Do You REALLY Need an Antivirus for Chromebook in 2022?

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

Chromebooks are equipped with excellent security features that can protect users from malware and viruses. However, this doesn’t mean that they’re 100% secure.

Chrome OS can be compromised by cybercriminals, but they can also steal your personal data and hijack your online accounts using a variety of methods such as:

• Fake Chrome extensions.
• Scam Android apps.
• Phishing sites that steal data.
• Website trackers.
• Public Wi-Fi that is not secured
• Data breaches.

A good internet security program like Norton is the best way to protect yourself from these types of attacks. These apps protect users with tools such as app scanners and anti-phishing protections. They also monitor WiFi networks and offer additional security features like parental controls and virtual private networks (VPNs), data breaches monitoring, and many more.

Android apps are the best antivirus apps for Chromebooks. They both use the same Linux code base so most Android security apps will work with Chromebooks. Some Android apps can be very buggy on Chrome OS so choose carefully which app to protect your Chromebook.

I tested dozens of Chrome OS-compatible antivirus applications and found the best ones to protect your Chromebooks in 2022. All of the antiviruses have been tested and I only included those that were compatible with my new 13-inch Pixelbook Go running an updated Chrome OS version.

Quick summary of the best antiviruses for Chromebook:

• 1.🥇 Norton — #1 Chromebook antivirus app in 2022.
• 2.🥈 Bitdefender — Excellent security features (all work on Chromebook) and a fast VPN.
• 3.🥉 TotalAV — Easy to use for new Chromebook users, good web shield, and great VPN.
• 4. Avira — Good free antivirus protection plan for Chromebooks.
• 5. Malwarebytes — Minimalistic antivirus designed for Chrome OS (with a decent VPN).

Are Chromebooks Protected From Viruses?

Multiple layers of security infrastructure are used to protect Chromebooks from viruses, but they are not always 100% secure.

This is the most basic protection. Chrome OS cannot run Windows-based.exe files.

Chromebook users are protected by another simple, but effective protection: Chrome OS has very limited user permissions. Administrator privileges are granted to Windows users. This allows programs to access basic system files and processes. However, malware apps can exploit these privileges to infect your computer and deceive it. Chrome OS does not allow users to access this level of access (or potentially malware files).

Chromebooks include passive protections as well as active protections that protect users like:

• Sandboxing – This allows you to run every file and browser in an isolated environment, which helps prevent unsafe processes from spreading.
• Verified boot – This resets the OS to its default settings each time you start your Chromebook.
• Recovery mode — Restores the OS to its default settings manually in the event of infection that hasn’t been removed by Verified Boot.
• Automatic updates — Installs the most recent security patches automatically, closing all vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them.

Chrome OS is the most secure operating system for computers in 2022, thanks to its active and passive protections.

Chrome OS users still have the ability to hack their system in other ways.

• Phishing attacks – Fake websites, emails, text messages and DMs to trick users into sharing financial and personal information.
• Browser hijackers – Tricky browser extensions that steal user information and redirect search engines to unsafe sites.
• Fleeceware – Apps that deceive users and use marketing tactics to overcharge them (especially children). Users were charged $50 per week for a fleeceware palm reading app with over 10,000 downloads from Play Store.
• Spyware applications — Apps which ask for tons of permissions from users to share their data with hackers.
• Spoofing — An attack that uses fake network protocols to steal user information. This happens when a user logs on to an unsecure public Wi-Fi network.

You need an antivirus app that is compatible with Chrome OS 2022 if you want to protect your Chromebook against the latest cyberattacks.

These are some of my favorite:

🥇1. Norton Mobile Security — Best Overall Internet Security Suite for Chromebooks

Norton Mobile Safety is my favourite antivirus for Chromebooks – it offers a great array of security tools and is very easy to use. Despite being an Android app, all the features of Norton Mobile Security worked flawlessly on my Chromebook. But, I would love for Norton to release an update that allows Norton Mobile Security to display properly on a wide-format Chromebook screen. Right now, the rectangle is too small and it takes up most of the screen.

