Antivirus Software: Why Every Device Needs Antivirus Protection
Computer users, whether you’re on PC, Mac, laptop or mobile device, can silently sit on the background stealing your information. Antivirus software can protect against a lot of threats such as Adware, Malware, Ransomware, Spyware, Trojans, Viruses, Worms and more.
Malware, one of the biggest threats, infects over 800 million systems per year. And trojans, known to steal your password and sensitive information, accounts for over 50% of the malware installed on people’s devices every day.
Antivirus needs to protect against all of these common threats.
In a hurry? Here’s the Best Antivirus Software for 2023.
Total AV offers top-notch security for all your devices. It eliminates all external threats and keeps your personal data safe.
- #1 Antivirus Provider 2023
- Removes Viruses, Adware & Malware
- Includes Firewall Protection
- Advanced Ransomware Protection
With people, and I’m sure you’re one of them, making purchases regularly online or on their smartphones, it’s more important than ever to have real-time protection. The leading antiviruses on the market protect the 4.4 billion people that log on to the Internet.
Adding an extra layer of security to your device, whether it be a computer, laptop or smart device, helps protect your credit card information, bank account number and other personal information that’s too easy for hackers to steal.
Why AntivirusAdviser?
At AntivirusAdviser, we know the importance of keeping your device as secure as possible. We provide information and reviews on how you can safeguard your information with the world’s leading antivirus software.
The antivirus that you choose, and we have numerous antivirus reviews below for you, may also have additional features to protect your security:
- Parental controls that allow you to keep your entire family protected.
- Password managers that allow you to maintain unique, difficult-to-hack passwords.
We review the best antivirus products in the industry, using our experts in security to help you find the best protection at a price you can afford.
At AntivirusAdviser, our goal is simple: help you find the best antivirus for your system. We know what it feels like to have accounts compromised and sit up worrying at night that our identity was stolen.
It’s not a good feeling.
And with over 400 million people suffering from trojans that sit and log their information, people are realizing right this second that their information was stolen.
Our mission is to help Internet users keep their information safe and secure online. Period. We enhance your safety and security by offering:
- Reviews. We review the world’s most well-known and effective antiviruses, including TotalAV, ScanGuard, PCProtect, McAfee, Norton and so many more.
- Top Picks. Roundups and top lists of the best software and apps to help you stay virus-free.
- Comparisons. Compare antivirus software to find the one that offers the features and level of security that you and your family need.
- Educational. Blog posts and educational information on how to remove common viruses and malware, block ads, tune-up your system and so much more.
We use our skills and experience to help non-security experts safeguard their devices with as little guesswork as possible. Viruses and the threats computer users face on a daily basis can be protected against using the right tools.
Our vision is to provide our readers with the knowledge to arm themselves against potential threats to their identities and personal information.
That’s why our team has the highest standards for rating antivirus software.
How We Rate Antivirus Software: Our Proven Approach to Testing
Rating software – I mean really testing out every feature and function – is a long process. We can spend days using a single antivirus, sometimes more, to test it out for our reviews.
A single person doesn’t help create our review. We’re a team of cybersecurity experts.
Our team takes a proven approach to finding the best antivirus software available. The key points to our approach are analyzing:
- Ease of Use: Our team puts a major focus on ease of use. We believe that security doesn’t require a complicated interface and setup. Ease of use testing ensures that anyone from the computer-savvy to the computer illiterate can setup and configure their software for maximum protection.
- Features: All software revolves around features that provide value to the user and allow the antivirus to differentiate itself from the competition. Some of these features are for pizazz, while others are beneficial. Feature bloat can have a negative impact on your system’s performance, so we consider the impact on your performance, too.
- Protection: Threats are always evolving. When we test out each software, we check to see if it’s effective at detecting current, well-known threats and less common threats. Advanced protection will detect malware, viruses, spyware, adware, ransomware and other threats users face.
- Performance: Antiviruses need to be lightweight and well-optimized. These CPU intense programs can bog down a system if they’re not designed to be efficient. We test the impact that an antivirus has on a system to ensure that old, slower systems run just as smoothly as a high-end system.
- Value: Finally, we consider value. The initial value is obviously the software’s ability to detect and remove malicious software, but the value can extend much further. Some software offers multiple licenses that can be used on a few devices increasing the overall value of the software. Free trials and guarantees also help us consider the true value of an antivirus and not just the “sticker price.
We use all this criterion when we choose our best antivirus software list. With the right software, you’ll be able to eliminate most threats to your data, identity and browsing history.
Top 5 Best Antivirus Software
Reliance on electronic devices, from a smartphone and tablet to a personal computer or Mac, has been on the rise for years. Every day, people spend 12 hours in front of screens. Your information is vulnerable every second you stay online without an antivirus installed.
We’ve tested and compared the leading antivirus software available, and we’ve listed our top five choices for an antivirus below.
1. TotalAV – Best for Total Security
TotalAV is our leading choice for an antivirus provider, with top-notch security and included extras, such as a firewall and advanced ransomware protection. The free antivirus and Internet security is available on all operating systems:Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
The 100% detection rate and clean interface make TotalAV a top-of-the-line antivirus, with a free tier and a 30-day money back guarantee.
