G DATA ANTIVIRUS
More than 25 years of IT security from Bochum
G Data
Software AG, with its head office in Bochum, is an innovative and quickly
expanding software house focusing on antivirus security solutions. As a
specialist in Internet security and pioneer in the field of virus protection,
the company, founded in Bochum in 1985, developed the first antivirus program
more than 20 years ago and celebrated its 25th birthday in 2010. Consequently
G Data is amongst the eldest security software companies in the world.
Over more than five years, no other European security software provider has won
national and international tests and awards more frequently than G Data. When
it comes to quality, G Data is a world leader, combining the world's best
security technologies in its antivirus products. Examples of this are its
DoubleScan technology, with two independent virus scanners, and OutbreakShield
instant protection. G Data security solutions are available worldwide in more
than 90 countries.
G Data
History
In 1985 the ATARI ST, revolutionary
for its time, is presented at the Hanover trade fair. Impressed with the
technology and possibilities of the newhome computer, the computer science s
tudents Kai Figge and Frank Kühn (†), decide to develop ATARI application
software and in the same year found G Data. By the end of 1985, the pioneers
are already selling their firs t, selfdeveloped programs.
Scope of Protection:
Antivirus and antispyware protection are combined with web protection. The software protects from any number of threats (online or off), including phishing scams, dialers, adware, malicious scripts, Trojans, rootkits and worms. The software also incorporates advanced protection from malware spread through email or IM. The software goes as far as scanning outbound email for viruses and other malware, so you won’t accidentally pass along a threat to your friends or coworkers.
Antivirus and antispyware protection are combined with web protection. The software protects from any number of threats (online or off), including phishing scams, dialers, adware, malicious scripts, Trojans, rootkits and worms. The software also incorporates advanced protection from malware spread through email or IM. The software goes as far as scanning outbound email for viruses and other malware, so you won’t accidentally pass along a threat to your friends or coworkers.
Effectiveness:
G Data uses two distinct virus scanners. It performs well with third-party testers. AV Comparatives found the software to be in tip-top shape. While the software wasn’t the fastest, the 10.6MB/sec scanning speed was more than adequate, and G Data came away with the highest total detection rate: an almost perfect score of 99 percent.
G Data uses two distinct virus scanners. It performs well with third-party testers. AV Comparatives found the software to be in tip-top shape. While the software wasn’t the fastest, the 10.6MB/sec scanning speed was more than adequate, and G Data came away with the highest total detection rate: an almost perfect score of 99 percent.
Virus Bulletin also found this
antivirus solution to be more than adequate, and certified the software with
the VB 100%.
It is certainly one of the most
thorough and effective at detecting and removing viruses and malware.
Ease of Installation:
While you can simply install the software and forget about it, additional setup is pretty quick and will help you schedule scans and customize settings.
While you can simply install the software and forget about it, additional setup is pretty quick and will help you schedule scans and customize settings.
G Data AntiVirus uses two scanning
engines, but certainly doesn’t take twice as long as other security software.
In fact, the program is actually fairly fast and resource efficient. While it’s
not the most efficient with your system resources, it certainly is better than
most antivirus software (and shouldn’t cause any system heartburn).
Ease of Use:
G Data’s antivirus software is simple to use. Advanced users or the overly cautious type should have no problem manually using the program and monitoring performance. More importantly, beginners and users who just need the software to work without much intervention will also have no trouble simply letting G Data run in the background.
G Data’s antivirus software is simple to use. Advanced users or the overly cautious type should have no problem manually using the program and monitoring performance. More importantly, beginners and users who just need the software to work without much intervention will also have no trouble simply letting G Data run in the background.
The interface brings most of the
functions right to the front, easily accessible on the main dashboard. The main
screen hosts a quick security status overview, and if there are any problems,
you can fix them with one click.
Features:
G Data AntiVirus comes with all the essential tools to keep your computer safe. And while it doesn’t have some of the additional features that add convenience (silent gamer mode, password protected settings or laptop battery mode), the software has a healthy dose of extra features.
G Data AntiVirus comes with all the essential tools to keep your computer safe. And while it doesn’t have some of the additional features that add convenience (silent gamer mode, password protected settings or laptop battery mode), the software has a healthy dose of extra features.
One feature that can’t be
overstated is the unique integration of two separate scanning engines. Running
an antivirus scan using both engines increases efficacy, and won’t considerably
slow you down. And while there is plenty of overlap with two scanning engines,
the virus signature database is the heart of any security software.
Another impressive feature is the
self-learning fingerprinting and whitelisting. Basically, the software is able
to automatically analyze files and determine if they pose a threat (or will in
the future).
Updates:
Especially good for the set-and-forget user, updates are performed automatically and in the background. Both virus signature definitions and actual program updates will run automatically or can be updated manually.
Especially good for the set-and-forget user, updates are performed automatically and in the background. Both virus signature definitions and actual program updates will run automatically or can be updated manually.
Regular updates are performed
hourly and are small enough that they won’t affect regular computer use. If
you’re using G Data at work, you can easily set up the software to update with
your proxy server.
Help & Support:
G Data AntiVirus has the typical in-program help files and traditional help (searchable support section and online support form). They also have an emergency phone line for immediate assistance.
G Data AntiVirus has the typical in-program help files and traditional help (searchable support section and online support form). They also have an emergency phone line for immediate assistance.
Summary:
G Data AntiVirus is one of the best
desktop antivirus solutions. We recommend the software as one of the most
effective and resource-friendly antivirus software products.
