10 Best Antivirus Software for Windows in 2024

1. McAfee – A Windows Antivirus with a Long History

Resource Consumption

McAfee runs in the background using next to no computer resources, and real-time scans do not affect Windows in any way. The operating speed decreases slightly after initiating a full device scan, but performance is kept at a consistent level throughout. You should be able to continue working at your computer without any problems.

McAfee has also added several useful features to expand upon what it can offer users:

• McAfee App Boost – a function for applications that operate with large amounts of data. The antivirus will automatically allocate more resources to them to speed up your computer.
• McAfee Web Boost – a function that prevents unwanted downloads and reduces the load on the system. This keeps McAfee from eating into your bandwidth and prevents you from downloading malware.

Built-in Personal Firewall

McAfee Antivirus Personal Firewall lets you customize your protection to suit your needs. You can:

• control information flow between network devices;
• use advanced filters to block suspicious Internet traffic;
• block malware from sending your personal data over the Internet.

The firewall carefully monitors network traffic to prevent viruses and other threats from entering your Windows computer.

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2. Norton – Most Advanced Antivirus for Windows

In addition to the Windows app, Norton offers solutions for Mac, Android, and iOS. When you purchase a Deluxe or Premium subscription, you can deploy the best paid antivirus on several devices with different operating systems all at once. The Premium version allows you to protect up to ten devices simultaneously while syncing personal settings across all platforms.

Norton’s built-in password manager is also one of the most useful online tools out there. It allows you to remember a single password to log into all of your accounts. Thanks to this feature, you won’t have to type in your username and password by yourself every single time you want to log in online. It will also allow you to use more complex passwords with confidence, which will increase the security of your accounts.

Cloud Backup

Norton’s cloud backup gives you secure off-site storage for all your important documents. The amount of disk space available for backup depends on the payment plan you select, with the simplest subscription option including 10 GB of free space and the Deluxe version providing access to a 75 GB cloud.

Norton Backup is incredibly useful when working with multiple devices and makes it easy to keep track of files on your computer, smartphone, or whatever device you use to access the Internet. With reliable backups, you will always have access to your most important documents – just access the cloud from any device using your Norton account.  

Cloud backups also protect your confidential data from ransomware. Hackers can encrypt your files and charge money for an encryption key to recover them, but the threat level is reduced drastically if all of your important documents are stored on Norton’s secure servers. The files you need will always be at your fingertips.

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3. Avira – Shareware Antivirus for Windows

Free Top-tier Antivirus

The Avira antivirus trial takes free protection to the next level with a bundled VPN, password management, ad blocking and more. However, you will find yourself deprived of many of the features available with a paid edition of the program, as a firewall, backups, spam filtering, and other features will remain locked behind a paywall.

Real-time Protection

All versions of Avira Antivirus provide real-time protection against malware. This feature monitors and scans all of the files that you access to check them for viruses. In case of danger, Avira will not allow suspicious programs to make changes to your device and provide you with a notification of potentially dangerous activity.

Safe Shopping

Avira Safe Shopping is a useful browser extension included with Avira Free Security that will come in handy for anyone who makes frequent purchases on the Internet by helping you avoid online shopping scams. In addition to the best security it provides, Safe Shopping also functions as a price comparison tool that shows the best deals for the items you want to buy.

File Shredder

Competent attackers are capable of recovering confidential files that you have deleted from your computer. To prevent this from happening, you can make use of Avira’s File Shredder. This feature is integrated into all versions of the antivirus, including the free one. Just select the file you want to permanently delete and the antivirus will take care of the rest.

4. Panda – Antivirus for Windows with Handy Extensions

Fully Equipped

Panda has all of the most popular functions that an everyday computer user requires. It will help you browse websites securely and protect your confidential data when shopping and sending documents. There’s no need to do any configuring, either, as the antivirus provides complete and effective protection by default immediately after installation.

The built-in VPN will allow you to bypass site blocking and keep personal information safe from third parties. Unfortunately, only 150 MB of traffic per day is available with the free version. However, you can get around this limitation by purchasing Panda Dome Premium, which offers unlimited traffic at rates of up to 10 Gbps.

Phishing Protection

Attackers often try to trick unsuspecting users into revealing sensitive information using phishing links. To avoid falling prey to a phishing scheme, you should navigate to sites directly from the address bar of your browser at all times. A more convenient alternative is to install Panda Antivirus with Safe Web, which will provide reliable for your computer in virus protection.

The Panda Smart Shopping browser extension also protects you from clicking on phishing links, as well as helps you find the best prices for goods in proven online stores. Another extension called Panda Safe Web blocks annoying ads and stops sites from collecting personal data.

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5. BullGuard – Inexpensive Antivirus for Gamers

Three-tiered Malware Protection

BullGuard Antivirus proudly calls itself the “Next Generation Anti-Malware Software”. It constantly scans active files on your computer in order to recognize and neutralize threats in real time, long before a virus can cause significant damage. The program also quarantines any malicious files it detects automatically, employing deep learning techniques to identify new threats at lightning speed. 

BullGuard can analyze the properties of malicious programs and identify harmful code even before virus databases are updated. Zero-day threats are neutralized as soon as they are detected for your computer’s protection.

Vulnerability Scanner

The vulnerability scanner feature in BullGuard looks for system weaknesses that could put your computer at risk. The program will also prevent you from downloading files from the Internet that may contain malware, as well as warn you about unsecured wireless networks and unwanted drivers without a digital signature.

