With many people working from home, having antivirus software installed on your computer has never been more critical. Hackers and malicious individuals are looking to steal your private information, and you could be susceptible to malware, spyware, ransomware, or worse.
These days, your computer can get infected just by opening a picture. If you have any precious information that's worth keeping, you'll want to get protected.
But what software should you get? Don't worry, because we've got you covered. Here're the top 5 antivirus software solutions you can install today to keep your data safe and secure from prying eyes.
Whether they're free or paid, there's bound to be one here that suits your needs and budget.
Top 5 antivirus software
Antivirus software plays an essential role in keeping your devices safe from any virus that can highly affect your data or devices. Below we will go over an array of useful antivirus software.
Norton Antivirus Plus
For many people, whenever they hear the word “antivirus,” the first software that comes to mind is Norton. And the software isn't famous without reason – its claim to fame lies in its reliable and consistent service that is getting better with time.
What makes Norton such a popular choice for those new to antiviruses are its easy-to-use features. Here's what you can expect when using Norton:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Optimized resource usage, allowing it to run on most PCs
- Top-tier malware detection software
Norton does come with a price. Even though it is cheaper than other companies, it falls into the pricier range of premium plans. Norton is worth the price if you want an antivirus that doesn't require too much learning to operate.
Avira Free Security for Windows
If you don't have the money to afford a paid antivirus solution, Avira is a great free alternative. Furthermore, it is one of the top 5 antivirus software on our list. As one of the most popular free antivirus software available in the market, Avira built quite a reputation over the years because of its features. Here are some of them:
- Disk scanning
- Anti-malware system
- Web browser extension
- Firewall
- File shredder
- Free VPN (with monthly limit of 500MB)
All these features come free, so you don't need to spend a dime on antivirus software to get them. Of course, this isn't all that Avira has to offer – their paid plans come with added benefits.
If you're short on cash, though, there's no harm in installing Avira today. Also, you can always upgrade once you get the money.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
An antivirus that you may or may not have heard of is Bitdefender. It's been under the radar for quite some time but has recently gained deserved fame.
This is thanks to its compelling virus detection capabilities paired with other helpful features. It has:
- Built-in password manager
- A mobile app that allows users to scan all linked devices from their smartphone
- Works on most PC and mobile platforms
Arguably the best part about Bitdefender is its price. Depending on where you live, you can get Bitdefender for far less than many industry-famous names such as Norton and McAfee.
Bitdefender uses more system resources than other options from this list. New users should keep that in mind when working on their computers.
Kaspersky Security Cloud (Free Version)
Another free antivirus that deserves a spot on our top 5 antivirus software is Kaspersky. Kaspersky is well-known for their paid plans, but they also have a free version for users to work with.
And since it's Kaspersky, you can expect handy features such as a file shredder and password manager and even a limited VPN.
There's just one catch: the free version features are not as plentiful as the paid version.
You get a lot more if you sink money into purchasing a plan, so if you want the full Kaspersky experience, you're going to want to upgrade.
Webroot Secure Anywhere Antivirus
A concern many users have with antiviruses is that they can be resource-intensive, especially on lower-end units. Webroot aims to solve that problem with an optimized software solution.
It's got the bells and whistles you can expect from antivirus software, such as firewall monitoring and virus scanning. It comes at an incredibly lightweight 15 megabytes, so even the most overused hard drives can fit.
Their software hasn't been tested nearly as often as others. Regardless, the effectiveness of Webroot is an excellent addition to any device you own.
The best antivirus product for you
These top 5 antivirus software solutions offer something unique to the table. If your computer is not that beefy, go with Webroot. If you want something easy to use, Norton's has you covered. Hopefully, these antiviruses will allow you to work from home with peace of mind.
