Introduction
ESET NOD32 Antivirus 8 is straightforward antivirus product that gets the job done.
Although we weren't too fond of a couple previous versions, this year's version proved much different for two big reasons: very high scores in our tests and those of independent testing results, and excellent U.S-based technical support.
ESET scored nearly perfect in our tests and in those of other independent testing labs for real-time protection, resource usage, virus removal, and heuristic protection.
Certified by:
ESET NOD32 Antivirus 8 is straightforward antivirus product that gets the job done.
Although we weren't too fond of a couple previous versions, this year's version proved much different for two big reasons: very high scores in our tests and those of independent testing results, and excellent U.S-based technical support.
ESET scored nearly perfect in our tests and in those of other independent testing labs for real-time protection, resource usage, virus removal, and heuristic protection.
Certified by:
- VB Bulletin
- AV Comparatives
- Anti-Malware Test Lab
- PC Security Labs
- AV-Test
The user interface is clean and user-friendly making it easy to navigate.
All of these core features make for an outstanding antivirus program. ESET NOD32 Antivirus 8 easily moves up to our Editor's Choice Runner-Up for 2015.
Virus & Spyware Protection: 95%
All of these core features make for an outstanding antivirus program. ESET NOD32 Antivirus 8 easily moves up to our Editor's Choice Runner-Up for 2015.
Virus & Spyware Protection: 95%
During our road tests, ESET NOD32 Antivirus 8 scored nearly perfect scores in real-time antivirus protection.
Spyware, phishing attempts, trojans, viruses, and other garden variety malware were stopped without any problem.
Removal of deeply embedded malware on some of our test PCs sometimes required multiple reboots to ultimately fix, but in the end it cleaned up the mess, even in these cases. An, the good news is, if you ever have a similar problem after you've installed ESET, they, can help you clean it up for free.
For maximum protection, there's ESET Smart Security 8 which has a built-in personal firewall, but if basic protection is all you're after, ESET proved its worth this year in virus, spyware, and general malware protection and removal.
Resource Usage: 91%
ESET's system resource usage was light to average in our tests. When running idle in real-time protection, CPU usage peaked at only 1%. Memory usage was almost identical to its top-of-the-line sibling, ESET Smart Security, with memory use around 4% (about 85MB on our 2GB test PCs.)
During a full system scan, ESET's memory usage rarely peaked above the baseline, while CPU usage ranged from 30%-90%, usually hovering around 60% (normal for a full system scan).
It's nice to see a high-performance antivirus have low system impact.
In fact, we had no issues running multiple programs and surfing the web with ESET.
User Interface: 91%
Spyware, phishing attempts, trojans, viruses, and other garden variety malware were stopped without any problem.
Removal of deeply embedded malware on some of our test PCs sometimes required multiple reboots to ultimately fix, but in the end it cleaned up the mess, even in these cases. An, the good news is, if you ever have a similar problem after you've installed ESET, they, can help you clean it up for free.
For maximum protection, there's ESET Smart Security 8 which has a built-in personal firewall, but if basic protection is all you're after, ESET proved its worth this year in virus, spyware, and general malware protection and removal.
Resource Usage: 91%
ESET's system resource usage was light to average in our tests. When running idle in real-time protection, CPU usage peaked at only 1%. Memory usage was almost identical to its top-of-the-line sibling, ESET Smart Security, with memory use around 4% (about 85MB on our 2GB test PCs.)
During a full system scan, ESET's memory usage rarely peaked above the baseline, while CPU usage ranged from 30%-90%, usually hovering around 60% (normal for a full system scan).
It's nice to see a high-performance antivirus have low system impact.
In fact, we had no issues running multiple programs and surfing the web with ESET.
User Interface: 91%
Click images to enlarge
ESET's user interface is easy to use, clean, and modern looking.
The left-hand navigation with easy to see icons makes getting around the software easy.
On the down-side, the text is a little small and cramped, but it should be legible enough for most people.
It's a straightforward antivirus interface with no unnecessary bells and whistles. That's what we like most.
The last thing software should do is get in your way, and ESET never does that.
Technical Support: 95%
ESET made a big leap forward this year with the inclusion of 100% free, U.S.-based technical support. ESET and VIPRE are the only two companies we know of in this heady territory.
While other antivirus companies claim to have "free" support, they don't tell you the whole story: they typically outsource / offshore their support to places like India, the Phillipines, or Eastern Europe, and hit you with (often huge) hidden charges for more serious virus removal services.
Not with ESET.
Bottom line: if your PC gets infected while running ESET, they'll help you get rid of it for free. No hidden charges or service fees.*
And, it's all done from San Diego, California. Nothing outsourced.
In our tests of their support system, we were each time connected quickly to a competent, skilled tech who got our issues resolved on the first try.
They stand by their product and are willing to offer free support to prove it. A smart idea every company should adopt.
(* If your PC is infected before you install ESET, there's a $50 removal fee if you need their help. Anytime after that, professional removal help is always free.)
Conclusion - Overall Score: 92%
The left-hand navigation with easy to see icons makes getting around the software easy.
On the down-side, the text is a little small and cramped, but it should be legible enough for most people.
It's a straightforward antivirus interface with no unnecessary bells and whistles. That's what we like most.
The last thing software should do is get in your way, and ESET never does that.
Technical Support: 95%
ESET made a big leap forward this year with the inclusion of 100% free, U.S.-based technical support. ESET and VIPRE are the only two companies we know of in this heady territory.
While other antivirus companies claim to have "free" support, they don't tell you the whole story: they typically outsource / offshore their support to places like India, the Phillipines, or Eastern Europe, and hit you with (often huge) hidden charges for more serious virus removal services.
Not with ESET.
Bottom line: if your PC gets infected while running ESET, they'll help you get rid of it for free. No hidden charges or service fees.*
And, it's all done from San Diego, California. Nothing outsourced.
In our tests of their support system, we were each time connected quickly to a competent, skilled tech who got our issues resolved on the first try.
They stand by their product and are willing to offer free support to prove it. A smart idea every company should adopt.
(* If your PC is infected before you install ESET, there's a $50 removal fee if you need their help. Anytime after that, professional removal help is always free.)
Conclusion - Overall Score: 92%
- Good real-time protection
- Clean, professional-looking user interface
- Top grades with the major testing labs
- 30-day customer guarantee
Because of ESET's improved scanning, virus removal, real-time virus protection, and free technical support, they've comfortably earned our #2 slot, narrowly missing out on being their year's Editors' Choice
ESET has always been very good antivirus software, but there've been things in other products we liked better. Not this year.
While the competitors do things to fall a few steps back, ESET has moved a few steps forward.
All-in-all ESET NOD32 Antivirus 8 is a great product to own this year. Well done.
ESET has always been very good antivirus software, but there've been things in other products we liked better. Not this year.
While the competitors do things to fall a few steps back, ESET has moved a few steps forward.
All-in-all ESET NOD32 Antivirus 8 is a great product to own this year. Well done.
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