Short on time? Here’s the best antivirus for 2022:

There are hundreds upon hundreds of antiviruses available, all claiming to provide the best protection at a reasonable price. However, I tested 67 top antivirus software and only a few are strong enough, reliable enough, and efficient enough to be considered the best antiviruses for 2022.

Strong virus protection must be included in antivirus software to protect against advanced malware forms such as rootkits. worms. trojans. ransomware. Every antivirus on this list provides world-class malware protection against any internet security threat.

Antivirus packages now include more than just an antivirus scanner. Many come with additional features, such as a network firewall, virtual private network (VPN), password management, parental controls, and many other useful options. These additional features improve your device’s security system. The more secure your device, the less likely it is that your sensitive data will be exposed online.

Which antivirus products are the most effective in protecting your computer from malware? This is how I evaluated the top antiviruses and ranked them based on speed, security, price, and functionality.

Quick summary of the best antivirus software for 2022:

1. Norton 360 Antivirus Review (2022): Is It Actually Worth It?
2. Bitdefender Review 2022: Is It a Good Antivirus? [Full Review]
3. Intego Antivirus Review: Is It the Best Mac Antivirus for 2022?
4. TotalAV Antivirus Review [2022] — Is It Safe for Windows/Mac?
5. McAfee Antivirus Review: Is It Good Enough to Use in 2022?
6. Avira Review: Is It the Best Antivirus in 2022?
7. Kaspersky Antivirus Review — Is It Safe to Use in 2022?
8. BullGuard Review 2022: What Makes This Antivirus So Special?
9. Panda Dome Antivirus Review [2022] — Is It Worth the Price?
10. Trend Micro Antivirus Review 2022: Is It Good Enough?

1. Norton 360 — Best Antivirus for Windows + Android

Norton 360 offers superior virus and malware protection. It’s a well-built internet security suite, which is well-maintained and maintains privacy and security. It also works on all operating systems (including Windows + Android).

Norton’s antivirus program uses a unique scanning engine based on heuristic and machine learning. It is capable of finding and eliminating all the latest and most sophisticated malware. It was able to score a 100% protection rate in all of my independent testing. It scored consistently higher on threat prevention and detection than Windows Defender. The best thing about Norton 360, especially for Windows, is its ease-of-use, as well as the many advanced settings available to more technical users who wish to customize their security protections.

Norton 360 comes with:

• Secure firewall.
• Password manager
• Webcam protection.
• VPN (with unlimited Data).
• Darkweb monitoring.
• Cloud storage.
• Ransomware protection.

Norton’s entry-level AntiVirus Plus package is $19.99/year. It doesn’t have many features but still offers real-time protection, a firewall, password management, and secure cloud storage of 2 GB. Norton 360 Standard, which adds unlimited VPN, 10 GB of secure cloud storage and dark web monitor for $39.99/year, is another great deal.

There are some very big benefits to upgrading Norton 360 Deluxe. You get up to 5 licenses, 50 GB storage space and access to the best parental controls. Norton 360 with LifeLock costs $99.48 per annum. It also includes identity theft protection and credit monitoring through Norton’s sister firm, LifeLock. But these advanced plans only are available for US customers.

Norton 360 has all the qualities of a great antivirus. It is the best choice for home-users looking for an intuitive antivirus with the best cybersecurity protections.

Bottom line:

Norton 360 protects you from all types of malware and offers a host of other great features like a password manager, cloud storage, parental controls and secure cloud storage. Norton comes with a 60-day money back guarantee.

2. Bitdefender Total Security — Advanced Malware Protection with Tons of Additional Features

Bitdefender’s antivirus engine is extremely sophisticated — it uses machine learning and artificial Intelligence to detect and defend against malware faster than any other competitor.

Bitdefender successfully removed every malware threat from my system during my testing. Bitdefender is cloud-based so all Bitdefender’s malware scanning takes place on Bitdefender’s cloud service. This offloads the strain on your computer. Bitdefender caused practically no system impact on both my Windows Mac and Mac laptops, even though it performed intensive full-disk scans.

