Best security suites for 2026: Antivirus, scam protection and privacy tools for multiple devices

Security suites in 2026 have to cover more than viruses. Laptops, phones and tablets now carry banking apps, work files, private messages, personal photos and saved passwords, giving criminals more ways to target consumers. Scams are also harder to spot, with phishing emails, fake websites, malicious links, SMS fraud and deepfake content sitting alongside malware, ransomware and spyware as everyday risks.

Many security suites now go beyond antivirus by adding scam detection, safer browsing, VPN access, identity monitoring, password management or family controls. For buyers, the best choice depends on how many devices need protection, whether children are part of the household, how often public Wi-Fi is used, and whether tools such as dark web alerts or password management are already covered elsewhere.

McAfee Total Protection

McAfee Total Protection is an all-in-one security suite for users who want antivirus, scam protection, privacy tools, identity monitoring and password management under one subscription. It is designed to cover everyday risks across multiple devices, from fake messages and deepfake scams to malware, public Wi-Fi exposure and compromised personal information.

The 10-device plan is the broadest option in the range and is likely to suit households with several phones, laptops and tablets to protect. McAfee also offers 5-device and 1-device plans for users with fewer devices, so the choice comes down to household size and coverage needs.

McAfee also offers a Virus Protection Pledge (VPP) for supported devices. If McAfee cannot remove a virus, it will refund the amount paid for the current term subscription. The refund does not cover any damage or loss caused by a virus.

Key features and benefits

• Scam and antivirus protection: Helps protect users against fake messages, deepfake scams, viruses, malware and other online threats.
• Privacy protection: Includes Secure VPN to help protect browsing activity, especially when using public Wi-Fi.
• Identity monitoring: Provides 24/7 monitoring and alerts for up to 60 types of personal information on the dark web.
• Password management: Stores, auto-fills and generates complex passwords across PC and mobile devices using a single account.
• Flexible device coverage: Available in different device tiers, including a 10-device plan for households or users managing numerous devices.

Norton 360 Deluxe

Norton 360 Deluxe is an all-in-one security suite for users who want device protection, scam detection, privacy tools and family safety features in one subscription. It covers up to five PCs, Macs, smartphones or tablets, making it suited to individuals with several devices or smaller households that need shared protection.

Norton 360 Deluxe is built for broader protection than antivirus alone. Norton 360 Deluxe includes AI-powered Scam Protection to help detect scams in online messages and deepfake videos, alongside real-time threat protection, Secure VPN, Dark Web Monitoring, Password Manager and Parental Control. It also includes 75GB of cloud backup, giving users an additional way to keep important files backed up. Feature availability may vary by device and platform.

Key features and benefits

• Scam protection: Uses AI-powered protection to help detect scams in texts, online content and deepfake videos, with Norton Genie offering scam guidance where available.
• Device security: Helps protect up to five PCs, Macs, smartphones or tablets against viruses, malware and emerging online threats.
• Privacy protection: Includes Secure VPN to encrypt browsing activity and help protect personal information on public Wi-Fi.
• Dark web monitoring: Alerts users if their personal information is found on the dark web.
• Password and family tools: Includes Password Manager, Parental Control, 75GB cloud backup and SafeCam for PC, with feature availability varying by platform.

Bitdefender Premium Security

Bitdefender Premium Security is a multi-device security suite for users who want antivirus, scam protection, privacy tools and password management across Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It combines malware, ransomware and scam protection with unlimited VPN traffic, Password Manager and data breach detection.

The product is available in Individual and Family plans. The Individual plan covers one member and five devices, while the Family plan covers up to five members and 25 devices. The Family plan is suited to households that need wider coverage across adults, teenagers and children, with parental controls for screen time, content access, routines, location features and activity reports.

Key features and benefits

• Scam protection: Scam Protection Pro uses AI-powered features to help detect suspicious links, scam emails and other online fraud attempts, with SMS, chat, notification and calendar protection available on supported platforms.
• Device security: Provides protection against malware, ransomware, cryptomining, phishing, web attacks and other threats across Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
• Privacy protection: Includes unlimited VPN traffic, access to more than 3,000 servers in over 100 countries, anti-tracker tools and Wi-Fi security features.
• Password and breach protection: Comes with Password Manager and data breach detection to help users manage credentials and check whether personal information has been exposed.
• Family controls: The Family plan adds parental controls, including content filtering, internet time limits, routines, location features and activity reports for different household members.

Trend Micro Maximum Security

Trend Micro Maximum Security is a security suite for users who want AI-powered protection across supported Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Chromebook devices, with device coverage depending on the plan selected. It is positioned around everyday risks such as ransomware, viruses, dangerous websites, phishing emails and threats that target personal data.

