| McAfee | Lavasoft Ad-Aware |
Versions:
McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 - This is the entry level McAfee product. It comes jam packed with a lot of useful features including the standard antivirus scanning, a firewall, a digital file shredder, PC tuneup, and portable USB scanning.
McAfee Internet Security 2013 - Internet Security includes the same features of Antivirus Plus with additional features like anti-spam, online backup, and parental monitoring.
McAfee Total Protection 2013 - Total Protection includes the same funtionality as Internet Security but it comes with even more features like wireless network protection, encrypted storage, and anti-phishing technology. | Versions:
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 10 Free - Ad-Aware Free Antivirus is the most popular downloaded antivirus on the internet. It comes with a lot of solid features to compliment the standard antivirus protection such as link checking against the Ad-Aware cloud (Safe Browsing), a malware sandbox, and a game mode.
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 10 Personal - The Personal version includes all the previous as well as upgraded social network protection and extra security for online bank transactions.
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 10 Pro - The Pro version includes all the previous as well as a two way firewall, USB scanning, and anti-spam features.
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 10 Total Security - Total Security is the complete package with some sweet features such as a PC Tuneup, parental controls, online backup, data recovery and rootkit detection (rootkits are a very nasty flavor of spyware). |
Strengths:
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McAfee comes loaded with features in all versions that other competitors require upgrades for or do not include at all. These include features like the digital data shredder (which permanently deletes files so they cannot be recovered), a firewall, a PC tuneup and a USB and removable drive scan.
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The wireless network protection is an interesting option which is often overlooked by most antivirus competitors.
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Active Protection technology provides immediate protection against malicious threats to your PC. A new threat can be analyzed and blocked in a split second rather than waiting hours for traditional techniques.
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With 450,000,000 downloads it is the most popular antivirus on the market.
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The features on the free version are more robust than others. The Safe Browsing technology is a great feature. Ad-Aware leverages their incredible popularity to identify malicious links and update everyone to protect them from threats.
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As for upgraded versions, you really need to go with the Total Security version. That is were the cooler features are at such as the PC Tuneup, Parental Control, and Online Backup.
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Virtual Sandbox:
No. We do not see a virtual sandbox option in McAfee | Virtual Sandbox:
Yes. Personal and Pro both contain a feature called Malware Sandbox Emulator. |
PC Optimization:
Yes. McAfee addresses unused applications, temporary internet files, and other items slowing down your PC. McAfee QuickClean™ removes these problems to enhance PC performance. | PC Optimization:
Yes. Total Security includes a PC Tuneup but also Lavasoft has a standalone PC Tuneup product called Lavasoft Registry Tuner. |
Backups / Online Storage:
Yes. McAfee Total Protection 2012 offers online backup protection (up to 2GB). | Backups / Online Storage:
No. We couldn't find backup functionality in any of the Ad-Aware versions. |
Parental Control:
Yes. McAfee restricts inappropriate websites from children and it can limit online time as well. | Parental Control:
Yes. Ad-Aware Total Security includes parental controls by allowing websites with selected content to be viewed or restricted, monitoring web use and setting limits for time spent online. |
Chat / IM Protection:
No. We can't find any specific chat / IM monitoring with McAfee. | Chat / IM Protection:
Yes. The Personal and Pro Security versions help monitor malicious links that could be sent out via messaging and chat. |
Customer Support:
McAfee offers a "Virtual Techician" to troubleshoot common problems, and if necessary online chat, email, and phone support are available. | Customer Support:
Lavasoft includes support in the form of forums, phone and online ticket. |
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