Antivirus Software/ The Best Antivirus Utilities. Read the reviews of our top-rated. more feature-packed than certain products sold as security suites. News; Best antivirus 2016: 10 antivirus packages reviewed and rated; Best antivirus 2016: 10 antivirus packages reviewed and rated. By Mike Williams Applications.
Best Antivirus 2. Top Software for PC, Mac and Android. Many Windows users believe they don't need to pay for antivirus software, and most Mac and Android users think they don't need protection at all. It's true that Windows' much higher profile makes it the biggest target, but OS X and Android are just as vulnerable to malware. It's worth paying for Windows antivirus software, because even the best free software leaves out features we consider essential. Many antivirus products are sold online for much less than their list prices.) Mac and Android users have other options; our favorite Mac AV product costs nothing, and most Android security apps have free versions. How We Tested. Our evaluations were based on a number of different criteria: interface, performance, protection and extra features.
Was the product's interface intuitive and user- friendly, or did it make it too hard to find important tools? How much did scans slow down the computer's performance? How good was the program at detecting and removing malware? Does the program have any additional tools, and are they useful? All of our tests were performed on the same Asus X5. LA laptop running 6. Windows 8. 1, with an Intel Core i.
GB of RAM and a 5. GB hard drive containing 3. GB of files. To assess a program's impact on system speed, we used our custom Open. Office benchmark test, which matches 2. The longer it took the laptop to finish the test, the heavier the performance impact. For malware- detection scores, we turned to two independent testing labs, AV- TEST of Germany and AV- Comparatives of Austria.
Reviews. We've done extensive evaluations on six of the latest flagship antivirus suites. Create a new thread in the Antivirus / Security. Most of the article though, is first-hand reviews. The following security suites are reviewed: ESET Smart Security, AVIRA Premium Security Suite, Kapersky. The Best Security Suites for. Just read through PCMag's reviews of security suites and select one that. Most entry-level suites include antivirus. The Best Free Internet Security Software Suites app downloads for Windows: Avast Internet Security 2016 Kaspersky Internet Security 2016 Bitdefender T.
Each lab regularly subjects the major antivirus brands' flagship products to stress tests involving hundreds of previously unseen pieces of malware, with AV- TEST adding 2. We used AV- TEST's results from the second half of 2. AV- Comparatives' evaluations from September and October 2.
Windows Antivirus Software Types. Most antivirus makers have three tiers of Windows products, with each price bump adding extra features, such as child protection or cloud backups. But since each company uses a single malware- detection engine for all its Windows antivirus software, the cheapest item in any product line usually finds malware just as thoroughly as the priciest. Not all users will need premium suites, or even midrange products. If you don't have kids, or if you already have cloud storage, the basic product may be enough. Basic or Entry- Level Windows Antivirus.
Best Security Suites. Security Suites: Read Our Reviews. Downloads for Security software showdown! 9 antivirus suites empirically tested.
The least- expensive paid Windows antivirus products, which generally list from $4. PCs covered, have the essentials.
Definition updates and scans are automatic; websites and email attachments are screened, and the products should be easy to use. Some basic AV programs toss in extra features, such as file shredders or system optimizers, that are normally found in pricier products. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2.
Editor's Choice for a basic Windows antivirus programs. Not only does it have nearly perfect malware- detection scores, but it also offers the most value, with a strong selection of extra tools. You'll find a built- in password manager, a secure browser, unique protection against encrypting ransomware and automatic profiles that optimize Bitdefender's impact on your system, depending on whether you're working, watching a movie or playing a game. Midpriced Windows Antivirus. These products list from $6. They generally build on the basic packages by bundling in parental controls and a two- way firewall to catch outgoing data, although many add other features. But for the full feature set, you'll have to pony up for the premium products.
Bitdefender Internet Security has the best malware- detection rate and the lowest system impact of the midrange products we reviewed. It also has the most useful set of extras, including a password manager, file shredder, secure browser and protection against encrypting ransomware. Premium Windows Antivirus.
Top- tier packages are often called suites because they do much more than catch malware. They might also have file encryption, secure online storage, a password manager or an ad blocker. As most cover multiple devices, they also frequently bundle in Mac and Android protection. For all this, you're meant to pay between $8. Kaspersky Total Security has it all for those who are looking for more than just excellent malware detection. After testing six premium suites, this one rose to the top because it eliminates threats without annoying false positives. We also like the included secure browser, which is ideal for online banking and shopping.
Other highlights include a seriously secure file shredder, Windows backup and recovery software and even webcam protection. Free Windows Antivirus. Free Windows antivirus products usually offer only bare- bones protection. Malware updates and scans must often be manually initiated, and there's little protection against malicious websites or email attachments.
