Antivirus software does much more than simply running virus scans. It monitors your computer and keeps an eye on shady websites, phishing attacks, hackers and rogue applications. It defends against ransomware, which locks you out of your own files, scams that take your personal information, and increases threats like identity theft. A great antivirus suite may include features like a VPN or password manager to protect your online identity.
In our lab tests, Germany-based Avira has consistently ranked high in terms of performance, security, and usability (false positives). It’s a simple-to-use program that provides comprehensive malware detection that includes ransomware and internet security. It also offers a monthly billing option, which allows you to end the program if you aren’t satisfied, without having to pay expensive renewal fees for the following year.
McAfee has been around for a long time and is often bundled with laptops. It boasts impressive scores for malware detection and a variety of security extras like password management and a VPN for a low price.
Norton 360 is a robust security package that gives you an unbeatable level of protection against malware and numerous additional tools such a a full VPN as well as a password manager. It’s also available at an affordable annual fee. The performance of the product in our tests in the lab was among the top of any product we’ve tested this year and it’s a great choice if you’re looking for an outstanding antivirus suite that offers full privacy protection.