Bitdefender features advanced settings, similar to Norton. Bitdefender allows users to personalize their antivirus protection. You can choose to set up customized scan settings for certain areas of your computer like scripts or network shares, as well as boot sectors and new/modified files. Bitdefender’s sophisticated settings enhance its reputation as one the most versatile and adaptable malware scanning engines.

Bitdefender is not just an anti-malware scan — it’s also one of the most complete security suites on the market, offering some of best protection for both mobiles and computers with features like:

• Website protections.
• System optimizer
• VPN (200 Mb/daily).
• Parental control.
• Password manger.
• Webcam protection.
• Ransomware protection.

Bitdefender’s web security is excellent. In my testing, the anti-phishing defense blocked most phishing sites. Safepay, which allows you to shop online and bank online, is a safe, encrypted browser window. Bitdefender’s multilayer ransomware prevention is something I love. It adds an extra layer of data protection to protect your files and prevents them from being encrypted during ransomware attacks.

Bitdefender VPN is also among the best available, offering lightning-fast connections to encrypted servers around world — however, Bitdefender VPN limits your daily data usage (except for the most expensive plan).

Bitdefender offers several low cost plans. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus starts at $23.99/year. This includes many Bitdefender’s premium features such as webcam protection and parental controls. However, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus only works on Windows. Bitdefender Internet Security provides parental controls, firewalls, and coverage for 3 Windows computers. Bitdefender Total Security costs $36.00 per annum and Bitdefender Total Security allows for 5 licenses for Windows and macOS. Bitdefender Premium Security includes all Bitdefender’s security features as well as the VPN with no limits. At $74.99/year it is more expensive than many competitors, but the VPN is just as good as standalone VPNs.

Bottom line

Bitdefender offers cloud based antivirus scanning and a range of cybersecurity instruments at a more affordable price than the competition. Bitdefender can be used by anyone who is confident with computers and wants additional cybersecurity tools like parental controls, password managers, VPNs, and parental controls. Bitdefender offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. Intego — Best Antivirus for Mac

Intego macOS is the best antivirus available. While most antivirus companies only offer protection for Windows PCs, Bitdefender and Norton have far fewer features than their Windows counterparts. But all Intego’s Mac anti-virus packages are designed to maximize Apple’s security features.

• Real-time malware protection.
• Mac optimization. Cleaning tools.
• Advanced Mac Backup Options.
• Security options for network security.
• Parental control.

Intego’s antivirus engine performed flawlessly against all malware tested by me (both PC and macOS). Intego’s antivirus engine scans files quickly — it scans more than 800,000 files within two hours. Intego’s file caching technology ignores files that have been scanned. This allows subsequent scans to take just a few minutes. Norton also uses the same technology for skipping over files that have already been scanned.

Intego has many cool features. I especially like the fact that you can connect an iOS device or external drive to your Mac to run an Intego-based virus scan. Intego doesn’t offer mobile internet security protection. This allows you to save money on multiple antivirus packages. However, you will still need to have another antivirus program if your goal is to scan more iOS devices.

Intego only offers a handful of package options. Mac Internet Security X9 does not offer any real-time antivirus or firewall protection. However, the Mac Premium Bundle X9 bundle has all of Intego’s best tools, such as parental controls and disk optimization. Intego’s annual cost is $24.99, which is somewhat more expensive than some of its competitors. However most other Mac-friendly programs offer limited features for Mac users (typically, only malware scanners).

Intego also has Antivirus Windows for Windows. But it isn’t a full-featured security product like Intego Mac products. You can choose from any of these other options if Windows antivirus is what you require.

Bottom Line

Intego’s superior protection against Mac malware makes it the best macOS antivirus. There’s also a 30-day guarantee that it will not give you any problems and you can return it for a full refund.

4. TotalAV — Easiest Antivirus Software to Use

TotalAV features an excellent antivirus scanner as well as a few great extras. It all comes within a very user-friendly dashboard, making TotalAV a fantastic choice for novice and non-technical users.

TotalAV’s antivirus scan, which is largely powered with Avira’s virus protection technology, works fast and reliably. The scanner found 99.9% of all the malware in my tests, from viruses and trojans, to ransomware. Only a couple of files were missed by the scanner (which Norton and Bitdefender also managed to catch).

TotalAV also includes a variety of other internet security features, such as:

• Phishing protection.
• Performance optimization.
• VPN.
• Password manger.

