The most effective antivirus software doesn’t just shield your computer from malware; it should also protect you from hackers, fake websites and other online threats. It should also offer extra features like a VPN and password protection, as well as phishing detection. There’s a wide choice of options, ranging starting with basic antivirus software that concentrate on eliminating viruses to full suites that include all the essentials, plus additional features like identity theft protection and password management. Most of these are sold as annual subscriptions, so be sure to do some research prior to making a decision.
Kaspersky is a household name in the world of antivirus but it also has privacy issues that haven’t been resolved due to suspicions the company is linked to the Russian government. It has impressive features and outstanding protection against viruses in AV Comparatives tests. It offers basic security tools like a firewall and also brute-force protection and zero-day exploits that help defend you from attacks that target passwords, usernames or bank account details.
Malwarebytes is a different alternative. It has a good reputation for malware detection, and it has a great set of security tools. It has excellent heuristic detection and behavior monitoring, as well as an extremely secure VPN. It’s a bit more expensive than other premium suites, however it offers an easy-to-use interface and a variety of extra features, like dark web scans and a virtual keyboard.