Panda Antivirus 2012

In general, a basic antivirus program is only made to block against and remove malicious files; any other features are just bonuses. Often, when you get a full antivirus suite, you get other features like a firewall and spam protection. Panda Antivirus 2012 is a mix between the two, combining the features of both to deliver a powerful program that is easily accessible to consumers. While it does have many great benefits, there are some low points to be aware of as well.

Performance

While many antivirus software developers boast that their program can remove 100% of all viruses, this is very rarely the truth. Due to this, AV Comparatives and West Coast Labs check all modern antivirus programs. Both of these labs are independent entities that perform these tests for the consumer’s benefit. They throw millions of viruses at the program, and see how well it can perform under the circumstances.

When it comes to blocking viruses, Panda Antivirus 2012 did rather well. Out of the top 17 programs, it ranked fifth. It blocked against 97.4% of all viruses. While not the best, which blocked 99% of the viruses, this is still a very good rank.

Features

As stated above, Panda Antivirus 2012 comes with a large list of features. It comes with all the basic tools one would expect. It can block viruses and remove malware. Unlike most consumer antivirus programs, Panda Antivirus 2012 comes with its own firewall. This is a rare find, and it contributes to how well this program did blocking against threats.

Another feature is being able to install on Safe Mode. Some viruses hide out in this area, and they can only be removed if the program can be installed here. Panda Antivirus 2012 is also capable of making recovery disks, which you can burn to a CD. If the computer crashes, this CD will help restore all your data.

Some USB sticks have viruses on them, which can easily infect a computer. This program is able to scan any USB device when it plugs into the computer, and it ensures the device is safe before fully establishing a connection.

Lastly, there are safe browser features. This enhances your browser’s security by checking every link for viruses, and it eliminates the threat of Web-based attacks. Phishing emails and websites are also blocked, as this program is aggressive against any spam or threats against your private information.

Ease of Use

While Panda Antivirus 2012 comes with some advanced features that are not commonly seen on basic antivirus programs, the user interface is built specifically for consumers. It is made in a way so that people who do not know much about technology can still operate this program with little to no confusion. Another plus is the interface looks rather stylish, making it fun to open and look at.

Weaknesses

The biggest weakness to Panda Antivirus 2012 is its ability to remove viruses. While it is very good at blocking threats, it is not quite as good at removing them. It can generally remove part of malware, but it usually leaves behind the executable file. This means the malware can easily replace its missing parts and continue an attack. Malware that is not launched from an executable file tends to remain, without Panda Antivirus 2012 making a dent in these viruses.

While Panda is very good at detecting rootkit invasion, it can only remove about 50% of rootkits. This is bad, as rootkits are known for easily coming back if they are not completely removed. Not only that, but among similar programs, this is a very bad score.

Help and Support

If you need support, Panda only offers email support. Phone support is only available for corporate users, which is a little unfair considering that other programs offer phone support for all of their customers. However, the email support is usually helpful, and customers will generally get a response within a few hours.

Conclusion

When it comes to features and blocking against malware, Panda Antivirus 2012 is one of the best on the market. It comes with features that are generally only seen with antivirus suites, and the ability to install on Safe Mode can help with removing viruses.

However, there are some serious problems with its ability to remove malware. If you just need a blocker, then this program is one of the best. If you need a program that can efficiently remove viruses, then you might want to look somewhere else, because this program may not be able to help you.