In both the Mac and Windows realms, some antivirus products pile on features galore. For example, Kaspersky, Intego, and Symantec Norton Security Deluxe (for Mac) include a firewall component.
Rubenking The Best Antivirus Protection for 2019 Antivirus software is critical for every PC. Without it, you risk losing your personal information, your files, and even the cash from your bank account. We've tested more than 40 utilities to help you pick the best antivirus protection for your computers. Malware, Spyware, and Adware Protection With the approach of winter, the days get shorter and (for some) the snow piles up. Staying inside and playing games or enjoying social media starts to seem like a truly excellent idea. How sad, then, if a fraudster uses a phishing attack to steal your online game login; that character you spent so much time on is gone, along with all your in-game gold.
It's even worse if ransomware locks down your computer completely, demanding that you send bitcoin to an iffy address. Don't let malware dampen your holiday spirit. Install a powerful.
Which one should you choose? We've put more than 40 antivirus tools to the test, to help you pick. We call it antivirus, but in truth it's unlikely you'll get hit with an actual computer virus.
Malware these days is about making money, and there's no easy way to cash in on spreading a virus. Ransomware and data-stealing Trojans are much more common, as are bots that let the bot-herder rent out your computer for nefarious purposes. Modern antivirus utilities handle Trojans, rootkits, spyware, adware, ransomware, and more. PCMag has reviewed more than 40 different commercial antivirus utilities, and that's not even counting the many. Out of that extensive field we've named five Editors' Choice products. Several other commercial antivirus utilities proved effective enough to earn an excellent four-star rating. We eliminated two special-purpose products that aren't really like the rest: The Kure and VoodooSoft VoodooShield.
That leaves the ten excellent products you see above. If, one of these products should do the job. All of them are traditional, full-scale, antivirus tools, with the ability to scan files for malware on access, on demand, or on schedule.
These commercial products offer protection beyond the antivirus built into Windows 10; the best free antivirus utilities also offer more. However, is looking a bit better lately, with some very good scores from independent testing labs. In our hands-on tests, it showed a marked improvement since our previous review, enough to finally bring it up to three stars. Listen to the Labs We take the results reported by independent antivirus testing labs very seriously.
The simple fact that a particular vendor's product shows up in the results is a vote of confidence, of sorts. It means the lab considered the product significant, and the vendor felt the cost of testing was worthwhile. Of course, getting good scores in the tests is also important. We follow four labs that regularly release detailed reports:,. We also note whether vendors have contracted with ICSA Labs and West Coast labs for certification. We've devised a system for aggregating their results to yield a rating from 0 to 10.
We Test Malware, Spyware, and Adware Defenses. We also subject every product to our own hands-on test of malware protection, in part to get a feeling for how the product works. Depending on how thoroughly the product prevents malware installation, it can earn up to 10 points for malware protection. Our malware protection test necessarily uses the same set of samples for months. To check a product's handling of brand-new malware, we test each product using 100 extremely new malware-hosting URLs supplied by, noting what percentage of them it blocked. Products get equal credit for preventing all access to the malicious URL and for wiping out the malware during download.
Some products earn absolutely stellar ratings from the independent labs, yet don't fare as well in our hands-on tests. In such cases, we defer to the labs, as they bring significantly greater resources to their testing.
Want to know more? You can dig in for a detailed description of. Multilayered Malware Protection Antivirus products distinguish themselves by going beyond the basics of on-demand scanning and real-time.
Some rate URLs that you visit or that show up in search results, using a red-yellow-green color-coding system. Some actively block processes on your system from connecting with known malware-hosting URLs or with fraudulent (phishing) pages. Software has flaws, and sometimes those flaws affect your security.
