The best antivirus software doesn’t just protect your computer from malware; it also helps keep you safe from hackers, dodgy websites, and other online threats. It should also offer additional features such as a VPN and password protection and also phishing detection. There are a myriad of options, from basic packages focused on eliminating viruses to full suites that offer all the essentials and additional features like identity theft protection or a password manager. The majority of them are sold as annual subscriptions, so make sure to shop around before making your choice.
Kaspersky is another popular brand in the field of antivirus but it does have privacy issues that are not resolved due to the suspicion that the company is linked to the Russian government. However, it has outstanding antivirus protection in AV-Comparatives tests and has a remarkable feature set. In addition to standard security tools like a firewall it also provides brute force and zero-day exploit protection. This can help you avoid being the victim of attacks targeting your passwords and usernames as well as your bank account details.
Malwarebytes is another good option. It has a stellar reputation for malware detection, and comes with a solid collection of additional security tools. It has excellent heuristics detection and behavior monitoring, as well as a strong secure VPN. It’s a bit higher priced than other premium offerings, but it has an easy-to-use interface and an impressive number of additional features like dark web scanning and a virtual keyboard.