Whether your computer or device runs Android, Mac or Windows, cybercriminals have sophisticated attacks to target machines across operating systems (OS). Choosing an antivirus software that's designed for your OS and tailored to your computing behaviors is important.
Not all antivirus software is created equal, so there are many factors to consider.
There's nothing worse than perusing the Internet only to have your computer slow to a crawl as your antivirus software "thinks" about your decisions. If the software happens to detect a problem, is it going to fix it without making you take 20 complicated steps?
The last thing you want to deal with when your information is at stake are errors, crashes and botched attempts to protect against cybersecurity threats. You need to know what to look for in an antivirus software. So, here's a guide to choosing an antivirus software, including common pitfalls and recommendations.
If you think it’s not right for you, keep reading and you’re sure to find the antivirus that’s right for you.
Here are the top 5:
Best 5 Antivirus in 2024:
PICTURE
PRODUCT
Price
#1 TOP RATED
Webroot Antivirus
Award-Winning Program that Protects You Against Hackers & Viruses. Limited Offer - 40% Off. Get Webroot Virus Protection and Install our Lightning-Fast Tool to Feel Completely Safe.
Trend Micro is the global leader in enterprise cloud security, XDR, and cybersecurity platform solutions for businesses, data centers, cloud environments & much more.
NEVER WORRY about losing important files and photos again! With secure online storage, you know your files are safe and sound.
KEEP YOUR COMPUTER RUNNING FAST with our system optimizer. By removing unnecessary files, it works like a PC tune-up, so you can keep working smoothly.
Our PASSWORD MANAGER by Last Pass creates, encrypts, and saves all your passwords, so you only have to remember one.
As the #1 TRUSTED PROVIDER OF THREAT INTELLIGENCE, Webroot protection is quick and easy to download, install, and run, so you don't have to wait around to be fully protected.
STAY PROTECTED EVERYWHERE you go, at home, in a caf, at the airport everywher on ALL YOUR DEVICES with cloud-based protection against viruses and other online threats.
Webroot scours 95% of the Internet three times per day including billions of web pages, files, and apps to determine what is safe online and enhances the software automatically so you don't have to perform any time-consuming updates. Our cloud-based antivirus software scans faster, uses fewer system resources and safeguards your devices in real-time by identifying and blocking new threats. Webroot protects your personal information against online threats and warns you of potential danger before you click. Installs in seconds and with its rollback technology automatically returns infected device to their original state.
Webroot has been delivering antivirus solutions for computers for more than 24 years. Based in Broomfield, Colorado, Webroot is one of the more popular antivirus programs on the internet today. It offers three plans: Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, Webroot Security Plus with AntiVirus and Webroot Internet Security Complete with AntiVirus.
Unlike the other metal detectors on the list, we noticed how easy it is to handle without getting tired when trying it out. Thanks to the new cushioned handle and padded armrest, it is great for both women and children who can carry it with ease and thus avoid injury. You can use it wherever you want and it adapts very easily to any surface without limitations. Full of advanced and professional features We were really impressed with the amount of professional features inside the Osmo metal detector that made our search experience much more engaging and efficient.
The adjustable sensitivity and signal accuracy allow you to find the desired object with great ease and confidence, and thanks to the innovative metal discrimination, you can easily eliminate interference from metals that do not match your target, thus focusing only on high-value metals without distraction. The LCD screen is easy to use and allows you to take advantage of many advanced controls and most importantly it allows you to check the battery life which is superior to others.
Smart protection for all your connections. Protect all devices Protect all your devices Protect your PC, Mac and mobile devices. Secure transactions Secure your transactions. When you do your online banking with Pay Guard, you ensure the legitimacy of financial websites. Stop web threats Block Internet threats Defend yourself against ransomware and other online threats. Shield privacy Protect your privacy Block dangerous websites that can steal personal information. Safeguard kids Protect your children Let children safely explore the Internet by setting them time and content barriers. Optimize performance Optimize performance Fix common problems to keep your applications running at maximum speed. Avoid fraud and scams Prevent fraud and attacks Protect yourself from phishing emails. Manage passwords with ease Manage passwords effortlessly Create and manage complex passwords and secure login data for your favorite websites.
Benefits of Trend Micro Antivirus
* Simple, yet powerful menus and interface
* Very impressive antivirus protection
* Folder Shield anti-ransomware
* AI learning tech
* Deep multi-layer subscription accounts
* Easy to understand pricing tiers
Trend Micro Antivirus Pricing
* Maximum Security: $39.95 the first year, $89.95 after that (5 devices)
* Internet Security: $39.95 the first year, $79.95 after that (3 devices)
* Antivirus + Security: $29.95 the first year, $39.95 after that (1 device)
* Antivirus for Mac: $29.95 the first year, $39.95 after that (1 device)
Norton 360 is my favorite antivirus in 2024 it's got a powerful anti-malware engine, a wide range of internet security tools, an intuitive online dashboard, and good customer support, all for a better price than most competitors. Its anti-malware engine uses machine learning, advanced heuristics, and a malware directory to identify malware from simple viruses and trojans to advanced malware like spyware, ransomware, and cryptojackers. During my testing, Nortons full scan and real-time protection were both able to detect every single malware file I tried to download, with minimal system slowdown and no false positives. Norton is the best antivirus around, but it isn't perfect. Its desktop app is a little clunky, and its mobile protections are split across several separate apps, which is a bit annoying. And while Nortons VPN offers excellent security features like a no-logs policy, 256-bit AES encryption, and a good network of servers worldwide, it isn't as fast as competitor VPNs and doesn't work with all streaming services.
