Although many PC users are likely familiar with at least the idea of antivirus, many won't know the intricacies of what they offer.
Expanding beyond their initial remit of just malware detection and removal, many now include things like VPNs, secure storage, and even spam email filtering as part of their offerings. Pair that with the fact that different platforms come with different processing demands means that getting an antivirus solution isn't as simple as selecting one off the shelf.
Therefore, to help businesses see what solutions meet their hardware capabilities and situation needs, Cyber Magazine takes a look at the top 10 antivirus platforms so you can see the distinction and make the correct decision.
10. Malwarebytes
CEO: Marcin Kleczynski
Headquarters Location: Santa Clara, California, United States
Key Features: Malware scanner, web protection, VPN with unlimited data
Malwarebytes provides straightforward, effective virus protection for all operating systems and devices, including Chromebooks. Its advanced malware scanner detected around 95% of test malware.
Malwarebytes offers a VPN with unlimited data and servers in 40+ countries, albeit with limitations for streaming and torrenting. The web protection feature successfully blocked most phishing sites and potential scams during testing. Malwarebytes' exploit protections are notably effective against zero-day threats. Malwarebytes can be used alongside Windows Defender for enhanced protection, making it a good choice for users seeking a basic, set-and-forget antivirus solution with effective malware scanning and web protection.
9. Trend Micro
CEO: Eva Chen
Headquarters Location: Tokyo, Japan
Key Features: Anti-malware engine, password manager, identity theft protections
Trend Micro offers a robust anti-malware engine and an excellent web browser extension for monitoring security risks and blocking online scams. Trend Micro excelled in detecting phishing websites, outperforming Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. It also effectively blocked ads and scanned browsing history for potential threats.
Trend Micro includes a basic password manager secured with 256-bit AES encryption. Plans range from basic virus protection to comprehensive security suites. The Premium Security Suite covers up to 10 devices and includes identity theft protections and a fully-featured VPN, making Trend Micro a solid choice for users prioritising web protection.
8. Avira Prime
CEO: Travis Witteveen
Headquarters Location: Tettnang, Germany
Key Features: Antivirus engine, privacy tools, VPN
Avira boasts one of the strongest antivirus engines available, consistently achieving high scores in testing with a 100% detection rate. Avira Prime includes privacy and system optimisation tools, a VPN, password manager, and premium mobile apps.
The system optimisation features are particularly noteworthy, including a startup optimiser that saves two minutes from PC start time, a game booster for improved system performance, and a junk file cleaner. Avira Prime is therefore especially beneficial for older or slower PCs. While pricier than some competitors, it's the only package offering advanced system optimisation, an unlimited-data VPN, and mobile apps. Avira's free version provides basic protection including real-time and ransomware protection, making it one of the better free antiviruses available.
7. Kaspersky Premium
CEO: Eugene Kaspersky
Headquarters Location: Moscow, Russia
Key Features: Anti-phishing protection, VPN with unlimited data, safe money secure browser
Kaspersky Internet Security delivers excellent antivirus protection and impressive bonus features like dangerous site protection. Its antivirus engine consistently achieves top industry results, scoring 100% effectiveness in all anti-malware testing. Key features include anti-phishing protection, the Safe Money secure browser, a VPN with unlimited data, a password manager, and Smart Home Monitor.
The Safe Money feature detects online payments or banking access, offering a secure, sandboxed browser impenetrable to malware. The Smart Home Monitor allows easy viewing of all devices connected to your network, ideal for households with numerous IoT devices. Kaspersky Premium offers comprehensive protection including malware scanning, web protection, the Safe Money browser, an unlimited-data VPN, and one year of parental controls for a single user. Kaspersky's offerings are not available in the US, however.
6. Panda Dome
CEO: Juan Santamaría
Headquarters Location: Madrid, Spain
Key Features: Virus scanner, firewall, ransomware protection
Panda Dome offers an advanced virus scanner and user-friendly interface across four pricing tiers, catering to various budgets. With a 95% malware detection rate and 100% ransomware detection, Panda's scanner performs well with few false positives.
