CIOInsider India Magazine

It's critical to invest in reliable antivirus software since pesky infections can affect both you and your computer. The first and most crucial step in remaining safe online is to get antivirus software. Viruses and malware are nothing new. It is still the best line of security against hackers and other online criminals who seek to access your gadgets for financial gain.

The activity and end purpose of viruses have evolved over time, but their core intent has not changed: they want to steal your personal information or money. Threats can take many different forms, but in general, malware, ransomware, and Trojan horses are made to either steal your data or cause enough system damage that, if you fall for the con, you'll have to spend a lot of money to get it fixed. Here's where to search to find the ideal antivirus software for your special needs.

Bitdefender
The brands Norton, McAfee, and AVG may be more well-known to you, but Bitdefender has long held the title of top antivirus software. It combines a variety of other top-notch security measures with tight security tools. Also, it is simple to use, and best of all, it is quite affordable. Safepay online banking protection is included even with the base version of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which is essentially a secure browser that protects you from all sides. Moreover, there is a password manager, a vulnerability scanner, and a reliable VPN with a daily bandwidth restriction of 200 MB.

The company also offers more comprehensive suites, with Bitdefender Internet Security including all of the aforementioned along with technologies to help your computer run faster and to assist you in locating lost or stolen mobile devices.

Norton Antivirus Plus
A renowned antivirus software called Norton Antivirus Plus is offered by NortonLifeLock, a security firm. Even with the entry-level Antivirus Plus version, you receive a ton of features, many of which are of high quality. This is the main draw of this software. To keep you safe online, they also provide a really helpful intelligent firewall that is a tremendous assistance in terms of policing your system and some pretty complete browser protection tools. There are other features you don't typically get with other antivirus programs, such as a cloud backup tool that comes with the software and offers 2 GB of online storage (it's also highly user-friendly, making backing up simple) and some practical Computer maintenance apps.

Nevertheless, if you need security for more than one device, you should upgrade to Norton 360 Deluxe, which offers protection for up to five devices, 50 GB of additional backup space, and a comprehensive set of parental controls. While 10 devices and 75 GB of backup are available with 360 Premium.

McAfee Antivirus Plus
With its security line-up, McAfee adopts an intriguing strategy in that all of the products are variations of its core offering, with the primary distinction being that additional devices are supported at higher tiers. As the name implies, McAfee Plus is a basic antivirus program that protects only one device. The good news is that McAfee won't consume a lot of your PC's resources thanks to its commendably small system footprint. For a basic product, there are also a ton of features available, and even while not all of them are of the greatest caliber, you still get a lot for your money. This features an intelligent firewall, a built-in, unlimited-data VPN (powered by TunnelBear), a good spam filter, a safe file vault, and a few PC speed-up options.

No longer limited to Windows and macOS, McAfee now offers protection for ChromeOS, Android, and iOS devices as well as VPN access. Although certain findings from independent test laboratories come out better than others, the primary issue here is that the antivirus engine itself is still not the best available on macOS. This has to be a cause for concern. The basic package only protects one device, therefore that is another drawback. Overall, McAfee has advanced recently, and its identity theft protection tools make it a package to consider.

Trend Micro Antivirus
Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security provides straightforward yet effective protection, and its user-friendly interface explains all of its settings in simple language without employing baffling technical terms. According to AV-Comparatives, this antivirus is now the best at stopping phishing websites. It also offers excellent web browsing protection, including Pay Guard, which creates a secure environment for things like online banking.

This app is more geared toward beginners than specialists, therefore system speed is affected more than with some competitors, and there aren't as many options or features. Naturally, the higher-level security suites from Trend Micro offer more capability. Parental controls and social media protection measures are included in the next-tier package, Trend Micro Internet Security. However, for the majority of people, Trend Micro Maximum Security, which offers protection for Mac and mobile devices in addition to Windows, will be worth paying a little bit extra (plus it adds a password manager and secure file vault).

Avast One
Avast completely rewrote the code for its most recent release, Avast One. Avast One expands on the company's well-known free antivirus, now marketed as Avast One Essential, by adding new functions. The program is now well regarded by independent testing laboratories, placing towards the top of the heap in real-world malware tests and anti-phishing tasks, whether you decide to go free or upgrade. A basic firewall, data breach detection to alert you if your online accounts are compromised, and apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS are all advantages.

Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender is a reliable tool that offers competent mid-range protection, oftentimes without the consumers even being aware of it. Defender has a dashboard, its own scan options, and other features, but unless you look for them, you'll never even notice them. In addition to comprehensive virus protection, it has a ton of other functions including firewall, parental controls, online filtering, webcam and privacy protection, multi-layered anti-ransomware, and backup. If you do let your guard down, Windows 10's free Microsoft Defender Antivirus provides a safety net for malware protection. It is among the greatest solutions for antivirus software.