The best antivirus software
Whether it's browser hijackers grabbing your search page, or the latest ransomware encrypting all your files, every PC (and even your smartphone!) needs a sterling security package, the best antivirus around, to keep threats at bay.
Don't rely on Microsoft's very own Windows Defender to keep you safe. Sure, it's free and easy to use, but independent tests show its protection rates can be considerably lower than the leading competition.
This doesn't mean you have to start spending big money. Experienced users in particular can build great solutions by combining free antivirus tools with other free and open source security products (and even candidates from our curated best VPN buying guide).
Commercial packages usually (but not always) deliver the best-rated protection, though, and sometimes include extras like password managers, web filtering, anti-phishing tech and more. If you're looking for the maximum security, at least consider parting with some cash.
1. BitDefender Antivirus Plus 2018
Rock-solid and reliable protection
- Accurate
- Password manager
- Can be resource-hungry
Web filtering blocks access to malicious sites, a secure browser keeps your online financial transactions safe, and there's a password manager which auto-completes credit card details in web forms.
An excellent anti-phishing module alerts you to malicious links in your search engine results, and blocks access to dangerous sites.
There are one or two issues – it grabs more resources than average, and might conflict with some programs – but Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 is still a likeable package which offers excellent detection rates, great performance, and more than enough bonus features to justify the price.
Alternatively, you can purchase the Total Security 2018 edition for not much more. It adds a firewall, parental control, antispam, file encryption and more, and covers up to five PCs, Macs and Android devices (iOS is ‘coming soon’).
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2. ESET NOD32 Antivirus
Expert-level antivirus for the more experienced u
ser
- Highly configurable
- Device access control
- Relatively expensive
- Not for beginners
If you judge an antivirus on the length of its feature list, ESET NOD32 Antivirus might be a disappointment. There’s no firewall, password manager, file shredder, vulnerability scanner or any of the bundled extras you'll often find elsewhere.
This doesn't mean the package is short on power, it's just more focused on the antivirus fundamentals. ESET NOD32 Antivirus comes with real-time malware protection, an anti-ransomware layer, exploit protection, URL filtering to block malicious websites, and modules to prevent attacks using PowerShell and malicious scripts.
A Device Control module limits the risk of infection from other devices by controlling access to USB sticks, external hard drives, optical storage media, even devices connecting by Bluetooth and FireWire. It's an unusual extra, but could make a difference if others are regularly plugging devices into your PC.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus isn't aimed at beginners. The interface is clumsy sometimes, some features are very advanced, and even the Help isn't always exactly helpful.
Experienced users will appreciate ESET’s power and configurability, though. Above-average protection does a good job of keeping you safe, and a lightweight design ensures the package won't slow you down.
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3. F-Secure Antivirus
Nothing is easier to use
- Very user-friendly
- Good value
- Prone to false positives
If you're tired of the junk that weighs down some antivirus tools, F-Secure Anti-Virus will make a refreshing change. There are no unnecessary extras here, no bonus features you'll never use: you just get straightforward real-time browsing and antivirus protection.
Keeping things simple doesn't mean compromising your safety. The package typically receives maximum marks for protection from AV-Test, and generally scores highly with AV-Comparatives, too. They also say it can generate significantly more false positives than most of the competition, but how that affects you will vary depending on how you use your computer.
The interface is a major plus. It's extremely easy to use, lightweight, and for the most part you can just leave the app alone to look after your PC. The program has minimal effect on your system performance, and if you do need to intervene then you can generally solve any issues in a couple of clicks.
Competitors like Bitdefender and Kaspersky offer better protection and more features, but F-Secure Anti-Virus remains an appealing package: fast, lightweight, and able to run alongside many other security tools without conflict. It's good value, too.
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4. Kaspersky Antivirus 2017
Trustworthy security for beginners and experts alike
- One of the best performing security packages
- Supremely easy to use
- Kaspersky's full suites are better value
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2017 is a stripped-back security package which focuses on the core security essentials: web filtering blocks dangerous URLs, an accurate antivirus engine detects and removes threats, smart monitoring technologies track and reverse malicious actions, and that's about it.
Fortunately, what you do get works well. Very, very well. We've consistently found Kaspersky to be amongst the best at blocking malware, and removing it from an infected system, plus it's regularly top-rated at sites like AV-Comparatives.
The program is easy to use, too. A well-designed interface has just the right number of buttons and options – not too basic, but not complicated or intimidating, either – and there are plenty of on-screen instructions to explain how everything works. Even a beginner will be at home right away.
The price is average at best. If you're looking for better value, check Kaspersky's Total Security product. Not only is it a full security suite with privacy protection, encryption, password management, parental controls and more, but due to some bizarre licensing quirk it's even cheaper than Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2017 in some configurations (check the comparison table here).
But if you just need accurate, reliable and consistent malware protection, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2017 will serve you well.
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5. Norton AntiVirus Basic
Quality protection that won't slow you down
- Blocks even brand new malware
- Low impact on system resources
- Browser extension extras can be unreliable
Norton AntiVirus Basic is a top quality malware hunter which can automatically protect your PC all on its own, but also offers plenty of tweaks, options and settings for those who need them.
One of the best URL blockers around keeps you away from malicious websites, for instance. If that misses something, an excellent file reputation service recognises suspect downloads immediately. And if malware still finds a way through, intelligent behaviour monitoring kills it at the first sign of trouble.
If you're a more hands-on type, you can easily run scans on demand. Maybe set up and save custom scans to check just the areas you need. Even schedule them to run at a particular time, but only if your system is idle, and it's not running on battery power.
There can be problems with some of the browser extensions. The bundled Norton Identity Safe is a capable password manager when it's running properly, but we've found the Chrome version sometimes stops working for no apparent reason. We've seen plenty of reviewers reporting similar problems, so there does seem to be a real issue here.
Still, you don't have to use Identity Safe at all, and Norton AntiVirus Basic's main functions deliver on all fronts: it's easy to use, has the configuration options experts need, comes highly rated by the testing labs, and is carefully designed to have the least possible impact on your system performance.
