With cyber-attacks and malware on the rise, it’s important to pick the best antivirus software. It should be able to safeguard multiple devices and platforms while running in the background and not interfere with the normal flow of your computing life. It should also use multilayered protections, including firewalls, antimalware, and other security measures rather than relying solely on virus-scanning by itself. Look for software with comparable testing lab results and a simple, user-friendly interface. Consider bundling features such as VPNs, parental controls and password managers with the software.
Microsoft Defender, a free antivirus program, is a good place to start. It’s built into Windows and is simple to set up, however it doesn’t provide all the online security features of other programs. If you want a bit more power, AVG is a solid choice. AVG’s free antivirus software is easy to manage and its Internet Security plan expands on that with added protections for mobile devices and the use of a VPN and a password manager.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is an alternative that is a great choice. It’s easy to install and forget about, and comes with a range of extras including PC utilities that tidy up your system and securely delete files. Its full scan took around 25 minutes to complete, but it found every threat we could throw at it.
Intego VirusBarrier is the best antivirus program for Mac users. It’s effective and looks great, and includes other security features, such as parental control and a secure browser. Its scans have little impact on performance and are fast. However, it could be more thorough in terms of protecting against ransomware or other advanced threats.