#8 - G Data
Pros
DoubleScan technology - two scanning engines provide superior protection
Excellent at blocking malicious websites
Well-designed user interface
Helps you create a Boot CD for emergency repairs
Fast scans
Includes phishing protection
Cons
No gaming mode
No battery-saving mode for notebooks
Briefing
G Data Antivirus 2013 scores very high in antivirus and malware effectiveness in the AVWARS Malware Lab. This is due in large part to its unique DoubleScan technology which uses two separate scanning engines. The most surprising thing to us is how little G Data affects computer performance, and how quickly it performs system scans while using this dual-engine system.
Effectiveness
G Data Antivirus provides excellent protection from viruses and malware, scans email and files transferred through Instant Messaging clients, provides tools for safe shopping and banking, and even includes phishing protection in the core antivirus product.
G Data performed admirably in proactive malware detection throughout our tests. Their DoubleScan technology uses both the Avast! and BitDefender engines simultaneously for improved recognition of known threats. We had anticipated that this would cause a decrease in system performance but G Data performs well in this area also, having only a mild effect on overall system speed.
G Data handles new and unknown threats that aren’t yet in either of its virus signature databases with a heuristics technology known as OutbreakShield. Heuristics are an important part of any antivirus solution. Since new threats emerge constantly, antivirus programs need to be able to sniff out potential problems rather than just relying on stock virus signatures to stop malicious activity. G Data uses a state-of-the-art cloud-based system to analyze suspicious files.
We also like that G Data scans your system when idle instead of waiting for a scheduled full-system scans.
Ease of Use
Installation of G Data is easy and quick. We recommend you use the default, complete installation for best protection.
One glance at the main interface clearly shows your computer’s protection status. If all systems are go it displays a big green checkmark that lets you know your system is protected. You can also quickly see the status of individual components such as virus definitions, real-time monitoring (for both engines), and web and email protection.
When infections are found or stopped, G Data displays a screen with a recommended action. In most cases, accepting the action it recommends works perfectly. G Data will usually attempt to disinfect a file first, and will then move it to quarantine if unable to clean it. G Data may ask you to reboot your computer after taking such an action, which you should do as soon as possible to ensure the job is finished.
Speed/Performance
G Data performs its job without undue stress on your computer. If you are curious about exactly how G Data is using your system’s resources, the main display screen shows meters for overall CPU load and G Data’s CPU usage at all times. We found G Data to be slightly heavier on system resources than the lightest programs such as Panda Antivirus Pro and ESET NOD32, but this is expected since G Data is providing more services than those programs. Frankly, we’re surprised that it runs as light as it does while providing such complete protection.
Price/Value
G Data Antivirus
$29.95 1 PC 1 Year
$39.95 1 PC 2 Years
$39.95 3 PC 1 Year
$69.95 5 PC 2 Years
G Data Total Security
$39.95 1 PC 1 Year
$49.95 1 PC 2 Years
$49.95 3 PC 1 Year
$79.95 5 PC 2 Years
G Data Antivirus is a solid value at $29.95 for a single PC for one year, and as you buy protection for more computers for a longer time the value becomes outstanding. When you purchase a 5 PC, 2 Year license, you are paying less than $7 a year per computer.
Phishing protection is included in the core antivirus program, which you will not get from most vendors without upgrading to a security suite.
G Data’s security suite TotalSecurity adds additional protections such as antispam, anti-hacking, and parental controls at a price only slightly higher than the basic antivirus program. The 5 PC 2 Year license for TotalSecurity is $79.95, only ten dollars higher than the antivirus program alone.
Support
G Data provides support for its products in the form of:
Phone support
Online Support tickets
Inline help files
Downloadable support tools
We feel G Data could improve customer service a bit by rounding out their support options with a live chat, user forum, or product knowledge base, but the basics are all there. Phone support may be the best option.
Conclusion
G Data provides excellent malware protection at a minimal cost to performance and system stability. With the large amounts of processing power and memory (RAM) available in newer PCs that multiple scanning engines such as G Data’s DualScan may be used by more and more vendors, and could be a big part of the future of antivirus protection.
We recommend G Data for its excellent record against malware and harmful websites, its rich and unique feature set, and well-designed user interface. We feel the product could be improved with more complete support options, and we’d like to see improvements in installation and malware removal on already-infected systems, but overall G Data sits high atop AVWARS Antivirus Top 10 with one of our strongest recommendations.
