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The best antivirus software options

Protect yourself before you wreck yourself.
The best antivirus software options Credit: Pexels

Best For Advanced Users
A great and well-known antivirus tool that doubles as a security suite.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Plenty to tweak for experts Lots of features Essentially a security suite
The Bad
Free version has lots of features Reports of slowing Macs
The Bottomline
Avast Premier packs a lot into its relatively low price point, but it's still expensive when compared to the free option.
Best For Familiarity
A top brand that will make a majority of users feel safe and protected.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Top malware detection Low performance hit Configuration options
The Bad
Confusing UI
The Bottomline
Strong detection results and configuration options make this a worthy choice – though some options are a double edged sword.
Best For Speedy Scans
If your PC is ageing, this software won't slow it down any further.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Very fast scanning Easy to configure Good with older systems Sandbox technology
The Bad
Pricier than competing options Some features are surplus
The Bottomline
Antivirus generally impacts older PCs, but this bucks the trend thanks to a helpfully small footprint.
Best For Multiple Devices
A bargain package for anyone who needs multiple systems protected at once.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Low performance impact Works on 10 devices Firewall support Experts on hand to help
The Bad
URL blocking is ineffective
The Bottomline
The antivirus software isn't entirely foolproof, but it makes up for shortcomings with impressive scope across devices.
Best For Remote Management
A convenient way of controlling security for all the family's computer use.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Ad-free trial Stacks of features Safe browser option PC webcam protection
The Bad
Too advanced for novices Need to change settings via browser
The Bottomline
Not the most user friendly of tools, but if you know what you're doing, it's an effective option
Best For Value
An inexpensive option for detecting viruses, malware, and other nasties.
Pros & Cons
The Good
Plenty of features Reputable brand
The Bad
Missing some features VPN is a bit lacking
The Bottomline
An all-round great package due to its outstanding antivirus test results and strong features

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Getting reliable antivirus software is as essential as a keyboard and a mouse. It’s absolute madness to log on without it, to be quite honest. It doesn't matter what computer you have, there’s always something nasty lurking out there.

Staying safe from viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing threats is just the start of it. A strong antivirus software package can protect you from much more. It's not so much the hardware that's in danger, but stuff like your private documents, banking details, and personal photos that could be at risk from cyber criminals.

Free antivirus software is an option but, typically, free solutions are limited. Luckily, there are plenty of options out there for securing your PC, though that can make it hard to know which package to purchase. Buying this stuff can be a chore, with so much jargon and impenetrable tech-speak to wade through. That’s why we’re here help point you in the right direction. Here’s some handy need-to-know information.

What is antivirus software?

Antivirus software is a programme designed to detect and remove viruses and other malicious software (or malware, as it’s better known) from your computer. They detect, isolate, and delete viruses, which prevents the malware from damaging your device. Antivirus products update automatically to provide protection against the latest viruses and malware.

What’s the difference between a virus and malware?

They’re different but also kind of the same. Malware is an umbrella term for all kinds of malicious software. Viruses are just one type of malware. Other types include trojans, spyware, ransomware, and scareware.

How do computer viruses work?

A computer virus will replicate itself and spread to devices as widely and quickly as possible (hence the name virus). Computer viruses infect applications and email. They are transmitted via websites, email attachments, storage devices, and even routers. Simple viruses can damage a hard disk or delete files. More sophisticated viruses can cause you to spam or may have clever ways of avoiding detection.

What’s anti-malware software?

Antivirus software detects and removes viruses and some other types of malicious software, while anti-malware is a program that safeguards the system from all sorts of attacks. Anti-malware tends to deal with newer, more sophisticated threats. Antivirus software often comes built into a new PC (don’t let that stop you upgrading to something more sophisticated) while anti-malware is usually an add-on.

What are the best antivirus features?

It’s tricky to pick one antivirus software because each one will suit different people and different types of computer usage. It’s worth remembering that having multiple antivirus software programs installed can cause issues, so it’s best to stick with just one. There are features worth looking out for to help make your choice. For instance, many threats stem from internet browsing so phishing protection can be a vital feature. Spyware and adware are also a problem, so it's worth checking out antivirus software options that can scan for these too. 

Finally, you need software that provides an on-demand malware scan, as well as a vulnerability scan, so that you're always in control of what's going on with your data. Security is a fast-moving field so you want software that keeps on top of new trends, such as the recent growth in ransomware keen to steal your files from under you. 

What's the best antivirus software?

If that all sounds a bit complicated, don't sweat it — we've checked out the best paid antivirus software solutions and we've outlined why they're worth the money. Generally, you get what you pay for, but what price can you put on keeping your computer (and, more importantly, the data on there) safe from potential threats?

These are the best antivirus solutions for every situation in 2024.

Avast Premium Security

Best For Advanced Users

The good
Plenty to tweak for experts Lots of features Essentially a security suite
The Bad
Free version has lots of features Reports of slowing Macs
The Bottomline
Avast Premier packs a lot into its relatively low price point, but it's still expensive when compared to the free option.
Specs
  • Devices: Up to 10
  • Price: £64.99 for 1 year
  • Systems: PC, Mac, iOS, Android

Avast Premium Security packs in a lot for the price, and yet the free version offers plenty on its own. Still, if you're keen to pay for an antivirus rather than rely on a freebie, this is a great option. And it covers a total of 10 devices.

Fine tuning is immediately demonstrated during the installation process. There are plenty of modular options to choose from, ranging from browser extensions to opting to install a password manager. 

Once installed, there's a single Smart Scan button that basically does everything possible. That includes a virus scan, vulnerability checker, network security analysis, and a look at any potentially weak passwords.

Browser protection comes via extensions that block suspicious URLs, as well as highlight dangerous links within search engine results. There's also Avast's SafeZone, a secure and separate browser that Avast loves to suggest any time you're about to log into your online banking.

Avast also keeps an eye on your network, spotting any security issues, such as weak encryption or vulnerable devices. 

In terms of sheer power, it's tough to fault Avast Premium Secuirty, though the free version will likely suit casual users.

Norton 360 Standard

Best For Familiarity

The good
Top malware detection Low performance hit Configuration options
The Bad
Confusing UI
The Bottomline
Strong detection results and configuration options make this a worthy choice – though some options are a double edged sword.
Specs
  • Devices: 1
  • Platforms: PC, Mac, iOS, Android
  • Price: £39.99 for 1 year

With 30 years in the field, Norton AntiVirus software is a one of the standard bearers. Indeed, Norton 360 offers enhanced, feature-packed security for your devices and a VPN for online privacy.

As well as the antivirus software itself, it has multiple browser extensions. As part of its ability to protect you from dangerous search results, there's Norton Safe Search, along with Norton Toolbar, which assigns each site a safety rating, and the Norton Identity Safe password management tool. The options continue throughout the software, which might be confusing for novices. 

Fortunately, a choice of a full system scan, quick scan, or custom scan is exactly the kind of options you want to see. There's the addition of the Norton Power Eraser too for when you're extra paranoid about potential malware sources.

Norton has spruced up its engine in recent years, keeping things lightweight for even the most basic spec of PC — so you don't have to wait hours for results. 

It also does a fantastic job of providing phishing protection, keeping on top of every new development thanks to a regular updated blacklist. Throw in spam protection and the aforementioned Identity Safe password manager, and Norton 360 Standard hardly misses a beat.  

Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus

Best For Speedy Scans

The good
Very fast scanning Easy to configure Good with older systems Sandbox technology
The Bad
Pricier than competing options Some features are surplus
The Bottomline
Antivirus generally impacts older PCs, but this bucks the trend thanks to a helpfully small footprint.
Specs
  • Devices: Up to 5
  • Price: £64.99 for 1 year
  • Systems: PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Chromebooks

Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus takes it super easy on your PC. It occupies just 15MB of disk space and takes hardly any time to install.

The system scan is fast, taking less than a minute. In fact, speed is Webroot's selling point. And while it comes at a higher price, it covers five devices.

The user interface can look complicated to newbies, with various panels, switches, and icons. It can be intimidating if you're inexperienced.

It's actually lighter on features compared to the competition but it still boasts some useful extras. URL filtering is just one of those extras, detecting if you've inadvertently landed on a suspicious website. There's a form of firewall too that looks out for suspicious online processes. 

Impressively, there's also room for a sandbox feature. This lets you run dubious programs in an isolated environment to see if they are actually suspicious or not. It's impressively detailed for such a lightweight piece of software, even if the vast majority of users have no need for it.

