Many of the best antivirus software suites also come with extras, like parental controls including a password manager as well as secure VPN access. If you’re looking to purchase a product that offers the basic protection as well as these advanced features, we recommend Norton 360. If you want just the basic antivirus protection, Sophos Home Premium is an excellent choice that has an easy user interface and very low impact on system resources.
Antivirus software is constantly updated to keep pace with new threats and also to address vulnerabilities in the older ones. Choose a program that regularly updates its virus definitions at a minimum and more often when possible. Some programs update automatically while others require that you manually update each day or on a schedule you set.
The most popular antivirus applications have excellent malware detection rates and a range of additional cybersecurity features which include firewalls as well as web security, an anti-phishing engine, and many more. The products we tested in 2023 come with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a free trial. The majority of them also come with the multi-device licensing, which will cover up to five devices or computers with any operating system.
Some of the top antivirus software is easy to use for new users but also offers plenty of options for customizing options for advanced users. Intego Mac security X9 is an excellent example. It is a top malware-detection program with excellent rates and a good range of Mac-focused security features. It is one of a few antivirus programs that we tested to be effective on Windows PCs. The cost for a year-long membership is affordable.