Top 10 Paid Antivirus for Windows 7 – 2012 Editions
Today CoolPCTips will list out the best antivirus for Windows 7 and older versions. A while ago, we documented the top internet security suites. They offer more features and addons, but tend to be more expensive. Not everyone might need all these features and so we’re going to tell you the best antivirus software you can get. Most of the names are very well known and there are some not well known in India but popular in other countries. There is no dearth of choice, but the trick is getting an antivirus that offers the best all round protection for the money. We’re going to be looking at antivirus software on the basis of price, performance and features. So without further ado, here are the best antivirus for Windows 7:
2012 Best Antivirus for Windows 7
10. Avira AntiVir Premium
Avira has had a pretty good track record and its free antivirus continues to be one of the most preferred amongst the horde of free antivirus programs. So how does the “premium” version match up? Not to well we’re afraid, Avira AntiVir premium offers very less over its own free version and thus Avira ends up being its own competitor. It’s the cheapest antivirus out there at 23.95$, and offers above average protection, but you’re better off with another antivirus. Oh and if you insist on Avira, it’s better to get the free antivirus, although its not the best antivirus for Windows 7.
9. ESET NOD32 Antivirus
ESET’s new antivirus offers good detection and is easy to use, but it is let down by the below average ability to remove detected threats. It’s fairly low on resource usage as well and uses even less resources when battery mode on laptops is detected, which is a good touch. However, problems with malware detection and removal have been reported in Windows 7. At 39.99$ it is one of the most expensive antiviruses and frankly, doesn’t justify its price.
8. BullGuard Antivirus 2012
A relatively unknown name in antvirus software, BullGuard antivirus offers pretty good malware detection & removal, excellent antispam and heuristics. It also has a good looking and easy to use interface and the customer support is very good as well. But the core ability of malware detection and removal is good and not great. BullGuard Antivirus 2012 retails for 29.95$, which is a good price point, but based on core abilities, it ranks 8th in our list.
7. Avast! Pro Antivirus 2012
Avast! is rather well known for its free antivirus software. The Pro version is also quite good with one of the best detection rates in the market. But it is let down by the low malware removal or repair ability and doesn’t offer antiphishing like many of its competitors. Avast! Pro retails for 39.95$ and is a good choice if malware protection is all you’re looking for.
6. G-Data Antivirus 2012
G-Data Antivirus is one of the best antivirus for Windows 7 out there. It features excellent malware detection and removal rates, amongst the best in the industry. G-Data Antivirus 2012 uses two virus scanning engines, so rest assured you’re always protected. The slightly drab interface and lack of a few features like silent mode and battery saver mode hinder this excellent product. At 29.95$, it’s also great value for money and is highly recommended based upon malware protection abilities.
Highly recommended Post: Top 15 Best Free Antivirus for Windows 7
5. AVG Anti-Virus 2012
Another stalwart in the computer security game, AVG is one of the most well known companies because of its free antivirus. It has very good malware detection including spyware, adware and the like. On-access scanning, spam filter and pattern based recognition are some of the features offered by AVG Anti-Virus 2012. But threat removal isn’t up to the mark and the interface is hardly good-looking. Nevertheless, it’s a worthy option at 34.99$.
4. Panda AntiVirus Pro 2012
Panda AntiVirus 2012 is a very close contender for the best antivirus for Windows 7. It features excellent malware detection and even better removal. Unlike most other antivirus softwares, Panda AntiVirus Pro 2012 comes with an integrated firewall that is also very robust. Overall it’s an excellent product with pretty good value for money at 39.99$. Other antiviruses also come for the same price, but they don’t include firewalls and that’s what makes Panda AntiVirus Pro 2012 a great choice.
3. Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012
Now we’re in the top 3 where all the biggies in the computer security industry reside. The well known Russian company Kaspersky have again come out with a great product in Kasperky Anti-Virus 2012. Kaspersky has an industry leading 100% malware detection rate and has pretty good removal as well. But the antiphishing is somewhat weak and some particular malware types cause problems with Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012. Overall Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012 is one of the best antivirus for Windows 7 at 39.95$.
2. BitDefender AntiVirus Plus 2012
BitDefender AntiVirus Plus also has a near perfect malware detection rate like the top security software and a very good removal rate as well. A snazzy UI and a price point of 39.95$ for 3 licenses work in its favor. However, BitDefender is extremely large for just an antivirus software and weighs in around 850MB. Also, the malware removal rate is quite slow. Still, it is one of the best available in the market today.
1. Norton AntiVirus 2012
Symantec’s well known Norton AntiVirus 2012 lands the top spot as the best antivirus for Windows 7 in 2012. Norton’s excellent malware detection and removal rate along with an easy to use and attractive UI make it a fantastic choice in security software. Unlike previous editions it is also light on system resources and is installed in less than 2 minutes. The web based protection is a little on the weak side, but overall protection is industry leading. Behavioral scanning, system scans and malware removal are fast as well. Our only gripe is that it can sometimes be a bit too enthusiastic and flag safe software as malicious. At 39.95$, it is our pick for best antivirus for Windows 7.
Sure, people might prefer one over the other when it comes to antivirus software, but strictly based on price and performance these are the top 10 best antivirus for Windows 7.
About The Author
Rahul Gondane
Rahul Gondane is a technophile and gamer, who has been obsessed with everything tech ever since he started dabbling in it in early 2000. He also enjoys reading books, listening to music and watching movies. Rahul is the Chief Operating Officer of Pyrite Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
IMHO…
Paid… BitDefender > Kaspersky Labs > ESET
Free… Use Genuine copy of Windows accompanied by Security Essentials.
KISS.
i agree with you .. bitdefender and kaspersky is the best .. 😀
Even Avast is good 🙂
Eset Nod 32 is the best of the lot,i use it with Outpost firewall pro and sandboxie, used that combo for over 4 years now without any problems.
Well this obviously is a fake paid shit list…
Norton is BY FAR the WORST peace of shit to ever be called ANTIvirus.
Not only does it eat resources, miss viruses and fool poor new and inexperienced computer users to buy the crap by paying most manufactures to install the trial crap on new machines that are sold.
But also when u DO realize this, and try to remove it, it fucks up the computer by not restoring it properly. They have been forced to make a removal tool to fix this, if i recall even from a court decision, just so people that don’t even want it, can get rid of it.
Many others on this list ive never heard of, but some i have, and they should be ranked higher by far then Norton.
You have perhaps had a bad experience from the editions prior to 2011. I’ve personally been using Norton Internet Security since 2010 on 3 PC’s and had absolutely no problems.
i think eset is the best antivirus ever…..Try it…
I never buy Antivirus.I use different trial version antiviruses.After the trial period of one antivirus expires,I install another.I have 12 antivirus in my list with which i can continue for a full 360 days.By the time i have used all the antiviruses in the list….new versions of all the 12 different antivirus are available on the net.So i can continue again with a newer version the antiviruses.
i think kaspersky pure 2.0 should be on the top because even if a malware or trogan appear it would efficiently disinfect it and is the best of the best antiviruses in the market thanks to kaspersky my computer never had a problem on viruses,trogans,malwaresor anything in the last 5 years
Kaspersky Pure is basically Internet Security with a few extras thrown in, like Norton 360. We’ve mentioned only antiviruses here, and Pure uses this very antivirus engine.
Hi Rahul, I see you’ve mentioned BullGuard in your post but I haven’t used it. Did you use it personally? Does it needs a high end system? Personally I keep Kaspersky, Avast and AVG (not on the same PC) 🙂 Which ones do you like personally?
Hello,
I’ve tried BullGuard, it’s pretty lean on resources. Personally I use Norton Internet Security.