We can recommend some free Windows antivirus software, but don't rely on Microsoft's own products (Windows Defender/Microsoft Security Essentials). They simply don't catch enough malware. Free Windows antivirus products can't match paid protection, but Avira Free Antivirus comes close. It detects malware as well as most paid products, and has child protection and a scan scheduler.
It doesn't scan email attachments or Web links.) Best of all, Avira doesn't constantly nag you to upgrade to its paid version. Mac Antivirus. Despite what Apple's marketing has historically implied, Macs do get infected, and the amount of Mac malware has risen with Apple's share of the personal computer market. But there's less money in the Mac antivirus market, and the products are less standardized. Some Mac antivirus products are free, and some are paid: Of the products we evaluated, two of the top three were free. With that kind of recommendation, there's no reason for you not to run antivirus software on your Mac.
Our top Mac antivirus product is absolutely free. Avira Free Antivirus for Mac offers scheduled scans, an easy- to- use interface and, most important, flawless protection against malware.
Avira does have a heavier system load during scans than some other products, but if you want the best while spending the least, look no further. Android Antivirus Apps. Every Android device, whether smartphone, tablet or TV stick, should have antivirus software. Usually, that software comes with an all- encompassing security app that also includes anti- theft and remote- locating features. The free versions of the Android security apps we reviewed are pretty solid.
The paid versions, which cost between $1. For example, Avast Mobile Security offers geofencing and, for rooted phones, a firewall. You'll have to decide what you need and select accordingly. This product's anti- malware protection is nearly perfect, but it was the breadth and scope of the extra features in Avast! Mobile Security & Antivirus that blew us away.
The app's free version alone is as comprehensive as some other security apps' paid versions, and Avast's premium version ($1. The app almost does too much, but the well- organized interface and support keep it user- friendly. Overall, Avast! Mobile Security & Antivirus is our favorite Android security app.
How We Rate Antivirus Software. We evaluate antivirus software on three criteria: ease of installation and use, based on the reviewer's own experience; system impact, based on standardized benchmark tests; and malware detection, for which we use independent lab AV- TEST's periodic and detailed analyses. Malware detection is the most important factor, but we won't recommend a product if it's impossible to use or drastically slows down a computer or Android device. We spend three to four hours testing and analyzing each piece of Windows antivirus software. For Android, the process takes an hour for each app.
The Best Security Suites for 2. Surfing the Web for the best cat videos, Skyping with friends, catching up on social networks.. Worrying about hacks and malware and having your affairs exposed through a data breach, not so much. And yet, if you don't take care of security you might find that you've lost control of your Facebook account, which now sends annoying ad posts to your pals. That latest cat video?
While you were watching, it planted a banking Trojan. Next time you bank online, well, that giant sucking sound was all your money being siphoned off to Elbonia. Sorry, but you just can't ignore security.
The fact that ignoring security is out of the question doesn't mean you have to put on a tinfoil hat and comb the Web collecting security products. The top security vendors have already done the background work for you, creating all- in- one security suites that integrate a variety of features. Just read through PCMag's reviews of security suites and select one that has the features you need. I've rounded up a collection of top- notch suites, varied enough that one should be just right for you. Suites Basic and Advanced. Most security vendors offer at least three levels of security products, a standalone antivirus utility, an entry- level security suite, and an advanced suite with additional features. Most entry- level suites include antivirus, firewall, antispam, parental control, and some sort of additional privacy protection.
The advanced "mega- suite" typically adds a backup component and some form of system tune- up utility, and some also add password managers and other security extras. When a new product line comes out, I start by reviewing the antivirus. In my review of the entry- level suite, I summarize results from the antivirus review and dig deeper into the suite- specific features. And for a mega- suite review, I focus on the advanced features, referring back to the entry- level suite review for features shared by both. Your choice of a basic or advanced security suite depends entirely on what features matter to you. Symantec is an exception to this pattern. Previously the company offered various antivirus and suite products for PC, Mac, and Mobile.
As of last year, all those standalone products have been retired, rolled into Symantec Norton Security. One more thing. The suites we've rounded up here are aimed at protecting consumers, for the most part. You can definitely use any of them in a small business, but as your company grows you may need to switch to a Saa. S endpoint protection system. This type of service lets an administrator monitor and manage security for all your company's computers. Core Antivirus Protection.
Antivirus is the heart of a security suite; without an antivirus component, there's no suite. Naturally you want a suite whose antivirus is effective. When evaluating an antivirus, I look for high marks from the independent antivirus testing labs.
