Getting the best antivirus for your new or existing PC is one of the best investments you can make in today’s techie landscape. Data privacy and cybersecurity are becoming more essential, and getting this type of software is the first step in protecting yourself in the digital space. You don’t have to pay top dollar nowadays for the best protection, but premium options do offer a lot of creature comforts.
Which Best Antivirus Type Should I Get?
Premium/Paid Antivirus Suites
Paid antivirus suites have been around for a while, and many brands have established solid reputations across decades of service. Brands like Bitdefender, Trend Micro, and Norton almost always ring a bell, but all of their award-winning features are currently hidden behind a subscription. However, what makes them worth it are the extra features such as spam filters, firewalls, and even parental controls.
Free Antivirus Programs
The most widely used out there is of course the free best antivirus category since you can simply download them. The most commonly used implementation is Microsoft’s own Defender, but there are third party brands like Avira and AVG. Not all the free software types are effective since their features are also at times locked behind a paywall, and some can spam you with purchase invites or ads.
Anti-Phishing Toolbars
Anti-Phishing toolbars are often 3rd party add-ons or extensions that you can download for popular browsers without paying a single cent. They filter out phishing websites so you don’t even see or access them while browsing.
Spam Filters
Spam filters are often designed for emails to help weed out unwanted emails from your inbox. They are often free with premium antivirus options, but there are free ones out there.
Which Antivirus Features to Look Out For
Firewall – A firewall is a basic level of protection that prevents downloads and uploads from malicious websites or connections. They often alert you if something fishy is trying to get through the network to your PC.
Password Vault – Brands like Norton now offer password vaults to keep your online account details safe from prying eyes. They are typically more secure than simply saving your logins on the browser, but the downside is that they are often an added feature that costs a bit more cash.
Child Filter – This add-on typically prevents connections to websites that are unsuited for underage members of your family.
Privacy Filter/VPN – VPNs typically spoof your IP and location to mask them from entities on the web such as webmasters and hackers. Free VPNs often slow down your internet so bad to the point of it becoming unusable, so people often turn to the paid options.
Antispam – Antispam often prevents popups or unwanted ads while you are browsing or opening emails.
Browser Extensions – these extensions typically come in the form of secure search or toolbars which add another layer of filtering to your browsing.
File Backup/Shredder – Some premium AV software have data backup and secure erasure features to protect your data from loss or theft.
Should I Pay for Premium Antivirus Programs or Save Money?
Free AV software is often fine for most people, provided that they exercise care and due diligence while online. That means avoiding emails you don’t recognize, suspicious or unscrupulous websites, and staying away from sponsored links. Microsoft’s free Defender software is often fine, while MacOS-based PCs are typically secure, so you only have to watch where you go on the web to stay safe.
However, some of the added features above can be invaluable depending on your use-case, environments, and number or type of users that have access to your PC. Consumer Reports recommends scoping out these aspects to determine if you do need a premium subscription.
You also have to consider your PC specs before going with an antivirus since they typically consume resources like RAM in the background. Basic PCs with limited memory or processor power might run slower if heavily-equipped antivirus software is loaded onto them. It’s also advisable to keep your computer’s OS updated, so old machines that cannot do that are not ideal.
Best Antivirus Software Recommended by Consumer Reports
Avira (82)
Avira offers a free security suite, but it also has a Pro version which scored similarly good with Consumer Reports. It comes with a scanner, VPN, and password manager, so you don’t have to go with the Pro version unless you want to deepen your security toolkit.
Avast (80)
Avast is one of the longest-running free AV software out there thanks to its popularity. It runs light and has an active threat detection network, enabling it to offer the best cyber protection while you are online.
AVG (79)
AVG is advertised as free forever, so it would make sense for many to keep it and forget about paying extra. It is one of the most trusted names in the business, and it includes tune-up tools and a VPN feature that can mask your online identity or activities.
Bitdefender (79)
Bitdefender is another strong name in the antivirus business, and we’re surprised that it is now offered for free. It offers total protection for both PC and mobile devices, but it can be upgraded to have very useful add-ons that can add layers to your shield.
ESET Internet Security (82)
Eset Internet Secirty isn’t fre, but its built by an IT security company that has extensive experience in cybersecurity. Its pricey, but its one of the best when it comes to protection against live exploits.
McAfee (75)
McAfee is a mainstay in the PC security business and is even offered with new Microsoft PCs, Its owned by CPU giant Intel under its security division, so it gets continuous development which enables it to offer fantastic live protection.
Norton 360 (75)
Norton 360 can be annoying at times with all the offers it throws at you, but its one of the most feature-rich implementations out there. It offers great protection while surfing, and it can make life easier if you package its functional add-ons with your subscription.
Microsoft Defender (55)
Microsoft Defender for Windows 10 and 11 started as untrustworthy since everybody had a challenging experience with the security features of older OS versions. However, it has proven to be sufficient for most users, and you can get a free upgrade if you choose to get the Microsoft 365 office suite.
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