Top 10 Best Mac Antivirus Protection 2018 Antivirus protection for a Mac isn’t a myth, Apple Mac computers can get viruses and malware exactly like a PC. They are also prone to adware and spyware which could be destroying your user experience.

Kaspersky Total Security

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Norton 360 Deluxe

All Windows systems need antivirus software, even if it's free antivirus software. The Windows Defender software built into Windows 10 has gotten much better, but it still can't quite match the best third-party paid offerings. We believe it's worth paying for Windows antivirus software because you'll get the best protection coupled with the latest updates and the most useful features.

Our top pick overall is Kaspersky's Windows antivirus lineup, which combines excellent malware protection with a moderate system impact, a full slate of extra features (such as a hardened web browser, webcam protection and file encryption) and an easy-to-use interface.

Right behind it are Bitdefender, whose cheapest paid product is the best bargain in antivirus software, and Norton, which offers excellent protection with optional identity protection. Trend Micro and McAfee also have very good malware protection, but had a heavier impact on system performance; ESET's protection is a half-step below the rest.

MORE: Best Antivirus Software and Apps

Latest Security Alerts and Threats

— Two flaws that permitted full-system takeover were found in Trend Micro Premium Security and Maximum Security and their accompanying password manager, which is also distributed as Trend Micro Password Manager. ADVICE: Trend Micro has patched all three programs, so update them if you use them.

— All versions of Kaspersky antivirus software for Windows released since the fall of 2015 inadvertently let websites track users, a German journalist discovered. ADVICE: Kaspersky has patched the flaws, so make sure your Kaspersky software is up to date.

— A flaw in Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition permitted full-system takeover. ADVICE: BItdefender has patched the flaw, so make sure your software is up to version 1.0.15.138.

The best Windows antivirus software overall

Reasons to Buy

Kaspersky's Windows products have excellent malware-detection scores and a light-to-moderate system-performance impact, the two most important criteria in our rankings. The basic program, Kaspersky Anti-Virus, has dedicated ransomware protection, a virtual keyboard and a convenient online account portal. But at this price level, it's beaten by Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which has even more features.

Kaspersky Internet Security is our top choice among the midrange packages. It has parental controls, a secure browser, anti-theft protection for laptops, webcam protection and a VPN client that kicks in when you connect to an open Wi-Fi network. It also includes software for macOS, Android and iOS.

The premium antivirus suite, Kaspersky Total Security, adds backup software, file encryption, a file shredder and a password manager. It's our favorite among all the premium security suites.

Strong protection on the cheap

Reasons to Buy

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is our top choice among basic antivirus products. It has nearly perfect malware-detection scores and a very light system performance impact, and it also offers the most value, with a password manager, a secure browser, VPN client software, a file shredder and protection against encrypting ransomware. It also automatically stops scans if it senses you're playing a computer game.

The midrange Bitdefender Internet Security adds parental controls, file encryption, webcam protection and a two-way firewall, while Bitdefender Total Security tops off the lineup with an anti-theft feature for laptops and a system optimizer. The best deal is the Bitdefender Family Pack, which puts Total Security on up to 15 devices for (a frequently discounted) $120 per year.

A security and privacy Swiss Army knife

Best Computer Protection For Hackers

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

All of Norton's antivirus products offer excellent malware protection, and the once-crushing system-performance load is now much lighter. But Norton's packages come with fewer security features than competing products, even after a recent overhaul that resurrected the old Norton 360 nameplate and added identity-protection options and unlimited VPN service.

The bare-bones Norton AntiVirus Plus has a password manager, but no webcam protection. You'll get that, plus a VPN client and more online storage, with the otherwise identical Norton 360 Standard. Norton 360 Deluxe adds parental controls and licenses for up to five devices, plus more online storage.

