A reliable antivirus will protect you against all types of malware such as worms, Trojan horses, and ransomware. Additionally it should be able detect and stop the spread of potentially unwanted software (PUPs) that can modify your browser settings or fill your screen with ads. Some premium antiviruses provide extra features like dark web monitoring, ID theft alerts and parental controls.
If you’re a Windows user Microsoft’s built in malware protection known as Windows Defender on older computers or Windows Security on newer machines is able to do a decent job of keeping your computer safe. However it’s not as efficient or efficient in detecting malware as standalone antivirus brands that typically score well in independent lab tests. The product doesn’t offer any additional security features such as a password manager, or software for other devices.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is the best antivirus for Windows that is based on prevention of malware system impact, user-friendliness. It is easy to install and use and was rated highly by the AV-Test labs. It protects one PC at a low cost, but for a few extra dollars you can get more comprehensive protection with Bitdefender Total Security and Antivirus Plus.
A top-quality paid antivirus suite usually comes with a range of extras. These can include the use of a VPN and performance-optimization tools and software for Mac OS, iOS, and Android. But if you’d prefer to just stick with the basics, Sophos Home Premium offers robust protection against malware as well as several other features at an affordable price.