The Rescue Kit, a bootable version for heavily infected computers, is a standout feature. Panda's plans range from a limited free version to the comprehensive Premium plan with an unlimited-data VPN and 24/7 customer support. The Essential plan includes a firewall and Wi-Fi protection, while Advanced adds ransomware protection. The Complete plan features a password manager and optimisation tools. All paid plans allow users to choose the number of devices to protect and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. ESET
CEO: Richard Marko
Headquarters Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
Key Features: High-quality protection from malware, phishing protection, automatic real-time scanning
ESET offers a secure antivirus suite known for its excellent malware detection rates, consistently scoring over 98% in independent tests. While ESET supports Windows, Android, and macOS, many of its features are primarily compatible with Windows and Android, making it a basic option for Mac users, and it lacks an iOS app entirely. Its virus scanner performed impressively, catching almost all malware samples downloaded onto test devices, including those hidden in locations often overlooked by other antivirus solutions.
In addition to its strong malware protection, ESET provides several useful features, including a firewall, anti-phishing tools, network monitoring, system cleanup, a VPN, advanced diagnostics tools, and dark web monitoring. Its antivirus software is known for its ability to identify and disable malware for users without slowing down their computer.
4. McAfee Total Protection
CEO: Greg Johnson
Headquarters Location: Santa Clara, California, United States
Key Features: Malware protection, password manager, identity theft monitoring
McAfee Total Protection offers a comprehensive range of internet security features, including top-notch malware protection, anti-phishing measures, a password manager, VPN, and identity theft monitoring. It scored a perfect 100% detection rate against all malware samples in tests.
McAfee's anti-phishing protection outperformed both built-in browser protections and most competing antiviruses. The Scam Protection feature effectively flags malicious links across various platforms. McAfee's parental controls are among the best available, featuring advanced location tracking. While full system scans may slow down CPU-intensive tasks, McAfee includes coverage for unlimited devices. Advanced and Ultimate plans add identity theft coverage and additional protections.
3: Avast
CEO: Ondřej Vlček
Headquarters Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Key Features: Malware protection, advanced firewall, ransomware protection
Avast is a leading cybersecurity company renowned for its comprehensive antivirus software that includes essential internet security features. With advanced malware detection, network scanning, and ransomware protection, Avast safeguards users against a wide array of digital threats. Its applications are compatible with Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, making them accessible to a diverse audience. The company offers both free and paid versions, with the free option providing fundamental antivirus protection and premium plans unlocking advanced features like enhanced firewall capabilities and anti-phishing tools.
A key strength of Avast is its customisability, allowing users to tailor the software’s appearance and functionality to meet their specific needs. In addition to antivirus protection, Avast provides a limited version of its VPN service, password management tools, and system optimisation features. Despite some controversies regarding user data privacy in recent years, Avast continues to evolve and maintain its position as a significant player in the cybersecurity landscape, committed to protecting users in an increasingly complex digital world.
2. Bitdefender Total Security
CEO: Florin Talpeș
Headquarters Location: Bucharest, Romania
Key Features: Advanced antivirus engine, web protection, password manager
Bitdefender boasts an extremely advanced antivirus engine, utilising a vast malware database alongside machine learning and artificial intelligence. Its cloud-based scanning minimises system impact, averaging just 21% CPU usage during full-system scans.
Bitdefender offers comprehensive security features including web protection, a vulnerability scanner, system optimiser, VPN (200 MB daily on most plans), parental controls, and password manager. The multi-layered ransomware protection is particularly noteworthy. Bitdefender's VPN is one of the best on the market, though daily data usage is limited on all but the priciest plans. With several low-cost packages available for all major operating systems, Bitdefender Total Security offers five licences for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
1. Norton 360
CEO: Vincent Pilette
Headquarters Location: Tempe, Arizona, United States
Key Features: Virus and malware protection, secure firewall, VPN with unlimited data
Norton 360 offers unbeatable virus and malware protection across all operating systems. Its unique scanning engine, powered by heuristic analysis and machine learning, achieved a 100% protection rating in tests. Norton 360 includes a wide range of additional features, including a secure firewall, password manager, webcam protection, VPN with unlimited data, dark web monitoring, and Wi-Fi security alerts.
The dark web monitoring tool is particularly impressive, constantly scanning for a wide range of personal information. Norton's LifeLock products offer various levels of identity theft protection for US residents. Whilst slightly pricier than some competitors, Norton 360 Deluxe offers excellent value at as it covers up to five devices and includes 50 GB of cloud storage.
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