Malware is a generic term for trojans, viruses, worms, keyloggers, rootkits and other malicious code. The Avira blog has posted an interesting statistic about the malware that gets distributed by urls either in emails, on websites or other ways. Most computer users probably associated file types like exe as dangerous when they encounter them on websites or in emails and might be surprised that those files only make up 53% of the file extensions used.
Followed by no file type at all (e.g. pointing the user to a root url or directory) with 18.99%, the txt file extension with 10.37% and php with 6.56%.
This requires some explanation. Most users would probably agree that text files are harmless. This is not always the case especially when it comes to links as links can be redirected easily. But attackers can also rename an executable to txt and use malicious code on a website to run the file.
The statistics basically points out that while the standard file (exe) associated with a computer virus is making up more than 50% of all attacks it is of equal importance to understand that harmless looking files and links can be malicious as well.
The safest bet is still to avoid clicking on links or attachments in emails. A sandboxed environment or a virtual PC are two secure alternatives if the link needs to be clicked on. (via Avira Blog)
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It’s really difficult for us end-user to determine the real best antivirus without the necessary tools like the expert website has such as AV-Comparative, VB100. Fortunately we have the most powerful tool which they don’t have that is experience of using it on our computers.
Now each computers has differences of whatever software we install in them, and because of that it creates uniqueness and complexity for each of the antivirus. Some antivirus will fail in your system because of that complexities whereas others doing well. So based on that experience a belief grows to the point where you will think that particular antivirus software is best for your computer. And you will insist that you are using the best out there.
Despite of all that based on collective comments from user experience: I read Kaspersky or NOD32 is the top of them all with the least problems, high praise from users, and virus detection rates is superb