For an extra $50 per year, you can gets Norton 360 with LifeLock Select, which adds LifeLock identity protection plus even more storage space. Topping out the list are Norton 360 with LifeLock Advantage and Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate, which expand the identity-protection services but offer the same malware-protection features as Norton 360 Deluxe. If you're looking for just an antivirus solution, however, even a midrange Bitdefender or Kaspersky package will give you more useful security tools.

Flawless protection, but a heavy load

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

Trend Micro offers very good malware protection, but its detection engine creates a heavy system-performance impact. Its entry product, Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security, is pretty basic in terms of extra tools. Parental controls and a system optimizer and file shredder come with the midrange Trend Micro Internet Security. How to prepare for trading forex. The top-end Trend Micro Maximum Security adds a password manager, a secure browser and file encryption, but none of Trend Micro's programs include a two-way firewall.

Apple Mac Pro 2018

Lots of devices covered for low fee

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

McAfee's malware detection has improved greatly in the past couple of years, but it still slows down PCs a lot during scans. Despite that, McAfee AntiVirus Plus is a bargain; $60 per year buys software for up to 10 (in fact, it's unlimited) devices, whether they run Windows, OS X, iOS or Android, and the software comes with a file shredder and a two-way firewall. (A single-device license costs $40.)

McAfee Internet Security adds one of the best password managers in the business, but to get parental controls, you'll have to spring for the 10-device license of McAfee Total Protection or its sibling McAfee LiveSafe, which comes pre-installed on many new PCs. The multi-device licenses of those two security suites also come with an identity-protection service, but none of the McAfee products have a secure browser or webcam protection.

Nothing fancy

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

ESET is one of the biggest antivirus names in Europe, but while it has a moderate system-performance load, its malware-detection rate isn't as spectacular as those of the other antivirus brands on this page. The entry-level ESET NOD32 Antivirus is easy to use but has few useful extra tools. ESET Internet Security adds a network scanner, webcam protection, parental controls and a hardened web browser.

The top-billed ESET Smart Security Premium tosses in file encryption, a virtual keyboard and a password manager. To get software for multiple platforms, you'll need the ESET Multi-Device Security Pack, which oddly offers the midrange Windows product instead of the premium one, but does include antivirus software for Linux.

Antivirus Buying Tips

The truth is that any of these six brands will protect your computer from infection very well. But before you buy antivirus software, you have to figure out what you will use it for.

If you have children at home, then you'll want to consider the various brands' midrange antivirus products, most of which include parental controls. Do you want an all-encompassing security solution? Many of the top-priced, premium products include backup software and VPN accounts. Or are you a techie who understands the risks? A low-priced basic program might be all you need.

Then you'll have to determine how many machines you need to protect. Got a single, solitary PC? Most vendors offer single-device licenses. Got a desktop, a laptop, a tablet and a smartphone? Multi-device, multi-platform licenses are available for most midrange and premium packages. Does your whole family need to protect its devices? Some vendors offer plans that cover 10, or an unlimited number of, devices on multiple platforms.

But the days when you could walk into a store and pay a one-time fee for an antivirus product are long gone. All the vendors now sell their software licenses as yearly (or multiyear) subscriptions. You'll always be getting the latest software, and you can download and install the software straight from the internet. But you'll be paying again every year.

MORE: How to Buy Antivirus Software

Antivirus Pricing and Features

You don't have to spend a lot for antivirus software. Many products are sold online for much less than their list prices. But each brand offers at least three configurations of features and pricing -- basic, midrange and premium -- with every step up adding more features to the one before.

Think of antivirus packages like cars at an auto dealership. You can get a base-model Toyota Camry that has few extra frills but will get you from place to place just fine. For a few grand more, you can buy a Camry with satellite radio, but no heated side-view mirrors, alloy wheels or in-car Wi-Fi hotspot. Or you can spend a lot more to get a loaded Camry with all the fixin's.

Like automakers, antivirus makers hope you'll spring for extra options, whether you need them or not. The one thing you can't trade up to is a bigger engine -- all the Windows antivirus products in a given brand's lineup will use the same malware-detection engine and provide the same level of essential protection.

