Overview:

With so many available options in the antivirus category, you may not know which one to get. I tried Comodo Antivirus 5.4 and found it to be a pretty good free security solution. The software comes with a proprietary defense and technology which actually assumes that any unknown file might be a security threat. Due to this advanced technology, the antivirus appears to be a bit more defensive in its security system as it allows only trusted applications to run on the computer.

Installation:

The installation process for the Comodo antivirus 5.4 is easy and simple to configure. It does not require the user to register for the product, however, once the installation is done, a reboot is mandatory. During the first run, the program builds a user profile including files and folders so as to customize the scanning accordingly. The installation does not slow down the PC or hog computer resources. The software comes with an auto sandboxing tool where you can easily add in untrusted files thereby isolating potential threats to your computer.

Other tools which come with the installation of Comodo Antivirus 5.4 include cloud based antivirus scanning which can easily spot malicious files even if your computer has obsolete virus definitions. The program is popular for its cloud based behavior analysis which allows you to protect your system from brand new malware immediately.

Interface:

Comodo antivirus 5.4 comes with an easy to use and simple interface. The interface is not attractive and does not raise a lot of eyebrows; however, it is uncluttered and organized. After all, an interface is not the most essential part in an antivirus program; therefore, it works fine for me.

It comes with a unique slider which allows you to change or modify your current security level according to your requirements. The program also offers its users with a gaming mode which reduces the disk-intensive operations that can cause a hindrance in the gaming experience of the user. During the gaming mode, actions such as alerts or scheduled scans are blocked by the software.

Pros:

• On-access protection from malware
• Regular updates of virus definitions running in the background
• No installation of unrelated and unwanted programs
• Functions well with Windows 7, Vista and XP
• Also comes in 64-bit versions
• Defense + technology which does not assume any file to be clean and alerts when files act suspiciously
• Scheduling of scans
• Scanning of selected files or folders
• Good detection rate

Cons:

• Needs to be monitored constantly for best security results
• Is not convenient for new users as it requires modifications and tweaks which beginners cannot handle.
• Can be used for personal usage only
• Too many alerts and notifications

Alternatives:

One of the alternatives for Comodo is Kaspersky in the paid market. However, considering that Comodo is free and comes with a lot more features than other free programs, one might say, Comodo is a better pick for personal usage. When compared, Kaspersky is good at detecting brand new malware, however, for me, Comodo was much better. Also, Kaspersky affects the performance of the computer whereas Comodo has little or no affect.

Conclusion:

Overall, for me, Comodo is a very good pick considering its superior malware detection and blocking technology. Also, it is free and provides much better features than similar antivirus programs which come with a large price tag. Its continuous alerts and notifications can be a nuisance.