It is comforting to know that antivirus and malware protection vendors are out there fighting a victorious battle. They are continuously upgrading their internet security product to protect your online existence against ever-increasing risks you can encounter. The best antivirus options out there combine waterproof malware security and other additional features that keep you safe from scams.
The best paying antivirus suites give you a bonanza of functionality that goes way beyond simple malware security. You can get dedicated ransomware and camera hijacking protections, while it may also provide you with additional functionality such as file shredding or device configuration. Moreover, its features can compete with stand-alone providers such as password managers, cloud backup solutions, VPNs, or identity theft protection.
Best Antivirus And Malware Protection You Can Get This Year
Finding the best antivirus and malware protection does not mean that you’ve got to start wasting much money. Depending on your needs, here are some of the best security software you can consider this year as part of your cybersecurity methods.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is one of the favorite choices for entry-level antivirus products. It has very decent scores for malware detection. It often provides the most value, including an infinite password manager, a secure interactive keyboard explorer than other software you can find in the market. It also comes with a Wi-Fi network scanner, a file shredder, and ransomware security defense. Bitdefender’s new online privacy software with features mostly found only in prime antivirus bundles.
The sheer number of features that Bitdefender has incorporated is rather remarkable. Even the Bitdefender Antivirus Plus entry-level product offers excellent site security. It can also provide top-notch protection from phishing and malicious links in general.
Midrange Bitdefender Internet Security incorporates parental controls, camera security, and a two-way firewall. At the same time, Bitdefender Complete Security tops the lineup of anti-theft features for laptops, device optimizers, and licenses for Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac and Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android.
Norton AntiVirus Plus
Norton AntiVirus Plus is a good antivirus software from a technology agency now known as NortonLifeLock. The biggest draw here is the total stack of features you get, including the entry-level virus protection product, not to mention the standard of certain features. They have a very useful smart firewall, which is a pretty lovely aid in managing your device. That comes along with some detailed browser security measures to keep you secure on the site.
The number of additional features and software varies based on the price. However, the sweet spot in the lineup is the Norton 360 Deluxe. It provides a password manager, unrestricted VPN support, and dark-web personal-data tracking. Aside from this, you can have parental controls and up to 50GB of online storage.
McAfee Internet Security
McAfee’s malware protection has improved considerably in the last few years. However, some still do not consider it yet top-of-the-line. Despite that, McAfee’s AntiVirus Plus entry-level is a bargain. You can protect up to ten computers for a reasonable price, whether they run Windows, MacOS, iOS, or Android. The suit comes with a file shredder and a two-way firewall as well.
McAfee Internet Security is considered one of the best password managers. Still, to get parental control, you’re going to have to jump to McAfee Complete Defense or McAfee LiveSafe, which are now pre-installed on many new computers
Multi-device licenses for these two security suites also come with an identity authentication program. But none of the McAfee products have a secure browser or webcam support that you also get with other premium antivirus programs.
ESET Smart Security Premium
ESET is one of the largest antivirus names in Europe. Although it has a limited device output load and quick scanning, its malware detection rate is not as high in laboratory testing as many of the best antivirus brands on this list.
The ESET NOD32 Antivirus entry level is simple to use but has few valuable extra features. It provides camera support, parental controls, browser-hardening plugins, and ESET security app licenses for Mac, Android Linux computers.
The ESET Smart Security Premium has top-notch tosses into file encryption, a mechanical keyboard, and a password manager. However, there is no VPN client, recovery program, or disk shredder, in any case. The ESET price is per unit, ideal for consumers who may have more than a few devices to cover.
Kaspersky AntiVirus
The Kaspersky AntiVirus entry-level software has devoted ransomware security, a keyboard shortcut, and a simple online account gateway. But it is defeated by Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which has even more functionality.
Kaspersky Internet Security is a top preference of midrange bundles. It has a secure browser, anti-theft security for computers, camera protection, and a restricted VPN client that comes on when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network. It also contains MacOS, Linux, and iOS software. The free antivirus suite, Kaspersky Complete Protection, adds recovery tools, parental controls, disk storage, file shredder, and general password management.
Trend Micro Maximum Security
Trend Micro provides excellent security, but its malware-detection engine produces a substantial device load during scanning and returns a reasonable amount of false-positive results. The brand’s flagship product, Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security, is relatively simple in extra tools even though it comes with a stable web browser.
Parental sensors, device optimizers, and file shredders are packaged into the Pattern Micro Internet Security mid-range. Trend Micro Maximum Security adds a password manager, a secure browser, and file protection, while the current Trend Micro Premium Security adds VPN and dark-web personal data tracking.
However, none of Trend Micro’s programs have a two-way firewall or webcam security standard, unlike other brand mid-range offerings. Nor does the luxury product provide cloud storage or recovery software that some of the better antivirus brands offer to appeal to their flagship packages.
Avira Antivirus
Avira is probably better known for its free antivirus option, one of the best out there. But its premium services cannot be chewed at, particularly with the price you can pay for its Antivirus Pro bundle.
Avira’s antivirus entry-level contains what you’d anticipate from a modern security application. There’s actual scanning of everything you download – torrent, grab from the cloud, or import from the USB. It has a dedicated malware defense; and a software shredder for extra secrecy. There’s no big lot outside of that, nonetheless. You’d have to update to either the Internet Protection or Prime package to start installing additional functionality, including a password manager, VPN, PC cleaning software, and smartphone app help.
Avast Antivirus
Avast’s Premium Protection provides much functionality to the company’s popular free antivirus offering. That involves, though is not limited to, an efficient ransomware firewall, very comprehensive anti-phishing security, a safe browser, and a password manager. You can also have a file shredder and even a Wi-Fi inspector searching for bugs on your network.
Premium encryption is also easily configurable, right down to the installation phase, which is a huge benefit. While its antivirus capabilities get quite mixed reviews from independent research laboratories, they should prove useful enough. There is one thing that you should undoubtedly be aware of, though. However, some have seen some lag in their system at times when Avast is working.
Avast Ultimate is another choice that offers you Premium Protection packaged with Avast’s SecureLine VPN and some extras. If you choose a VPN, which is a good enough deal, then the Overall bundle is probably worth exploring.
Final Thoughts
Depending on the protection you need, you can find many antivirus products these days that would suit your requirements. However, until you buy antivirus protection, find out what you need to do with it. If you have small children, try midrange antivirus devices, most of which have parental controls. If you have many devices, find the best to offer many devices protection at a reasonable price. You have to note that each brand provides standard, mid-range, and luxury features and pricing configurations, making it convenient for you to find the protection you need and get additional features.