The basic rung of antivirus software is usually just called 'Antivirus' or some variant of that, and list prices for subscriptions are $40-$60 per year per PC. The software will have essential malware protection and possibly a few extra features, such as a password manager or a two-way firewall. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus provides the best bang for the buck at the basic level, with more useful features than rival brands' products.

Midrange antivirus software packages are frequently nameplated as 'Internet Security.' They generally add parental controls, some of which are very good, plus a few other features such as webcam protection. Midrange packages more likely to come with multi-device licenses than basic antivirus products, and will often include antivirus software for Macs and Android devices. (The iOS 'antivirus' apps aren't worth paying for.)

Listed yearly subscription prices for midrange antivirus packages start in the $60-$80 range per machine, but you can pay less if you're patient as online prices will change. Our pick of the litter is Kaspersky Internet Security, which covers multiple platforms and has almost everything you'd want.

At the top of the heap are the premium antivirus 'security suites,' which toss in all the extra security tools an antivirus brand can offer, such as password managers, VPN client software, backup software, online storage and even identity-protection services. (Not every antivirus brand offers all of these tools.)

The idea is that a premium antivirus suite can be a one-stop shop for all your security needs. List prices for premium packages start at $80-$100 per year, but make sure those extra security tools you'll be paying for are tools you'll actually use. The password managers in security suites are often quite good, but the online storage can be paltry and the VPN services generally don't give you much data before you have to pay for more.

How We Test Antivirus Software

Our evaluations are based on four different criteria: malware protection, performance impact, extra features and ease of use and of installation. How good is the program at detecting and removing malware? How much do scans slow down the computer's performance? Does the program have any additional tools, and are they useful? Can you easily navigate, and easily understand, the program interface? Most antivirus programs have user-friendly interfaces, but we'll ding one if it's too hard to find important tools.

All of our Windows antivirus tests are performed on the same Asus X555LA laptop running the latest mainstream build of 64-bit Windows 10 home, with an Intel Core i3 processor, 6GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive containing 36GB of files.

To assess a program's impact on system speed, we use our custom OpenOffice benchmark test, which matches 20,000 names and addresses on a spreadsheet. The longer it takes the laptop's CPU to complete the matching task, the heavier the performance impact.

For malware-detection scores, we use the most recent available testing results from four independent testing organizations: AV-TEST in Germany, AV-Comparatives in Austria, SE Labs in England and our own labs in Utah. Each lab regularly subjects the major antivirus brands' products to stress tests involving hundreds of previously unseen pieces of malware and thousands of instances of known malware.

Editors' Note: Why We Still Recommend Kaspersky

Kaspersky antivirus products have been banned from U.S. government networks, which we can understand. Because the company is Russian, using its software would create an unacceptable risk for persons and organizations involved in national security and critical infrastructure.

However, we think Kaspersky software is perfectly safe for home users. We've seen no evidence to convince us otherwise. Kaspersky researchers are well respected throughout the antivirus industry, and the company has publicly exposed Russian cyberespionage campaigns as well as American ones.

Let's face it..we're no closer to vanquishing the cyber-criminals and hackers that plague the internet than we were a decade ago. In fact, cyber crime actually grows significantly year after year. So it's clearly as important as ever to ensure that your computer and mobile devices are afforded the protection of the best antivirus out there. You may be most familiar with names such as Norton, McAfee and AVG - but are they really the best?

We've tested and reviewed the latest packages - both premium and free antivirus - from the biggest names in cyber security, so you can be confident that our recommendations can be trusted. More than 80 antivirus and security suites have been reviewed and re-reviewed by our experts, as of July 2019, to give you the very best solution to protect and secure your devices.