Norton Mobile Security comes standard with:

• App advisor.
• Anti-phishing protection.
• Wi-Fi monitoring.
• Identity theft protection for US only.
• VPN.
• Parental controls.

Norton’s app advisor, which analyzes extensions and apps for suspicious behavior before they are downloaded, is a great tool. Norton detected several suspicious apps in Google Play Store during my testing. These included an ad blocker trying to track me and a fleeceware-based photo editing app.

Norton’s anti-phishing protection worked well too, blocking phishing websites that Chrome’s built in protections couldn’t detect. Norton also offers identity theft protection which includes live credit report monitoring and dark web monitoring to detect identity theft.

Norton Secure VPN is also quite good. It offers great privacy protections, including split-tunneling and a no-logs policy. Plus, it has fast connections speeds (and can connect to Netflix). It doesn’t support torrenting and doesn’t work with Disney+ or Hulu. Also, it isn’t as fast as standalone VPNs such ExpressVPN.

Norton Mobile Security, is $19.99 per year. Individual downloads are available, but you’ll get a better deal if Norton’s mobile app is included in the low-cost Norton360 Deluxe package. It covers multiple computers and mobile devices, has a password manager, cloud storage and parental controls. All plans come with a 60 day money-back guarantee.

Bottom line:

Norton mobile Security offers excellent protection against malware, unsafe websites and risky networks. It’s also 100% compatible with Chromebooks. Norton 360 Deluxe includes coverage for multiple devices and more features. This plan is also cheaper and provides a greater overall value. Norton was able, in my testing, to identify suspicious or unsafe apps in Google Play Store with greater accuracy than any other antivirus. The web shield is a significant improvement on Chrome’s built in protections. US users will also love Norton’s identity protections (included in the US-only Norton 360 plans with LifeLock plans), that offer real-time credit monitoring as well as live assistance in the case of identity theft. All Norton plans come with a 60-day money back guarantee.

🥈2. Bitdefender Mobile Security — Best for Antivirus + VPN Protection on Chromebook

Bitdefender Mobile Security offers excellent security features and the fastest VPN. In my testing, Bitdefender was able detect suspicious and unsafe apps and its Autopilot feature was capable of detecting unsafe security settings and permissions.

Bitdefender Mobile Security, like Norton Mobile Safety, is an Android app. However, because Chrome OS and Android are almost identical, Bitdefender ran flawlessly on my Chromebook during all my tests.

Bitdefender has more than just a great app scanner and an Autopilot.

• Anti-phishing protection.
• VPN.
• Anti-theft protection.
• Parental controls.
• Data breach monitoring.

Bitdefender’s antiphishing protection caught phishing sites as accurately as Norton. It also detected suspicious sites that browsers such as Firefox and Chrome failed to detect in my testing.

Bitdefender’s VPN feature is one of the best. My speed tests revealed that I was able to browse, torrent, and stream HD video from distant and nearby servers at lightning fast speeds. The free VPN offers only 200 MB per day and automatically chooses the nearest server to you. It’s not great. Bitdefender’s paid VPN is available on the Premium Safety plan. This gives unlimited data access and 30 server locations worldwide. However, it won’t work with streaming apps such as Netflix or Amazon Prime.

Bitdefender has good anti-theft and parental controls. Data breach scanning was also available. All of these features worked flawlessly on my Chromebook during our testing. Bitdefender’s app assistant can’t flag dangerous apps in Google Play Store, unlike Norton. Bitdefender’s interface is also not as intuitive than Norton’s.

Bitdefender remains one of the most popular Chromebook apps. Mobile Security is available for both the Total Security ($36.00/year) and Premium Security ($69.99/year) plans. Both cover multiple devices and include all Bitdefender security features such as the app scanner, Autopilot and anti-phishing protection. All Bitdefender subscriptions come with a 30-day money back guarantee.

Bottom line:

Bitdefender’s Android app is excellent and works well on Chrome OS. It also has a lot of great security features, including a malware scanner that scored 100%. The Autopilot feature allows you to fix unsafe settings. Bitdefender’s VPN is also great. However, the free version has a limit of 200MB per day. You can upgrade to the Premium security plan to get unlimited data. Bitdefender offers a 30-day money back guarantee.

