Antivirus software safeguards computers from malicious software (malware) which includes viruses that steal data and worms that attack the system instantly and trojans that serve as platforms for payloads. Antivirus programs also protect against phishing attempts which are fake email links meant to steal passwords and get more account information.
The virus detection engines are the basis of all antivirus software However, some antivirus programs include additional features that ensure your security. These additional features can include a password manager, performance optimization tools and cloud storage, among other things. The majority of the top anti-virus applications support multiple devices and are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones.
Norton 360 Antivirus Plus is one of our top picks for antivirus programs, and it’s a good choice if you require multi-device security. It’s a powerful suite which protects you against all kinds of threats like ransomware and spyware. It always scores top marks in lab tests from AV-Comparatives and AVTest which makes it an excellent choice for safeguarding your Windows PC against malware.
Another option worth considering is Bitdefender’s Internet Security, which has impressive malware detection capabilities and an extensive collection of extra features. These include alerts for sites that are dangerous along with a password manager as well as a VPN. The program is offered in several tiers, including a free version for one device and two other options that offer additional protections that are more basic and prices that are about the same as Norton’s top-rated product.