Best antivirus 2019: our top 5

Read on for detailed analysis of each best antivirus service pick

Creators of malware and viruses are always coming up with new ways to gain access to your PC and other internet enabled devices (with your mobile phone and tablet included). Luckily online software security companies are constantly updating their security software packages to protect against phishing scams, ransomware and all other types of viruses and malware.

Right now, we think that Bitdefender Antivirus Plusis the best antivirus available. It combines watertight security tools with an array of other excellent security features and is super easy to use, too - best of all, it also offers extremely good value for money. You can read more about what it offers below, together with Norton AntiVirus and Webroot SecureAnywhere that complete our top three.

If you’re looking for all-round protection against the latest cyber threats, then investing in the strongest programme is the best solution you can hope for - and we also have the best business antivirus plans if you're looking to take care of your company computers. That doesn't mean you have to start spending big money either, as our guide also gives you the best available prices for the best software. And if it's the best free antivirus that you're after, we have some top recommendations for you, too.

Or jump straight to:

The best antivirus 2019

1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2020

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Ransomware protection and remediation, privacy tools, VPN, Safepay

Get a 50-60% discount on Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2020
TechRadar's #1 rated antivirus in a world packed with loads of virus protection providers, and doesn't even cost that much more than free antivirus downloads.

Note: For our Bitdefender Antivirus Plus review, we tested the 2019 version. This was updated and renamed to 2020 in July this year.

Take a look at any rankings of big independent antivirus and Bitdefender's premium security products always rise to the top.

It tends to be reliable and accurate in its virus detecting, featuring web filtering to blocks access to malicious sites, a secure browser that keeps your online banking ans shopping transactions safe, and there's a password manager which auto-completes credit card details in web forms. It also scores high for its excellent anti-phishing module, which alerts you to malicious links in your search engine results and blocks access to dangerous sites.

There's also multi-layer ransomeware protection that heuristically learns the behaviour of such threats to keep you safe as well as the ability to scan all your linked devices via the Bitdefender Central mobile app.

There are one or two issues – it grabs more resources than average, and might conflict with some programs – but Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is still a likeable package which offers excellent detection rates, great performance, and more than enough bonus features to justify the price.

Bitdefender Internet Security builds on AVP and triples the number of devices covered plus offers anti-spam, firewall, parental advisor and file encryption features.

For a little bit more you can purchase the Bitdefender Total Security edition. It adds all of the above and covers up to five PCs, Macs, Android and iOS devices.

Get Bitdefender Antivirus Plus up to 60% off!
Great news! You can currently score up to 60% off our #1 rated antivirus. It's a special software treat for TechRadar readers. It means that fantastic virus protection for your PC is now even more affordable - check out the exact pricing in your locale below, or head to Bitdefender's US site if your country isn't listed:

• Australia: Get Bitdefender for AU$69.99 AU$35 a year
  

2. Norton AntiVirus Plus

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Advanced privacy security, financial security, global civilian intelligence network

Norton AntiVirus Plus is a top quality malware hunter which can automatically protect your PC all on its own.

The newly named product was introduced in April 2019 as a direct replacement for the old Norton AntiVirus Basic. Moving from 'Basic' to 'Plus' certainly sounds better, but it really only adds a couple of extra functions - more on which further down this article.

Norton offers plenty of tweaks, options and settings for those who need them, as well as features like a handy URL blocker that keeps you away from malicious websites. If that misses something, an excellent file reputation service heuristically recognises suspect downloads immediately. And if malware still finds a way through, intelligent behaviour monitoring uses its up to date virus definitions to quarantine threats at the first sign of trouble.

If you're a more hands-on type, you can easily run scans on demand. Maybe set up and save custom scans to check just the areas you need. Even schedule them to run at a particular time, but only if your system is idle, and it's not running on battery power.

So what does Plus do that Basic didn't? Only a couple of things really: it adds a bonus 2GB worth of cloud backup and a password manager. The latter is worth having if you've not got one already, but it can't match the power of Dashlane and other market leaders

There can be problems with some of the browser extensions. For example, we've found the Chrome version sometimes stops working for no apparent reason. We've seen plenty of reviewers reporting similar problems, so there does seem to be a real issue here.