🥉3. TotalAV Total Mobile Security — Best for Ease of Use on Chromebooks

TotalAV Total offers good security for Chromebooks and a user-friendly interface. TotalAV’s dark colors are great and the streamlined design makes it easy to access all its features.

• App monitor.
• Anti-phishing protection.
• Secure browser.
• VPN.
• App locker.
• Data breach monitoring.

App monitors are real-time and protect you from malicious extensions and apps. TotalAV provided me with instant notifications regarding unsafe Chrome browser extensions and data-harvesting apps. TotalAV also detected a large number of phishing websites.

TotalAV VPN is my favorite antivirus with a VPN — It includes excellent security features and very fast speeds (but certainly not as fast as Bitdefender), supports unlimited data, allows P2P traffic and can access streaming sites such as Netflix, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer.

TotalAV does not include Wi-Fi monitoring and comprehensive identity protections like Norton. I wish TotalAV had an Autopilot feature, parental controls, or a similar product to Bitdefender. TotalAV provides great protection against Chromebook security threats such as phishing attacks and malicious web trackers.

All 3 TotalAV plans include the Android app, work with Chromebook and the VPN. However, it is the most expensive plan at $29.00/year. The Internet Security plan costs $39.00 per year and provides the best value. It covers 5 devices and includes unlimited VPN access. TotalAV Total Securityplan adds 6 additional devices, an advertising blocker, and a password repository for $49.00/year. TotalAV offers a 30-day money back guarantee on all plans.

Bottom line:

TotalAV offers good security for Chromebooks within a very easy-to-use interface. It also has anti-phishing protection that is better than Chrome’s. TotalAV includes an app locker, secure browsing, and data breach monitoring. TotalAV’s VPN is a great choice. It allows unlimited data and works with all the most popular streaming services. I also love torrenting. All TotalAV plans come with a 30-day money back guarantee.

4. Avira Antivirus Security Free — Best Free Antivirus for Chromebooks

Avira Security Free provides a free, secure solution for Chromebooks. However, I experienced occasional issues with my testing. Avira would freeze during a scan or not wp-signup.php my clicks. Avira worked again after I closed and reopened the app window. However, I wish Avira’s Android application worked as well on Chrome OS as Norton or Bitdefender.

Avira offers a wide range of useful features including:

• Anti-theft protection.
• Privacy scanner for apps.
• VPN (100MB daily limit).
• App lock.
• Data breach scanner.
• Wi-Fi scanner.
• Device optimizer.

Avira’s privacy scanner looked at all the apps on my Chromebook, and alerted me if any had access to my images, contacts, browsing data, and browsing data. Although it isn’t as effective as Norton’s app scanner in real time, this can still be a useful way to increase privacy on your Chromebook.

Avira’s data scanner is also a favorite of mine. It can alert you if your personal information has been leaked in a breach. However, Avira relies on public databases which may not be as efficient as Norton’s live dark Web monitoring team which searches for data in private dark internet forums.

Avira is a free antivirus that works well. However, you will need to upgrade to Avira’s paid plan to get anti-phishing protection and a password manager. You also have unlimited browsing data and a VPN. Avira’s premium app can be purchased with the Avira Prime plan, which costs $59.99/year and provides coverage for up 5 devices including Android, Windows and macOS.

Bottom line:

Avira offers a variety of privacy and security features at no cost. It also provides notifications when your personal data has been leaked to the general public. Avira’s paid Avira Prime plan is an excellent option for those who want a good password manager, unlimited data VPN, anti-phishing protection and a 60-day guarantee on all Avira’s annual paid plans.

5. Malwarebytes for Chromebooks — Best Minimal Antivirus App for Chromebooks

Malwarebytes may not be as comprehensive as other Chromebook antiviruses, but it is the only one with an intuitive interface that occupies the entire screen.

Although Malwarebytes’ functionality is minimal, it does offer a few useful security tools for Chromebooks.

• App scanner.
• Privacy scanner.
• Anti-phishing protection.

