Technology is more advanced than ever. It is undeniable that we are living in a world dominated by all things digital, with 96 percent of people now owning a cell phone and 74 percent owning a laptop or desktop computer. But while technology is offering us new ways to stay connected and ways of simplifying modern living, the downside is that it has also given rise to cyber-attacks that can be very destructive on our lives on and offline.
As technology becomes more sophisticated, so do the viruses, malware, spyware, and other cyber threats — more than 350,000 new malware (malicious programs) are registered every day. Antivirus software is the best way to make sure your devices are protected from these threats. Some laptops and desktops come with free virus protection installed but these programs are not as comprehensive as the paid alternatives from the likes of Norton, ESET, and McAfee. Ensure your devices are fully protected with the best antivirus software on the market. Below we will help you find the right antivirus software for your needs, with this pick of the best antivirus software to keep your computer backup safe.
Norton 360 Deluxe
This antivirus package from Norton provides comprehensive protection for your device and the personal information it holds.
Key features
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Protection against new and existing online threats
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Secure personal information and password storage
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PC cloud back-up with 2GB of storage to prevent data loss
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Parental controls to manage children’s activity online
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SafeCam feature to block unauthorized access to your webcam
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Custom virus scans
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Intelligent firewall
Details
Provides cover for up to five devices, including Mac, PC, smartphones, and tablets. One or two-year subscription packages available.
Drawbacks
Norton Deluxe does not include the file shredder, secure web browser, or file encryption features offered by some of its top competitors.
McAfee Total Protection
McAfee’s Total Protection software provides full antivirus, malware, and privacy protection.
Key features
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Comprehensive antivirus protection
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Spam-filtering
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Secure encryption for confidential and sensitive files
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Shredding function to securely delete sensitive files
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On-the-go protection so you can access restricted files from public wi-fi
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Secure VPN to protect your location and bank details
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Secure password manager Intelligent firewall
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Safe Family feature to manage children’s online activity
Details
Packages available to cover one, five, or ten devices with one-year subscription offers.
Drawbacks
McAfee does not offer webcam protection. The individual and five device packages do not include the Safe Family feature.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
Bitdefender frequently ranks highly on lists of top antivirus software, and with good reason – it has a wealth of excellent protection features and offers great value for money (retailing at a lower price point than Norton and McAfee).
Key features
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Safepay online banking protection
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Secure password manager
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Superfast scans
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File shredder
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Wi-fi network scanner
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Two-way firewall
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Parental controls
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Anti-theft feature for laptops
Details
The Bitdefender Family Pack covers up to 15 devices and is compatible with laptop, desktop, Android, and iPhone.
Drawbacks
Coming in at the lower end of the market in terms of price, Bitdefender’s malware protection is not as strong as other software packages (but still good).
ESET Smart Security Premium
ESET Smart Security Premium is a full antivirus and malware software for Windows devices.
Key features
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Protection from ransom attacks
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Hacker protection
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Secure online banking and shopping
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Secure storage and prefilling of passwords
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Photo encryption (so no-one else can see them)
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Comprehensive antivirus protection
Details
ESET provides coverage for up to five devices and sits in the mid-price range.
Drawbacks
ESET is only available for Windows and Android devices.
Kaspersky Total Security
Kaspersky Total Security is another Windows-only suite but with excellent protection from hackers, viruses, and malware.
Key features
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Superfast scans
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Payment protection
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VPN with up to 300MB of traffic each day
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Parental controls
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Premium malware protection using artificial intelligence-powered threat hunting
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Public wi-fi protection
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Option to hide your IP address
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Identity protection
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Secure password manager
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Webcam protection
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Two-way firewall
Details
Protection is available from one to five devices with one and two-year subscription options.
Drawbacks
Only available for Windows devices.
Trend Macro Antivirus Security
Simple yet effective antivirus protection – ideal for the less tech-savvy.
Key features
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Ransomware defense
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Email phishing protection
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Malware attack prevention
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Personal data protection
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Child safety tools
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Social media account security
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Secure password protection and storage
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24/7 support
Details
Suitable for Windows, Mac, and smartphones with one or two-year subscription packages. Covers up to 10 devices.
Drawbacks
Trend Macro has been found to drain resources on PC, although this is improving.
Webroot Secure Anywhere Internet Security Complete
Webroot Secure Anywhere Internet Security Complete is the top package from
Key features
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Fast installation
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Protects personal data (including usernames, bank details, etc.)
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Spyware protection
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Secure browsing
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Real-time anti-phishing
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Password management using LastPass (the most-trusted password management system)
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Superfast scans
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Webcam protection
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System optimizer which erases browsing history, cache, and cookies for optimum privacy
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Cloud-based automatic back-up including up to 25GB of photos, music, and other files
Details
Protection for up to five devices, covering PCs, Macs, tablets, and smartphones. One, two, and three-year subscriptions available.
Drawbacks
Secure Anywhere has not been ranked by the top testing labs, however, it does appear to provide strong malware protection.
Avast Ultimate
Avast Ultimate delivers thorough device protection for Windows, Mac, smartphones, and tablets.
Key features
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Real-time virus, ransomware, and threat detection
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Wi-fi security weakness scan
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Password security
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Secure online shopping and banking
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Advanced firewall to lock out hackers
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Spam and phishing email blocker
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Secure personal photos and files
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Webcam protection
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File shredder
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Secure VPN
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System cleanup function to free up disk space and speed up your device
Details
Coverage plans are available for one or two devices.
Drawbacks
The priciest package in the list. Some testers found Avast causes systems to slow down during scans.
Which Antivirus Software is best?
All the software programs included in this list provide top-rate antivirus protection. Which one you choose depends on your individual needs and what aspects of security are most important to you. Those less familiar with technology and storing less personal data on their devices may prefer to go for simpler systems like Trend Macro or entry-level price points like Bitdefender. For families or heavy tech users, the comprehensive packages from Norton and McAfee might be more suitable. Windows users certainly have more to choose from, and the more devices you include, the more protection services you appear to unlock – particularly parental controls.