The fact that the labs consider a product important enough to test is a vote of confidence in itself. The very best antivirus products get high ratings from all the labs. I also perform my own hands- on testing. For one test I use a relatively static set of malware samples that's replaced once per year. I note how the antivirus reacts when I try to launch those samples and score it on how well it protects the test system. For another, I try to download very new malicious files from URLs no more than four hours old.
Lab test results, my own test results, and other aspects like ease of use go into my antivirus rating. Firewall Choices. A typical personal firewall offers protection in two main areas. On the one hand, it monitors all network traffic to prevent inappropriate access from outside the network. On the other, it keeps a watchful eye on running applications to make sure they don't misuse your network connection. The built- in Windows Firewall handles monitoring traffic, but doesn't include program control.
A few security suites skip the firewall component, figuring that Windows Firewall already does the most essential firewall tasks. The last thing you want is a firewall that bombards you with incomprehensible queries about online activity. Should Oh. Snap. 32. Allow or Block? Modern firewalls cut down the need for these queries by automatically configuring permissions for known programs. The very best ones also handle unknown programs by monitoring them closely for signs of improper network activity and other suspicious behaviors. Have Some Spam. Perhaps you're one of the lucky folks who never sees any spam messages because they're filtered out by your email provider. Or perhaps you get a kick out of reading outrageous mail from Nigerian princes and Russian brides.
More likely, it's hard to even find your valid mail in the midst of all the offers of male enhancements and quick- money schemes. Of course, the last thing you want is to miss a big contract because the spam filter junked an important message. In evaluating antispam, I give a lot more weight to false positives (throwing away valid mail) than I do to letting spam into the inbox. I also ding spam filters that significantly slow the process of downloading email. Privacy Protection. The best antivirus in the world can't help you if a fraudulent website tricks you into giving away your security credentials.
Phishing sites masquerade as bank sites, auction sites, even online game sites. When you enter your username and password, though, your account is instantly compromised. Some clever ones will even pass along your credentials to the real site, to avoid raising suspicions. Steering users away from phishing sites definitely helps protect privacy, but that's not the only way suites can keep your private information out of the wrong hands. Some offer specific protection for user- defined sensitive data, credit cards, bank accounts, that sort of thing. Any attempt to transmit sensitive data from your computer sets of an alarm. Others contract with third- party vendors to offer credit protection.
Optional Parental Control. I don't penalize a suite for omitting parental control. Not everyone has kids, and not every parent feels comfortable about controlling and monitoring their computer use. However, if parental control is present, it has to work. Blocking inappropriate websites and controlling how much time the child spends on the Internet (or on the computer) are the core components of a parental control system. Some suites add advanced features like instant message monitoring, limiting games based on ESRB ratings, and tracking the child's social networking activity. Others can't even manage the basics successfully.
Don't Bog Me Down. One big reason to use a security suite rather than a collection of individual utilities is that the integrated suite can do its tasks using fewer processes and a smaller chunk of your system's resources. Or at least, that's what ought to happen. In fact, few modern suites have an appreciable effect on performance. For a hands- on measure of just what effect installing a particular suite has, I time three common system actions with and without the suite installed, averaging many runs of each test. One test measures system boot time, another moves and copies a large collection of files between drives, and a third zips and unzips that same file collection repeatedly.
Suites with the very lightest touch have almost no effect on the time required. Backup and Tune- Up. In a sense, having a backup of all your files is the ultimate security.
Even if Crypto. Locker destroys your data, you can still restore from backup. Some vendors reserve backup for their mega- suite offering, while others include it in the entry- level suite. Do read my reviews carefully, as backup capabilities vary wildly.
At the low end, some vendors give you nothing you couldn't get for free from Mozy, IDrive, or another online backup service. At the high end you might get 2. GB of online backup hosted by the vendor, along with the ability to make local backups. Tuning up your system performance has no direct connection with security, unless it serves to counteract the security suite's performance drag. However, tune- up components often include privacy- related features such as clearing traces of browsing history, wiping out temporary files, and deleting lists of recently- used documents. What's the Best? The chart at top details ten security suites that we definitely recommend, some mega- suites and some entry- level. Check the sub- ratings to see what each does best, and click the links for full reviews.
If you're looking for a suite that covers the basics without getting in the way, Bitdefender Internet Security 2. Kaspersky Internet Security (2. Editors' Choice winners.
In the mega- suite range, Editors' Choice goes to Bitdefender Total Security 2. Symantec Norton Security (for coverage of all your devices). Depending on your needs, other suites might well prove effective. The suites listed below have all received an overall rating of three stars (good) or better; those charted above all took four stars (excellent) or better.
FEATURED IN THIS ROUNDUP.