Panda Global Protection 2009: An Outsider Who’s Left In The Dust
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: 2009, antivirus, test | Themes: Software
- 1. One-Stop Comparison for 14 Anti-Virus Titles
- 2. Anti-Virus Basics
- 3. Comodo Internet Security v3.8: The Newbie
- 4. Avira Antivir Personal Free Edition v9.0.0386: The Best of the Freebies
- 5. Clamwin Free Antivirus 0.94.1: Open Source Protection Software
- 6. Avast! 4.8 Home Edition Free: The Classic
- 7. BitDefender Total Security 2009: A Balanced Choice
- 8. F-Secure Internet Security 2009: A Disappointment
- 9. Trend Micro PC-Cillin Internet Security Pro 2009: A Reasonable Option
- 10. McAfee Internet Security 2009: Very Complete
- 11. Norton Antivirus 2009: The Choice For Ease and Simplicity
- 12. Panda Global Protection 2009: An Outsider Who’s Left In The Dust
- 13. G-Data Total Care 2009: The Heavy Weight Of Security
- 14. ESET Smart Security 4 (Nod32 Antivirus 4): A Positive Evolution
- 15. Kaspersky Antivirus 2009: A Half-Colored Version
- 16. AVG Internet Security v8.5 (paid version): An Insufficient Evolution of What You Can Get For Free
- 17. The Verdict
- 18. The Test Protocol
- 19. More on this topic
12. Panda Global Protection 2009: An Outsider Who’s Left In The Dust
- Global Protection 2009...
The 2008 version of Panda was really very impressive. It both performed well and had found an equilibrium with regards to the average power of the computers of the time.
A Very Delightful Interface… That Suffers From A Few Weaknesses
The graphic choices of this program are really well done–it is both very aesthetically pleasing and functional and assures the readability of the functions and access to them. The default settings are put together logically, but one hole in particular is irritating: the default deactivation of the archive scan.
The advanced settings are, on the other hand, a bit on the light side as they are accessible and very readable and don’t really let you personalize your own advanced options. This is a shame because this interface is really very nicely done, especially with the possibility of password protection as an added bonus.
Effective Protection… With Some Glitches
The detection motor generally behaves well, but it does have the tendency to systematically let certain file formats pass by even when they contain viruses. The real time shield seems at first look to be effective as it benefits from both the qualities of a detection engine and from a neutralization that takes place at the opening of a folder, before reading the files within it. This system is very effective at reading contaminated files on USB-attached devices, and the email protection leave the message readable, simply adding an information message where the infected attachment used to be.
However, viruses concealed in compressed files (.rar) proved to be undetectable and Panda strangely allowed an infected executable file (.exe) to be opened. These threats are, moreover, classic and the fact that they are able to trick the program is very worrying indeed.
A Weighty, But Generally Contained, Program
The duration of the scan is quick (27 minutes) and the operation is a bit draining on the processor’s resources. The memory is used, but not in a handicapping way, and the uninstall process leaves no trace on the system at all. The only real problem is that the automatic system scan, while turning on the computer, slows down the Windows start-up time, which is an effect that may annoy some of the more impatient users.
Conclusion
Contrary to the previous version, Panda Global Security 2009 leaves us with only an okay impression. Generally well thought of, it should logically have a place of high standing in our comparison (despite the price, which is slightly more than average), especially seeing as how the additional software is intended for at-home use, for which it is well suited. But the few problems that it has with treating viruses are quite serious, greatly taking away from the performance as a whole.
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And here I thought AVG Free was the best free antivirus.
Kaspersky internet security/ anti-virus does not look like that.. what the heck
No NOD32?
What about Microsoft's own Oncecare
These guys sound like they don't know what they are talking about. They claimed that Avast skips text files even though "they are a classic refuge for malevolent programs." Text files cannot be executed and therefore cannot contain viruses. The pictures they have are different as well. In any case I am a happy user of Avast and prefer it to McAfee and Norton but have not tried the others.
the picture they use for Avast is with a different skin. You can switch the skin at anytime.
I m using avast home too. I think the scanning for HD is bit longer and taxing a lot on my P4 2.6. But its free..no complain...
what about Kespersky ??? lol so much missing good antivirus software
Spanish Kespersky = norman?
French... T_T?? not english there we go
KASPERSKY Ftw ...
what I used to like on Tom's site was the use of graphs... can't find any in this round up. More over how the can you judge resident scan performance just on start up time? What about disk R/W after all services have been initialized?
Anyway quite poor article
I use Norton NIS 2009, and have had problems that made me look for another. When I saw this article, I said "Great timing lol !"
Unfortunately, there is nothing in this article that inspires confidence in either the comparisons or the conclusions. There are comments about Norton that my personal experiences tell me are incorrect (at least in the US).
And, as said before, no tables, etc.
Very disappointing.
@Shadow703793: NOD32 is in page 14
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/2009-a [...] 15-14.html
@romain_75: Kaspersky in page 15
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/2009-a [...] 15-15.html
@shurcooL: So do I, use AVG for last 3 years thinking it was best one.
May be good time for change ...
eset smart security 4!!!and zone alarm extreme security 8
I'm very surprised to hear that Norton is not a resource hog. It is the reason I switched to free AV software like Avast and AVG. I'm not going back to Norton even if they paid me...OK I might consider it.
Why do you have pictures of Kaspersky on the page with AVG antivirus?
haha kapersky became norman.. avg became kepersky.. lol
Was this review bought or something? For Norton to get such a good review I am leaning towards it being bought. I mean c'mon, Norton not being a resource hog and stealing your system. How do you expect us to believe that?
Why not review Kaspersky Internet Security, instead of just the Antivirus, when the Internet Security package for other brands were reviewed?
Also, The KAV Internest Securitiy is $54.99 at Walmart. The review stated it was double.
I seriously have my doubts and found myself shaking my head after reading the reviews for several of the products in here.
I'm surprised you didn't give a "Best Value" award... I'd say for best value go with Trend Micro, for less than $20 you can get protection for 3 PCs for one year (Look online you will find it). I use it on all my computers and no complaints.