A reliable antivirus program should safeguard you from all kinds of malware such as worms and Trojan horses. Additionally, it should be able detect and stop the spread of potentially unwanted software (PUPs) that can modify your browser settings, or display ads on your screen. Certain premium antiviruses offer additional features like dark web monitoring, ID theft alerts and parental controls.
If you’re a Windows user Microsoft’s built-in protection against malware, called Windows Defender on older computers or Windows Security on newer machines is able to do an adequate job of protecting your computer. It’s not as effective or efficient in detecting malware like standalone antivirus brands that frequently score well in independent lab testing. It also doesn’t come with any additional security features such as password managers or software for other devices.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is the most effective antivirus for Windows Based on the prevention of malware, system impact, and ease of usage. It is simple to install and run, and was rated highly by the AV-Test labs. It provides protection for one PC at a very low cost, however for a few dollars more you can have more comprehensive protection with Bitdefender Total Security and Antivirus Plus.
A good paid antivirus suite will usually come with a number of additional features. These can include an VPN as well as tools for performance optimization, and software for Mac OS, iOS, and Android. But if you’d prefer to keep it simple, Sophos Home Premium offers robust protection against malware as well as additional features for an affordable price.
