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Over the past month we have been comparing antivirus software.  Below is a table which summaries our findings!  We’ve put all the results into percentages to make everything fair!

	Alternative Software %	AVG % in Comparison
	64%	86%
	63%	88%
	75%	94%
	69%	88%
	77%	82%
	67%	90%

As you can see from the table, AVG is by far the superior antivirus software when compared to the others.  Throughout the entire comparison process we were very impressed with the potential of some of the lesser known software like Avira and Kaspersky.  In a few years time they could really be battling with the rest!  Look out for our ratings table in coming weeks!

Today we’re doing our fourth Anti-Virus software comparison.  Today we’re looking at Award Winning AVG Internet Security and avast! Professional Edition.  Now a lot of you will be sitting there thinking, ‘I’ve never heard of avast!’.  avast! are another ‘smaller’ Anti-Virus software company which is snapping at the heals of the ‘Big Three’, AVG, Norton and McAfee.  For more about avast! check out their website! The comparison will involve an overview of the features each package has and then at the end we’ll tell you which we think is better through our rating system. Our ratings are worked out by the amount of ticks the product has. Further points are awarded for faster download, simpler/better installation and cheaper price.

Feature
Download Time	Very Fast	Fast
Installation	Simple and of average length.  However, unlike AVG you still have a lot of configuration to do.	Takes an average length of time.  Quite extensive and helps you set up the basic features of the software.
Anti-Spyware
Anti-Rootkit
Anti-Virus
Task Scheduler
Automatic Updater
P2P and Instant Messenger Shield
Web Shield
Virus Chest (Known as Vault on AVG)
Network Shield/Identity Protection
Anti-Spam
Firewall
Anti-Malware
Available to buy from Brandstar?
RRP	£24.95 (1 year)	£39.14 (1 year)
Overall Rating	11 out of 16	14 out of 16

Overall AVG Internet Security is the better software by far, however, it is almost £15 more.  I would say that spending that extra £15 is worth it, especially if you look at the tools/features that you get with AVG compared to avast!  I would say avast! has loads of potential but it the product needs to be far more extensive to warrant a purchase.  After all, some of the features they’re missing out on are pretty basic, necessities for any Anti-Virus software.  avast! has a really cool interface (see picture), however it isn’t that easy to find you way around.