10 Best Antivirus Programs: Which Program Is Convincing?

Antivirus programs are part of the basic equipment of every computer these days to optimally protect against malware. The Internet holds a high potential for danger: Viruses, worms, and Trojans represent only a small part of the perfidious attackers. In the meantime, the most diverse forms of malware attacks occur, which use ever new and more complex technologies and spread at a rapid pace. If a computer system is attacked by a pest, this can lead to the loss of highly sensitive data, e.g. B. passwords, bank details, or other personal data.

Choosing the Right Antivirus Software - Which Criteria Are Decisive?

To find the right program for your computer system, you have to weigh up various criteria: Should the software only offers a basic protection function or a high level of security with the highest possible hit rate for pest control? Do you need special tools, for example, a protected area in online banking or additional encryption of highly sensitive data? Above all, your own usage behavior plays a major role in these decisions, as well as in the choice of whether a free or a paid version is required. However, don't assume that the most expensive program will also offer the best protection.

As a user, you should rather be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of individual programs and choose the software according to your own requirements.

Comparison of 10 Antivirus Programs: The Best Tools in Brief

1.Bitdefender

2.Norton by NortonLifeLock

There are innumerable antivirus programs on the market, such as B. Bitdefender, NortonLifeLock, Avira, Kaspersky, AVG, Avast, or Protegent360 - to name just a few. With the great competition, the competition for the quality of the programs also grows, especially in the areas of security, range of services, operation, and support the differences are hardly noticeable. Even free antivirus programs nowadays use comparably high standards and have become a promising alternative. Which security functions you can expect in current antivirus software, which additional tools and features exist, and how the free and paid programs differ, can be found in our detailed overview based on selected top providers.

1.Bitdefender

Bitdefender is a Romanian manufacturer of antivirus programs and offers various packages for private users and companies. With cross-platform, fee-based products such as Small Office Security, Premium Security or Total Security, Bitdefender relies on high quality in terms of security, range of services, and program operation - at correspondingly high prices. The program operation is clearly laid out and characterized by large buttons, which also makes it easier to use on touch-enabled devices. In particular, the following features distinguish Bitdefender products:

Real-time scanner: ensures a constantly active security field and, thanks to the integrated cloud scanner remains powerful without using too much computer power
Automatic updates: Programs are updated hourly and thus achieve a high hit rate when detecting various types of malware.

Safepay: special protection for financial transactions
Spam protection: filters irrelevant messages in the inbox
Vulnerability scan: shows possible weaknesses in the computer system

A major disadvantage of Bitdefender, however, is that the range of services also decreases with the lower price. The cheapest version of the antivirus software lacks spam protection, firewall, mobile protection, and additional encryption techniques.

Benefits	Disadvantage
Numerous individual security solutions for private users and companies are available	Expandable support
Cutting-edge protection against malware	Confusing product portfolio
The operation also optimized for mobile devices	Expensive

2.Norton by NortonLifeLock

Norton is a range of antivirus programs from the US software manufacturer NortonLifeLock (formerly Symantec), which bought Peter Norton Computing in 1990 and has retained the Norton product name to date. The fee-based products in the Norton Security is high on a high standard and provide customers comprehensive protection for multiple devices, a wide range of services, a user-friendly program operation, and direct support options at relatively low prices. The most important features of the antivirus software can be summarized as follows:

Real-time protection against all types of malware attacks
Intelligent firewall for Windows PCs and Mac
All-round protection for up to ten devices (requires Premium Edition)
Exclusive Norton expert including virus protection promise (reimbursement for non-removable virus infestation)
Password manager
Cloud backup (depending on the edition 10, 50, or 75 gigabytes)
SafeCam function for blocking external access to your own webcam

A disadvantage is the lack of P2P worm protection, i.e. in peer-to-peer networks in which users exchange data directly with one another. Instant messaging attachments are only protected for Apple Mail and Apple messages.

Benefits	Disadvantage
Virus protection promise with money-back guarantee	Weak offline protection
Firewall and SafeCam function available in all editions	Sometimes unnecessary, annoying messages
Top service	No P2P worm protection

3.Avira

Avira is a well-known software company from Germany that offers various antivirus programs for private users and companies in both paid and free versions for PC, Mac, Android and iOS. In addition to the chargeable anti-virus programs currently on offer for private users - Avira Internet Security and Avira Prime - there are three editions specially tailored to the needs of companies, all of which offer very good protection and maximum support options at fair prices. The free security version has been one of the best antivirus programs in the freeware area for years, but has a smaller range of functions than the premium versions.