Malwarebytes was capable of detecting the majority of unsafe apps on my test Chromebook. However, it was not as effective as Norton’s or Bitdefenders’ app scanners. Both blocked more suspicious apps than Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes’ privacy scanner is great. It was able flag apps with lots of privacy permissions. Malwarebytes also showed me which apps could track my location, monitor and share my data in an easily-read privacy report.

I was also impressed by the anti-phishing protection offered by Malwarebytes – it blocked most phishing sites that I tested (but not as many) as Norton or Bitdefender.

Malwarebytes does not offer parental controls, password managers, data breach monitoring or anti-theft tools. However, it is a reliable antivirus app for Chromebooks. The Premium plan costs only $39.99 per year and covers one device. Upgrade to Malwarebytes Premium+ Privacy plan for $99.99/year to get a decent VPN with coverage for up 5 devices.

Bottom line:

Malwarebytes Chromebook antivirus app has a simple interface that is optimized for Chrome OS. However, it was not as effective as Bitdefender and Norton’s app scanners. Malwarebytes does have a great privacy scanner that lists all permissions for your Chromebook in one place. It also offers anti-phishing protection. Malwarebytes’ Premiumplan costs very little if you only want to protect your Chromebook. The Premium + Privacyplan covers 5 devices and is a great value. Malwarebytes offers a 30-day money back guarantee on all plans.

How to choose the best antivirus for Chromebook

• Compatibility Chromebooks can download Android apps via the Google Play Store. However, many Android apps (especially antivirus) are not compatible with Chrome OS. Each app in this list was tested by me and I can confirm that it works with Chromebooks.
• Protection – Look for apps that offer app scanning tools (Norton scans your apps before installing them) to identify malicious apps and web protections. These tools block phishing sites, block malware, block unsecure websites, block unsafe websites, block WiFi monitoring tools, and privacy monitors.
• Additional features – To protect your privacy online and stream videos, you should look for an app that has a fast VPN such as TotalAV. Norton offers a very powerful identity theft protection service, while Bitdefender scans your device and alerts you if there are any security threats.
• Price – Although there are some free apps, I recommend that you purchase a reasonably priced antivirus that supports Chromebook. Each purchase comes with a 30-day trial, or a money-back guarantee. Norton is my top pick, which offers a generous 60 day guarantee.
• Easy to use — Search for apps with intuitive interfaces and lots of customization options. Malwarebytes, for example, makes it simple to scan your app, check the privacy settings and permissions on your device and view previous scan logs. This allows you to analyze security trends on your phone.

Top Brands That Didn’t Make it to the Cut

1. McAfee – McAfee’s Android security app was one of my favorite, but it was very buggy during my Chromebook test. My Chromebook couldn’t run the app scanner and it wasn’t able give ratings for certain apps. The anti-theft features also didn’t work.
2. Webroot – Webroot’s cloud-based, low-impact scanner is a great option for those looking for an antivirus that doesn’t require any additional features. Webroot is slightly more expensive, and doesn’t offer the Malwarebytes-level privacy monitor or antiphishing protections.
3. Avast – Avast’s Android antivirus app is free and works well on Chrome OS. However, Avast, AVG, and other malware have been linked to a data theft scandal. We don’t recommend Avast on our website.

Tips to Protect Your Chromebook

Chromebooks update automatically in the background whenever Google issues a new software update. To protect your Chromebook from exploit attacks or software vulnerabilities, you just need to connect to the internet.

While Google will automatically keep Chrome OS current, there are some things you can do to ensure your Chromebook is protected.

1. To ensure that Chrome is protected, use Safety Check

Chrome’s Safety check feature is a great first step to make sure your logins, extensions, and future browsing are safe.

Click on the “3 dots” symbol in Chrome’s top right corner. Select Settings > Privacy & Security. Next, select the Safety check option. This will give you an overview of your phishing protection and extensions as well as a history of breaches. Chrome will immediately flag any extensions you have. You should also immediately change passwords that have been compromised by Chrome. A password manager such as 1Password is the best way to make strong passwords and keep them secure.

