Best Anti-Virus Programs - The Ones Used By IT Professionals

What are the best anti-virus programs? I spent my whole life around computers and had a career in IT so the answer to this is easy:

1) Eset Nod32

Hands down the best thing there is at this moment. Why is that? It's lightweight, very small, runs very fast, and works well. Affordable pricing and isn't bloated. Won't slow down your computer. This is what the IT guys, nerds, geeks, and techies use.

2) AVG (they have a FREE edition which works great and a Paid version with more features if you like)

Free and works very well. Commonly used by nearly everyone I know, that knows something about computers.

Other mentions?

Panda & CA, Kaspersky, Avast, Avira, the list goes on and on...

These are also commercial software but I don't bother with them since I'm already using the best, which is Nod32. These software don't compare AT ALL to Nod32.

The worst anti-virus companies?

Norton - bloated, slows down your computer, takes forever to load, takes forever to scan, easily disabled by viruses and spyware programs. Worst of all, these programs are more expensive and rely heavily on marketing and pre-packaged deals to get their software installed on computers. Norton is terribly intrusive and sadly, the mainstream computer user still believes that Norton is among the best antivirus programs out there. It isn't.

All the other anti-virus companies?

The problem with anti-virus software is that it's too confusing for the average consumer to choose. Good anti-virus programs are not about having fancy graphic screens and pretty buttons to click on. The good ones are secure, run fast, update regularly and keep your computer protected without slowing it down. The last thing you need is yet ANOTHER software that hogs up your screen and nags you with giant buttons everyday about paying more money for more protection. In all honesty, you don't shop for anti-virus software by looking at the shiniest box at Fry's Electronics or BestBuy, you simply ask a local IT guy or a network administrator at your company and see what they use. You want corporate-strength anti-virus, not the crappy consumer junk that gets easily disabled by spam software.

More anti-virus tips.