Prudent users keep Windows and all programs patched, fixing those flaws as soon as possible. The vulnerability scan offered by some antivirus products can verify that all necessary patches are present, and even apply any that are missing. Spyware comes in many forms, from hidden programs that log your every keystroke to Trojans that masquerade as valid programs while mining your personal data. Any antivirus should handle spyware, along with all other types of malware, but some include specialized components devoted to. You expect an antivirus to identify and eliminate bad programs, and to leave good programs alone. What about unknowns, programs it can't identify as good or bad?
Behavior-based detection can, in theory, protect you against malware that's so new researchers have never encountered it. However, this isn't always an unmixed blessing. It's not uncommon for behavioral detection systems to flag many innocuous behaviors performed by legitimate programs. Whitelisting is another approach to the problem of unknown programs. A whitelist-based security system only allows known good programs to run. Unknowns are banned.
This mode doesn't suit all situations, but it can be useful. Sandboxing lets unknown programs run, but it isolates them from full access to your system, so they can't do permanent harm. These various added layers serve to enhance your protection against malware. Firewalls, Ransomware Protection, and More Firewalls and spam filtering aren't common antivirus features, but some of our top products include them as bonus features. In fact, some of these antivirus products are more feature-packed than certain products sold as security suites. Among the other bonus features you'll find are secure browsers for financial transactions, secure deletion of sensitive files, wiping traces of computer and browsing history, credit monitoring, virtual keyboard to foil keyloggers, cross-platform protection, and more.
You'll even find products that enhance their automatic malware protection with the expertise of human security technicians. And of course we've already mentioned sandboxing, vulnerability scanning, and application whitelisting. We're seeing more and more antivirus products adding modules specifically designed for.
Some work by preventing unauthorized changes to protected files. Others keep watch for suspicious behaviors that suggest malware.
Some even aim to reverse the damage. Given the growth of this scourge, any added protection is beneficial. Beyond Antivirus: VPN Your antivirus utility works in the background to keep out any faint possibility of infestation by malware, but its abilities don't extend beyond the bounds of your computer. When you connect to the wild and wooly internet, you risk the possibility that your data could be compromised in transit. Sticking to HTTPS websites when possible can help, but for full protection of your data in transit you should install a virtual private network,.
This component is important enough that we're starting to see it as a bonus feature in some antivirus tools. What's the Best Malware Protection? Which antivirus should you choose? You have a wealth of options.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus earned perfect scores in all the latest independent lab tests, and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus came very close. A single subscription for McAfee AntiVirus Plus lets you install protection on all of your Windows, Android, Mac OS, and iOS devices.
And its unusual behavior-based detection technology means Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus is the tiniest antivirus around. We've named these four Editors' Choice for commercial antivirus, but they're not the only products worth consideration. Read the reviews of our top-rated products, and then make your own decision. Note that we have reviewed many more antivirus utilities than we could include in the chart of top products. If your favorite software isn't listed there, chances are we did review it. The blurbs below include every product that managed 3.5 stars or better.
All the utilities listed in this feature are Windows antivirus apps. If you're a macOS user, don't despair, however; PCMag has a separate roundup dedicated solely to the. Editors' Note: We are aware of the allegations of Kaspersky Labs' inappropriate ties to the Russian government. Until we see some actual proof of these allegations, we will, and continue to recommend Kaspersky's security products as long as their performance continues to merit our endorsement. Pros: Outstanding scores in independent lab tests and our web protection tests. Multi-layered ransomware protection.
Password manager. Banking protection. Offers a virtual private network, or VPN. Many security-centered bonus features. Cons: Unlimited VPN access requires separate subscription.
With antivirus disabled, ransomware-specific features missed one uncommon sample. Bottom Line: With outstanding antivirus test results and a collection of features that puts some security suites to shame, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is a top choice. Pros: Perfect score in our malware protection test.
Very good antiphishing score. Ransomware protection. Light on system resources.
Fast scan, tiny size. Advanced features.
Cons: Limited lab test results due to unusual detection techniques. Missed one unique hand-modified ransomware sample in testing. Bottom Line: Tiny, speedy Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus keeps a light touch on your system's resources.
