July 27th, 2008

We all know that multiple real-time antivirus products on the same system can cause conflict. It’s also possible for a real-time antivirus product to conflict with a real-time antispyware product, so you’re safest when a single product handles both tasks. As its name indicates, Sunbelt Software’s VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware 3.1 is designed to handle all kinds of malicious software, and it does a very thorough job. Its pricing is a bit unusual—you can get one license for $29.95, three for $39.95 or unlimited licenses within one household for $49.95. Whichever deal you pick, VIPRE is a very good buy.

CounterSpy will remain available for those who really want to use a different antivirus. Longtime readers may remember that CounterSpy was originally based on technology from GIANT Company Software. Microsoft bought GIANT and turned GIANT Antispyware into Windows Defender while Sunbelt continued to innovate and evolve their product. That connection is all over now. Both VIPRE and the coming CounterSpy 3.1 are completely new code—there’s nothing left of GIANT.

For more information visit http://www.pcmag.com