Final Thoughts
TotalAV offers fast scanning that can scan an average hard drive in just 25 minutes. As an Internet security package, TotalAV offers web shield, device performance enhancement, antivirus for one device (additional for higher tiers), browser cleaner, firewall and safe password storage.
2. Scanguard – Best Customer Support
ScanGuard is a fast, efficient antivirus that comes with a free VPN for additional online security. A two-way firewall provides additional protection, while the virus scanner detects everything from malware and adware to ransomware and other malicious software.
Customer support is available 24/7 if you need additional support during setup or usage.
Final Thoughts
ScanGuard is one of the best options for high-end customer support, but the downside is that it’s a relatively expensive option. Aside from this small issue, the free VPN and 24/7 support are some of the best available.
3. PCProtect – Best for Ease of Use
PC Protect is simple to use and setup, which makes it one of the best options for anyone that isn’t tech-savvy. There’s also a robust knowledge base and a free VPN. The program is available on all major operating systems: Windows, Mac, Android, IOS
There are also additional features, such as a junk cleaner and duplicate file finder.
Final Thoughts
PC Protect offers a 30-day money back guarantee and a trustworthy virus detection engine. Coupled with the additional security features and advanced customer support, this is the antivirus we recommend for ease of use.
4. McAfee – Best for Online Security
McAfee is one of the world leaders in antivirus protection. The company’s 24/7 protection keeps users safe, but the interface remains clunky. Over 600 million devices are secured by McAfee and there are options for multiple device licensing for families, couples and individuals.
The software’s highest tier can be used on all mobile operating systems, PC and Mac.
Final Thoughts
McAfee’s Total Protection also provides safe browsing, VPN and ID theft protection. While the software is known for impacting system performance, it does provide the best Internet security.
5. Norton – Best for System Performance
Norton is arguably one of the best-known antivirus programs out there, but it’s also one of the best performing. It regularly receives high marks from independent testers.
Norton LifeLock is trusted by over 50 million customers around the world and has a AAA Rating from SE Lab.
Along with real-time protection, Norton LifeLock also offers:
- A secure VPN
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- LifeLock Identity Alert System
- Credit Monitoring, and more
Final Thoughts
There are several tiers of packages available, and some have 30-day free trials. This allows you to give the program a try before buying.
How to Choose the Best Antivirus Software
The best antivirus for Windows is a lot different than the best antivirus for Mac. Determining the right choice for you means being able to answer a few questions:
- What operating systems or devices will you be using? Windows, Mac, Android, etc.
- Do you run a business? A comprehensive solution that offers additional features may be the best option.
- Do you need your software to run on multiple devices? Licenses restrict a user’s ability to run software on multiple systems. Some antivirus software includes multiple licenses for one price of the ability to purchase additional licenses.
- Do you plan on allowing kids to use systems with an antivirus installed on it? Parental controls may be a smart option that give you more control over how users search or download items.
- Does the software offer a trial? If you can try certain products, it allows you to test drive them and see if they run well on your system and if the interface is easy to use.
If you’re going to be conducting your own research, you should test the antiviruses detection abilities using RanSim, WICAR and IKARUS. You can also use Quora or Reddit to ask others about the effectiveness of an antivirus.
But if you want to cut out all of the hard work, you can read through our site’s reviews to find the right software for your business, personal computer, or smart devices.
Frequently Asked Questions When Searching for the Best Free Antivirus Software
What’s the Best Antivirus Software for Mac?
Mac is less vulnerable to viruses and more secure than Windows, but they’re still susceptible to viruses and malware. Hackers don’t target Mac as often because it’s been developed to be more secure, but malware and viruses can still infect a Mac.
If you’re browsing email, social media or going on any password protected website, your Mac needs an antivirus.
What’s the Best Antivirus for Windows?
Windows is installed in one-of-three computers in the world. As the world’s most common operating system, Windows is the main focus of hackers and malicious software. With over a billion viruses infecting computers worldwide every year, you can be sure that 33% of the infections are on Windows machines.
Every Windows user should have a high-end security suite and antivirus installed on their system.
What’s the Best Free Antivirus for Windows?
Paid antiviruses offer a higher level of customer service and faster updates, but there are free options for anyone that doesn’t have a budget for a paid antivirus. We have created a list of the top, free antivirus products for Windows users.
What’s the Best Free Mac Cleaner?
Mac, like every operating system, accumulates a lot of files and clutter. A Mac cleaner can help you get rid of the files and programs that are slowing your system and taking up space. Cleaners can protect against threats while restoring your system’s performance.
What’s the Best Free Adware Removal Software?
Adware is responsible for 72% of all mobile malware, and the remaining percentage consists of downloaders, fake or malicious apps or software and even trojans. Sites, some of the biggest in the world, have spread adware. Detecting and removing adware is an integral part of keeping user information safe and secure.
What’s the Best Anti-Malware Software?
Malware infects over a billion systems annually. Protecting against malware should be at the top of every personal security checklist. Downloading and running the best anti-malware software can help protect you from identity and/or data theft.