TotalAV’s features are excellent except for the password manger, which I believe needs to be improved. Norton or Avira, if you want a good password management system that is also an antivirus, would be a great choice.

TotalAV’s optimization tool is my favorite — it cleared up more space on my computer during my tests than many other alternatives. TotalAV’s VPN also impressed me. It is secure, compatible with most streaming sites, and maintained very high speeds across all server (which is why it has been ranked among the best antivirus-bundled VPNs).

TotalAV Antivirus Pro provides a solid entry-level protection package for users who need to protect 3 devices. The price is $19.00 a year. TotalAV Internet Security provides a better deal — it offers the VPN and coverage up to 5 devices for only $39.00 /year. TotalAV Total Security adds protection for up to 6 devices, as well an ad-blocker and password manager for $59.00/year.

Bottom Line:

TotalAV features a powerful and user-friendly antivirus engine. TotalAV can be recommended for those who are just starting out and need something secure, reliable, and simple to use. TotalAV’s packages have many features and are easy to use. TotalAV products come with a 30-day refund guarantee.

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5. McAfee Total Protection — Best for Online Security (+ Great for Families)

McAfee Total Protection offers almost every internet security feature you could ever need, including anti-phishing, malware protection, and password management.

Its superior virus protection abilities make Tolerance a great product. I was able to score a 100% detection rate against all the malware samples that were tested during my tests. McAfee found, blocked, and then removed all advanced threats including trojans. Keyloggers and rootkits were also detected.

McAfee was slower than Bitdefender and Norton. My computer was able, however, to browse the internet, access Microsoft Office and watch YouTube videos (although there was some buffering), but I was unable to play CPU-intensive gaming as my screen kept freezing.

McAfee’s Anti-phishing Protection is outstanding. It prevents me from accessing known Phishing sites.

I also love McAfee WiFi Protections. This shows you a detailed map of all Wi-Fi networks in your home, giving you complete control over online security.

McAfee has the best parental controls on the market. They block inappropriate and unwanted content, apps, and allow you to track your children’s devices with almost perfect accuracy. This feature works better that Google’s and Apples tools for locating devices.

McAfee Total Protection Single Device can be a good option for users who want to cover one device. For users who need to protect more devices, McAfee Total Protection Single Device is an excellent choice. They can choose to add identity theft protection to their plan or to purchase the Family package. This includes parental controls and coverage up to 10 devices. It’s much better than the majority of competitors. McAfee’s iOS application, which was the top-ranked iOS antivirus app of 2022, also comes with Multi-Device and Family plans. This includes theft protection, phishing protection and a VPN.

McAfee’s 1-year subscription plans start at $39.99 /year and end at $99.99 /year. But McAfee offers fantastic discounts on its 2-year plans. These plans can be used with multiple devices, making them one of best long-term deals.

Bottom line:

McAfee Total Protection has a remarkable range of internet protection. It offers central security control over all devices within your network and parental controls that are some of the most effective on the market. McAfee Total Protection makes McAfee a good choice for families wanting to protect their Wi-Fi networks and ensure that their children are safe online and offline. All Total Safety packages offer a commitment-free, 30-day money back guarantee.

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6. Avira Prime — Excellent Antivirus Scanner + System Optimization

Avira boasts one of the most robust and powerful antivirus engines. In independent testing, it scored high scores and had a 100% detection ratio. Avira’s antimalware tech has been licensed to several other vendors including TotalAV. Avira’s anti-malware engine is entirely cloud-based, meaning it won’t slow your system down as other antivirus engines that download heavy software packages.

Avira Premier also has many really great features like:

• Real-time malware protection.
• Advanced ransomware security.
• Privacy optimization.
• System optimization.
• VPN.
• Password Manager .
• Premium Android and iOS apps.

While there are many antivirus products that include tune-up programs to improve your device’s performance and free up hard disk space, I think Avira is the best — they include:

• Startup optimizer. I was able to save 2 minutes on my computer’s start time.
• Game booster. Allocates system resources automatically, and stops background process to improve system performance.
• Junk File Cleaner. Removing duplicates, unused and cached files.

Avira Prim is a great antivirus if your computer is old and slow. My old Windows 7 computer ran like new, almost faster than my Windows 10 machine!

