It is crucial to select the best antivirus software as malware and other cyber threats are on the rise. It needs to protect multiple platforms and devices as well as work quietly in the background and not get in the way of your computing life. It should also employ multiple layers of protection, such as firewalls, antimalware and other security measures, instead of relying on virus scanning alone. Select a program with similar laboratory results in testing and a user-friendly, clear interface. Consider bundling features such as parental controls, VPNs, or password managers with the program.
Free antivirus software such as Microsoft Defender is a good starting point. It’s simple to install and is included with Windows. However, it does not offer all the online security that some programs do. For a little more power, AVG is a solid choice. Its antivirus software for free is easy to manage, and its Internet Security plan expands on the existing protections with additional ones for mobile devices, it also comes with a VPN and password management.
Another excellent option is Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition. It’s easy to install and forget about. It also comes with many additional features such as PC tools that can clean your system and erase files securely. 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, looks the part and is also bundled with other security tools like parental controls, a secure web browser and credit monitoring. The scans are minimal in impact on performance and are fast. However it could be more comprehensive when it comes to protecting against ransomware and other advanced threats.