Norton Security Features
Virus scans. A variety of system scans available to protect against malware infections
Real-time threat protection. Detects and protects against common online threats like viruses, malware, spyware, and ransomware.
Smart firewall. Two-way silent firewall that works by monitoring the network traffic thats both sent and received on your computer.
PC cloud backup. Convenient as secure remote cloud storage that will save space on your personal device.
SafeCam protection. Blocks unauthorized access to your PC webcam to keep you safe.
Parental controls. Special feature to create certain rules for the minors in your care, that block certain websites, or tracks the children's behavior online.
Dark Web monitoring. Monitors for data leaks on the dark web and informs you of any information found.
AntiTrack. Blocks internet trackers and disguises your digital footprint.
Password manager. A handy tool to keep your passwords secure and in one place.
Secure VPN. Hides your IP address and encrypts your online activities for an additional layer of privacy.
Safe Web. Browser extension that protects you from visiting malicious sites.
System optimization. Cleans your device from duplicated, old, and broken files, and optimizes the device performance.
Norton Pricing
* Norton Antivirus Plus: $19.99 the first year, $59.99 after that
* 360 Standard: $39.99 the first year, $79.99 after that
* Norton 360 Deluxe: $49.99 the first year, $99.99 after that
* 360 with LifeLock Select: $99.99 the first year, $149.99 after that
SECURITY: Multi-layered protection designed to prevent and neutralise viruses and malware.
SECURITY: Tools to prevent unauthorised access to or hijacking of your computer, including anti-phishing and firewall tools.
PRIVACY: Tools to prevent unauthorised online tracking, unauthorised ads appearing, or anyone using your peripherals.
PRIVACY: Protects your banking apps and activities and keeps your login details safe on hand.
PRIVACY: Password Manager to securely store and sync your passwords across your devices. Unlimited & fast VPN.
PRIVACY: Free Kaspersky Safe Kids to keep your child safe wherever they are via GPS tracking, safe search, website filters and parental controls.
PERFORMANCE: Tools to help you manage your device storage space, perform HDD health checks, boost devices speed and prevent any loss of your data.
PERFORMANCE: Allows you to watch movies, play games, or use full-screen apps without any interference all at the maximum speed.
IDENTITY: Ensures no one takes advantage of your identity, keeps your documents safe, and notifies you of any data leaks.
IDENTITY: 24/7 remote IT support helping you resolve security issues around the clock.
Benefits of Using Kaspersky
Safeguard your digital life with our ultimate virus protection plan, combining award-winning antivirus, privacy & identity theft protection, performance boost and must-have premium benefits
Kaspersky Pricing
New Customer Pricing Package: $44.99 for the year, with a 30-day free trial
5 Devices: 1 year $49.99, 2 years $99.99, 3 years $149.99
10 Devices: 1 year $74.99, 2 years $149.99, 3 years $224.99
*Pricing will vary based on new user status and timeframe.
Important Factors When Choosing an Antivirus?
Not all antivirus programs are created equal. Some are better at detecting and removing malware and viruses, and some come with more features than others.
When choosing an ideal antivirus for your device, whether it is a PC or smartphone, you need to consider various factors.
1. Type of Device
The first thing you need to think about is the type of device you are using. Some antivirus programs are designed for specific types of devices, such as PCs or Macs. Others can be used on a variety of devices, including smartphones and tablets.
You should know that every operating system, whether it is Windows, iOS, or Android, is different. So, you need to choose an antivirus program compatible with your device's operating system.
2. Level of Protection
The next thing you need to consider is the level of protection you need. If you only use your device for basic tasks, such as casually browsing the internet, checking email, and social media, then you probably don't need an especially powerful antivirus program.
However, if you use your device for more sensitive tasks, such as online banking, office work, or storing private data, then you will need an antivirus program that offers more protection, such asreal-time protection, ransomware protection, and more.
3. Ease of Use
You also need to consider how easy the antivirus program is to use. Some programs can be very complicated, while others are user-friendly. Choose an antivirus program that you feel comfortable using. To check the usability of an antivirus application, you can read online reviews from others or just test out its trial version before purchasing its paid subscription.
4. Regular and Automatic Updates
The next thing you need to consider is how often the antivirus program is updated. New viruses and malware are created all the time, so your antivirus program needs to be able to protect against the latest threats.
To do this, the virus definition database of the antivirus must be regularly updated. Some programs update automatically, while others require you to manually update them. Choose an antivirus program that offers regular and automatic updates to ensure that your device is always protected.
Conclusion
It was quite difficult to choose a winner among these 4 quality products, but in the end Webroot took first place.
Our top ranked products are reviewed on the basis of our own views, opinions and knowledge. We are not able to review all products in a given category. All opinions expressed on this site are our own.
We are able to provide you with our comparisons for free due to referral fees we receive from a number of companies that are compared and reviewed on our website. We do have an ownership interest in certain categories with our top picks.
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Product descriptions and technical specifications are sourced from the manufacturers. Graphics and images of product users are provided for illustration purposes. We may receive a commission or fee for products displayed on this website, and we may offer a material benefit for other websites recommending or directing customers to our website. Our ranking criteria are based on a mix of objective and subjective factors aimed to provide consumers with the best experience and cost-benefit results, such as return policy (time to claim refund), aesthetics (product design), easiness of use, feedback from individuals testing, technological and innovation features, among other factors. This website participates in the Amazon associates program which is an affiliate program , rakuten advertising, impact radius & many other well known affiliates program for monetization where we earn a small commission from the qualified sales without costing your extra money.
