Norton AntiVirus 2005 Special Edition Norton AntiVirus 2005 Special Edition
(version 11.0.16.4)
Google, Symantec
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Google Pack contains free Norton antivirus (Norton AntiVirus 2005 Special Edition), as well as many other useful applications. It includes a six-month subscription to antivirus definition updates and is available for Windows XP only.
Download link: Get essential software with Google Pack. Get essential software with Google Pack. Firefox with Google Toolbar
The following features are available:
Real time protection (computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, adware),E-mail protection,Instant messenger (MSN, AOL, Yahoo) protection,Auto updater,Quarantine for the detected viruses and suspicious files.
(To see the full-size screenshot, simply click on the thumbnail image.)
Installation 
Main window
The program is easy to use, the interface - easy to navigate and logical. Background colors are cleverly used to alert when attention is needed.
Main window: urgent attention is needed
Main window: Reports
Options window: Auto-Protect The update was quick and painless.
LiveUpdate Norton Antivirus uses heuristic approach to protect against previously unknown viruses.
Options: Bloodhound heuristic 
Virus detected! The program's footprint is rather large and its usage on the old hardware is not recommended.
The inbuilt help system is informative and easy to navigate.
Inbuilt help system License: Free.
Time limited: Yes, six month only.
Free Support: Yes - e-mail, live chat, phone (installation issues and known bugs only).
Platforms: Windows XP only.
Pros:
Cons:
Free for six months only,No firewall,It is hard to say what is happening at the background - eg when the LiveUpdate is unning,Relatively large footprint.
Note: if you need help uninstalling this software, please see this support article.
Our overall verdict for Google Pack Norton Antivirus 2005 SE:
Good antivirus but free for six months only.
Overall rating: 4.5/5
AOL Active Virus Shield (Kaspersky Antivirus) (version 6.0.0.303)
AOL, Kaspersky
Overall rating: 5/5
This free antivirus software is based on one of the best paid programs - Kaspersky Antivirus version 6, and offers the excellent detection rates and update frequency that can be expected from Kaspersky.
During the installation on one of our Windows 2000 systems, the software complained about some Microsoft Visual C++ libraries missing. Fortunately, there was a link to the download file in the FAQ.
During the installation we were prompted for the permission to install the "AOL Security Toolbar", but opted not to install the toolbar, as it is not part of Kaspersky Antivirus.
Main window Although AOL Active Virus Shield does not include all features of Kaspersky Antivirus, it contains all the crucial ones, such as:
Protection options 
E-mail protection Web Anti-Virus,Proactive defense,Rescue Disk component.
The detection rates are among the best according to the following test results:
ttp://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=82&mnu=82
http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/results?vendor=VE15
http://www.westcoastlabs.org/cm-av-products.asp?Comp_ID=15&Cat_ID=2
http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse_2006_08.php
The program is capable of e-mailing notifications in case of infection or other specified events.
Notification options
There is also a possibility of reverting the program updates.
AOL offers free support via e-mail only (which is not guaranteed in the license agreement:
"This license does not entitle you to receive from us hard-copy documentation, support, telephone assistance" http://www.activevirusshield.info/eula.htm). However, a lot of support information is available at the Kaspersky Antivirus knowledge base http://www.kaspersky.com/faq?chapter=183932487 and forums http://forum.kaspersky.com/index.php.
License: Free.
Time limited: No.
Free Support: Yes - email (limited?).
Platforms: Windows 98/ME, NT/2000/XP (also supports XP x64).
Pros:
Cons:
Overall rating: 5/5
Important: Please note that this product does not include firewall. To achieve full protection, it is advisable to run this program in conjunction with one of the following free firewalls:
Comodo Free Firewall: http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
Jetico Personal Firewall: http://www.jetico.com/jpfirewall.htm
Essential support and troubleshooting links:
Download link: http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/
AOL FAQ: http://www.activevirusshield.info/
Kaspersky FAQ: http://www.kaspersky.com/faq?chapter=183932487
Kaspersky support forums: http://forum.kaspersky.com/index.php
Additional Kaspersky downloads: ftp://ftp.kaspersky.com/utils/KIS6/
Avira AntiVir Personal Edition Avira AntiVir PE Classic 7.00
Avira GmbH
Overall rating: 5/5
Since our review of the previous version of Avira antivirus the good thing only got better. The installation was a breeze - quick and simple. The user interface is improved - it is now very intuitive and easy to use. The configuration screen presents all available options in a logical and uncluttered way, also allowing you to switch to the expert mode.
As with the previous version, the following features are available:
Main window 
Configuration 
Expert mode configuration
Avira AntiVir utilizes strong heuristic scanning to protect against previously unknown macro and boot record viruses.
Virus detedcted!
The POP3 e-mails scanner is not included in this version (it is available in the paid premium edition ). However, it is not as big a disadvantage as it may seem, as AntiVir will scan all opened e-mails and attachments.
Manual update
Avira AntiVir will not detect spyware or aggressive adware. Running the program together with some form of antispyware protection - or upgrading to the premium version - is, therefore, highly advisable.
AntiVir periodically displays a pop-up window with some promotional info, which can be annoying - but it sure is a small price to pay for using this great antivirus software for free!
Pop-up information window
The help system is extensive and includes downloadable manual and in-built help. The support is available through the online support forum at: http://forum.antivir.de/index.php.
Inbuilt help
License: Free for individual and private use on a single PC-workstation.
Time limited: No.
Free Support: Yes - forums.
Platforms: Windows 98/ME, NT/2000/XP, Linux/Free BSD/Solaris.
Pros:
Cons:
does not scan for spyware or adware,no email scanner.Our overall verdict: one of the best free antiviruses!
Overall rating: 5/5
We found AVG Antivirus to be arguably the most configurable free antivirus software on the market. Some percentage of users might get confused by the plethora of choices available, but the "default" button is often there to help (although it would be better if it was available in every configuration window).
License: Free for private, non-commercial, single home computer use only.
Support: Yes - support forums only (for all users who registered their copy of AVG Free).
Platforms: Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2000/XP.
Virus definition update file size: about 5M.
Certification: ICSA Labs Certified.
Overall rating: 5/5
Screenshots (click to enlarge):
Installation and operation:
Capiton 
Settings:
Download link: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
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