BullGuard for Windows checks for local security updates and prompts you to install them if necessary. On top of that, the vulnerability scanner will notify you of unknown programs in the startup list, which are often opened immediately after the operating system boots without the user’s knowledge. Using this antivirus you will be able to review the list and remove any unwanted applications.

Optimizing PerformanceThe performance optimization feature is the main reason many gamers choose BullGuard top antivirus. It is only available for machines with processors containing four or more cores. As soon as the user starts a gaming session, BullGuard automatically engages this feature, ensuring maximum computer performance by freeing up the processor cores for gaming.

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6. Heimdal – Comprehensive Antivirus for Windows

Proactive Defense

Heimdal Security places special emphasis on the proactivity of its product. It does more than simply respond to cyber threats – it anticipates them. Modern malware can bypass standard anti-virus checks, but Heimdal Antivirus is designed to detect and neutralize the latest undesirable programs before they can cause any harm.

Subscription Options

There are three subscription options: Thor Foresight, Thor Vigilance and Thor Premium. With Thor Vigilance, you get a basic antivirus software suite that includes a firewall, real-time scanning, and heuristic and behavioral scanning. This is the cheapest and easiest protection option offered by Heimdal Security.

A Thor Foresight subscription comes with proactive tools including safe web browsing, online banking, and phishing protection. By purchasing one license, you can use the application on three different devices at the same time. Heimdal Security antivirus products are available on PCs running Windows 7, 8, 8.1 or 10, as well as Mac.

Thor Premium includes all of the features from Thor Foresight and Thor Vigilance, offering the best of both worlds by providing advanced proactive and reactive virus protection. The result is multi-level AI protection that can be used on up to three devices at the same time.

7. Kaspersky – Top Rated Antivirus for Windows with a High-Quality Free Version

Anti-Cryptor Technology

Kaspersky Lab offers unique technology to protect against ransomware, a type of virus used to encrypt files on victims’ computers. Kaspersky Anti-Cryptor is able to recognize attempts even before malicious applications have had time to intercept your documents.

This online virus scan for Windows constantly scans the network to detect suspicious activity, monitoring both individual computers and entire networks. Ransomware viruses have virtually no chance of remaining undetected, and this protection is especially important if your work involves important documents and you cannot risk integrity loss.

Cost of Subscription 

The cost of a Kaspersky Anti-Virus home license depends on the number of supported devices. The most inexpensive package is designed to protect no more than three computers and costs about $40 per year. The more protected devices you have, the higher the price. Business editions can be deployed for enterprises with more than 1,000 computers.

Kaspersky Lab also has a range of additional offerings beyond malware protection. Users have the option of paying for extended or premium support, and Kaspersky offers installation and customization services as well. These features are recommended for anyone using Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Business.

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8. Avast – Super Antivirus for Advanced Users

Best Virus Protection for Windows

Avast offers an extensive set of features to help protect your Windows system, including:

•   Real-time protection, which works unobtrusively in the background to block threats as they appear.
•  A full virus scan to make sure there are zero infected files on your computer.
•   Advanced device scanning designed to detect hidden malware.
•   Scans of external devices for viruses (USB drives, external drives, etc.)
•   Custom scans of specific files or folders for faster and more targeted scans.
• Scheduled scans that automatically check your computer at a specified time.
•  Security updates and new features added automatically in real time.

Cross-Platform Capability

Avast is available on all major platforms, which is a definite plus for anyone working on multiple devices. Versions of the best PC antivirus are available for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. Avast’s official website will automatically detect which platform you are using and offer a solution that is suitable for you.

Email Security

Even the free version of Avast provides a respectable level of email security. The antivirus will alert you to unsafe websites, block suspicious files from downloading, and stop intrusive tracking. Email is one of the most common sources of viruses, so this feature filters out many potential threats.

9. Bitdefender – Cost and Security Efficient

Efficiency at its peak

Bitdefender is bang for buck with tons of features to keep your windows running in its best condition. This antivirus starts functioning immediately when your windows is booting. Some viruses hide in the cover of the starting process of your computer. Bitdefender rescue mode keeps all of them at bay. It comes with super threat defense against attacks on your files and data. You are also fully covered when you surf the web. 

Bang for Buck

Apart from your regular plans, bitdefender has a special one that is exclusive to windows. It is the plus plan that comes with all the protective features and also a password manager to store logins. You are protected and impossible to track with the special anti tracker extension. All these come for one device at $19.99 for your first year with $39.99 for later years for one device. You can get the three, five, or ten device plan too!

Three devices cost $29.99 for first year and $59.99 after; three years include $53.99 and $89.99 after first year while three years cost $71.99 for first and $119.99 subsequently. Five devices cost $69.99, $109.99 and $149.99 for one, two and three years respectively. Ten device come at $79.99, $129.99 and $179.99 for one, two and three years.

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10. TotalAV – Internet Security at your fingertips

Modern day protector

TotalAV comes with more than enough features to keep your device security in good shape. Starting from the free plan, you get to scan your computer against existing malware and prevent incoming ones. With TotalAV, you say goodbye to phishing because this product has you covered. The VPN is surprisingly fast and efficient and you are also assured a 30-day money back period if you are not satisfied with the software.

Subscription Cost

The lowest level is the free basic plan that comes when you download the antivirus. The features are restricted and you should upgrade if you want real protection. At $19.95 annually, you can upgrade to the essential package that guarantees better protection. If you wish to upgrade it further, then consider the pro plan at $39.95 annually which includes extra protection with a password vault. 

The highest hierarchy is the $59.96 ultimate plan which gives the best value for money. You can use it on five devices including mobile. It offers a more customized support where you get better response.

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