If you browse the internet regularly, you can’t get around the fact that you need antivirus software. Viruses can pop up in unexpected places, and you want your device to be able to fight one off if it appears.
Dangerous malware making the rounds is what makes having antivirus software protecting you so critical. But what’s the best antivirus software for a Mac or Windows computer? Keep reading to see the best options.
TotalAV
TotalAV works with Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones and iPhones. TotalAV is Kim’s pick and a sponsor of her national radio show. As far as features go, it stacks up compared to the other names on the market you already know. And you can get a killer discount using Kim’s special offer.
Here are the pros and cons.
The Good:
- Blocks phishing URLs through its SafeSite extension, which stays up-to-date on the latest malicious phishing URLs.
- Spots, quarantines and eliminates ransomware, viruses, adware, spyware, trojans and more.
- Provides remote firewall access to stop unauthorized access to private data.
- Schedule scans so you don’t have to mark a date on your calendar for your next scan.
- Lets you choose the type of scan you want to run (it’s hassle-free).
- Cleans your disk, app cache and duplicate photos to save disk space.
- Enhances your computer’s performance.
The Bad:
- No boot-time scanning.
- No email security features.
Get the Best Security Suite and save 85% at TotalAV.com/Kim. That’s just $19 for a year of protection on up to five devices.
Bitdefender Antivirus
Bitdefender Antivirus can be used on Mac and Windows computers, and mobile versions for your smartphone also exist. A $39.99 subscription can cover five devices.
Let’s go over the highlights of the software:
The Good:
- Long-lasting, and can improve your computer’s speed.
- Anti-phishing and anti-fraud functions.
- High ratings from customers and tech magazines.
- Great savings on your first-year subscription are widely available.
The Bad:
- No firewall, even in the premium version.
- The free version doesn’t have as many features as the premium.
Microsoft Defender
Maybe you’re careful when using your computer or keep your browsing to a minimum. In that case, if you have a PC, you might be good with just Microsoft Defender.
Defender comes built into Windows and helps you manage privacy, keep files safe and gives you many parental control options. Since it’s built-in, Microsoft Defender is free, but you can get a premium version for an office too.
The Good:
- You can set a timer for screentime in Defender, as well as limit the content your computer can access. This keeps your kids or older family members off the computer for excessive periods of time and away from the riskier parts of the web.
- Creates automatic backups in OneDrive, and shares files across your devices.
- Gives you Find My Device in case you lose your laptop or Windows phone.
- Safest Windows free anti-software ever, and already set up for you when you turn on your computer!
The Bad:
- Pushes updates, which keeps things secure but can take away computing power and result in laggy periods.
- No password manager or anti-phishing help — you’ll have to get other programs for that, which can disable Defender.
Avast Free Mac Security
Don’t worry, Mac users. There’s antivirus software for your computer too. It’s not built-in like Defender, but Avast Free Mac Security is easy to download and has many features we’ll detail below.
The Good:
- Real-time protection, including Wi-Fi security scans to detect network vulnerabilities.
- Anti-malware firewalls, along with web and email shields protect you from scam sites and spam.
- Blocks unsafe downloads, and stops ransomware from getting on your Mac.
- Avast Premium Security lets you protect 10 devices, whether Mac, Windows, Android or iOS for $99.99 a year. That’s the most devices out of any of the software we mentioned.
The Bad:
- The ransomware shield is only a premium feature, as are the Wi-Fi intruder alerts.
- Avast Premium Security for just one device costs $80 a year.
PC Matic
If you like American-made products, you might like PC Matic for your antivirus software. It advertises itself as the only software like this that is 100% developed in America and comes with some great features.
The Good
- Award-winning software and company.
- Doesn’t assume unknown files and applications are safe, letting less malware into your computer.
- Blocks scripting attacks, aka fileless infections.
- Despite PC being in the name, works on Windows, Apple, and Android devices, and the annual $50 price gets you security on five devices.
- Paying $150 flat gets you PC Matic for life for five devices, including all future updates. That’s one of the best-paid antivirus deals on the market.
The Bad
- No free version to test out or use.
Sophos Home Premium
For antivirus software as powerful as the one big businesses use, get Sophos Home Premium. You can get protection for up to 10 devices for one year for just $45.
The Good
- Protects Macs along with Windows PCs, plus Android and iOS devices.
- Blocks ransomware attacks, and protects your webcam and microphone from being hacked.
- You can manage security settings and features for your devices from anywhere, including on another device far away from the one you’re protecting.
- Highly accessible support if you’re having trouble with the platform.
- A free version is available, and it includes parental controls, web protection, remote management and usage for up to three devices on top of a 30-day free trial of the Premium version.
The Bad
- Parental controls and webcam protections are fairly limited compared to other software on this list.
- Not easy to use if you aren’t very tech-savvy.
Malwarebytes
Formerly known as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Malwarebytes Free isn’t your traditional antivirus software. Rather than waiting for a threat to arrive, Malwarebytes blocks it before it even reaches your computer.
It primarily does this by going after malware before it infects your devices. There’s a premium version of Malwarebytes, but primarily, it’s free and pretty effective.
The Good
- It scans for malware consistently, so you can greatly reduce your chance of getting a virus.
- Removes adware and unwanted programs that slow your device down.
- It doesn’t take up much room on your devices, so even with the scanning, your devices don’t slow down.
The Bad
- The free version has full capabilities for only 14 days. After that, Malwarebytes can clean your infected device, but it won’t prevent viruses and malware from getting on your computer unless you pay.
- The premium version is pricier than most other options on this list while covering fewer devices. It costs $99.99 for five devices for one year instead of 10, while the price of $44.99 only covers one device for you.
Whatever antivirus software you get, you can have excellent protection on many devices for little money. Decide on your security needs, and get antivirus software today to ensure your safety.