Bitdefender Total Security. The best antivirus software overall. Bottom line: Super powerful security. Affordable pricing. Easy-to-use dashboard. Protects online financial transactions. Many bonus features. Not up-to-date with social network protections. Antivirus software, as a whole. Norton AntiVirus Plus gets impressive scores in independent lab tests and our own hands-on tests and offers a wealth of useful features. However, it's expensive and doesn't offer deals for.
- Free Antivirus Software
- Antivirus Free Download
- Cnet Reviews Of Antivirus Programs
- Most Affordable Antivirus Software
Features
Detects and stops viruses, threats and malware
Our job is to stop viruses before they even get to your PC. We check your files before you open them, your Facebook links before you click, your email before it gets to you and your websites before you visit them.
AntiVirus
Helps stop, remove, and prevent the spreading of viruses, worms or trojans.
AntiMalware (AVG Resident Shield)
Protects you from malware on your PC and helps stop anything that's infected.
Free Antivirus Software
AVG Anti-Rootkit
Detects and removes dangerous rootkits that hide malicious software that seeks to take control of your computer.
AVG Email Scanner
Detects infected or rogue inbound attachments so they can't damage your PC. Works as a plug-in for email applications including Microsoft Outlook 2010 or as a scanner for POP3, SMTP and IMAP accounts.
AVG Protective Cloud Technology
Identifies and prevents emerging threats 'in the cloud' via automatic updates to your antivirus software.
AVG Community Protection Network
Instantly converts every new threat encountered by any member of our community into protection for everyone. It adds up to ever-better antivirus protection for the entire AVG community.
AVG LinkScanner Surf-Shield
Smart prevention technology that stops you hitting infected or criminal sites. Actively checks every web page just before you click and stops you if it detects anything suspicious.
AVG Social Networking Protection
Checks the links that get exchanged when you're on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter etc. to help keep you and your friends safe.
Stops unsecure links and files
Advanced protection that allows you to share files safely. There are times when it's good to get things we're not expecting and times when it's not. We check files before you download and share them even when you're instant messaging to make sure they're safe.
AVG Online Shield
Checks files before you download them to ensure they are safe, and protects you as you exchange files using MSN and Yahoo! and ICQ.
Prevents spying and data theft
The basic tools you must have to control who is able to see and use what you do online. Your privacy is important. Whether it's your identity or knowing who is tracking your data and what they might do with it. Whichever one it is, we've got it covered.
AVG Do Not Track
Lets you identify which websites are collecting data on your online activities and gives you the choice whether to allow it. This is available if you take AVG Security Toolbar as part of your installation or as a separate plugin. Supports Internet Explorer®, Mozilla Firefox® and Google Chrome®.
AVG Identity Protection
Not only keeps your personal information safe when you're busy online, but also stops criminals stealing personal data on your PC.
Anti-Spyware
Keep your identity safe from the Spyware and Adware that tracks personal information.
AVG WiFi Guard
Helps you avoid the rogue WiFi access points used by hackers by alerting you when your PC tries to access an unknown WiFi network.
Leaves no trace of your deleted files
Permanently delete your most sensitive information. Hitting the delete button doesn't always give you that complete peace of mind. Using File Shredder will.
File Shredder
Normal deletion isn't always enough to make your data disappear reliably. File Shredder deletes data securely using processes that prevent them being accessed or recovered by someone else.
Helps keep your private files safe
Encrypt and store your files for added privacy. Having that extra level of security to keep your private information away from prying eyes gives you that added peace of mind.
Data Safe
Encrypts and stores your valuable documents, pictures or any other files onto a password protected virtual disk on your PC. Use Windows Explorer to move files into your Data Safe and open them just like any other disk.
Helps ensure a fast running PC
Faster scanning and a faster PC, because antivirus should never slow you down. We all worry that putting stuff on our PC affects performance. Our 'stuff' goes out of its way to make sure that it never slows you down.
AVG Turbo Scan
Dramatically shortens security-scanning times thanks to a smarter scanning sequence that follows the order in which files are saved to the hard drive.
Game Mode
Keeps scans and updates at bay whilst you play to avoid lags and freezes. Also safeguards your digital profile from hackers looking to steal and sell your game rewards.