The most important key data of the Avira products at a glance:

Automatic software and driver updates
Real-time protection and repair function
Protection for online payments and credit cards (Avira Prime only)
Intelligent ad blocker
Smart home protection
Protection for file servers (business solutions)

The program operation is a bit confusing due to the multi-layered menu bar and rather tailored to experienced users. The multilingual support includes help such as FAQs, tutorials, manuals, forums or the “virus laboratory”, a compilation of all current malware threats.

Benefits	Disadvantage
Free edition available with a good security package	Confusing menu navigation
Version upgrades possible at any time	All paid editions are available for a maximum of five devices
Regular software updates

4.Kaspersky

Subsidiaries in more than 30 countries, a team of over 4,000 highly qualified specialists and relevant experience in security software since 1997 - the Russian software company Kaspersky Lab has been sending high-quality security solutions for private users and companies into the race for years. The portfolio ranges from classic antivirus software for family PCs to complex enterprise protection suites for companies with more than 1,000 employees. Some editions such as Security Cloud and Internet Security offers cross-platform support, while others are specially designed for use under Windows or macOS, Android or iOS.

The main features of Kaspersky products can be summarized as follows:

Browser encryption for secure online shopping/banking (Windows and macOS only)
Webcam and ((phishing-protection | e-mail / e-mail-security / phishing-mails-recognize-and-protect-your-data /))
Intelligent VPN protection for insecure WLAN (for up to 200 MB or 500 MB data traffic per day)
Password manager (not included in all editions)
Special protection for servers and workstations (business editions)

Knowing that it has developed some of the most reliable and best antivirus programs in the past few decades, Kaspersky has also put appropriate price tags on the current editions of its own security solutions. In addition, a license must be purchased for each device, which is then optionally valid for one or two years and must then be extended.

Benefits	Disadvantage
Clear user interface	Comparatively expensive
Ensures more security in insecure WLAN networks	Very computationally intensive
Decades of experience fighting malware

5.McAfee

Even McAfee is one of the veterans when it comes to the development of computer security software. Like many other providers of antivirus programs in this comparison, the US software company also offers special editions for home use as well as for use in small to large companies. Optionally, these versions can be booked for one person or one device or for any number of clients, whereby customers always purchase a license for one year, which has to be extended afterward.

The most important features of the cross-platform solutions (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android) at a glance:

Password manager
File encryption function (128-bit)
Browser protection
Vulnerability scanner
Easy management of the system firewall
Money-back guarantee (30 days)

The manufacturer's great experience is also reflected in the operation of the anti-virus software: Both users of the desktop applications and the mobile apps benefit from the tidy, intuitively designed user interface of the McAfee products.

Benefits	Disadvantage
Good value for money with a money-back guarantee	Automatic license renewal
Easy handling	High frequency of pop-ups
File encryption function	Mobile apps are very battery-intensive

6.Malwarebytes

Also, Malwarebytes has the fight against malware and cybercrime wrote on the flag: The US company knows since 2009 with various security applications for home use and the business sector to convince. A free antivirus program is also part of the product range - however, Malwarebytes recommends using this free edition only as a supplement to other antivirus software, as it is only used to clean infected devices and does not take any preventive measures. The cloud-based enterprise products are suitable for up to 10,000 devices. The core features from Malwarebytes summarizes the following list:

Protection against ransomware
Central dashboard for displaying threats (business editions)
Automatic, regular updates of the protection package
Browser protection for safe surfing (Windows and Android only)
Detection of scam calls and malicious links in SMS (Android)

Many of Malwarebytes' solutions are not only available for the two desktop operating systems Windows and macOS but also for iOS and Android as well as for the Linux-based Chrome OS.

Benefits	Disadvantage
Cloud-based enterprise solutions for up to 10,000 devices	Functional scope for private users severely restricted
Exclusive security features for Android smartphones	No own firewall solution
	Intrusive upgrade notes in the free program variant

7.Protegent

The Word “Protegent” Is Derived From A French Word “Protégee” Which Means “To Protect”.

As The Name Suggests, Protegent Products Have Been Designed To Provide Protection To Your Business, Data, And Laptop.