That said, Norton AntiVirus Plus's main functions deliver on all fronts: it's easy to use, has the configuration options experts need, comes highly rated by the testing labs, and is carefully designed to have the least possible impact on your system performance.

Best Computer Protection For Mac 2018 Australia

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Best Computer Protection For Mac 2018 Collections

3. Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus

Operating system: Windows and Mac | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Always-on security, identity protection, real-time anti-phishing, firewall monitor

Just about every antivirus tool claims to be ‘lightweight’, but Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus is the only one to really deliver on this front. Installation takes seconds, the program files barely grab 2MB of your hard drive, RAM footprint is tiny, and there are no bulky signature updates to tie up your bandwidth.

There's no compromise on features, though. Along with the core protection, there's smart behaviour monitoring, accurate real-time antiphishing, a firewall and network connection monitor, enhanced anti-ransomware, and other interesting extras.

It's not easy to compare Webroot's accuracy with the competition, as the big testing labs rarely evaluate the company's products. But when they are reviewed, they generally score well, and our own tests show solid and reliable protection.

There's a lot to like about SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, and Webroot's 70-day 100% money-back guarantee suggests it's confident in the product, too. If you're tired of overly complicated and bloated engines, Webroot must be on your shortlist.

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4. ESET NOD32 Antivirus

Expert-level antivirus for the more experienced user

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: 5 | Stand out features: Ransomware Shield, UEFI Scanner, Exploit Blocker, cloud powered scanning

If you judge antivirus software on the length of its feature list, ESET NOD32 Antivirus might be a disappointment. There’s no firewall, password manager, file shredder, vulnerability scanner or any of the bundled extras you'll often find elsewhere.

This doesn't mean the package is short on power, it's just more focused on the fundamentals. ESET NOD32 Antivirus comes with real-time malware protection, some of the best heuristic detection around, an anti-ransomware layer, exploit protection, URL filtering to block malicious websites, and modules to prevent attacks using PowerShell and malicious scripts.

A Device Control module limits the risk of infection from other devices by controlling access to USB sticks, external hard drives, optical storage media, even devices connecting by Bluetooth and FireWire. It's an unusual extra, but could make a difference if others are regularly plugging devices into your PC.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus isn't aimed at beginners. The interface is clumsy sometimes, some features are very advanced, and even the Help isn't always exactly helpful.

Experienced users will appreciate ESET’s power and configurability, though. Above-average protection does a good job of keeping you safe, and a lightweight design ensures the package won't slow you down.

One of the new features in the latest update is the UEFI Scanner which protects you from threats that attack your PC before Windows has even started.

ESET Internet Security builds on NOD 32 and triples the number of devices covered plus offers firewall, botnet protection, webcam protection, antispam and more. https://omgwaves.netlify.app/mac-book-to-buy-for-college-2018.html.

Alternatively, you can purchase the ESET Smart Security Premium edition for not much more. It adds all of the above as well as password management and secure data.

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• Best dealESET Smart Security Premium (1 year, 1 device for $59.99)

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• Best dealESET Smart Security Premium (1 year, 1 device for £49.99)

5. F-Secure Antivirus SAFE

The most easy to use antivirus option

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Maximum devices covered: 3 | Stand out features: Browsing and banking protection, Family Rules, ransomware protection

F-Secure Antivirus SAFE is a great collection of antivirus tools, and while it's a bit more expensive than some of the other programmes on this best of list, the amount of features you get makes the cost worthwhile.

With F-Secure Antivirus SAFE, you get the brilliant antivirus software from F-Secure, along with banking protection for safe online shopping, family safety tools and a device finder that lets you track your lost Android or iOS device, and if needs be remotely lock or delete it as well.

