The antivirus software is your first line of defense against ransomware, malware and other digital threats. Even the most tech-savvy users can lose their guard so an antivirus program is essential for those who want to safeguard their data. A top-rated program will thwart phishing scams, warn you when a site has been compromised, and sort through suspicious emails. Many programs come with additional security features like password managers, VPN access, and automatic cloud backups. They can also scan dark web activity to find the moment your computer is infected.
Depending on the suite you select depending on the suite you choose, the program will scan for malware in a variety. Heuristic detection looks for signs that are typical of viruses, and the sandboxing process isolates suspicious programs so they cannot do any harm. Some suites can even clean infected files for you in the event of need.
Norton provides excellent protection against malware and numerous additional features, including an VPN, automated backups, and a password manager. Its user-friendly interface as well as its excellent results in AV-Test and AV-Comparatives benchmark tests make it a top choice. However, it can take up system resources and impact performance on older or less expensive systems.
Avast’s free software offers powerful threat protection with an elegant interface. It can be upgraded for only a small cost to Avast One, which adds privacy and identity protection along with PC tools. Its powerful software engine does well in lab testing and is effective at stopping brand-new threats–known as zero-day attacks–before they can be identified or added to the virus databases. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Android.