Top 5 Antivirus Software To Protect Your PC

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When shopping around for a new anti-virus software, you will likely run into a no-cost version of the software that promises to be as capable as the paid products. If one is to rate anti-virus application categories into various levels, you will notice that the no-cost applications are listed at the bottom. Although free software can be tempting, they are not as efficient as paid software; this tends to apply to all types of software and not just antivirus protection. One visual irritation with free anti-virus software, is the certainty that each program will display advertisements. In addition, the most frustrating thing you will experience when using free antivirus programs, is the lack of support. Funded programs commonly offer wide technical support, allowing you to contact someone via e-mail, phone or message.

Basic Definitions

Although anti-virus software has evolved and is now able to eliminate emerging malware, the term antivirus stayed. The term anti-malware, would now accurately define the software’s functionality. To get an idea of the common types of malware out there, we have constructed a list of malware types.

Spyware

This software is designed to secretly obtain personal data.

Ransomware

This unique version of malware infects your computer, confines entry to your computer system—perhaps preventing you from browsing the internet or accessing the hard drive—and then demands that you pay money to the malware designer.

Worms

This kind of malicious program is designed to replicate itself quickly and spread to other PCs, often via the local network.

Trojan Virus

Trojans are different from worms, mainly because they are not developed to replicate themselves. Instead, Trojans are designed to trick you into installing them, allowing them to cause data loss, theft and sometimes total-system damage.

Rootkits

A rootkit is a furtive type of malware that hides itself by typical methods of detection, and allows persisted privileged access to a computer system. As a requirement from the hacker, the rootkit makes an attempt to gain administrator access on your computer. The malware then hides so it cannot be detected.

Okay, now we have all the basics covered, let’s check out the list of amazing antivirus protection:-

1) Bit Defender

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Image Source: Google Image – This logo can be used under the deeds of Creative Commons.

Bitdefender includes matching essential features such as scheduled scans, email protection, anti-spyware services. In addition, Bitdefender helps you by safeguarding you from scammers and comes with a free credit monitoring service. You can get additional information about the free credit monitoring services via the Bitdefender website.

With its high efficiency, display of useful functions, solid support and superb experience, Bitdefender is a fantastic antivirus software. With its performance, it arguably surpasses the competition. Bitdefender’s antivirus software includes features that are commonly reserved for detailed internet security suites. In addition, if you ever experience a malware destroying your system, Bitdefender’s assistance staff are there to help you 24/7.

2) Kaspersky

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Image Source: Google Image – This logo can be used under the deeds of Creative Commons.

It has no rival when it comes to searching for and destroying malware – even if the malware is known or recently created. It does not slow the speed of your system to any calculable degree. Furthermore, it does not make mistakes when it decides which files are safe and which are harmful. Kaspersky’s security program even includes a lot more features than a few others in its category. For example, some of Kaspersky’s rivals have no anti-phishing and no instant detection of detachable hardware or media products.

However, an essential function of Kaspersky antivirus is its ability to detect, restrict and remove viruses.

Furthermore, it goes beyond being an antivirus software by providing security from all malware, most notably spyware, rootkits, security intrusions and screen lockers. It also consists of a virtual keyboard, allowing it to protect you computer from a form of malware called a key-logger. In addition to its anti-malware features, the antivirus offers anti-phishing—that means it informs you when a web page is not safe to access—and it prevents you from accessing web pages that are known to contain malicious software.

3) McAfee

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Image Source: Google Image – This logo can be used under the deeds of Creative Commons.

Although it does not claim it to be a complete online protection package, McAfee does include a generous set of features. In a test conducted by AV-security, the software got exposed to a hundred and thirty-eight trials of zero-day vulnerabilities; McAfee stopped all of them. But that’s not all; it also discovered some nineteen thousand additional viruses lurking on the web. As with any antivirus, McAfee gives its users full control over scanning and one can also choose real-time protection of everything, or you can simply set its limit to programs and individual files. However, by adding the full protection suite, or as they call it the “total protection” plan, one can gain the means to guard your identity and block spam and dangerous emails.

4) Norton

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Image Source: Google Image – This logo can be used under the deeds of Creative Commons.

