See our section on how to choose the best antivirus software below, or our stand-alone antivirus buying guide.įor the best free antivirus, we like Kaspersky Security Cloud Free, which sailed past Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition for the top spot. Both offered excellent protection without system slowdowns, but Kaspersky's free program lets you schedule scans, adds a ton of useful extras and had the smallest system impact we've ever seen. Right behind that are the entry-level Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, the best bargain in antivirus software, and Norton 360 Deluxe, which offers a ton of extra features, including unlimited VPN service and LifeLock identity protection.Īny of these three would serve you well, but the ideal choice depends on your circumstances. It delivers excellent malware protection, a full complement of extra features and an easy-to-use interface. Our first choice is Kaspersky Total Security. If you've got kids at home, you can get a premium security suite that includes parental controls along with antivirus software. Many suites also include VPN service, password managers, backup software or even identity-theft protection - all bundled more cheaply than if you bought each feature on its own.Įach brand's antivirus programs share one malware-detection "engine," but more features get added as subscription prices rise.
But it can't match the extra features that come with the best paid antivirus software, and even some other free programs. If you just want to keep your PC free from infection, Defender might be all you need. Windows gets attacked much more often than any other software platform, and using a PC without antivirus software is just asking for trouble.įortunately, Windows 8.1, 10 and 11 come with Microsoft Defender Antivirus, which was once awful but is now among the best free antivirus programs available. You'll need one of the best antivirus programs, free or paid, on your Windows PC.
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