The best malware protection software to keep you safe from online threats

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.

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.

Norton 360 Deluxe is on the pricier side, but it offers just about everything you could want in malware protection. With this product, you can secure up to five PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets. You can also often find it discounted.

It includes everything you'd expect from virus blocking and malware protection. You’ll feel safer banking and shopping online with protections to prevent cyber criminals from stealing personal or financial information.

Norton also protects against ransomware (which steals your information and refuses to give it back until you've paid a sum). Unlike some of its competitors, Norton Security Deluxe has 50 GB of cloud storage for your most important files, along with features to protect your children from various internet dangers, such as malicious or inappropriate content.

Other features include webcam protection, dark web monitoring, a smart firewall, real-time responses, a secure VPN and more.

This is one of the priciest options on the market. However, it's currently discounted and more than worth the lower price. Particularly as Bitdefender offers a wide range of malware protection services, with complete protection for Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android devices.

Their multi-layer ransomware creates more barriers to cyber criminals stealing your most precious data and information. There’s also webcam protection, so you can forgo the paranoia of taping something over your cam.

Bitdefender’s software also protects against email attacks and phishing. It offers a password manager to help keep track of all those different accounts. Unlike competing software, it also features a file shredder.

There are parental control options for mums and dads who want to protect their children from threats both on and off the computer. You can block inappropriate content as well as monitor text messages and phone calls and allow your children to check in as “safe” in certain locations. You'll even get notifications if they’re outside of a safe zone.

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