Top Ten Best Antivirus Software for 2023

Protect your laptop and desktop computers from harm with the best antivirus software you can buy.

According to the Pew Research Center, 73 percent of households in the United States have a computer with a persistent broadband Internet connection. Unfortunately, this level of computer use and Internet access has attracted a large number of cybercriminals. These criminals use virus programs and other harmful software to steal personal information on computers, track the surfing habits of computer users and hijack computers for nefarious reasons.

To keep up with the millions of computers in use, the different ways that people access the Internet and the multiple versions of each operating system, hackers have created millions of viruses. As a result, the average computer user has a good chance of unintentionally downloading and installing a harmful virus program whenever he accesses the Internet. Opening an email, downloading a program or visiting the wrong website are just some of the ways that you can inadvertently install a virus program on your computer.

However, you can prevent unauthorized access to your computer by installing an antivirus program. This program, or set of programs, are specifically designed to prevent the installation of harmful software. In addition, most antivirus programs are also able to detect, isolate and remove a malicious program from a computer without affecting the operating system, installed programs or personal files. Before you purchase a new antivirus program, you should review its features to make sure that it’s the best solution for your situation. For example, many antivirus programs automatically scan your computer for viruses on a regular schedule, display your computer’s current system status and allow you to scan external hard drives. The following 10 antivirus programs have a variety of features to help protect your computer from a virus infection.

 

Best Antivirus Software – Comparison Table

 

ImageProductFeaturesRating

Norton Security
User-friendly interface

Software is compatible with both Mac OS X and Windows
4 out of 5

McAfee Total Protection 2021
Covers three devices

Cloud-based protection

Comes with password manager and file encryption software

Instant activation
4.4 out of 5

Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus Software
Available for PC and Mac

Cloud-based technology

Low-resource scanning

Real-time protection from viruses and malware
4.5 out of 5

Trend Micro Antivirus
Protects against viruses

Blocks dangerous websites

Guards against Identity Theft
3.3 out of 5
Bitdefender Total Security 2021
Covers five devices

Multi-layer malware protection

Anti-tracking blockers

PC optimizer
4.6 out of 5

Norton 360 Deluxe 2021
Covers five devices

Real-time malware protection

Dark web monitoring

Comes with password manager and VPN
4.4 out of 5

ESET NOD32 Antivirus
Protects against data theft

Guards against phishing attempts to steal your sensitive financial information
4 out of 5

Norton AntiVirus Plus 2021
Available for multiple devices and operating systems

Real-time threat protection

Comes with secure cloud backups and password manager

Intelligent firewall
4.2 out of 5

AVG Ultimate 2021
Covers five devices

Available for Mac, PC, and mobile devices

Integrated VPN

Robust TuneUp feature
4.3 out of 5
McAfee Antivirus Plus
Protect every device you own

Guard against viruses and the latest threats

Free support
4.3 out of 5

Norton Security

This antivirus program is well-known for being one of the easiest antivirus software applications to navigate. Norton security’s user-friendly interface displays easily identifiable icons that represent each of the program’s features. For example, with just a couple of clicks, you can scan your computer for viruses, optimize your system for better performance or create a full backup of your important files. In addition, the program’s real-time scanning feature blocks most threats as they appear. The software is compatible with both Mac OS X and Windows. Furthermore, there are versions of the program that can protect multiple devices, such as the premium version.

McAfee Total Protection 2021

McAfee is another heavy-hitter in the world of antivirus protection. This product is a download code that activates one year of protection. McAfee uses a subscription-based model to ensure that you’re always getting up-to-date protection from all of the latest threats.

It’s cloud-based and doesn’t bog your device down like other software. You’re getting protection for three devices, so you can browse confidently at home or on the go. The subscription also comes with useful extras to take your online safety even further.

Key Features:

  • Covers three devices
  • Cloud-based protection
  • Comes with password manager and file encryption software
  • Instant activation

Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus Software

These days, you can never be too careful about your online activity. Malware continues to run rampant. Luckily, software like WebRoot is available to keep your device protected. It utilizes cloud-based technology to find online threats in real-time.

The cool thing about WebRoot is that it’s not a resource hog like other antivirus software. While it actively scans and protects in the background, it uses fewer resources to get the job done. As a result, you can get premium protection without sacrificing performance.