Avira Prime starts at $59.99 a year. However, it is more expensive than many top-rated antivirus software packages. Avira also offers Internet Security for $49.99 a year, but Prime is the only one that includes advanced system optimization, VPN, and mobile applications.

Avira may sound like a good antivirus. However, you don’t need to spend much money. Avira’s Free Version is the best free antivirus software available. It comes with free real time protection, ransomware protection and even Avira VPN.

Bottom line:

Avira offers cloud-based scanning and system optimization tools that make it one of the most lightweight security solutions on my list. Prime has a VPN, password manger, and coverage up to five devices across all platforms. Avira comes with a 30-day money back guarantee.

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7. Kaspersky Internet Security — Best Antivirus Software for Online Shopping + Banking

Kaspersky Internet Security combines Kaspersky’s antivirus protection with some incredible bonus features that will help you stay safe online.

Kaspersky’s antivirus engine consistently delivers outstanding results against all forms of malware. I tested it 100%.

Kaspersky also offers many security features like:

• Anti-phishing protections.
• Safe Money Browser.
• VPN 200 MB/daily
• Webcam protection.

Kaspersky’s Safe Money feature is great. The program detects if you’re about to make an online payment or visit a bank website. This allows the program to launch a secure, sandboxed web browser window that is impenetrable by spyware and malware. Safe Money is great, but Bitdefender’s Safepay secure browser loads faster than Kaspersky. Kaspersky lets users use a virtual keyboard to handle online payments. This is a way to avoid keyloggers.

Internet Security is Kaspersky’s most valuable plan. It offers malware scanning and web protections. There is also the Safe Money securebrowser for up to 5 users. The price is $39.99/year. While this is a good deal it is still slightly more than other top-rated plans. Kaspersky Total Security for $44.99/year is an option parents should consider. This provides the best parental controls available for up to 10 PCs.

Bottom line:

Kaspersky gives a well-designed, anti-malware scanning antivirus package. It also offers useful extras like a secure web browser for online financial transactions and excellent parental controls. All Kaspersky plans offer a 30-day money-back warranty.

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8. BullGuard — Best Antivirus for High-Powered Protection

BullGuard delivers powerful antimalware protection along with many other features, including an excellent gamer booster. A customizable firewall. Performance optimizer. Intuitive parental controls. Identity theft protections.

BullGuard’s virus engine scored very well during my recent tests, detecting all the malware I have placed on my computer. BullGuard is one of the most effective phishing defenses available. It scored flawless results when tested against hundreds false websites.

Game Booster I love one BullGuard feature: it frees up your system resources to increase CPU performance when gaming. Game Booster significantly improved my frame rate, and reduced my load time while I played high-performance games like Apex Legends and Destiny 2 Beyond Light. BullGuard was named the best antivirus software for gamers by this feature.

BullGuard also offers identity theft protections. This includes live credit monitoring and identity insurance to US, Canada and Western European users (Norton and TotalAV are only US-based identity protections).

On the other side, BullGuard has parental controls that I don’t love and the fact that it doesn’t include VPNs in its antivirus programs, like McAfee or Norton.

BullGuard Antivirus protects against malware, phishing, and provides coverage for only one device. BullGuard Internet Security offers multi-device coverage and performance optimization. It also provides parental controls. BullGuard Premium protection also includes a home scanner and identity theft prevention. BullGuard’s plans make a great choice for casual users as well as avid gamers. They start at $9.99/year.

Bottom line:

BullGuard has many features that make it a reliable malware scanner. BullGuard Premium Protection is available for those who want additional protection against identity theft and coverage for up 10 devices. BullGuard Internet Security, however, is designed for users who just need a basic antivirus that works on 3 devices. BullGuard offers a game booster with all plans. All plans also come with a 30-day refund guarantee.

9. Panda Dome — Best Antivirus Software for Flexible Pricing

Panda has an advanced virus scanner, and an intuitive interface that can be used across five pricing plans. It is great that Panda offers an excellent security solution to everyone regardless of their budget.

Panda’s malware detector performed well during testing (95 percent malware detection rate and 100 percent ransomware identification rate), and I liked the majority of its additional features. One Panda addition I love is the Rescue Kit. This is a bootable Panda version that can be run from a thumbdrive (in case your system becomes infected).

