G Data Software AG

When we speak of security software, we normally think of the famous ones, or one with unique features. Some of the more common antivirus software includes Norton, AVG, Avast!, Kaspersky and ESET NOD32. Perhaps their usage are popularized through commonization by IT retailers or by their proven detection rate which facilitated word-of-mouth recommendations, but somehow, the world had lots of other antivirus with equally decent detection.

G Data is one of the underated ones worldwide. I trialed it, and my general opinion towards the software is both good and promising.

G Data Software AG (previously known as AntiViren Kit aka AVK) is a Bochum-based security suite company in Germany with operations in many parts of Europe, including the United Kingdom, and North America. First founded in 1985 and considered to be one of the pioneers in antivirus softwares, G Data are currently available in 16 countries worldwide, and has garnered numerous awards for its software qualities. G Data produces security solutions for both home users and commercial businesses, and their known products include G Data Antivirus, G Data Internet Security, G Data Total Security and G Data Mobile Security.


G Data has a famous feature integrated into its security solutions, and that is the dual-engine scanning and protection features which no other major security software offer. While it is in the antivirus software "law" that running two real-time antivirus on a single machine can cause conflicts, G Data practically overcome that barrier by offering scanning and detection engine of two antivirus softwares in one package. The G Data 2008 line of products features scanning engines of Avast! and Kaspersky, while the latest 2009 product line features scanning engines of Avast! and BitDefender. Even though G Data are not responsible for developing these scanning engines, they can be credited for successfully intergrating them together for maximum PC protection.

G Data Antivirus 2009 screenshot.

G Data is also the first security software company to offer side-features other than the antivirus solution itself; a trend in which would later spread to all other security solutions. One of the more famous feature is the G Data Shredder which offers the shredding of sensitive documents and files. Another feature is the Parental Control feature which provide international security solution's first ever web-filtering functions. G Data is also known for its usability: its interface is designed to be easy to navigate, and their virus database updates are one ot the most stable among security softwares. The latest line of G Data, G Data 2009, is also one of the few current antivirus software capable of scanning a PC under safe mode, making it a formidable security software. Some antivirus with decent detection and removal such as Kaspersky and ESET could not offer protection in safe mode, which further gives G Data the advantage.

G Data Antivirus 2008 screenshot

G Data has a traditionally powerful virus detection rate. In the official VB100 test during September, the 2008 version of G Data rated 99.2% and 99.1% respectively in virus and spyware detection, while the latest G Data Antivirus 2009 fared even better, coming in at 99.8% for both virus and spyware detection. G Data is crowned the best security software on the market for a number of times in 2008.

Nevertheless, G Data had its own weaknesses like all security suites do. Because of its dual-antivirus engine features, G Data owns a huge installation file, which takes up lots of hard drive space. The software is also known to be rather memory-intensive, with RAM usage frequently breaking the 100MB mark especially during scanning and multiple-tabbed web surfing. Scanning used to be slow in G Data 2008, but G Data solved the problem in their 2009 line of product. G Data also shared a common with the famous Norton brand of security software: both security companies' products are notorious for very incomplete uninstallation capabilities, at times often leaving lots of redundant system files, folders and registry keys in a user's PC.

The installation menu of G Data. Notice how much space it need on your hard drive

All in all, G Data is still the best security software for users with a good PC specification who wants the best antivirus available. Perhaps one day the world shall experience commercial success with this particular security solution.

To visit the G Data International Official Website, click here.

To learn how G Data fared in the VB100 test in September, click here.