The package typically receives maximum marks for protection from AV-Test, and generally scores highly with AV-Comparatives, too. They also say it can generate significantly more false positives than most of the competition, but how that affects you will vary depending on how you use your computer.

The interface is a major plus. It's extremely easy to use, lightweight, and for the most part you can just leave the app alone to look after your PC. The program has minimal effect on your system performance, and if you do need to intervene then you can generally solve any issues in a couple of clicks.

In 2018, F-Secure Anti-Virus SAFE remains an appealing package: fast, lightweight, and able to run alongside many other security tools without conflict - you can read more about the company's offering with our F-Secure Anti-Virus review of its slightly lighter product.

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6. Kaspersky Anti-Virus

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: 5 | Stand out features: Automatic scans, drive-by cryptomining infection prevention, simplified security management

Best Computer Security For Mac

Kaspersky Anti-Virus is a stripped-back security package which focuses on the core security essentials: web filtering blocks dangerous URLs, an accurate engine detects and removes threats, smart monitoring technologies track and reverse malicious actions, and that's about it.

Fortunately, what you do get works well. Very, very well. We've consistently found Kaspersky to be amongst the best at blocking malware, and removing it from an infected system, plus it's regularly top-rated at sites like AV-Comparatives.

The program is easy to use, too. A well-designed interface has just the right number of buttons and options – not too basic, but not complicated or intimidating, either – and there are plenty of on-screen instructions to explain how everything works. Even a beginner will be at home right away.

If you just need accurate, reliable and consistent malware protection, Kaspersky Anti-Virus will serve you well.

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7. Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Ransomware protection, advanced AI learning, email scam safeguarding, Pay Guard

Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security is a very capable package that's simple to use with above average antispam and an effective ‘Folder Shield’ module to block ransomware. And it seems to get better and better as time goes on.

How good is it exactly? The top testing labs all rate it highly for protection, although there's some disagreement on the details. In particular, AV-Comparatives says it gives a high number of false positives, which could be a real nuisance. But AV-Test reports high levels of accuracy and no issues with false positives at all.

If there's a problem here, it's likely to be performance impact. PassMark's March 2019 Performance report assessed 14 security products on various performance-related benchmarks, and Trend Micro came towards the bottom part of the list.

Our experiences with the product are a little more favourable: protection levels appear similar to Bitdefender, false positives are only marginally higher, and it doesn't slow down our system noticeably more than anything else.

We'd recommend running the trial for its full 30 days before you buy, then, to see if you notice any problems. But if you're unaffected, its high levels of detection and excellent bonus features make Trend Micro a good choice.

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8. Panda Dome Essential

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: Unlimited | Stand out features: Process monitor, URL filtering, bootable USB rescue drive

Real-time malware detection, speedy cloud-based scanning, URL filtering to block malicious websites: Panda Dome Essential antivirus has all the goodies you'd expect from the best antivirus software.

That's just the start. Panda Dome is jam-packed with added extras that some of the other plans on this list don't match. From port scanning and ping handling to in-depth process monitoring and an integrated VPN.

When it comes to the main event - virus protection - there's not a lot of Panda test results from the independent labs around right now, but the figures we've seen don't exactly fill us with confidence as Panda came towards the bottom of the pile according to AV-Comparatives. This doesn't mean that Panda Dome will put your devices in harm's way, but you can understand why we'd recommend other providers over it on this basis.

The interface will be a little bit decisive, too. With so many weird and wonderful features included, Panda Dome does a very capable job of making sure that they can all be accessed and you can go as in-depth as you need. But on the other side of the same coin, this might put off users who just want a quiet, simple antivirus package.

One undoubted bonus is the price - Panda Dome Essential is one of the best value programs out there. And you even have the option of paying a little more and upgrading to cover an unlimited number of laptops, phones, tablets and desktops with a single subscription.