Chrome should also offer Safe Browsing, which blocks suspicious websites. I recommend Standard Protection as it is less vigilant than Enhanced Protection. In my experience, Google frequently flags unsafe extensions and websites even though Enhanced Protection has been turned on.

2. 2FA is a way to secure your Google account

Your Google account is used to log in to your Chromebook. This account can also be used for Gmail, YouTube and possibly dozens of other websites. It is important to use 2-factor authentication (2FA) to protect your login. 2FA requires that you provide your password and another piece of verification in order to log into your account. This will ensure that your account is secure even if your password gets stolen.

Select the Security tab in your Google Account. Look under Signing into Google and choose 2-Step Verification. This will guide you through the steps needed to send temporary one-time passwords (TOTPs), to your authenticator app. Once you have set it up, the authenticator will automatically generate a new passcode every 30 seconds. To log in to your Chromebook, you’ll need both the correct TOTP as well as your password.

Logging in using 2FA can be tedious. However, password managers such as 1Password have built-in TOTP authenticators which can generate and auto-fill one-time passcodes securely and quickly.

3. Remember that older Chromebooks can be vulnerable

Chromebooks cannot run the most recent version of Chrome OS for 5 years due to hardware limitations. However, your Chromebook will alert you when this happens. Your device will lose more security and life over the next 5 years. If Chrome is not compatible with your device, upgrading to a newer version of Chrome is the best choice.

4. A high-quality antivirus suite is recommended

An antivirus app that is good provides protection at both the browser and device levels. This includes tools that Chrome OS does not offer. My list of antiviruses detects unsafe apps that bypass Google Play Store’s protections. They also detect dangerous websites much more accurately than Chrome OS’s built-in protections.

Good antivirus apps include parental controls, password managers, data breach monitoring, and VPNs. This protects you from hackers, web trackers, and your internet service provider (ISP) from tracking your online activity. Parents can limit screen time and filter out inappropriate content. A password manager generates passwords and stores them in an encrypted vault. It also auto-fills logins. Identity theft shields and data breach monitors notify you if your information has been leaked or if it appears in your credit report.

5. Do not download apps for your Chromebook from third-party app stores

You can find dozens of scam app stores that claim to offer high-quality, free apps. These apps are usually available in the Google Play Store. A quick Google search will reveal dozens of sketchy app stores that claim to offer high-quality free versions of apps that normally cost money in the Google Play Store.

6. Don’t Enable Developer Mode

Developer Mode should be disabled unless the user is an expert. Developer Mode allows hackers to modify your Chromebook’s system. This effectively negates all of Chrome’s security protections. Before installing an app, confirm that Developer Mode is enabled.

Are Chromebooks required to have an antivirus?

Chrome OS is not immune to all malware because of its built-in security measures. However, Chrome OS users are still vulnerable to other cyberattacks

• Fake Chrome extensions
• Scam Android apps.
• Phishing sites that steal data
• Website trackers
• Public Wi-Fi that is not secured
• Data breaches

Today’s top antivirus apps for Chromebooks (Norton being my favorite) can block dangerous websites and analyze permission abuse, as well as protect browsing data with secure VPNs. They also provide anti-theft and data breach monitoring and parental controls. This will help protect you and your family against all cyber threats in 2022.

What is the best antivirus for Chromebooks

Norton Android Security is the best Chromebook antivirus. Here are the features offered by Norton’s Android App:

• App advisor.
• Anti-phishing protection.
• Wi-Fi monitoring.
• Protect yourself from identity theft (only in the USA).
• VPN.
• Parental control

Norton is my favourite antivirus for Chromebooks. However, there are some great alternatives out there. Bitdefender offers excellent app scanning and web protections. TotalAV offers good security tools with an intuitive interface. Avira offers most of the necessary Chromebook security features through its free app. I also love Malwarebytes which is a simple but powerful security app designed for Chrome OS.

Is there a Chromebook antivirus that is free?