The sole issue arises from the lack of independent test results for Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, but it's a relatively small issue in something that, anecdotally, has consistently garnered good reports.

McAfee Total Protection

Best For Multiple Devices

The good
Low performance impact Works on 10 devices Firewall support Experts on hand to help
The Bad
URL blocking is ineffective
The Bottomline
The antivirus software isn't entirely foolproof, but it makes up for shortcomings with impressive scope across devices.
Specs
  • Devices: Up to 10
  • Platforms: PC, Mac, iOS, Android
  • Price: 94.99 for 15 months

These days we all have a variety of devices in the home. And with McAfee Total Protection, you have a license for up to 10 devices. It's a significant bonus for an antivirus software that has a few small weaknesses. 

Its more expensive than most, but the digital download version of McAfee Total Protection is heavily discounted. Its scan takes an average length of time compared to its competitors, and does a solid job of detecting most threats. Similarly, the built-in firewall detects most threats automatically, while a vulnerability scan reminds you to install critical updates. 

Reviewers have found McAfee's URL blocking to be on the weaker side. But McAfee offers an unique pledge: If your PC gets a virus, a McAfee expert will remotely access your machine to remove it. If they fail, you get a full refund.

Elsewhere, there are iOS and Android apps to further reassure you. The iOS app is fairly rudimentary, merely offering backup, encryption, and device tracking, rather than any antivirus tools. However, the Android app is suitably beefy with antivirus, URL blocking, clean up tools, and a remote lock.

In all cases, McAfee AntiVirus Plus hardly slows down the system it's installed on, amply reminding you of why it's worth the investment.

Sophos Home Premium

Best For Remote Management

The good
Ad-free trial Stacks of features Safe browser option PC webcam protection
The Bad
Too advanced for novices Need to change settings via browser
The Bottomline
Not the most user friendly of tools, but if you know what you're doing, it's an effective option
Specs
  • Devices: Up to 10
  • Price: £49.95 for 1 year
  • Systems: PC, Mac, iOS, Android

Built upon Sophos's business side of security products, Sophos Home Premium isn't the most user friendly, but if you know what you're doing it's very good.

Everything is managed remotely via a web browser. Simply log into the Sophos dashboard, and you can see how every device is doing. The main page offers information on the number of threats and websites blocked on that device, and allows you to implement parental controls. 

A full scan of any system takes about 40-45 minutes, substantially speedier than most, with that time reduced as you do it more frequently. It spots everything from suspicious files to viruses and ransomware.

It uses a behaviour based system to detect ransomware, which isn't always perfect. But it's good at spotting unusual activity by any file. It also protects your browser, plugins, and other apps, without much input from you. 

Additionally, there's keylogger protection, a safe browser option for online banking. Unlike other virus protection software, Sophos extends to include webcam protection (which is Windows only). 

Sophos Home Premium can be unwieldy at times and a little intimidating. And if you want to change a simple setting, you need to dive into the remote management portal in your browser. Still, if you're the family's IT expert, this is an ideal way of tackling common issues 

The good
Plenty of features Reputable brand
The Bad
Missing some features VPN is a bit lacking
The Bottomline
An all-round great package due to its outstanding antivirus test results and strong features
Specs
  • Devices: Up to 3
  • Platforms: PC, Mac, iOS, Android
  • Price: £24.99 for 1 year

Bitdefender has established a reliable reputation. That rep continues with Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. It's solidly dependable for most users. 

In terms of its most basic features, it has a strong antivirus component, real-time behavioural monitoring for any pesky suspicious files, and ransomware protection. A quick scan will take just a matter of seconds. 

There's also malicious website blocking, offering a high level of phishing protection, while vulnerability scan runs checks for various background issues. 

You also get online banking protection, a password manager tool, and Ransomware Remediation, which looks out for ransomware-like behaviour then defensively backs up files. In theory, nothing should get through.

For inexperienced users, there's Bitdefender's Autopilot, which recommends ways in which you can optimise your protection, depending on how you use your system. For anyone looking for privacy focused tools, there's also a VPN facility, though this aspect is a bit limited.

Overall, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is the kind of software you can leave running in the background and it simply just works. It also doubles up well as a form of security suite, rather than simply virus protection tool. That makes it an ideal candidate for the majority of users.  

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