Recognition and performance are the key factors when it comes to virus protection
In a survey, IT security specialist Avira looked at the criteria users apply when choosing their virus protection and identified a well-developed awareness of brands and performance.
Tettnang, 14 July 2009 – In a survey conducted on www.free-av.com during May 2009, 9325 surfers told IT security specialist Avira about the criteria they use when choosing their virus protection. International responses show that users are particularly trusting of the solutions from established brands. Equally important, according to the respondents, are the detection rates of malware.
The results of the survey showed that for 34 percent (3,207 respondents) a long-established, trustworthy brand was key. Almost as many users, 33 percent (3,077 respondents), based their decision on the virus detection rates achieved in independent tests.
The survey also reveals that 16 percent of users rely on the advice of friends and acquaintances when choosing their virus protection system. In contrast with the majority of respondents, who choose virus protection on the basis of the familiarity of the brand or detection rates, six percent (586 respondents) focus on additional features. In their opinion, as well as offering basic protection, anti-virus software should also have additional functions such as online backup, firewall and other related features. Avira caters to the needs of these users, with products such as its Premium Security Suite, which provides a complete security package, as well as protecting against adware, spyware, dialers, phishing and spam. The Suite secures emails and protects the system with a firewall and WebGuard feature.
In the context of the current threat from the Internet, consumers demonstrate a high level of security awareness: Only six percent of those surveyed (532 users) stated that they had no virus protection. This is underlined by the continuously high download figures achieved by Avira at free-av.com. According to analysts Cowen and Company, Avira has a market share of 50 percent, making it the leading brand in the German end-user sector for the protection against malware.
A minority of just five percent consider external features when choosing protection software, preferring anti-virus software that has a transparent, intuitive interface.
"For several years in succession, Avira has regularly been nominated by the readers of well-known magazines as ‘brand manufacturer of the year’ for anti-virus protection," adds Tony Anscombe, Business Line Manager at Avira. "Avira recently achieved this once again in May 2009. The company strengthens the confidence shown by users through its additional activities and relationships: as a founder member of the ‘IT Security made in Germany’ association (ITSMIG e.V.), Avira guarantees that it provides IT security products that leave no possibility for data espionage."
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