How to Evaluate Antivirus Software

As per a recent survey conducted to study antivirus adoption, consumers tend to value low performance impact more than effective malware removal. But when it comes to evaluating which antivirus is best, we really must analyze what we need and not just what want in antivirus software. The best way to evaluate the various total security software available, is to conduct a comprehensive comparison of the features offered by each, depending on the ones you need the most.

Best Antivirus Features

Knowing about some of the key features or functions that an antivirus software should essentially have will help you choose the best total security software. Here are a few of them: Scanning:

• Compressed File Scanner: A good antivirus program has the capability to scan many levels deep into compressed files and folders to detect malware even if it is buried within multiple layers.
• On-access & On-demand Scanner: The on-access scanner scans files for malware as they are opened or accessed while the on-demand scanner performs a custom scan of a file, folder or drive when initiated by the user.
• Heuristic Scanner: Every antivirus program comes with a heuristic scanner that looks for previously unknown viruses, detecting and defending from new malware that has yet to be discovered and added to virus definition files.
• Real-time Scanner: The real-time scanner in an antivirus monitors network data as it is coming into the computer, intercepting any malware as it enters your system.
• Scheduled Scans: Apart from the above, your antivirus software should allow creation of a schedule to set when the software will automatically perform a scan, including a pre-configured or custom scan. Quick Heal Total Security’s ingenious DNAScan technology combines behavioral and characteristic inspection and monitoring of unsafe programs. This results in a clean, more up-to-date and accurate detection of threats.

Updates: Automatic Virus & Program Updates: Just installing an antivirus program is not enough; it needs to be regularly updated too. The scan engine(s) and the program itself may periodically be updated to add functionality to detect newer threats. However, keeping it up to date is a lot easier now, as most antivirus software can be configured to automatically connect with the vendor site and download new updates as and when a new update is rolled out. Script Blocking: Another major transmitter of malware are script languages that are frequently used to execute malicious codes from web sites. Many security software can monitor Java, ActiveX, Visual Basic and other script files to detect and block malicious activity. Mail & IM Protection:

• Instant Messaging Protection: Instant Messaging platforms such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) or Yahoo! Messenger can also transmit. Antivirus software that are able to monitor traffic from such programs provide additional security to detect and remove malicious threats.
• POP3 Email & Webmail Scanning: Incoming and/or outgoing POP3 email traffic and the associated file attachments could carry various kinds of malware. Antivirus features should include monitoring them to detect and alert about virus or other malware threats. Some advanced antivirus programs can also monitor web-based email traffic such as Gmail or Yahoo! Mail to detect and block malware in file attachments.

There is a huge variety of antivirus software that you could choose from, but make sure they offer most, if not all, of the features mentioned above. Quick Heal Total Security offers all the features necessary in addition to other features that ensure all round security of PCs and mobiles.