Many new computers come with a free trial of an antivirus, but what happens after that runs its course? Some antivirus software is better than others, especially when it comes to Mac versus Windows or the Android mobile platform. But, they behave in the same way: blocking and removing Trojans, rootkits, spyware, adware, ransomware, and more threats to your cyber security. Malware is all about making money, after all, and it targets any personal information that it can get for that purpose. A comprehensive security suite can help keep the personal data of you and your family while online—and let’s face it: more of our time is spent in cyberspace with every passing year.What can an antivirus do for you? This software is designed to intercept, scan, identify, and eradicate malware and viruses. It runs in the background, protecting your desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet from harm while you navigate the internet. There are free versions, certainly, but that baseline offering often isn’t enough to keep up with the ever-evolving nature of digital threats. But you don’t have to break the bank to stay secure. Check out the top deals on some of the most comprehensive security suites below.
Bitdefender Total Security was given the PCMag editor’s choice award as a “feature-rich suite that protects all your computers, phones, and tablets.” It costs $49.99 for 5-devices on a 1-year plan, which is a whopping 50% off of the retail price. As the name implies, you get total protection while for Windows, macOS, IOS, and Android, including malware scan and browser protection, a spam filter, and even anti theft features.
Avast One
5-Devices on 1-Year Plan (first year)
Avast One does all of the basic things an antivirus should do, with some added features. That includes a VPN with no bandwidth or server limits and an Email Guardian that scans messages in the cloud and filters out malicious attachments. Protection is available for up to 30 devices depending on your plan, which should be enough coverage for most users. Avast has a free version called Avast One Essential, but the paid version throws in some extras you may benefit from depending on your needs.
McAfee AntiVirus Plus offers all-in-one protection for an unlimited number of Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and ChromeOS devices, a rarity these days. It includes a Virus Protection Pledge, meaning if any malware gets past the antivirus, McAfee will fix it remotely (and waive the $89.95 fee it usually charges for the service). Our PCMag reviewer gave it high marks for perfect scores in lab testing, the only drawback being that single-device protection isn’t feasible for most users.
Recommended by Our Editors
Norton AntiVirus Plus gets impressive scores in independent lab tests and our own hands-on tests, and it offers a wealth of useful features, like Data Protector, which battles ransomware by preventing malicious programs from modifying documents in specified directories. The suite’s straightforward online backup also serves up 2GB of cloud storage, the ultimate security against ransomware and any other destructive attacks that might get past antivirus defenses. It’s pricier than some, but with this deal, the $59.99 fee per year for a single license drops to $29.99.
Surfshark One
Protect 5-Devices + 2-Months Free and Includes VPN
$48.86
$209.86
Save $161.00
Surkfshark is known for their award-winning VPN protection, but how does it stack up against other antivirus providers? Surfshark One scored well during a hands-on malware protection test, and our expert liked that it supports Windows, macOS, and Android; however, so-so scoring during a malware download blocking test and low antivirus lab test scores keep this antivirus suite from shining. Your mileage may vary, so if you need certain features over others, this is a good option to have at the sale price.
FAQ
Why do I Need an Antivirus Program?Being connected online opens up your devices to a host of threats and they can become infected by downloading malware from a malicious attachment, visiting sketchy websites, or even on hidden on an innocuous USB drive. An antivirus product will stand between you and the hazards of the world wide web.What About Windows Defender?Windows Defender is a viable free option; however if you want more comprehensive coverage, you should look into one of the commercial apps suggested above.How do we Test Malware, Spyware, and Adware Defenses?We subject every antivirus app to our own hands-on test of malware protection. Our malware protection test necessarily uses the same set of samples for months. To check a program’s handling of brand-new malware, we test each antivirus using a large collection of extremely new malware-hosting URLs supplied by MRG-Effitas, noting what percentage of them it blocked. Apps get equal credit for preventing all access to the malicious URL and for wiping out the malware during download.What Is the Best Antivirus?Bitdefender Antivirus Plus was given perfect scores from three independent antivirus testing labs, and it has more features than some security suites. It gets our editor’s choice stamp of approval and should be at the top of your list of possible options.
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