It aces our hands-on malware protection test, and can even roll back ransomware activity. Pros: Protection for every Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS device in your household. Good scores in hands-on tests.
Perfect score in antiphishing test. Includes new ransomware protection and PC Boost, plus many bonus features.
Cons: Ransom Guard missed one hand-modified ransomware sample. PC Boost web speedup works only in Chrome. Mac edition less feature-rich than Windows or Android. Still fewer features for iOS. Bottom Line: A single subscription for McAfee AntiVirus Plus lets you protect every Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS device in your household.
It's quite a deal, and the current edition adds some new and useful features. Pros: Excellent scores in our hands-on tests. Good scores from independent labs. Wi-Fi inspector. Password manager. Numerous useful, security-related bonus features. Pro-only Sandbox and Real Site features.
Cons: Password manager features limited. Some bonus features require separate purchase.
Pro-only features don't merit the price. Bottom Line: Avast Pro Antivirus 2017 offers the same wealth of features as its free edition, and not a lot more. It's an excellent product, but for most people the free version will suffice. Pros: Advanced firewall. Antivirus licensed from Kaspersky. Unique and effective phishing protection. Includes useful bonus tools.
Cons: Sparse results from independent labs. Advanced features too advanced for average user. At max sensitivity, OSFirewall flagged both good and bad programs. Phishing protection only in Chrome. Bottom Line: With the powerful ZoneAlarm firewall, antivirus licensed from Kaspersky, and a unique new approach to phishing protection, Check Point ZoneAlarm PRO Antivirus + Firewall 2017 is worth a look. Pros: Excellent antiphishing score. Very good malicious URL blocking score.
Protects against ransomware, keyloggers, and exploits. Remote management for up to 10 PCs or Macs. Cons: Lab test results not current.
Advanced features require uncommon tech expertise. Limited parental control and webcam protection.
Bottom Line: The new Sophos Home Premium security suite brings consumers powerful protection technology forged in the company's Enterprise-level products, including ransomware protection, keylogger blocking, exploit mitigation, and more. Pros: Excellent scores in our malware and exploit protection tests, and our malicious URL blocking test. Good scores from independent antivirus labs. Includes spam filter, password manager, and other bonus features. Cons: Poor antiphishing score. First full scan unusually slow. Limited tech support.
No Virus Protection Promise. Bottom Line: Symantec Norton AntiVirus Basic gets good scores from the independent labs and very good scores in most of our hands-on tests. However, it tanked our antiphishing test this time around, it's expensive, and it lacks full tech support. Pros: Prevents non-whitelisted programs from launching when computer is at risk.
New machine-learning tool flags malware. Checks blocked files against 57 antivirus scanners. Free edition for consumers. Cons: Could possibly whitelist malware running prior to installation.
Flagged some legitimate programs as suspicious, some as malicious. Bottom Line: VoodooShield takes a whitelist approach to antivirus protection, but without getting in the user's way. A new machine-learning component brings it closer to the abilities of a standalone antivirus. Pros: Very good independent lab scores. Excellent score in our malware protection test. Behavioral detection successfully blocked ransomware.
Surfing protection is browser-independent. Cons: Dismal score in our phishing protection test.
Few scores from independent labs. Behavioral detection failed against ransomware launched at startup. Bottom Line: Emsisoft Anti-Malware effectively handles the basic tasks of malware protection, including ransomware. Its few lab test results are good, as are its scores on our in-house malware protection tests, though it tanked on our antiphishing test.
Pros: Good score in our hands-on malware-blocking test. Speedy full scan. Behavior-based DeepGuard detects brand-new malware. Advanced network protection.
Streamlined, simple interface. Cons: Failed to block disk-encrypting ransomware and ransomware launched at startup. No antiphishing URL blocking. Lab test scores good, not great. Bottom Line: F-Secure Anti-Virus's fast full scan and DeepGuard behavior-based detection system make it a powerful malware fighter, but it failed some of our ransomware protection tests. Pros: Excellent score in our malware-blocking test.