Norton Security allows you to guard up to five gadgets and PC’s (in total) with a solitary package. This can be managed from the owners online account with additional technical online support. But it doesn’t stop there, from the daily protection of various malware, this product also protects you from phishing attempts. During the different tests conducted by respected software companies, Norton Security also accomplished perfect protection and functionality scores. It accomplished this with seldom perceptible affects on system functionality. By eliminating the tiered steps strategy of buyers-grade protection products, Norton Security offers all non-commercial end users with protection that is far above a standard entry antivirus application.

5) Avira

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Image Source: Google Image – This logo can be used under the deeds of Creative Commons.

The results of this antivirus – in terms of its ability to block attacks – accurately detects threats without confusing the right documents and programs for the bad ones. Avira, and the rest of the anti-malware programs, made no errors when correctly identifying safe files and web pages. None of them mixed up dangerous files and malicious websites with secure ones. However, in the tests created to measure the virus protections impact on system performance, Avira slowed down the machines. Furthermore, for any user based outside of Europe, if you are in need of customer support, a long distance call must be made. Lastly, whereas most of the market products cover more than one device with a single license, Avira’s only supports one PC with a single license.

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43 COMMENTS

  1. Hi Dear Anonymous,

    I work in the IT infrastructure, desktops, PCs, etc.
    In my experience, we remove Bit Defender causing slow downs as big antivirus such Norton, Mc Affee, Kapersky and even Sophos. In my experience, Avira remains on the top.

    Regards
    Fred

    • @Bill Christenson Beware of the doctor, whose wife sells cemetery plots, whose brother owns a granite quarry, and whose father deals in shovels.

  2. no program catches anything, it is a huge oversight not mentioning more tools

    1. malwarebytes antimalware free version is an excellent cleaner and often finds things mainstream antivirus cleaners like those mentioned above miss
    2. ccleaner free version removes gargabe from temp folders that may harbor malware, also makes scans a bit faster because there are less files to inspect if you have a lot of garbage
    3. panda free antivirus gets very good ratings
    4. trend micro housecall free version is an excellent free scanner

  3. Sorry peeps but ESET is by far better in my opinion than any of these…. and thats through running several years of testing on various systems with different antivirus softwares… who paid you to do this review, it is about as independant as an independant government review office paid for by tax payers…

    • you obviously havent spent over 7 years checking ISO certified AV-Comparatives, I work in IT and can tell you that Avira and Kaspersky are the best

      the ultimate protection is Avira FREE (as it has a webgaurd like site advisor and DOES scan emails (look in the file detection lists and you will see .eml) Private Firewall FREE and WinPatrol FREE (tells you when anything has set itslef to run at boot which all infections do)
      – nothing will get past that lot and doesnt cost a penny

  4. I’ve benchmarked all 5 vs. Advanced system care with iobit malwarefighter.
    Its better than bit defender bit is onl missing rootkit protection sadly..
    So i’m running both 😉

  5. Any AV review which has McAfee or Norton in the top 10, top 100 even, has to be given the side-eyed look. As an IT professional of 20 years, those two particular strains have proven to be rubbish, memory clogging and extremely ineffective. Panda Free AV does as good if not a better job (no commission for me) than most of these big ones. If only people would educate themselves in how to be safe online, then these scammers wouldn’t be needed.

  6. THIS IS THE MOST BULL..IT list I have EVER seen…Anonymous, cmon!!!!! Kaspersky, Avira, and McAfee ATTACH themselves to installers ALL OVER THE FRIGGIN PLANET. What does it tell you, if an antivirus company HAS TO PAY SOMEONE WITH A POPULAR FREE SOFTWARE TO INCLUDE THEIR INSTALLER BY DEFAULT IN THEIR PACKAGE, SO BEGINNER UNSUSPECTING USERS GET THEIR STUPID UNWANTED SOFTWARE, CAUSE OTHERWISE NOONE WOULD EVER INSTALL IT???? You get an IDIOTIC McAfee with installing ADOBE FLASH, if you’re not careful, for crying out loud. I wonder what came if the list had 10 picks, Panda Titanium, Luke Filewalker, and so on??? NORTON???? WHO THE HELL PAYED YOU GUYS FOR THIS STUPID ADVERTISMENT??? THESE ARE THE MOST UNDERUSED, PATHETIC, SLOWING, MALWARE-ISH, AND USELESS antiviruses on the planet!!!!!