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• Apple user? Then you can head to our bespoke best Mac antivirus guide
• We’ve also looked at the best secure messaging apps
• Check out the best Android antivirus apps for your phone

Best free antivirus downloads

Paying for a premium service means you get more features, such as spam filters, parental controls, system scans and advanced firewalls. This makes them more suitable for power users, those who want a bit of extra security and anyone who wants their system to run as smoothly as possible. It also means you avoid annoying pop-ups that try and tempt you to upgrade to the full version. And, as you've discovered above, they don't really cost too much to buy

But these days you can get top quality protection absolutely free, with just about every single major vendor out there offering a free antivirus. By doing so, developers gain access to more devices from which they can collect data and therefore improve their knowledge and security platforms, so it’s not in their interest to reduce the amount of protection provided by the free version.

Windows has come a long way in terms of security, but it's still fair to suggest that Windows 10's built-in solution, Windows Defender, is the last free AV app you should trust to keep your system clean.

So if you're determined to get free antivirus, we strongly suggest that you check out our list of best security downloads in 2019 below. We've highlighted their features -and shortcomings - to ensure that you pick out the best one.

1. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

The best free antivirus scanner in 2018

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Android | Version: 2018 | Features: Phishing protection, Behavioural analysis, Automatic scanning

Essentially consisting of the AV section of the full product, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition's clean, light, well constructed scanning mechanisms – which are almost universally faster than the industry average – and unrivalled virus definitions mean Bitdefender is back at the top of the free tree.

The free version's insistence on running in autopilot mode is a double-edged sword, making the process of virus management easy but taking it out of the user's hands; while we're inclined to trust it, there have been cases in the past of automatic systems going slightly rogue, such as the incident a few years back when Panda Antivirus identified itself as a virus and locked up a large number of Windows systems.

AV-TEST's testing did pick out a few flaws in its handling of zero-day threats, however. And it's worth pointing out that for you can currently get our top rated paid-for solution - Bitdefender Antivirus Plus - for the equivalent of around $2 per month. That's a tiny amount to pay for a tonne of extra features, such as online banking protection, integrated password manager, permanent file shredder and and free online 24/7 support.

Review and where to download: Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

2. Avast Free Antivirus

A much-improved free antivirus suite

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Android | Version: 17 | Features: Virus detection, Gaming mode, Password manager, Malware scanner

Avast and AVG haven't yet fully merged, despite the former formally acquiring the latter in mid-2016. The newly combined company says the two free antivirus products will remain separate, although there's apparently a joint AV package on the way soon. Obviously, though, Avast now has a lot more data to work with, having expanded its effective userbase (and, therefore, its threat detection network) to a whopping 400 million users.

The latest edition of Avast Free Antivirus adds an automatic gaming mode to mute popups and reduce system load when you're firing up a processor-hungry game, which is very handy indeed, and the interface has been given a clean new overhaul. There's a password manager, too, which is an undeniably good addition to your security portfolio.

It scores well on AV-TEST's widespread malware benchmark and continues a clean sweep against 0-day attacks – presumably that expanded detection network is really helping. Less impressive is the slight negative effect Avast has on software launch times, and its slightly popup-heavy attitude.

Review and where to download: Avast Free Antivirus

3. Sophos Home

Best Computer Protection For Free

The perfect choice for a home full of PCs

Operating system: Windows, Mac | Version: 17 | Features: Virus detection, Phishing protection, Parental controls, Protects up to 10 PCs

Marketing itself as 'business-grade security', Sophos Home does a little more than most free antivirus software, and actually seems better suited to families.

You get standard virus protection and anti-malware protection, along with browser tools like anti-phishing and, most importantly, content control. Combined with central management of up to 10 PCs, this means you can effectively lock down your kids' browsing options.

Although AV-TEST hasn't formally assessed Sophos' skills, fellow lab AV-Comparatives offers a decent rating of its abilities.

Although Sophos Home has always had desktop notifications, there was no premium version of the software for it to encourage an upgrade to. That changed in February with the launch of Sophos Home Premium.