Good results from independent testing labs. Effective behavior-based detection. Protects against banking Trojans, keyloggers, ransomware, and exploits. Cons: So-so score in our malicious URL blocking test. Poor antiphishing.
Very slow full scan. Bottom Line: G Data Antivirus 2017 gets decent marks from the independent testing labs, and it includes components designed to fight specific malware types, including ransomware. However, in our own tests its scores ranged from excellent to poor.
Read on for detailed analysis of each best antivirus service pick Creators of malware and viruses are always coming up with new ways to gain access to your PC and other internet enabled devices (with your mobile phone and tablet included). Luckily online software security companies are constantly updating their security software packages. We're already starting to see their 2019 packages come to market, with user experience tweaks and the latest virus definitions to protect against phishing scams, ransomware and all other types of viruses and malware. Right now, we think that Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019 is the best antivirus available.
It combines watertight security tools with an array of other excellent security features and is super easy to use, too - best of all, it also offers extremely good value for money. You can read more about what it offers below, together with Norton AntiVirus and Webroot SecureAnywhere that complete our top three. If you’re looking for all-round protection against the latest cyber threats, then investing in the strongest programme is the best solution you can hope for - and we also have the best business antivirus plans if you're looking to take care of your company computers. That doesn't mean you have to start spending big money either, as our guide also gives you the best available prices for the best software. Or jump straight to:. The best antivirus 2019.
Can be resource-hungry In a world packed with free security software, 's annual fee may look expensive, but there's plenty of bang for your buck. Plus, it has reintroduced its mega 60% discount on its top packages - including Antivirus Plus - too.
See below for pricing. Take a look at any rankings of big independent antivirus and Bitdefender's premium security products always rise to the top. It tends to be reliable and accurate in its virus detecting, featuring web filtering to blocks access to malicious sites, a secure browser that keeps your online banking ans shopping transactions safe, and there's a password manager which auto-completes credit card details in web forms. It also scores high for its excellent anti-phishing module, which alerts you to malicious links in your search engine results and blocks access to dangerous sites. New for the 2019 version of Antivirus Plus are multi-layer ransomeware protection that heuristically learns the behaviour of such threats to keep you safe as well as the ability to scan all your linked devices via the Bitdefender Central mobile app. There are one or two issues – it grabs more resources than average, and might conflict with some programs – but Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019 is still a likeable package which offers excellent detection rates, great performance, and more than enough bonus features to justify the price.
Builds on AVP 2019 and triples the number of devices covered plus offers anti-spam, firewall, parental advisor and file encryption features. For a little bit more you can purchase the edition. It adds all of the above and covers up to five PCs, Macs, Android and iOS devices.
Browser extension extras can be unreliable is a top quality malware hunter which can automatically protect your PC all on its own - that's a given. But one of the main reasons we've boosted it to number two in our best antivirus rankings is because it's also one of the very best value paid-for security software options on the market.
Norton offers plenty of tweaks, options and settings for those who need them, as well as features like a handy URL blocker that keeps you away from malicious websites. If that misses something, an excellent file reputation service heuristically recognises suspect downloads immediately. And if malware still finds a way through, intelligent behaviour monitoring uses its up to date virus definitions to quarantine threats at the first sign of trouble.
If you're a more hands-on type, you can easily run scans on demand. Maybe set up and save custom scans to check just the areas you need. Even schedule them to run at a particular time, but only if your system is idle, and it's not running on battery power. There can be problems with some of the browser extensions.