Avira is my favorite Chromebook antivirus, but it lacks as many features as its paid counterparts like Bitdefender and Norton. Avira offers a great app scanner, privacy monitor and data breach monitoring. It also provides a decent VPN, although there’s a limit of 100MB per day. These features are quite useful and can be used as an addition to Chrome OS’s protections.

If you want to use Avira’s great password manager, anti-phishing protections and device cleanup as well as unlimited VPN data, you will need to upgrade to Avira Prim (Avira’s paid app).

Are Chromebooks required to have a VPN?

A VPN protects Chromebooks against leaking user data (personal info like your name, address and even bank information online).

Chromebooks can be used with Android apps. This means that any VPN with an Android app, including standalone VPNs such as ExpressVPN, will work on your Chromebook.

You can bundle an antivirus program with a VPN if you want to. All of my antivirus programs include a VPN. TotalAV, my favorite antivirus with VPN in 2022, is secure, fast, and works with many streaming services, including Netflix.

Is it possible to get viruses on a Chromebook

No. No.

Chromebooks aren’t susceptible to viruses but they can be infected by malware apps and malicious browser extensions. These extensions can steal data and hack into your online accounts via Chrome. To protect your devices and data from all the latest threats to internet security in 2022, I recommend that users install Norton antivirus software.

Is it possible to hack a Chromebook?

Yes, Chromebooks can be synced to your Google account. Every day, hackers crack passwords on dozens of sites, including YouTube, Google Docs and YouTube. Hackers can gain access to your files, Chromebook, and all accounts in your Google ecosystem if your information is compromised by a phishing attack, a data breach, or a weak password.

Malicious apps can also hack Chromebooks – The Google Play Store contains millions of apps. Some of these apps are difficult spyware apps that bypass Google’s algorithmic protections. These apps can monitor your browsing habits, steal your data and slow down Chromebooks.

Using a secure antivirus such as Norton is the best way to prevent your Chromebook from being hacked. It has an app scanner and data breach monitoring tools. You can also use a password manager to protect your logins, personal information and apps.

How can I protect my Chromebook against malware?

Trustworthy antivirus apps are the best tools to protect your Chromebook against malware in 2022.

Norton and Bitdefender flagged 100% of unsafe malware apps during my testing. They also offered better anti-phishing protections that Chrome.

What should you do if your Chromebook is infected with malware?

There are a few things that you can do if your Chromebook is slowing down, you see unusual pop-ups or your browser redirects you to questionable sites.

1. Restart Chromebook.
2. Turn on Recovery Mode to restart your Chromebook.
3. Use a secure antivirus program to scan your apps.
4. Check your security settings and remove any suspicious browser extensions from Chrome.

A Chromebook can usually be restarted to erase any unsafe files from your device. If this is not the case, you can restart in Recovery Mode. The steps for restarting in Recovery Mode will vary depending on which Chromebook you own.

If restarting Chromebook fails to fix the problem, you should install a secure antivirus program.

Click the “3 dots” symbol in Chrome to click Extensions and. This will remove any suspicious-looking browser extensions. Malware extensions can often cause problems when you connect to the internet using your Chromebook.

How do I install an antivirus on a Chromebook?

Choose an antivirus from our list, which includes 5 top antiviruses for Chromebook 2022. They offer special discounts and other deals online that aren’t available on the Google Play Store.

Note : Norton is my favorite Chromebook antivirus for 2022 (you’ll find a great deal on Norton’s premium antivirus package right here).

You can find the app in the Google Play Store app for your Chromebook if you have purchased an antivirus plan through one our links.

Download the antivirus app you want, install it, restart your Chromebook and log in to your account. If you don’t have an existing user account, you will need to create one and then purchase your protection via the app.

Is Chromebook equipped with an antivirus?

Not at all. Chromebooks have great security features that make it almost impossible for Chrome OS users to become infected.

Chromebooks should have features such as app scanning, WiFi network monitoring and VPN. This would help to protect your Chromebook from malicious apps, unreliable WiFi networks, and intrusive internet trackers. You can download Norton or Bitdefender standalone internet security apps to make sure your Chromebook is as secure as it can be.

Source : #safetydetectives
Editor by : BEST Antivirus KBS Team