AVG Smart Scanner
Only scans your PC when you're not using it. Drops to low priority mode as soon as you move your mouse or hit a key. To keep scan times to a minimum it ignores files it's already scanned and knows are safe.
System Requirements
Processor: Intel Pentium 1.5 GHz or faster
Memory: 512 MB of RAM
Free hard disk space (for installation): 950 MB
Operating System: Windows XP, Windows XP Pro x64, Windows Vista, Windows Vista x64, Windows 7, Windows 7 x64, Windows 8 x32, Windows 8 x64
Posted on January 21, 2021 at 1:17 PM
Technological advancement and cybersecurity goes hand in hand given that there are nearly 200 billion connected devices in the world today
With every passing day consumers, as well as companies, are getting more and more vulnerable to cyberattacks with the average cost of a data breach for a company exceeded $150 million in 2020. Moreover, with the current digitalization happening, it’s safe to say that cyberattacks are not going anytime soon.
A robust and compatible antivirus software effectively protects computers and smartphones by detecting and preventing a number of digital threats such as malware, viruses, spyware, rootkits, Trojans, adware, etc.
Also read: Top Cybersecurity Challenges and Threats of 2021
That’s why antivirus software is really important because viruses can potentially corrupt boot sectors, hold users hostage for ransom, embed in the system memory, embezzle identity, compromise confidential data and so much more. Having reliable antivirus software is the only possible security a user can ensure against falling victim to malicious cyber-attack.
Thankfully, there are many antivirus programs that effectively defend operating systems by safely removing as much as 100% threats from operating systems against the complexed landscape of viruses.
While this is certainly good news, the wide variety of antiviruses with different features available today has an adverse effect on users. People find the trouble of choosing just the right antivirus that offers the best protection without disturbing the machine’s overall performance rather overwhelming.
Top 8 Antivirus for 2021:
To help users narrow down this long list, we have compiled the list of best antivirus software for 2021:
- Norton antivirus plus
- ESET nod 32
- Bitdefender antivirus plus
- Kaspersky
- Webroot SecureAnywhere antivirus
- AVG antivirus
- McAfee total protection
- Avast
Norton Antivirus Plus ($60/year)
The best thing about Norton antivirus plus is that it provides protection to anything from varying numbers of PCs to any handheld device. It covers all the essentials and have one of the best malware detection. Norton antivirus plus keeps the system protected against spam, malware, phishing attacks, and malevolent email attachments. Norton projects itself as all-in-one antivirus that caters to user’s all security and privacy needs.
Strengths
- Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari browser extension
- Backup software with online storage
- Two-way firewall
- VPN support
- System-optimization software
- Password manager
- 24/7 customer support
Weaknesses
- Heavy system performance
ESET NOD32 ($39.99/year)
ESET NOD32 isranked at the top by many independent testing labs. It has amazing compatibility with Microsoft Windows server operating systems but also has security options for Mac and Android. ESET NOD32 comes in two editions; home edition and business edition. The business edition is sold vastly given how desperately we need some of the best business antiviruses today to counter the looming threat of ransomware in the corporate world. Its excellent ability to detect and disable malicious malware and phishing attacks makes it ideal even for Google that uses it for the Chrome protection.
Strengths
- Malware and Anti-Phishing Protection
Straightforward User Interface - Less system space requirement
Clean parental control options
Weaknesses
- No VPN and file shredder support
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus ($39.99/Year)
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is the best choice for the security of your PC. Its ability to detect ransomware traces and protect targeted files by preventing encryption until the malicious attack is halted, makes is top of the range antivirus software.
Although it is Windows baseline antivirus package, Bitdefender also has versions for Mac, Android and iOS.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
There is also a Bitdefender Antivirus free edition which is an authentic and accurate free antivirus available today. It is designed with the simplest configuration and is perfect for PC and antivirus novice who cannot manage the security themselves.
Strengths
- Ransomware remediation
- Multi-layered password manager
- Hotspot shield-powered VPN support
- Banking protection
- Multiple scan modes
Weaknesses
- None
Kaspersky ($59.99/Year)
Kaspersky antivirus software aces many antivirus testing labs with first-rate scores. With the most powerful malware protection, simple interface, and an efficient system performance, Kaspersky does it job the best and continue to be trusted by millions of people. It lives up to its reputation of being incomparable with every new upgrade and version. It comes packed with many advanced options to detect and destroy phishing, keyloggers, and banking Trojans access attempts.