The bundled Norton Identity Safe is a capable password manager when it's running properly, but we've found the Chrome version sometimes stops working for no apparent reason. We've seen plenty of reviewers reporting similar problems, so there does seem to be a real issue here. Still, you don't have to use Identity Safe at all, and Norton AntiVirus Basic's main functions deliver on all fronts: it's easy to use, has the configuration options experts need, comes highly rated by the testing labs, and is carefully designed to have the least possible impact on your system performance. US Prices:. UK Prices:. No testing data from the top labs Just about every antivirus tool claims to be ‘lightweight’, but is the only one to really deliver on this front. Installation takes seconds, the program files barely grab 2MB of your hard drive, RAM footprint is tiny, and there are no bulky signature updates to tie up your bandwidth.
There's no compromise on features, though. Along with the core protection, there's smart behaviour monitoring, accurate real-time antiphishing, a firewall and network connection monitor, enhanced anti-ransomware, and other interesting extras. It's not easy to compare Webroot's accuracy with the competition, as the big testing labs rarely evaluate the company's products.
But when they are reviewed, they generally score well, and our own tests show solid and reliable protection. There's a lot to like about SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, and Webroot's 70-day 100% money-back guarantee suggests it's confident in the product, too. If you're tired of overly complicated and bloated engines, Webroot must be on your shortlist. US Prices:. UK Prices:. Not for beginners If you judge antivirus software on the length of its feature list, Edition might be a disappointment. There’s no firewall, password manager, file shredder, vulnerability scanner or any of the bundled extras you'll often find elsewhere.
This doesn't mean the package is short on power, it's just more focused on the fundamentals. ESET NOD32 Antivirus 2018 Edition comes with real-time malware protection, some of the best heuristic detection around, an anti-ransomware layer, exploit protection, URL filtering to block malicious websites, and modules to prevent attacks using PowerShell and malicious scripts. A Device Control module limits the risk of infection from other devices by controlling access to USB sticks, external hard drives, optical storage media, even devices connecting by Bluetooth and FireWire. It's an unusual extra, but could make a difference if others are regularly plugging devices into your PC. ESET NOD32 Antivirus 2018 Edition isn't aimed at beginners. The interface is clumsy sometimes, some features are very advanced, and even the Help isn't always exactly helpful. Experienced users will appreciate ESET’s power and configurability, though.
Above-average protection does a good job of keeping you safe, and a lightweight design ensures the package won't slow you down. One of the new features in the 2018 Edition is the UEFI Scanner which protects you from threats that attack your PC before Windows has even started. ESET Internet Security builds on NOD 32 and triples the number of devices covered plus offers firewall, botnet protection, webcam protection, antispam and more. Alternatively, you can purchase the SET Smart Security Premium edition for not much more. It adds all of the above as well as password management and secure data. US.
Best deal. UK. Best deal. Prone to false positives is a great collection of antivirus tools, and while it's a bit more expensive than some of the other programmes on this best of list, the amount of features you get makes the cost worthwhile. With F-Secure Antivirus SAFE, you get the brilliant antivirus software from F-Secure, along with banking protection for safe online shopping, family safety tools and a device finder that lets you track your lost Android or iOS device, and if needs be remotely lock or delete it as well. The package typically receives maximum marks for protection from AV-Test, and generally scores highly with AV-Comparatives, too. They also say it can generate significantly more false positives than most of the competition, but how that affects you will vary depending on how you use your computer.
The interface is a major plus. It's extremely easy to use, lightweight, and for the most part you can just leave the app alone to look after your PC. The program has minimal effect on your system performance, and if you do need to intervene then you can generally solve any issues in a couple of clicks.
In 2018, F-Secure Anti-Virus SAFE remains an appealing package: fast, lightweight, and able to run alongside many other security tools without conflict. US Prices:. UK Prices:. Kaspersky's full suites are better value is a stripped-back security package which focuses on the core security essentials: web filtering blocks dangerous URLs, an accurate engine detects and removes threats, smart monitoring technologies track and reverse malicious actions, and that's about it. Fortunately, what you do get works well.
