Top 10 Best Antivirus Software 2021

Advancement in computing technologies coupled with increased access to the internet has fueled development and spread of viruses, spyware, popups, spam, trojans, and fraud. The only way to essentially protect yourself is with an excellent antivirus software. Killer Reviews rates, evaluates, and ranks all of the leading antivirus application for essential components such as capabilities, pricing, features, usability, and the quality of customer support.

Suggested Antivirus protection for your Computers, Tablets, Mobile Phones and more

9.8
McAfee offers full-featured protection
Premium protection
Best Value
9.99
#1 Most Popular Antivirus (May 2021).
Premium protection
9.66
2021 Special Offer: $40 off!
Premium protection
Last Update: November 21, 2024
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#1

TotalAV is our #1 Antivirus for 2021. Speedy and user-friendly, Removes Malware, Adware & Spyware. Top Notch Internet Security.

  • Trusted By 500 Million Users
  • Malware, Spyware, And Adware Protection
  • World-class Customer Support
  • 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
  • Most Popular Antivirus Protection 2021
  • VB100 Virus Testing Award
Overall Rating
Excellent
9.99/10
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FREE

$39.95
#2

Broad protection against all threats. PC Optimizer included. Web security, Low cost. PC Protect

  • Protects All Devices Windows, Mac, Android & iOS
  • Protection against Viruses, Malware, Adware & Spyware
  • 100% Free Antivirus Software
  • 24/7 Customer Support
  • 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
Overall Rating
Excellent
9.85/10
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FREE

$39.95
#3

McAfee delivers top-notch antivirus and Internet security coverage not just for computers but for mobile devices as well.

  • Identity and privacy protection
  • Protects All Devices Windows, Mac, Android & iOS
  • Simple & User-friendly interface
  • Permanently deletes sensitive digital files
  • 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
  • AV-Test Certified
Overall Rating
Excellent
9.80/10
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#4

Extensive protection for your computer system, made possible by innovative features that safeguard the system and your files.

  • Provides Real-Time Protection Ransomware
  • Customizable Parental Controls
  • 100% Money Back Guarantee
  • 24/7 Customer Support
  • AV-Test Certified
Overall Rating
Excellent
9.66/10
Read Review
#5

Award-winning antivirus and internet security provider that delivers top of the line performance and a secure browsing experience.

  • Advanced Threat Detection
  • WiFi Security Advisor
  • Paid Tech Support For Home Users
Overall Rating
Excellent
9.56/10
Read Review

All you need to know about antivirus

This section is a collection of comprehensive articles that will tell you all you should know about antivirus products, features you need to look for and even how to go about choosing one.

9.85

Excellent

  • Virus, Malware, Adware & Spyware Protection
  • Protects All Devices - Windows, Mac, Android & iOS
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Password manager
  • Secure VPN for anonymous browsing
  • Online protection for the entire family
  • Parental control
  • 24/7 Customer Support
  • 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
9.99

Excellent

  • 100% Free Antivirus Software
  • Trusted By 500 Million Users
  • Protects All Devices - Windows, Mac, Android & iOS
  • Virus, Malware, Adware & Spyware Protection
  • Most Popular Antivirus Protection 2021
  • VB100 Virus Testing Award
  • Safe-browsing VPN
  • ID protection
  • Safeguard identity & online purchases
  • World-class Customer Support
  • 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
9.80

Excellent

  • Virus, Malware, Adware & Spyware Protection
  • Protects All Devices - Windows, Mac, Android & iOS
  • LifeLock Identity Alert™ and privacy protection
  • Password manager
  • Secure VPN for anonymous browsing
  • Parental control
  • 24/7 Customer Support
  • 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Frequently Asked Questions

Presence of a Firewall

Most of the antivirus software that we have assessed in the recent past such as McAfee Virus Scan and Panda Antivirus has an inbuilt firewall that is engineered to protect personal information from being leaked to hackers when browsing the internet. However, there are some that require customers to pay an additional amount to get a firewall.