To solve the issue of every individual, small & midsized business, Protegent has come up with the perfect solution: Protegent Antivirus Software. Keeping computer systems safe from viruses and other online threats has always been challenging for every computer user.

The functions and features of the Protegent Antivirus Software at a glance:

Recovers deleted/lost data of any kind
Helps in reducing the downtime and the downtime cost
Always here to protects your data by taking the image of your data index
Helps in recovering any type of files instantly
Helps in recovering any type of formatted drive
Can easily reduce the time taken and cost spent on data recovery
Recovers all the fragmented files after formatting

Protegent Antivirus Software is advanced security software that provides assured protection to your computer, laptops, etc. Protegent Antivirus Software is developed with two-tier architecture which doesn’t only secure your computer from latest strains of viruses, malware, Trojans, phishing attacks, worms, spam attack but also allows users to have a risk-free web browsing and internet activity.

Benefits	Disadvantage
Anti Malware / Anti-Phishing	Automated Data Encryption
USB Threat Protection	Parental Control

8.ESET

Founded in 1992 in Bratislava, the Slovak software company ESET now has branches in more than 200 countries. Most of the security applications in the range, including antivirus programs for private and business customers are designed for use on Microsoft Windows, but also offer comprehensive protection for Android, Linux, and macOS devices. The most affordable edition ESET NOD32 Antivirus - the classic antivirus software from ESET - covers the most important security measures against viruses and other known malware. For extended protection, however, customers should opt for premium packages like ESET Internet Security or Smart Security Premium or enterprise solutions (for companies).

ESET Premium users receive, among other things, Access to the following functions and features :

Hacker protection
Safe online shopping and safe online payments
Comprehensive network protection
Password manager
Encryption function for private files
Smartphone finder and protection against malicious apps (Android)

With ESET, companies can choose between specific solutions for protecting end devices (desktop and mobile) or servers (file servers, SharePoint, mail servers, etc.) as well as individual products for encryption and authentication.

Benefits	Disadvantage
Beginner-friendly user guidance	Antivirus edition with severely limited functionality
Gaming mode	High frequency of pop-ups
	No own firewall

9.Webroot

The US-based company Webroot - now a subsidiary of Carbonite Inc. - has been developing performance and security tools for home users since 1997. The SecureAnywhere product range includes both simple antivirus software for Windows and macOS as well as complex security suites that offer an extended protection package for desktop and mobile devices. Thanks to the appropriate price conditions, the virus protection solution can also be used by companies, even if a specific enterprise edition is missing. The range of services of the SecureAnywhere programs include the following areas:

Real-time phishing protection
Monitoring of firewall and network connections
Lightning-fast, nondisruptive scans
Ransomware protection
Protection for passwords and log-in data (not included in anti-virus program)
25 gigabytes of online storage space (not included in antivirus program)

In a comparison of antivirus programs, SecureAnywhere is particularly characterized by its lean program code. The safety application is not only quick to install, but it also takes up a minimum of system resources.

Benefits	Disadvantage
An antivirus program is minimalist and resource-efficient	Antivirus Edition is not available for mobile devices (requires Internet Security Plus or Complete)
Very fast security and malware scans	No specific edition for companies
	No own firewall solution

10.F-Secure

One of the first companies to combine several virus scan engines in one anti-virus software and let them work simultaneously is the Finnish company F-Secure. To this day, the focus of the security company has been on virus protection and intrusion prevention, with the product range extending from simple virus protection software to extensive business suites. The antivirus package "F-Secure Anti-Virus" is limited to the defense against viruses and is also only available for Windows. So if you have protection for other systems such as macOS, Android, or iOS and you need a broader range of security, you have to switch to the premium editions “F-Secure SAFE” or “F-Secure TOTAL” or the business solutions.

The functions and features of the F-Secure security applications at a glance:

Browser protection including family manager (limit surfing time, block pages, etc.)
Ransomware protection
Banking protection
Private VPN, WiFi Protection and Tracking Protection (F-Secure TOTAL only)
Central F-Secure account for the administration of all devices

When using F-Secure products in companies, customers have a wide range of options: they can choose to protect all end devices or an entire cloud, install complex threat protection or set up vulnerability management.

Benefits	Disadvantage
Central account for the management of all protected devices	Antivirus edition without additional features and only available for Windows systems
Manufacturer with great know-how in the field of virus protection	No own firewall

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