Very, very well. We've consistently found Kaspersky to be amongst the best at blocking malware, and removing it from an infected system, plus it's regularly top-rated at sites like AV-Comparatives. The program is easy to use, too.
A well-designed interface has just the right number of buttons and options – not too basic, but not complicated or intimidating, either – and there are plenty of on-screen instructions to explain how everything works. Even a beginner will be at home right away. If you just need accurate, reliable and consistent malware protection, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2018 will serve you well.
US Prices:. UK Prices:. Higher than average false positives is a capable package that's simple to use with above average antispam and an effective ‘Folder Shield’ module to block ransomware.
How good is it? The top testing labs all rate it highly for protection, although there's some disagreement on the details. In particular, AV-Comparatives says it gives a high number of false positives, which could be a real nuisance.
But AV-Test reports high levels of accuracy and no issues with false positives at all. If there's a problem here, it's likely to be performance impact. PassMark's March 2017 Performance assessed 15 security products on various performance-related benchmarks, and Trend Micro came bottom of the list. Our experiences with the product are a little more favourable: protection levels appear similar to Bitdefender, false positives are only marginally higher, and it doesn't slow down our system noticeably more than anything else. We'd recommending running the trial for its full 30 days before you buy, then, to see if you notice any problems. But if you're unaffected, its high levels of detection and excellent bonus features make Trend Micro a good choice. US Prices:.
UK Prices:. Limited firewall Real-time malware detection, speedy cloud-based scanning, URL filtering to block malicious websites: has all the goodies you'd expect from the best antivirus software. That's just the start. A simple two-way firewall helps to keep your system secure.
An application control system can define exactly what runs on your PC, stopping even some brand new and undiscovered malware. A virtual keyboard helps you enter confidential data without it being intercepted by keyloggers. There's even a tool to build a bootable USB rescue disc, ready to remove even the most stubborn threats. Some of these bonus features are relatively basic. The Panda firewall does its job and can make you more secure, for instance, but it doesn't compete with the standalone firewall competition. Experienced network users will probably want more.
The simplicity does at least keep everything very easy to use. Options are organised in a straightforward Windows 10-like interface, with all the main modules just a click or two away. Even the firewall doesn't need to know anything more than your current network location: Home, Work or Public Place.
There's not a lot of Panda test results from the independent labs around right now, but the figures we've seen show the company delivers above average protection, and overall Panda Antivirus Pro does a good job of keeping malware at bay. US Prices:. UK Prices:. Apple user? Then you can head to our bespoke.
We’ve also looked at the. Check out the Best free antivirus downloads Paying for a premium service means you get more features, such as spam filters, parental controls, system scans and advanced firewalls. This makes them more suitable for power users, those who want a bit of extra security and anyone who wants their system to run as smoothly as possible.
It also means you avoid annoying pop-ups that try and tempt you to upgrade to the full version. And, as you've discovered above, they don't really cost too much to buy But these days you can get top quality protection absolutely free, with just about every single major vendor out there offering a free antivirus. By doing so, developers gain access to more devices from which they can collect data and therefore improve their knowledge and security platforms, so it’s not in their interest to reduce the amount of protection provided by the free version. Windows has come a long way in terms of security, but it's still fair to suggest that built-in solution, Windows Defender, is the last free AV app you should trust to keep your system clean. So if you're determined to get free antivirus, we strongly suggest that you check out our list of best security downloads in 2018 below.
We've highlighted their features -and shortcomings - to ensure that you pick out the best one. Scans cannot be scheduled Essentially consisting of the AV section of the full product, clean, light, well constructed scanning mechanisms – which are almost universally faster than the industry average – and unrivalled virus definitions mean Bitdefender is back at the top of the free tree. The free version's insistence on running in autopilot mode is a double-edged sword, making the process of virus management easy but taking it out of the user's hands; while we're inclined to trust it, there have been cases in the past of automatic systems going slightly rogue, such as the incident a few years back when Panda Antivirus identified itself as a virus and locked up a large number of Windows systems. AV-TEST's testing did pick out a few flaws in its handling of zero-day threats, however. And it's worth pointing out that for you can currently get our top rated paid-for solution -. That's a tiny amount to pay for a tonne of extra features, such as online banking protection, integrated password manager, permanent file shredder and and free online 24/7 support. Review and where to download.