Panda offers flexible pricing options such as:

• Free. Provides real-time protection for Windows and Android apps, as well as a Rescue Kit. Also includes a VPN (limit of 1 server per day and 150 MB).
• l (28.79 USD/year). Adds Android and macOS real time malware protection, a Windows firewall, Wi-Fi protection.
• Advanced ($28.49/year Secure browsing and parental controls for Windows.
• Full ($42.99/year). It includes a password management tool, device optimization tools, and an file encrypter- and shredder.
• Premium ($66.99/year Unlimited VPN access, an updated manager, and 24/7 priority technical assistance are all included.

Panda’s plans all offer good value. Even the free plan has its advantages. It provides real-time anti-virus protection which is something many free products do not provide.

Panda’s features and options are excellent, but Panda VPN’s performance was poor in speed tests. Also, Panda’s unlimited VPN service is only available for the most expensive plans. Bitdefender or TotalAV would be my recommendations for VPNs included in antivirus packages.

Bottom line

Panda provides a basic malware scanner and real-time protection. It also offers parental controls, file encryption and shredder, as well as password management and parental controls. Panda premium plans all come with a 30-day refund guarantee.

10. Trend Micro — Best Antivirus Software for Phishing Protection

Trendmicro has a decent antimalware tool and some of our best phishing protection.

Trend Micro’s Antivirus scanner did well in my testing. It detected the majority (but not all) of trojans or ransomware that was on my computer.

Trend Micro’s Antivirus is the best in terms of phishing protection.

Phishing scams become increasingly common. Antivirus software can make it difficult to spot them. Cybercriminals can make duplicate websites (a tactic called “domain spoofing”) that will trick you into giving your personal information.

Chrome and Firefox both have some phishing protection. Trend Micro’s antiphishing technology detected more phishing websites than Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Edge.

Trend Micro Antivirus + Security protects one Windows device with malware protection and advanced ransomware defense. It also includes a secure browser that allows you to access online finances. Trend Micro Internet Security can protect up to 3 devices (PC-only) and adds parental controls, social networking protection and device optimization tools. Trend Micro Maximum Protection protects up to five devices (including Windows computers, Android phones, iOS tablets, and Chromebooks) and provides a password manager. Trend Micro’s plans begin at $19.95/year

Bottom Line

Trend Micro offers strong privacy and security features on Windows, Mac and Android. There’s even a Chromebook App! Trend Micro has a reputation for being a strong phishing protector. This means that it can help you avoid fraudulent websites trying to steal credit card numbers or passwords. Trend Micro plans all come with a 30-day refund guarantee.

Bonus. Malwarebytes — Minimalistic Antivirus (with Good Web Protections)

Malwarebytes can be described as a straightforward, simple-to-use antivirus. It provides good protection for all devices and operating systems. However, it isn’t as effective as Norton or Bitdefender.

Malwarebytes comes with web protections that are excellent. These protected me from most of the phishing pages I tried to visit during testing. Malwarebytes provides a VPN service with unlimited data, servers located in 30 countries and decent speeds. Malwarebytes’s VPN does not allow streaming or torrenting. ExpressVPN is recommended if you are looking for a VPN to access torrent files and streaming sites.

Malwarebytes lacks the additional features of other antiviruses (like parental controls and PC optimization tools), Malwarebytes is a simple antivirus program that users can install and forget. I wish it had more of these features. Malwarebytes starts from $39.99 a year.

Bottom Line

Malwarebytes provides a reliable malware scanner, web protections, and an excellent VPN. But it is still a good option for people looking for a basic, low-cost antivirus. Malwarebytes is covered by a generous 60 day money-back guarantee.

Bonus. MacKeeper — Intuitive & Feature-Rich Antivirus for Mac

MacKeeper is an antivirus that’s been specifically developed for Mac. It offers excellent malware protection, a variety of privacy and security features, as well as a macOS app that is very intuitive.

MacKeeper detected more Mac-specific malware than any other antivirus, including McAfee or Intego. MacKeeper has the Mac cleanup and optimization tools that removed approximately 3.5GB of junk, duplicate, and other files from my MacBook Pro. It also allows you to delete unwanted attachments in your email. This feature is not available in any other antivirus.

