Which is the best?

My opinion for the best AV is:
Imaging with free Macrium
(doesn't have to be macrium)

After you'll do that, use something that is recommended from the majority of power users around, usually a combo. Example: MSE+Comodo firewall+Malwarebytes+SAS+asquared (real time+on demand) plus you can use something like hosts file, winpatrol etc. If you use FF nice ad-dons are noscript and flashblock plus, and of course, use common sense to stay protected while surfing. That would be the general advice that works just fine for most of the users.
cheers

I could readily agree with "common sense" as far as browsing habits. Yet with the MS SE on the Bing search results in one instance saw the first site at the top place a trojan on the system when not having the former av program's(free version) IE security toolbar enabled.

What does that say for the SE? It did detect once on but "did not" prevent it from getting on showing the need again for multiple layers. You can name all the programs you want but don't be fooled assuming any one program is the best for that type since something will get past that while not another.

The best advice is having the strongest defense in order to provide the best offense against the various types of malwares that haven't even been written yet.

I use Avast and Avira as an on demand scanner. I have layers of protection. Tried to download the trojan simulator, and even disabling each program as it detected it, I never was allowed to download it, lol. If it gets past the front line, it gets tackled by the back line :)

Trojan Simulator

A Guy

I tried the trojan simulator. I've used IZArc for most compressed folders for well over a year. IZArc wouldn't let me run the installer and MSE (2.0 beta) responded at the same time. I'm happy to know IZArc is trying to protect me from being stupid on top of everything else I have to keep me safe.

Used both, had better results from Norton.

My experience:
Norton IS (had about 2 years/2 versions) = no viruses, no malware trouble
MSE (temporary usage) = got several viruses that trashed 7

Niether are memory hogs - or bloated. Norton that was out 3+ years ago was bloated & inefficient, but the software has been rewritten.

merkat106 said:

Used both, had better results from Norton.

My experience:
Norton IS (had about 2 years/2 versions) = no viruses, no malware trouble
MSE (temporary usage) = got several viruses that trashed 7

Niether are memory hogs - or bloated. Norton that was out 3+ years ago was bloated & inefficient, but the software has been rewritten.

I had a similar experience. MSE is not watertight.

whs said:

merkat106 said:

Used both, had better results from Norton.

My experience:
Norton IS (had about 2 years/2 versions) = no viruses, no malware trouble
MSE (temporary usage) = got several viruses that trashed 7

Niether are memory hogs - or bloated. Norton that was out 3+ years ago was bloated & inefficient, but the software has been rewritten.

I had a similar experience. MSE is not watertight.

Which is the prime reason to approach security in a layered approach .... no one app will catch it all ...

whs said:

that graph made me rethink my security software choice, was a firm believer in Eset products but will switch soon to Avira, thanks for posting that graph

BlueBear said:

whs said:

that graph made me rethink my security software choice, was a firm believer in Eset products but will switch soon to Avira, thanks for posting that graph

Eset is still a good choice though. And as Tews says, no AV program is perfect. My security strategy is built around imaging with free Macrium. Then I am sure I can bail myself out at any point in time.