Includes links to paid-for components Avast and AVG haven't yet fully merged, despite the former formally acquiring the latter in mid-2016. The newly combined company says the two free antivirus products will remain separate, although there's apparently a joint AV package on the way soon. Obviously, though, Avast now has a lot more data to work with, having expanded its effective userbase (and, therefore, its threat detection network) to a whopping 400 million users.
The latest edition of adds an automatic gaming mode to mute popups and reduce system load when you're firing up a processor-hungry game, which is very handy indeed, and the interface has been given a clean new overhaul. There's a password manager, too, which is an undeniably good addition to your security portfolio. It scores well on AV-TEST's widespread malware benchmark and continues a clean sweep against 0-day attacks – presumably that expanded detection network is really helping. Less impressive is the slight negative effect Avast has on software launch times, and its slightly popup-heavy attitude.
Review and where to download. Limited controls for advanced users Marketing itself as 'business-grade security', does a little more than most free antivirus software, and actually seems better suited to families. You get standard virus protection and anti-malware protection, along with browser tools like anti-phishing and, most importantly, content control. Combined with central management of up to 10 PCs, this means you can effectively lock down your kids' browsing options. Although AV-TEST hasn't formally assessed Sophos' skills, fellow lab AV-Comparatives offers a decent rating of its abilities. Although Sophos Home has always had desktop notifications, there was no premium version of the software for it to encourage an upgrade to.
That changed in February with the launch of Sophos Home Premium. Review and where to download. Limited technical support The paid-for version of Kaspersky's Windows security software frequently tops charts of best virus prevention solutions and AV-TEST once again gave it full marks across the board in its latest round of testing. As you would expect, is a scaled down version of the full program - a tool that we really like (more on which below). The free version ditches additional features such as privacy protection and safe payment sandboxes to concentrate on powerful, no-frills and - most importantly - free protection for your PC. The result is a tremendously easy to use and navigate bit of software that does an effective job of keeping you protected from viruses.
Using the nuts and bolts real-world scanning engine of the paid-for suite, Kaspersky Free is fiendishly hard for viruses and trojan horses to break down. And we love that it doesn't constantly pester you with nudges to upgrade to the full version. But, ironically, we will just for a moment, because isn't expensive to buy and yet affords much better protection to your PC (or PCs). The standard price is $29.99 to protect three computers and includes more muscle when it comes to preventing ransomware, spyware and Trojans.
Review and where to download. Lots of popups when running continues to score highly on AV-TEST's stringent testing program, quashing 99.7% of tested threats, and it generally doesn't put too big a burden on your hardware. It has a clean, friendly interface - with a swish redesign ready for 2018 - and throws up minimal false positives. The introduction of a free security suite to optionally run alongside it – with ransomware and phishing protection, a 500MB/month VPN and various speedup promises – just sweetens the deal. This is one of the best free antivirus packages of 2018. So why, then, have we dropped it from the top spot on our list, a position it's held for the past two years?
It's the constant badgering. There's a certain level of popups and advertisements that's acceptable for a free product, and Avira has begun to cross the line. It's not as onerous as some – Comodo's over-enthusiastic interface comes to mind – but booting up your PC to see Avira shouting at you once again is jarring. Review and where to download: Best business antivirus Each entry in this list has been carefully chosen for its business features, such as remote installation and central management. The best business antivirus software will have enterprise-level protection against threats, but that doesn't mean they have to cost a lot of money, either. The price per installation can sometimes be cheaper than even our recommended best antivirus packages.