MacKeeper also offers a VPN that is really good – it is secure, fast and allows access to streaming sites like Netflix. The only problem I have with the VPN is the lack transparency about its no-logs policy. MacKeeper needs to be more transparent about how it manages users data.

however, unlike many of its competitors, MacKeeper lacks anti-phishing security, which I consider crucial for an antivirus in 2022. Intego comes with parental controls and firewalls.

MacKeeper provides several plans starting from $10.95/month.

Bottom line:

MacKeeper – This Mac-only antivirus is excellent. It has almost perfect malware detection rates, includes great system cleanup tools and offers a secure VPN with unlimited data. Unfortunately, it lacks anti-phishing protection and firewalls. MacKeeper offers several paid options and backs every purchase with a 14-day money back guarantee.

How I Rated the Best Antivirus Software of 2022

• Strong anti-malware protection. I recommend only products that have proved to protect against the most dangerous malware threats. Not only are viruses but also rootkits or ransomware. I’ve personally run dozens upon dozens of malware tests and stress tests on my computers to ensure that these products are able to provide reliable protection against any viruses or other serious internet security threats.
• No false positives (or minimum). I don’t think any antivirus software can prevent false positives. However, it is better to have false positives than real malware. It can be frustrating to get false alerts all the time. All tests returned zero false positives or very few false ones for the antiviruses on this page.
• Superior features. A majority of paid antivirus programs include extra internet security options. These additional features can slow down your computer, increase your price, and sometimes even cause your computer to crash. Each of the features on this list was personally tested by me. I want to make sure that every antivirus feature is effective and efficient, and not just flashy.
• Speed, efficiency and effectiveness. The very best antiviruses are light and run smoothly on all the intended operating systems. I tested this list and compared it to all other antiviruses.
• Multiplatform support. The best antiviruses can be used on all operating systems. This includes popular ones like iOS, Windows, macOS Android, and iOS. Some antiviruses are not compatible with all platforms (e.g. Intego, which is only available for Mac), but most of the ones I recommend work well on all platforms.
• It’s easy-to-use. No matter your level of IT expertise, you still need to have virus protection on your devices, such as your smartphones and tablets. Users will not be able to use basic protection if the software requires you to be an IT specialist to keep safe. Each of these antivirus programs was tested by me personally to ensure that it is easy to use and set up.
• Quality customer service. If you have questions or need assistance with your antivirus program, it’s important that you have multiple customer support channels. There are many options for customer support. These brands include live chats, email support as well as knowledge bases, FAQs, forums and knowledge base support. I reached out and reviewed the knowledge bases of each company to find answers to my questions.
• Excellent value. It can be a significant investment. All relevant factors were taken into consideration, including whether there was a free trial, money-back guarantee, or web and browsing protection. I find that all these top antiviruses offer great value.

How to Choose the Best Antivirus for Your Operating System

The antiviruses included in this list provide strong protection against malware and offer a range of cybersecurity options. However, not all of these are compatible with all operating system platforms. One example is that an antivirus that works flawlessly on Windows may only be available in a limited macOS edition, or it might not perform well on mobile.

I’ve stress-tested each program on every major operating system and have come up with the conclusion that Norton is the best overall antivirus. Norton’s apps are intuitive and well-designed for iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows. They have excellent malware detection rates and offer a wide range of internet security tools. Although it doesn’t offer an Android app for Chrome OS (and it’s our #1 choice when it comes to Chromebook protection), its Android app is compatible with Chromebooks.

You may also be interested in our curated lists below of the best antiviruses on different operating systems.

• Best Windows antiviruses. There are many antivirus brands offering the best protection for Windows devices. This makes it difficult to choose the best Windows anti-virus. After much research, testing, and comparisons, we recommend Norton as the best choice for Windows 8, 10, 11, and 12.
• Best Mac antiviruses. Unfortunately most antiviruses concentrate on Windows. Many of them only provide bare-bones Windows software for Mac users. There are some really great macOS antiviruses. These provide malware protection that improves upon Apple’s existing protections, are user-friendly, and can be used on Mac devices. Intego is our top macOS choice.
• Best Android antiviruses. There are many Android antiviruses that aren’t enough to protect your device from all of the latest internet threats. However, there are a few that offer great malware and web protection along with extras that can help further protect your online activities. BullGuard is our favorite Android antivirus.
• The top antiviruses available for iOS. Even though iOS devices are invulnerable to viruses, there are still a variety of online threats including identity theft, spyware and malware, as well as phishing scams. You can protect your iOS device and data from these threats with the best iOS anti-viruses. McAfee, our top antivirus for iOS, is our number one choice.

