A reputable antivirus should safeguard you against all types of malware such as worms, Trojan horses and ransomware. It should also identify and stop the spread of potentially unwanted software, which can change your browser settings or fill your screen with advertisements. Certain premium antiviruses include additional features, such as dark web monitoring, ID-theft alerts, and parental control.
If you’re a Windows user, Microsoft’s built-in malware protection, called Windows Defender on older computers or Windows Security on newer machines, does an adequate job of protecting your computer. It’s not as effective or fast at detecting malware as standalone antivirus companies that regularly score highly in independent lab tests. Furthermore, it doesn’t contain any extra security tools like a password manager or software for other devices.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is the best antivirus available for Windows Based on the prevention of malware impact on systems, user-friendliness. It is simple to install and run and scored high in the AV Test labs. It protects one PC at a low cost, however for a few dollars more you can add more protection with Bitdefender Total Security and Antivirus Plus.
A quality paid antivirus program will usually come with a number of extras. They could include an special info VPN and performance-optimization tools and software for Mac OS, iOS, and Android. If you prefer to stay with the basics, Sophos Home Premium offers robust protection against malware as well as a few extras for reasonable prices.