Here are the top 7 best 2012 anti-virus for Windows 7 (very compatible with Windows 7 OPS) Though there are many security utilities but I picked the best anti-virus software based on their virus detection abilities, features, protection. Each each of the following products provides great virus protection for Windows 7. Most of them are free while some are for sale. You just read the key features and then visit the source site for further payment details or free download. Lets see some of them!



Features

• Norton Protection System - provides four unique layers of powerful protection to proactively stop online threats before they can infect your computer.
• Insight - checks where files came from and how long they've been around to stop new online threats before they can cause you trouble.
• Download Insight 2.0 - protects you from dangerous applications by telling you if an application may harm the health and stability of your computer before you install it.
• Norton Safe Web - protects you while you surf the Web by warning of and blocking unsafe and fake websites right in your search results.

Norton Management - is cloud based so you can download, install, transfer, update or renew Norton products from anywhere right over the Internet.

• Parental controls management - lets you track your kids' online activities through award-winning Norton Online Family so you can help protect them from online dangers.
• Network threat protection - detects threats as they travel over a network and eliminates them before they can reach your computer.
• Browser protection - protects you by checking for and blocking online threats as your browser loads, to stop online threats before they can do damage.
• SONAR 4 Behavioral Protection - monitors your computer for suspicious behavior to quickly and accurately detect and stop new threats.
• Norton Safe Web for Facebook - scans your News Feed for dangerous downloads and links to unsafe websites and warns you and your Facebook friends about them.
• FREE 24x7 support - offers you expert help and answers by phone, email, live chat or online whenever you need them. **
• Vulnerability protection - stops cybercriminals from using security holes (vulnerabilities) in applications to sneak threats onto your PC.Identity Safe - secures, remembers and automatically enters your website user names and passwords to prevent cybercriminals from stealing your information as you type. Now includes an online version so you can share logins among additional PCs protected by Norton Internet Security 2012.
• Antiphishing technology - blocks fraudulent websites cybercriminals use to steal your identity and your money.
• Bandwidth management - limits non-critical Norton updates when you connect to 3G networks to avoid using up your monthly data allotment or causing overage fees.
• Norton Pulse Updates - updates your protection every 5 to 15 minutes—without disrupting you—for up-to-the-minute protection against the latest threats.
• Email and instant message monitoring - scans email and IMs for suspicious links, attachments and other tricks cybercriminals use to steal your personal information.
• Smart two-way firewall - prevents cybercriminals from hacking into your PC and stealing your personal information-without constantly asking you to make the security decisions.
• Professional-strength spam blocking - keeps your mailbox free of unwanted, dangerous, and fraudulent emails.
• Network mapping and monitoring - shows all the devices connected to your home network, so you can spot uninvited guests using your wireless connection and/or eavesdropping on you.
• Norton Bootable Recovery Tool - creates an emergency CD/DVD/USB that gets your PC back up and running even if it's so infected that it won't start up.
• Silent mode - puts alerts and non-critical updates on hold when you're watching movies or playing games in full-screen mode on your PC.
• Norton Control Center - gives you easy access to program settings and Web-based Norton services from your choice of a standard detailed view or a new simplified view.
• Smart scheduler - runs scans and updates only when you're not using your PC.
• Monthly report - tells you what Norton Internet Security has done in the previous month to keep you safe from threats.
• Power saver settings - maximizes your laptop's battery life by putting off non-critical activities until your computer is plugged in.

Price as at 06 March, 2012: $79,99

Anything Else Is Second Best! Bitdefender won the AV-TEST Award for Best Security Product For 2011, outperforming the competition by having the highest overall score in protection, repair and usability. The package includes protection from online fraud and identity theft, hackers and viruses, with file encryption software and auto-scanning technology updating automatically at least every hour. Yet it avoids slowing down the Windows PC or interrupting game play.



Autopilot Feature:  The Autopilot feature you will find in every 2012 product provides a hassle-free experience by making optimal security-related decisions without input from you. This means no pop-ups, no alerts, and nothing to configure. Whether you’re a PC novice or expert, parent or gamer, select the protection that’s right for you!

This product as at March, 07 2012 was sold between $69.95-$99.99.

Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 delivers premium protection from viruses, Trojans, spam, hackers, and more. Its cutting-edge, hybrid approach to digital security combines innovative, cloud-based technologies with advanced antivirus protection to deliver a faster, more effective response to today’s complex, ever-evolving threats. You, your private data and PC are completely protected as you work, bank, shop and play online.


