Antivirus programs are quite possibly the most basic thing that a computer must have. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been using a PC for years or if you’re new to the computer world. An Antivirus might always save you from a mistake.
Indeed, all it takes to lose everything is one mistake. That’s why you need a good Antivirus. To ensure that it will protect you from that one mistake.
In no particular order, here are 10 of the best Antivirus programs for 2018.
Avast
Avast is known as one of the best free Antivirus programs. It also has 3 paid versions for home users and another three for businesses. Each one of these offers a set of features. Comparing the paid versions with each other is very easy through the website of Avast.
You can easily see what extra features you get by offering more money which is extremely helpful. It’s available for PC, Mac, iPhones, and iPads.
AVG
AVG is one of the most widely used Antivirus programs and one of the few Antivirus software to offer Windows XP compatibility for basic protection. It offers a free version and 2 paid options. Just like with Avast, comparing the paid versions is very easy.
The only problem with the free version of AVG, though, is that it constantly reminds you to upgrade to the premium version for extra security. Nobody likes ads on his home screen/desktop.
AVG is available for PC, Mac, and Android.
Bitdefender
Bitdefender almost got a perfect score on AV tests but missed it just for a tiny bit because of usability. It offers a free option which you might miss at first. Other than that, it also offers 3 paid versions for home users and a family pack, all of which comes with a 30-day free trial.
There are many business options to choose from. Some people might like the freedom to pick from so many options, but I felt kind off overwhelmed with all the information.
Bitdefender is available for PC, Mac, Android, and iOS.
Kaspersky
Kaspersky also had one of the highest scores in AV test labs and it also has a free option which you might miss at first. Apart from the free version, you can choose between 3 paid versions for consumers and another 3 for businesses.
But, there is no option to compare them side by side. At least nothing that you can see right after checking out the paid versions, which makes the decision making rather tedious.
Kaspersky is available for PC, Mac, and Android. As a side note, Kaspersky for Android costs a small amount of money. While the majority of Antivirus programs offer Android protection for free.
MalwareFox
MalwareFox is actually an Anti-Malware, not an Antivirus. The two of them focus on detecting different kinds of threats and it’s recommended to use them together. While it’s still relatively new, MalwareFox has gathered many positive reviews both from customers and blogs.
It features one paid version with a free trial of 2 weeks. Other than that, you also have the ability to buy it for multiple computers at a smaller price. MalwareFox, at the moment, is only available for PC.
Norton
Norton has been around for 12 years and is known to be one of the most effective Antivirus programs. It has 4 paid versions, all of them with free trials. However, I wasn’t able to find a free version.
The good thing is that comparing all the different versions with each other was very easy. Norton is available for PC, Mac, and mobile devices.
Mc Afee
McAfee is being backed up by Intel, one of the biggest tech companies in the world. It’s currently being used by millions of devices. As for pricing, a free security scan tool is available, but it’s a pain to find it. I was forced to make a Google search to find it.
Other than that, two paid options are available. Both of them with a free trial of 30 days. My only complaint is that there is no feature explanation for the consumer version. The whole description on the website feels like an advertisement.
McAfee is available for PC, Android, iPhones, and iPads.
Windows Defender
Many people don’t like Windows Defender as it doesn’t offer the same level of protection with other Antivirus programs. However, Windows Defender comes pre-installed with Windows, which means that it’s integrated with the OS.
It’s extremely lightweight, you barely notice it’s presence, and it’s completely free. All of that makes Windows Defender a great option for those who are tech-savvy but still need a second layer of protection just in case.
Windows Defender is only available for newer Microsoft Windows PCs.
Total AV
While not as famous and widely used as other security programs, Total AV is still a very good option. It features only one paid version which clearly describes all of its features. Simplicity itself. It’s available for PC, Mac, Android, and iOS.
Avira
Avira, just like Bitdefender, almost had a perfect score in AV test labs. It features a free security suite, 3 paid consumer versions, and 3 versions for businesses. Comparing all of them with each other is as easy as it could be.
Avira is available for PC, Mac, And Android.
Summary:
These are my pick on the top best Antivirus tools and Security programs to use in 2018. They are listed in no particular order and works for securing your PC and mobile devices. Are there other internet security apps you think that should make the list? Please do share with us in the comments section below.
From my personal experience, Kaspersky is a very powerful and effective software for Windows, IOS, and Android devices. I have been using this software on my windows for a long time. The performance and result it produces are great.