How does an antivirus work?

Antivirus software scans your system for malicious files. These viruses and malware are commonly known as trojans, Trojans, Spyware, Adware, Keyloggers, Cryptojackers, Rootkits, and many other threats. Malware can be used to either harm your device or gain access, or both.

Antivirus software uses malware databases to check if any of the files you have scanned matches the code of malware in the database. It also checks for files which are similar to those in its database. Advanced programs like Bitdefender and Norton also use machine-learning to detect malware based their behavior. This is how antivirus software detects emerging and new malware.

Antivirus software not only provides an instant malware scanner that detects, removes and quarantines malware in your system, but also offers real-time protection that scans for malware in running programs. Real-time protection blocks malware BEFORE it infects your system.

Antivirus software can sometimes flag potentially dangerous files as unsafe. These are false positives. All you need to do to prevent this from happening is to whitelist that program. Your antivirus will then allow it to continue running. It’s easy to whitelist files. However, you should only do this if you can be certain that the file you wish to whitelist is safe.

Do I really need an antivirus in 2022?

Online threats must be kept in mind if you are using the internet. You probably have an antivirus if you use Windows, Mac OS or mobile OS. These antiviruses aren’t bad. They can be a problem for your cybersecurity.

Advanced protections are offered by the best antivirus packages. These include full-suite antimalware engines, including phishing, ransomware, webcam protection and Wi-Fi security protection), security enhancements (including customizable firewalls, parental controls, device optimization and parental controls) and additional features (like file shredders, password managers, and VPNs). Norton 360 and Bitdefender Total Security have all of this and more.

So, the question of whether or not you need an antivirus — which you definitely do — is more about how much protection you’d like.

How do I choose the best antivirus software for me?

Choosing an antivirus software package is difficult. There are so many options. The most expensive products do not always provide the best protection.

These are the steps you need to take in order to find the perfect antivirus product.

• Decide the features that you need. It is important to have basic antivirus protection, but you also need other internet security features. Use public Wi-Fi networks to protect your computer, so you need a VPN. A parental control antivirus is recommended for parents with children. Norton 360, one of the most comprehensive products on this list provides these advanced features, as well as many more.
• Consider how many devices you need antivirus protection. All of these products offer multiple licenses. The McAfee plans can be used on up ten devices, which includes smartphones. Although most of my top choice antiviruses provide top-quality apps on all major operating systems (Windows, macOS, Android and iOS), some antiviruses don’t offer mobile apps. BullGuard for example doesn’t have an iPhone app but it’s fantastic for PC gamers.
• You can take advantage of a no-risk trial or money-back guarantee. There are many brands on this list who offer a free trial. Panda offers a free month for your first month. A majority of other brands offer a “no-questions asked” money-back guarantee. TotalAV has a 30-day cancellation policy, while Norton’s is generously 60 days.
• You can test the software. Spend some time evaluating the product. If you are unhappy with the product, contact customer service. Or you can simply request a return. These brands have great reputations and will honour any valid refund request 100%. You could test every product in this list before making your decision.

Will an antivirus slow down my device?

Although antivirus software can slow down the device, it usually occurs only after a complete system scan. The best antivirus programs can run smoothly and quickly during full scans so you can continue to use your device.

Norton and Bitdefender had no effect on my device’s performance during testing. I could stream video while they were running, play games, work online and make video calls. The only noticeable slowdown was during full system scans. However, this was minimal and I was still able to engage in all the above-mentioned tasks without difficulty.

Avira, TotalAV, and Avira are my top choices. These tools will clean up and speed up your device. You can even get game boosters from some brands (I recommend BullGuard as a gaming booster), which allow you to play high performance games with minimal lag.