Key Features

• Kaspersky URL Advisor Improved!
• Marks web links with a color-coded tag that shows their danger level and allows you to choose whether to open them
• Kaspersky File Advisor
• Checks file safety with a single click of the mouse New!
• System Watcher Improved!
• Monitors suspicious application activities and allows you to roll back system changes made by malware
• Application Control Improved!
• Restricts program access to personal data and system files according to the level of danger that each program presents
• Safe Run Mode
• Lets you launch suspicious applications and websites in a special, isolated environment where they cannot harm your computer
• Two-way personal firewall
• Protects against hacker attacks
• Anti-Phishing and Anti-Spam technology Improved!
• Provides reliable protection for your personal information and guards against unwanted spam and adware
• Parental Control Improved!
• flexible and effective settings to keep children extra-safe when they use computers and the Internet
• Completely redesigned interface New!Makes navigating around security settings inside Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 quick and easy

Sold for $59.95 as at 06, March 2012

This is free! AVG is one of the most widely used anti-virus solution that works perfectly under Windows 7. AVG offers comprehensive protection against malicious threats.

AVG is a light-weight but effective antivirus offers protection against viruses, worms and trojans, spyware, adware and identity-theft.

This is free! Avast is a longtime favorite of free antivirus users. It doesn’t hog your processor or memory, scan times are fairly speedy, and it includes a DOS-based boot time scan — something you don’t find in a lot of free products — or paid ones for that matter. Avast runs on both 32 and 64-bit Windows 7.



If you’re comfortable running software that is still in development, the Avast 5 beta is looking good. That said, it’s antivirus software – is using an unfinished antivirus something you really want to do? That’s your call, of course.

Avira is one of the most powerful freeware antivirus solution compatible for Windows 7. It’s carries out quick and effective scans, and doesn’t consume much system resources.

 Avira offers real time protection with AntiVir Guard. The personal version is completely free from private use. The personal version works without any issues. It also offers the ability to pause, stop, and resume a scan from this panel.
You can download the Premium and Free version here


Secure your PC, laptop, and netbook against hackers, identity theft, and other online threats


Key Features

• Complete Anti-virus, Anti-spyware, and Anti-phishing—Relentless security software scans and blocks dangerous emails, risky web content, and online threats like viruses, Trojans, spyware, and rootkits.
• Real-time Safeguards—Cybercriminals are masters of disguise. If something new looks suspicious, McAfee Active Protection™ technology immediately determines its risk to help keep your computer secure.
• Two-way Firewall—Block bad guys from breaking in or sneaking out with your personal information. This traffic cop patrols nonstop to prevent malicious software from gaining access to your PC.
• Safe Searching and Shopping—Color-coded icons next to your web search results let you know before you click which sites are safe and which may install malicious code, phish for your identity, or send spam.
• Anti-spam—The majority of emails are spam, and much of that spam is dangerous, offensive, or both. McAfee spam filters constantly protect you from this shady side of the Internet.
• Encrypted Storage—Lock sensitive documents and photos in a password-protected vault on your PC to keep your identity safe from hacking as well as theft or loss of your computer.
• Wireless Network Protection—Block data thieves and other network users from seeing passwords and personal files on your PC when you share your home wireless network.
• Exclusive Anti-bot Protection—Prevent your computer from sending out your personal information to Internet crime networks called botnets.
• USB and Removable Drive Scan—Scan and block portable storage devices that are infected with viruses, Trojans, and worms, preventing them from wriggling into your PC and your network.
• Pre-install Scan—Many people get McAfee protection because they are already infected. To help you salvage your system, McAfee works to remove infections as our software installs.
• Fast Start-Up and Scan Times—Enjoy high-performance software that enables all aspects of your digital life—surfing, shopping, and socializing—with minimal interruptions.
• Online Backup—Save your most important photos, music, and personal and financial files automatically to a password-protected, encrypted safe deposit box in the cloud and recover them anytime.
• Digital Data Shredder—Permanently destroy sensitive files to be sure they cannot be retrieved when you donate, recycle, or lend your PC.
• PC Tune-up—Unused applications, cached browser files, and other junk slow down your PC. McAfee® QuickClean™ software removes the clutter so your computer can keep up with your digital life.
• Safe URL Sharing—Safely and easily share interesting content links that your friends can click with confidence. If your link becomes risky before they click, your friends will be warned and protected.
• URL Shortener—Embed brief, trustworthy URLs in your updates and tweets so you can spread the news without malware.
• Content Filtering—Block up to 35 categories of potentially objectionable websites and filter inappropriate content on YouTube and explicit songs from iTunes.
• Social Network Monitoring—Learn of personal or confidential information postings to reduce risky interactions with strangers.
• Game Blocking and Controls—Block web-based and online play of PC games to protect your children from chatting with strangers or limit the time they spend playing.
• Online Activity Monitoring—Activity Reports help you understand what your children are searching for, websites visited, IM conversations, videos viewed, and more.

Sold at $37.50 as at March 6, 2012