    AVAST, NOD32, AVG, these are the big players, who have responsible and professional antivirus softwares. You don’t EVER see Avast attached to a stupid free installer. They can support themselves honestly…

    Idiotic post…

    • You clearly have no idea what you are talking about…
      And by your logic, google has by far the worst search engine since every Joe is using it …
      And since you’re agitated enough to CAPS all over the comment, maybe you can provide a showcase on how you’ve tested them to reach you conclusions… maybe.
      Or maybe you’re just barking at the wrong tree … maybe.

      • Kaspersky, Avira, Norton, these SERIOUSLY slow down my quad core 4GB RAM pc, they protect squat, cause i had tl reinstall windows after 3 months. They’re either poor amateur, or expensive overcomplicated examples for an antivirus. It’s 3,5 years with Avast now, and apart from a few patch screwups, it works like a charm. As a free AV, NOD, AVAST, AVG, and so on in my experience. Even AVG is sluggish. Bit Defender is a romanian joke. It was years ago, and it is now. ANY software which attaches itself to other popular software to get downloaded is crap. This includes the 11executables at once running google chrome. There was a time when google supported firefox
        Good times….single exe good ram usage, VERY customazible.

  7. THIS IS THE MOST BULL..IT list I have EVER seen…Anonymous, cmon!!!!! Kaspersky, Avira, and McAfee ATTACH themselves to installers ALL OVER THE FRIGGIN PLANET. What does it tell you, if an antivirus company HAS TO PAY SOMEONE WITH A POPULAR FREE SOFTWARE TO INCLUDE THEIR INSTALLER BY DEFAULT IN THEIR PACKAGE, SO BEGINNER UNSUSPECTING USERS GET THEIR STUPID UNWANTED SOFTWARE, CAUSE OTHERWISE NOONE WOULD EVER INSTALL IT???? You get an IDIOTIC McAfee with installing ADOBE FLASH, if you’re not careful, for crying out loud. I wonder what came if the list had 10 picks, Panda Titanium, Luke Filewalker, and so on??? NORTON???? WHO THE HELL PAYED YOU GUYS FOR THIS STUPID ADVERTISMENT??? THESE ARE THE MOST UNDERUSED, PATHETIC, SLOWING, MALWARE-ISH, AND USELESS antiviruses on the planet!!!!!

    AVAST, NOD32, AVG, these are the big players, who have responsible and professional antivirus softwares. You don’t EVER see Avast attached to a stupid free installer. They can support themselves honestly…

    Idiotic post…

  8. I still use Avast though. In my opinion, most of the antivirus listed above is too strong. Avast is okay and doesn’t disturb me while I’m working and gaming while they do their job.

  9. I regularly visit the AnonHQ website because i find real objective information I can rely on.
    I am surprised …and this article raises a scary question.

    Personally i use Comodo AV and do a monthly scan with MBAM premium.

  10. My respect for this website just took a massive turn.

    In My opinion, either run AVG or Avast —–
    Along side Malwarebytes and if necessary run Hitman Pro.
    This should be more than enough for most users.

  11. Hi all. I am not a professional but I have to say that i am not satisfied with Avira. It does not recognise a lot of malware and other shit. I had a complete loss of data for at least 3 times. I changed to another program and never had such problems again. Also on an older computer Avira´s scan is completly paralysing it and does not complete, even after hours.. I have to agree with Johnjohnson, for me avg and avast delivered the best results. AVG also nearly paralised my computer while scanning.

  12. None of them are any good. All of them contain safesearch type functionality that sends ALL your web hits to servers to check against block lists while at the same time allowing the collection of peoples browsing histories. Also the safe-searching mechanisms are easily highjacked by security agencies so that they can basically record your browsing history in real time.

    Safe search is really a logging system. Most of these so-called security addons and software are just trojans.

    If you really want to be secure or at least free of over 90 percent of security threats its simple: don’t use an admin account! Only use an admin account when you are doing system tasks.

    After all, most malicious software is written by morons and is not based on any massive zero day flaw but the simple fact that people will run the application with full admin rights like even bigger morons.

  13. I thought that Anti-Malware applications like MalwareFox were responsible for protecting us from Ransomware, did I got something wrong? Because I’m slightly confused, did you perhaps mean that Antivirus programs offer partial protection from Ransomware?

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