In the current climate of increasing cybersecurity it’s no longer enough to secure your devices with a basic antivirus program. A top antivirus suite must provide more than basic protection against malware. It could include a VPN or performance-enhancing tools, and password managers. Also, you should look for an antivirus that is compatible with all operating systems and will not slow down or consume your system’s resources.
The most reliable antivirus programs can effectively block and detect various threats, including viruses worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, keyloggers and rootkits. They also shield your computer from phishing attacks by being able to detect fake links and malicious websites.
There’s an array of antivirus programs available, and most brands will let you try their software for free or with a money-back guarantee. The majority of them also offer 24/7 customer support as well as a an extensive knowledge base online to help you solve any problems that arise.
Microsoft Defender is the most popular antivirus software for Windows (which is preinstalled on newer Windows computers). It’s been rated highly by independent labs AV Test and AV Comparatives. It’s light and easy to use, but it does not have the sophistication of top standalone antivirus.