Review and where to download: Sophos Home

4. Kaspersky Free

Kaspersky's first foray into free internet security

Operating system: Windows | Version: 18.0.0.405 | Features: Real-time scanning, Anti-phishing, Email scanning, Spyware protection

The paid-for version of Kaspersky's Windows security software frequently tops charts of best virus prevention solutions and AV-TEST once again gave it full marks across the board in its latest round of testing.

As you would expect, Kaspersky Free is a scaled down version of the full program - a tool that we really like (more on which below). The free version ditches additional features such as privacy protection and safe payment sandboxes to concentrate on powerful, no-frills and - most importantly - free protection for your PC. The result is a tremendously easy to use and navigate bit of software that does an effective job of keeping you protected from viruses.

Using the nuts and bolts real-world scanning engine of the paid-for suite, Kaspersky Free is fiendishly hard for viruses and trojan horses to break down. And we love that it doesn't constantly pester you with nudges to upgrade to the full version.

But, ironically, we will just for a moment, because Kasperksy Anti-Virus 2018 isn't expensive to buy and yet affords much better protection to your PC (or PCs). The standard price is $29.99 to protect three computers and includes more muscle when it comes to preventing ransomware, spyware and Trojans.

Review and where to download: Kaspersky Free

5. Avira Free Antivirus

Great antivirus, but a little noisy for our liking

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Version: 2018 | Features: Virus detection, Phishing protection, Built-in VPN, System optimization tools

Avira Free Antivirus for Windows continues to score highly on AV-TEST's stringent testing program, quashing 99.7% of tested threats, and it generally doesn't put too big a burden on your hardware.

Free Virus Protection For Mac

It has a clean, friendly interface - with a swish redesign ready for 2018 - and throws up minimal false positives. The introduction of a free security suite to optionally run alongside it – with ransomware and phishing protection, a 500MB/month VPN and various speedup promises – just sweetens the deal. This is one of the best free antivirus packages of 2018.

So why, then, have we dropped it from the top spot on our list, a position it's held for the past two years? It's the constant badgering. There's a certain level of popups and advertisements that's acceptable for a free product, and Avira has begun to cross the line. It's not as onerous as some – Comodo's over-enthusiastic interface comes to mind – but booting up your PC to see Avira shouting at you once again is jarring.

Review and where to download: Avira Free Antivirus

Best business antivirus

Each entry in this list has been carefully chosen for its business features, such as remote installation and central management. The best business antivirus software will have enterprise-level protection against threats, but that doesn't mean they have to cost a lot of money, either. The price per installation can sometimes be cheaper than even our recommended best antivirus packages.

An excellent business antivirus suite, giving you various tools such as virus protection, Firewall, email protection, anti-spam and the ability to sandbox applications for complete security. Avast Business Antivirus Pro (as opposed to the standard Avast Business Antivirus) also includes Sharepoint and Exchange protection, as well as a number of tools for your servers.

Symantec's first benefit is the company's Insight file reputation technology, an effective way to detect and block even the very latest undiscovered threats. Other layers of protection include virus protection, behaviour monitoring, intrusion protection, a firewall, and the 'Power Eraser' to remove stubborn threats and repair your system.

This package makes reliable protection its top priority. Bitdefender products are loved by the independent testing labs, highly rated for malware detection, removal, performance and usability. Most of the features work automatically – anti-malware, firewall, web advisor, URL filtering – but you can also customise the product to control user actions.

This is Avira's main small business product. It takes all the core features you'd expect – antivirus, baseline network protection, web filtering – and extends them with file server protection and optimisation, along with application whitelisting and blacklisting.

A small business product, which comes ready to protect Windows PCs, file servers, Android and iOS devices. The desktop side of the package has all the usual quality Kaspersky modules – antivirus, antispam, a firewall, more – but the mobile security technologies are even more impressive.

• Even if you own the best computer in the world, you're still at risk