Key Features:

  • Available for PC and Mac
  • Cloud-based technology
  • Low-resource scanning
  • Real-time protection from viruses and malware

Trend Micro Antivirus

As a company that has over 25 years of experience creating security products, you can depend on Trend Micro to deliver an antivirus application that has all of the robust features you need to protect your device. This program offers protection against 250 million threats because it uses data from hundreds of millions of threat sensors all over the planet. As a result, spyware, Trojans, worms, and viruses are identified, quarantined and removed from your computer before they can cause any damage. Additionally, the program prevents the automatic download of harmful software, guards against identity theft and identifies dangerous links in social networks, instant messages, and websites.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Protects against viruses
  • Blocks dangerous websites
  • Guards against Identity Theft

Bitdefender Total Security 2021

This activation code for BitDefender provides two years of protection across five devices. BitDefender uses some impressive technology to keep you safe from a wide variety of threats. Not only does it block viruses and malware, but it can also keep you safe on social media, monitor your microphone, and prevent website tracking.

Added perks like the file shredder and password manager sweeten the deal. All in, BitDefender does a lot to keep your identity, banking information, and more safe from prying eyes.

Key Features:

  • Covers five devices
  • Multi-layer malware protection
  • Anti-tracking blockers
  • PC optimizer
  • Enhanced performance capabilities

Norton 360 Deluxe 2021

Norton 360 Deluxe is a subscription-based antivirus service. This product is an activation code that offers a full year of prepaid protection. Norton has years of experience developing some top-notch security software. You can take advantage of that experience to stay safe in real-time.

The cloud-based system protects you from ransomware, viruses, and more. It also comes with a VPN for secure browsing and a password manager to keep all of your accounts secure. Dark web monitoring from LifeLock is included to notify you if your information ever makes its way to the darkest corners of the Internet.

Key Features:

  • Covers five devices
  • Real-time malware protection
  • Dark web monitoring
  • Comes with password manager and VPN

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

If you are looking for an antivirus software solution that targets malicious programs specifically made for the Windows platform, consider using ESET NOD32 Antivirus. This antivirus program protects against data theft, hackers and malware without slowing down your computer’s performance. It has a simplified user interface that allows you to easily find the settings to run a virus scan, prevent pop-up windows and whitelist safe files. In addition, the program also guards against phishing attempts to steal your sensitive financial information, prevents unauthorized access to your computer and protects your identity while you are using social networks.

Norton AntiVirus Plus 2021

Norton is one of the most recognizable names in the antivirus game. The 2021 antivirus plus software continues that legacy of excellence. It’s updated to cover newer threats. The software scans for a wide variety of potential threats and takes action to keep you safe.

All of this happens in real-time as you browse. Protect your device from unwanted traffic with the intelligent firewall system. Then, use the regular scans to remove viruses and other potential security issues. Norton also comes with a slew of extras to take your online safety to a new level.

Key Features:

  • Available for multiple devices and operating systems
  • Real-time threat protection
  • Comes with secure cloud backups and password manager
  • Intelligent firewall

AVG Ultimate 2021

AVG Ultimate is your one-stop shop for all things security. Like most modern antivirus software, AVG Ultimate provides real-time protection as you browse. The technology is available to cover all of your devices, so you can stay safe no matter how you connect.

The service comes with an integrated VPN for those moments when you need extra anonymity and protection. The VPN routes the traffic through an encrypted tunnel that can’t d.

You can also take advantage of the TuneUp feature. It removes unused files and junk to free up resources and enhance your device’s performance.

Key Features:

  • Covers five devices
  • Available for Mac, PC, and mobile devices
  • Integrated VPN
  • Robust TuneUp feature

McAfee Antivirus Plus

As one of the original leading antivirus software manufacturers, McAfee has been producing high-quality antivirus programs since 1987. This McAfee product supports a wide variety of operating systems and browsers, such as Apple iOS, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. Therefore, one solution can protect your computer, smartphone and tablet from harmful programs. In addition to viruses, the software also blocks ransomware, malware, spyware and other unauthorized applications. Furthermore, its Security Management Console feature allows you to view the security status of all your protected devices from a single interface.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Protect every device you own
  • Guard against viruses and the latest threats
  • Free support