Strengths
- Topper of four independent testing labs
- Robust phishing protection
- Multiple scan modes
- Secured VPN
- Password manager
- Bank protection
- Prompt malware-blocking
- 24/7 phone and live chat support
Weaknesses
- None
Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus ($29.99/Year)
Webroot SecureAnywhere is an efficient antivirus solution with special focus on the security and performance speed. It uses quite different approach to detect and monitor any threat which allows it to scan the system with no performance impact.
Webroot has one of the most active databases of malware among some top rated antiviruses. Its security trials and resource adeptness make it compatible with Windows, Linux, Android, and IOS.
Strengths
- Ransomware protection
- Webcam protection
- Little to no performance impact
- Inexpensive and easy to use
- Real-time monitoring
- Ransomware protection
- Large malware database
Weaknesses
- No live chat or phone support
AVG Antivirus (Free)
AVG is very popular on the antivirus market, it has powerful infrastructure, security methods, simple interface, and most important of all – it is free. Even for paid features, AVG offers perfectly affordable plan.
This antivirus is particularly relied upon due to its honest approach. It provides features like strong protection against malware as well as download monitoring and email security, which are usually concealed behind a paywall in other antiviruses.
Strengths
- Fully developed free versions for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android
- Ransomware protection
- Secure browser
- Webcam protection
- Real time download monitoring
- It is fast and lightweight
- Easy-to-use interface
Weaknesses
- No password manager and VPN in the free version
McAfee Total Protection ($44.99/Year)
McAfee is here since the conception of antiviruses. The latest upgrade of its McAfee Total Protection ensures 100% protection against a number of viruses with improved anti-malware measures and automatic updates.
McAfee Total Protection is the best choice for multiple machine usage. The upgraded version has some very interesting options like Threat-Map that lets you keep track of top threats on the global network e.g., malicious malware or hacker IP. It has fully-fledged support for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and IOS
Strengths
- Reasonable multi-user plan
- Strong computational results
- Ransomware, Webcam, download, phishing protection
- Secured browser
- Firewall support
Weaknesses
- Clustered interface
Avast Antivirus Software (Free)
With 435 million monthly users, Avast antivirus is among the top league in the security market. Its features like hardened browser, customize computing style, Wi-Fi scanner, strong malware detection, gaming interface etc., make it the most flexible free antivirus available today.
It is designed to provide multi-layered antivirus fundamentals for Windows, Android and Mac. The latest upgrade with a revamped interface has changed Game-Mode into Do-Not-Disturb Mode which effectively terminates any interruption in the full-screen usability. The Behavior Shield is another added feature that serves to detect suspicious undertakings.
Strengths
- Reliable malware protection
- Free password manager
- Free browser extension
- Home network scanning
- Mobile security feature
- Lightweight interface and zero impact on system performance
- Inexpensive premium versions
Weaknesses
- No automatic and boot scanning
Throughout the years 2019 and 2020, ransomware remained one of the top cyber threats in the world. According to tech analyst Forrester, the next few years will witness a new range of threats that will challenge the cybersecurity and antivirus deployment like never before. It is high time to invest in a powerful antivirus program.
Some FAQs
How to temporarily pause an antivirus?
It is very important to temporarily disable the antivirus program while using any of the specialized tools to prevent and cross-interaction.
Antivirus Free Download
To do that, go to the bottom right of the system tray until you locate the small icon of your antivirus software. Right click on the icon and select the preferred disable duration from 10 minutes, 1 hour, until the system restart, or permanently.
How to uninstall an antivirus?
Uninstalling an antivirus program does not cancel the subscription. So it is better to temporarily disable it if you are facing a minor issue.
To uninstall an antivirus, click on the Windows Start menu and find your antivirus program in the list. Open the program and look for an uninstall option. From there it is an auto-uninstallation process, you just have to follow the prompts until to an end.
How to disable antivirus?
It is necessary to disable an antivirus while installing some new program into the system. Because often antivirus software fails to distinguish between a legitimate program and a virus settling in the computer’s storage system.
Cnet Reviews Of Antivirus Programs
In order to do that, go to the notification area present on the lower right of the taskbar and right-click on an antivirus icon, then select the option to either disable or exit the program.