The price difference between the standard antivirus software and the internet security suite is subtle, below $20 per year. Based on the fact you will only be required to pay the additional fee once per year, it does make economic sense, as your PC will be protected from threats for 12 months.

Protection against URL Filtering/ Antiphishing

Over the last three years, cases of URL filtering/Antiphishing have tremendously increased. The cyber criminals are working day and night to come up with new malware to get access to your confidential information. Therefore, having software that protects you from such threats as you browse the internet will be an added advantage.

For the companies that offer standard and premium antivirus packages, the later has another layer of protection that is tailored to warn you when any suspicious URLs are detected. Heeding to its notifications will help ensure that you only access legit sites. Note that it is very easy to come up with a fake website to net login details of unsuspecting users.

Concisely, antivirus software that comes with an antiphishing filter will ensure that your confidential information does not get in the hands of cyber criminals.

Software that can detect and filter Spam

The best internet security programs come with advanced spam filters to protect you from malicious internet users who use spam emails to collect personal information and install viruses on your computer. Our team of experts has the skills and ability to evaluate the effectiveness of each antivirus in combatting spam. Check out our reviews to know the software ability to handle conventional and new era forms of spam threats.

Family Filters

Needless to say, family filters or parental controls will come in handy if you have kids in the house. The primary role of these checks is to hinder the children from accessing content or materials that they should not be viewing online while you are away.

The antivirus companies that are keen on providing products that resonate with the market needs and preferences have started to come up with software that has inbuilt parental controls. Therefore, it is important to consider this factor when scouting for antivirus software.

Is it possible to uninstall the default antivirus program and replace it with a new one?

The computer manufacturing companies do not make their antivirus software. Instead, they liaise with antivirus companies who sign a deal to help market and distribute their software to their customers. Some of the PC companies get a commission for every customer who decides to upgrade the software from the free to the premium package. Therefore, the default software may not be the best in the market or may not be in line with your level of protection.

Concisely, if you are not contented with the preinstalled software, uninstall it just like the general programs, and install a new one that is right for you.

Do you test the programs capability to combat threats using real viruses?

Yes, we have a massive database that has more than half a million bootkits, worms, Trojans, viruses, spyware, adware, keyloggers, and any other malicious software that exists in the world today. Over the years, we have set up a network of trusted sources that furnish us with the virus for testing purposes. We have also put in place “honeypots” online that are designed to net the new threats including malicious sites that are used for phishing activities. Unfortunately, details of how we test the programs are classified.

How can I tell if a particular antivirus software is working?

Yes, eicar.org has a credible and safe DOS program that is tailored to evaluate antivirus software. The primary objective of this program is to help the average and advanced computer and internet users to know if their antivirus software is working correctly and reliable before disaster strikes.

If you check out our screenshots, you will see that we periodically use the platform to evaluate the antivirus programs before writing the reviews. We feel that this is modest than revealing the specific viruses that we use to determine virus detection levels of software to the public.

I am unable to purchase/download/install the program

If you encounter any problem when buying, downloading, or install a particular antivirus program, the wisest thing you should do is contact the antivirus manufacturer support team. If their response does not help, feel free to get in touch with us. We will work smart and hard to provide a solution to your problem.

Is there any difference between business, enterprise and consumer antivirus packages?

Yes, there are three major differences between the three packages that you should know namely:

1. Central Management Interface

The enterprise antivirus software does have a central management interface that allows one person to scan multiple computers in the company or organization. On the other hand, the consumer grade software has an interface that can only be operated on each computer.

2. Customer Support

Most of the businesses buy antivirus software in bulk while individual customers purchase one or two programs. Based on this simple fact, most of the antivirus company gives business and organizations different technical support levels. Some offer customer support 24/7 throughout the year while others have a different arrangement. They do work to ensure that all requests are responded to fast.

3. Cost

The cost of enterprise antivirus software supplied to a business or organization that has many computers is relatively higher than for small companies with few PCS. It is also important to note that large corporations with more than 25 PC may enjoy the software at a lower price than the consumer grade software.
In spite of the cost difference, the level of technical support offered to clients, and the central management interface makes the enterprise antivirus software an ideal choice for most businesses.
Get in touch with us today to get a quote on enterprise antivirus software. We will go an extra mile and give you professional advice on how to choose the best software for your enterprise or organization.

Reasons to Invest in a Quality Virus Protection and Malware Removal Program

In the current highly digitalized world, owning a computer and access to the internet is no longer a privilege for a select group of people in the society but an essential need. The two help to facilitate communication and provide one with direct and easy access to information.

It is recommended to purchase and install good antivirus software that can protect you from cyber threats as you browse the internet as well as scan your computer for hidden viruses in your hard disk to stay safe.

Deciphering the Primary Differences between Adware, Spyware, and Viruses

Viruses, spyware, and adware are all malware that poses a significant danger to your security and privacy. Each of them has unique features and attributes that differentiate it from the rest.

A virus is a code that is discretely integrated into a program for download. Once you download and install the program on your computer, the virus replicates itself and spreads to other parts of the computer thereby reducing the efficiency and functionalism of the device. If not detected and removed early, the virus can corrupt stored files, format your computer, as well as randomly shut down your computer.

Spyware is malicious software that is installed on one’s computer or device secretly. It is considered one of the most dangerous forms of cyber-attack, as it bypasses the internet security firewall and collects personal information stored on the computer. The collected information is sold on the black market or used to request for ransom from the victims.

Adware is special software that is used to spread marketing popup ads. If your computer is infected with adware, you will see popups whenever you open a particular application, visit a website, or boot up the computer.

Importance of Having Antivirus Software

Today, malware or virus can infect your computer when you open an email, use a USB memory stick to transfer documents to and from your computer, or simply browse the internet. Fortunately, there is some excellent antivirus software that you can purchase and use to protect your devices from the common and modern viruses.

How Does an Antivirus Software Work

In a bid to stay abreast with the new viruses and malware that are released into the general public, the antivirus companies scout the internet round the clock. A large number of the current antivirus software in the world runs on a robust signature database and an indexing cataloging system. It is of paramount importance to ensure that your antivirus is always up-to-date to protect yourself from the emerging viruses.

The standard antivirus software provides users with three options when a threat is detected. You can ignore, delete, or quarantine it. Deleting is effective in getting rid of common viruses, but the advanced ones such as Trojans will not go away even after multiple deletions. The ideal way of dealing with Trojans is quarantining. By choosing the quarantining option, the threat is transferred to an isolated and secure folder where it cannot cause any damage to the computer files.

The antivirus software is either active or passive. Passive means that one has to make scheduled or manual virus scans. An active antivirus is programmed to run in the background whenever the computer is turned on thereby providing comprehensive protection when working offline or online on the computer or using the mobile device.

Tips for Finding the Best Antivirus Software

The vast array of antivirus software in the market gives the consumer an opportunity to compare different types before making the final decision. However, the many features, offers, functionalism makes the selection process daunting and overwhelming. It is recommended to choose an antivirus whose features resonate with your internet security needs and preferences.

Some of the companies also offer free antivirus options to their consumers. While these will not cost you money, they are not as effective as the premium paid antivirus software. For instance, some lack an internet security feature.

The tasks that you carry out on your device or your line of work should guide you through the selection process. If you are always, working online, antivirus software that has an inbuilt internet security feature is an ideal choice. If you use emails to communicate with friends, colleagues, and clients frequently, go for antivirus software that offers anti-spam, spyware, and phishing protection.

Parents and guardians should look for software that has parental control features while gamers should select a security program that has a gaming mode that set the internet security software to use fewer resources.

The reviews available on this website will give you a clear perspective of the different software in the market. Check out our antivirus review page for more information about newly released viruses, Trojans, malware, popups, spam, and scams.

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