CCC can clone the OS X recovery partition; SuperDuper! can't. (Perhaps it's why SD dropped their price?)

I've used CCC for about 6 years, and in my experience, their customer support is outstanding.

I've never used AV and never missed it.

As far as I can make out from what you've posted, the only way you, personally, could have been at fault for that blog incident was by using an easily guessed password.

The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire