kaspersky Labs Anti-Virus |
| File Size: |
28MB |
| Trial Length: |
30 Days |
| Number of Processes Created: |
2 |
| Memory Footprint: |
62MB |
| Pros: |
Allows you to install in basic mode for most users, or in interactive mode which gives you more control. |
| Cons: |
None |
| Included Features: |
Anti-Virus Protection, Anti-Spyware Protection, Anti-Rootkit Protection, Resident Shield, Web Shield, and Email Scanning.
Support for 64-bit Windows platforms. |
| Product Name: |
McAfee Anti-Virus |
| File Size: |
35.3MB |
| Trial Length: |
30 Days |
| Number of Processes Created: |
8 |
| Memory Footprint: |
35.4MB (see "cons" section for more details) |
| Pros: |
Program uninstalled fine. |
| Cons: |
McAfee requires you to give them your name and email address in order to create an account which must be activated by
clicking a link in an email before allowing you to try their software. After all that they do not even give you an install file, instead
it is a link to their download manager which you must log into using the account you just created. I was unable to get the McAfee updates to
update, and therefore never able to get a good picture of the memory usage. |
| Included Features: |
Anti-Virus Protection, Anti-Spyware Protection, Resident Shield, and McAfee Site Advisor. |
| Product Name: |
Nod32 Anti-Virus |
| File Size: |
15.3MB |
| Trial Length: |
30 Days |
| Number of Processes Created: |
2 |
| Memory Footprint: |
46MB |
| Pros: |
Program installed and uninstalled fine. |
| Cons: |
Nod32 Requires your name and email address so they can send you an email address with the link to the download. |
| Included Features: |
Anti-Virus Protection, Anti-Spyware Protection, Anti-Rootkit Protection, Resident Shield, and Web Shield. |
| Product Name: |
Norton Anti-Virus |
| File Size: |
57.2MB |
| Trial Length: |
15 Days |
| Number of Processes Created: |
3 |
| Memory Footprint: |
137MB |
| Pros: |
Allows you to do a brief scan of the computer before installing. |
| Cons: |
Norton requires your name and email address before you are allowed to download anything. (By giving them this info you are
agreeing to let them send you emails about Norton products.) During installation, by default it will install the Symantec/Yahoo
Toolbar. And you have to create a Norton account simply to use the trial software. |
| Included Features: |
Anti-Virus Protection, Anti-Spyware Protection, Anti-Rootkit Protection, Resident Shield, Email Scanning, and Web Shield. |
| Product Name: |
Panda Anti-Virus |
| File Size: |
40MB |
| Trial Length: |
30 Days |
| Number of Processes Created: |
6 |
| Memory Footprint: |
164.1MB |
| Pros: |
There is a picture of a nice looking girl during the installation. Scans the computer before installing. |
| Cons: |
In order to activate your software you must fill out a form giving your personal info (name, address, etc.) on a webpage that
uses activeX controls. Updating the program took a long time. This program claims to be a lightweight program, yet had the highest
memory footprint of any program tested. |
| Included Features: |
Anti-Virus Protection, Anti-Spyware Protection, Anti-Rootkit Protection, Resident Shield, and Web Shield.
Support for 64-bit Windows Platforms. |
| Product Name: |
Trend Micro Anti-Virus |
| File Size: |
56.8MB |
| Trial Length: |
30 Days |
| Number of Processes Created: |
4 |
| Memory Footprint: |
131.7MB |
| Pros: |
Program installed and uninstalled just fine. |
| Cons: |
Trend-Micro easy install works only with IE6 or later. Although you can download the program no problem, you must give
them your email address before using. |
| Included Features: |
Anti-Virus Protection, Anti-Spyware Protection, Resident Shield, and Web Shield.
Support 64-bit Windows Vista Platforms. |