Trend Micro Maximum Security is strongest when viewed as a layered protection suite rather than a standalone antivirus product. Trend Micro combines cloud-based threat detection, Pay Guard for online banking, Folder Shield for important files, parental controls and mobile security. That makes it relevant for users who want protection across browsing, payments, files, children’s web access and mobile use, although device coverage should be checked against the chosen subscription.

Key features and benefits

• Threat protection: Uses cloud-based AI technology to help defend against known and emerging malware, ransomware, viruses and other online threats.
• File and ransomware protection: Includes enhanced Folder Shield to help protect valuable files and digital assets stored locally or in cloud-synced folders such as Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive.
• Safer browsing and payments: Helps block dangerous websites and includes Pay Guard to provide a more secure environment for online banking and shopping.
• Scam and privacy protection: Guards against phishing emails and helps block websites that may try to steal personal data.
• Family, mobile and performance tools: Includes parental controls with time and content limits, mobile security for phones and tablets, and performance tools to help fix common device issues.

F-Secure Total

F-Secure Total is a multi-device security suite for users who want antivirus, scam protection, VPN, password management and identity protection in a single app. It works across Windows PCs, Macs, Android devices, iPhones and iPads, with subscription options for one, three or five devices.

Its main focus is everyday digital safety, covering malware, unsafe websites, scam messages, weak passwords, exposed personal data and public Wi-Fi risks. F-Secure also positions Total around European data protection standards, with the company based in Finland and stating that it handles personal information under GDPR.

Key features and benefits

• Scam protection: Helps detect untrusted online stores, block SMS scams, flag unsafe Wi-Fi networks and reduce exposure to suspicious sites and messages.
• Device security: Provides antivirus protection against malware, ransomware, spyware, infostealers and other threats across supported computers and mobile devices.
• Privacy protection: Includes unlimited VPN to encrypt browsing activity, reduce tracking and protect users on public Wi-Fi.
• Password and identity protection: Stores passwords in a secure vault, supports auto-fill, checks for weak or reused passwords and alerts users if personal data is exposed.
• Safer banking and shopping: Includes Banking Protection, Shopping Protection and Browsing Protection to help users identify safer financial sites, avoid risky stores and block dangerous web pages.

Avast Premium Security

Avast Premium Security is a security suite built around scam protection as much as traditional antivirus. Available in the Avast One app, it combines malware defence with tools aimed at the channels scammers increasingly use, including email, SMS, phone calls and fraudulent websites. It is available as a plan for one Windows PC with one mobile device included, or as a broader 10-device plan covering Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone or iPad.

Avast Premium Security focuses on scam protection alongside traditional device security. It adds AI-powered guidance through Avast Assistant, email scam filtering, mobile scam protection, ransomware safeguards, firewall protection and tools to reduce app security risks, making it relevant for users who want broader coverage across desktop and mobile use.

Key features and benefits

• Scam protection: Uses AI-powered tools to help detect suspicious emails, scam SMS messages, scam calls, fake offers and other online fraud attempts, with Avast Assistant providing additional guidance.
• Device security: Includes award-winning antivirus protection against viruses, spyware and other digital threats, alongside ransomware protection and real-time threat blocking.
• Safer browsing and payments: Scans websites to help identify fake or dangerous pages, making online shopping, banking and payments safer.
• Privacy and hacker protection: Includes an advanced firewall, webcam protection, remote access protection and safeguards for saved passwords.
• Flexible device coverage: Available as a plan for one Windows PC plus one mobile device, or as a 10-device plan across supported desktop and mobile platforms.

Choosing the right security suite

A security suite should fit into daily device use, rather than become another layer of work. Most users now move between laptops, phones and tablets, so the software needs to be easy to install, simple to manage and consistent across different operating systems. Antivirus performance remains the baseline, but the better products also run quietly in the background without slowing devices down or overwhelming users with technical alerts.

The choice then depends on the risks the user is trying to reduce. Basic antivirus may be enough for someone who mainly wants malware protection, while others may need stronger cover against scam messages, phishing emails, fake websites, ransomware, unsafe public Wi-Fi or exposed personal information. Families may also need wider device coverage and parental controls, while individual users may find more value in a VPN, password manager or identity monitoring.

Price should be judged over the full subscription period, not just the first-year offer. A broader suite can be worthwhile when it replaces several separate tools, but only if those features are likely to be used. Before subscribing, buyers should check renewal pricing, supported platforms, refund terms, customer support and privacy policies, as long-term value depends on how well the product protects everyday activity without adding friction.

How we choose products for this list: This list is based on market relevance, reader interest, product availability, review access, specifications, and editorial assessment. Tech Edition may include products it has tested, reviewed, received for evaluation, or has sufficient product information to assess. Inclusion does not guarantee endorsement, and absence from the list should not be read as a judgement on any brand or product.