G DATA & Avast Pro both have the 3 star overall rating, the highest rating that AV Comparatives offers. The tests of each AV are given in categories, meaning that while one may not be perfect in every single area, the overall rating is an excellent starting point in choosing a AV.
Note also that in the reports, if you read them carefully, it'll say that there's no single AV solution that "fits all". Take a look at the top ones, download a trial version, usually good for 30 days, that'll give you time to decide if it's right for you. If not, try another. Also, keep in mind, never buy an AV/IS suite straight out, they'll charge the crap out of you. By installing their trial version, they'll want to keep you, and offer you deep discounts over outright, implusive purchasing on the spot. Wait until the final 2 days of the trial to receive the best possible offer.
I chose ESET NOD32 because of the outstanding performance of the ESET Online Scanner (
http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner) , and the 30 day free trial of their full version (along with a friendly link provided by yodap for a 3 user pack for $29.99). That link sealed my decision.
Had it not been for that, I'd have chose Avast Pro, they do have that coveted 3 Star ranking with AV Comparitives, and I could have gotten a 3 user license for $29.99. With that in mind, I'll be shopping for a 3 pack NOD32 AV at least 3 months before mine ends. It's when you activate it, not the date of purchase, that counts towards your year's subscription expiration date.
Now, if AV Comparitives will steer away from XP as their test base for what they do, and move to a more modern OS, such as Win 7 SP1, more serious (modern, up to date) users will look at their opinions more closely. If those tests were performed on Win 7 SP1, some of their results may turn out quite different from the current ones. In other words, what works on XP does not necessarily work (or perform) as well as on Win 7. Modern installs of Windows aren't XP any longer, and any company that uses it as it's testing grounds aren't delivering the best possible product (or opinion, in this case) for it's followers.
Other than their choice of testing grounds, I respect AV Comparatives opinions, and recommend that potential buyers for AV programs look at their reports prior to purchase. Hopefully, the company will jump ship to this side soon, and that will reflect to more current testing, and a better opinion for all.
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