1. Best Antivirus Download For Windows Xp
2. Best Antivirus Download Free
3. Best Antivirus Download For Android
4. Norton Antivirus Download
5. Best Downloadable Antivirus Software

With security threats on the rise worldwide, the need for a great antivirus service is higher than ever.

• Purchasing the right antivirus software is important. Therefore we want to be 100% transparent about the data and method we use to select the best antivirus software. We use 6 factors to select the winning software. All factors matter, but not all are equally important. Therefore, the impact they have on the final score varies.
• This is the best antivirus software available for free which we would recommend our users. So, just download Avast free antivirus for Windows 10 PC and enjoy intelligent threat-detection and real-time protection features. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition.
• A good antivirus program is essential to a secure system, and you most definitely do not have to pay for one to get great protection. Below is our hand-picked list of the 11 best free antivirus programs that you can download for Windows today.
• Kaspersky Lab doesn't advertise that it has a free antivirus product, and doesn't make it easy to find the download page.Too bad, because this is one of the best free antivirus products we've ever.
• The best antivirus software in 2019. Kapersky Anti-Virus hones in on the basics of malware prevention and detection, and does them well indeed. Their program is a teensy 2 MB download,.
• Antivirus programs are critical and essential to provide security and protection against dangerous viruses, trojans, and malware. Here we list the Best Antivirus Free for Windows 10 PC 2020 that you should install and download to your computer to stay safe! Windows 10 updates have been rolling out to users all around the world.

However, in a crowded market segment making the best choice of antivirus software can be a tricky challenge.

Right now, we think that Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is the best antivirus available. It combines watertight security tools with an array of other excellent security features and is super easy to.

No need to worry though, as ITProPortal is here to help, with some great choices for an antivirus program below. We'll also keep updating this guide with all the latest deals and new releases, so be sure to stay tuned for all the top antivirus information!

Best antivirus: the top 10 you can get today

1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: 3 | Stand out features: Ransomware protection and remediation, privacy tools, optional VPN, Safepay

Our top antivirus software pick is Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019 that boast over 500 million users, and offers a full featured package.

Also, comparing test results, such as from leading antivirus testing labs like AV Test, and AV Comparatives, the Bitdefender antivirus products score high ratings.

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019 is easy to get up and running with a simple installation process. However, be aware that creating an online account, including an email address is required prior to the initial download and install.

This program does have some weaknesses which include only protecting three devices without additional licenses, although there are some competitor products only protect one device. Also, this program only works on Windows 10 devices. It is also resource intensive when running, which is a downside for older and less robust systems.

The annual subscription includes automatic upgrades throughout the year for $34.99. This keeps the program always up to date to meet the threats of the latest malware. Multi-year discounts are also available.

Bitdefender's VIP antivirus deal

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019 | $59.99 Now $23.99 (or £39.99 £19.99) a year
60%. That's the saving that Bitdefender is promising for the start of 2019 (or 50% if you're in the UK). So that means that the awesome Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019 is down to around $20/£20 for an entire year of PC protection. A smashing bargain for security-minded users.

2. Norton AntiVirus Plus

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Advanced privacy security, financial security, global civilian intelligence network

Norton Antivirus Plus is the company's latest entry-level antivirus program. Norton has been around for ages, with a solid reputation earned over decades. Adding to the reputation, Norton offers decent value with its annual subscription costs.

Norton AntiVirus Plus offers quite a few customization options to control the settings. We also like the URL blocker that can protect from even acquiring the malware by protecting user by blocking visits to known malicious websites. The antivirus program is ever vigilant, and runs continuously, with scanning also available on demand.

Norton AntiVirus Plus also has their Norton Identity Safe, which is a password manager for the browser. However, some users have reported issues with this Chrome extension, including that the password manager randomly stops working, preventing Norton from taking the pole position in our rankings.

(Note that if you're reading this in the UK, the product is still know by its old name - Norton AntiVirus Basic. We understand that it will become known as Plus at some point in June 2019)

• Norton AntiVirus Plus for £24.99 per year

3. F-Secure Antivirus SAFE

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Maximum devices covered: 3 | Stand out features: Browsing and banking protection, Family Rules, ransomware protection

Here is F-Secure Antivirus SAFE’s winning formula: start with strong antivirus software, and then include even more features to fully protect a user’s system. These tools include banking protection for the safest online shopping, and safety tools that are family centered. Another useful feature looking beyond your Windows computer is a locator for the loss of your Android or iOS mobile device, Additionally, if the device can’t be found, there is the option to remotely lock or delete it which at least keeps the data safe.

On AV-test’s analysis, they found that F-Secure Antivirus SAFE got a high score, although in some cases it was a little overly sensitive as they noted some false positives. However, the pluses include that it runs ‘resource lite,’ and has a easy to use, and simple interface.

The annual subscription of F-Secure Antivirus SAFE runs $34.99 for protection of up to 3 devices.

• F-Secure Antivirus SAFE for £59.99 per year

4. Kaspersky Anti-Virus

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: 5 | Stand out features: Automatic scans, drive-by cryptomining infection prevention, simplified security management

For those that seek more of just antivirus protection, and not a full security suite, tha, Kaspersky Anti-Virus is worth a serious look. A side benefit of this approach is that it keeps the cost more affordable, as this program is $29.99 for the annual subscription.

Rather than focusing on too many peripheral features, Kapersky Anti-Virus hones in on the basics of malware prevention and detection, and does them well indeed. Features include blocking of malicious URL’s via web filtering, antivirus scanning for threat removal and detection, and smart monitoring technology to find malware before it brings down your system.

Giving them credence, when tested, AV-Comparatives scored Kapersky Anti-Virus highly.

5. Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security

Strong antivirus protection

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Ransomware protection, advanced AI learning, email scam safeguarding, Pay Guard

Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security has a strong reputation for effective antivirus prevention, with expertise in spam and ransomware. It is also noted to be easy to use, and the major antivirus labs give it high marks in their testing suites.

The downside of seeking out every virus like nobody’s business is that it can be a little overly sensitive, with a higher number of false positives when compared to the competition. Furthermore, Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security runs slower and requires more resources than some other products, making this a less preferred choice for an older system.

The upside is that this program is worth the free 30-day trial to fully clean up your system, and see how your system performs with Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security. If you like what you seem then the cost is $29.95 for single device antivirus protection via an annual subscription.

• Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security for £19.95 per year

6. Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus

Operating system: Windows and Mac | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Always-on security, identity protection, real-time anti-phishing, firewall monitor

A significant con is the major testing labs have not tested Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus for several years now. However, for those with an older system, and want antivirus software that runs lighter, should consider Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus. The annual subscription is an affordable $19.99 which protects a single device.

Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus takes the lighter approach to antivirus software. Their program is a teensy 2 MB download, and has no need for bulky signature updates, making this ideal for folks with a slower internet connection. A great plus of this small software, is that it runs really fast, and won’t bog even an older system down.

While the program is small, the protection is still plentiful, able to meet all the malware threats: ransomware, real time anti-phishing tech, identity security, while monitoring the firewall and network for attacks.

• Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus for £22.49 per year

7. ESET NOD32 Antivirus

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: 5 | Stand out features: Ransomware Shield, UEFI Scanner, Exploit Blocker, cloud powered scanning

ESET NOD32 Antivirus offers a free 30-day trial, and if it performs to your satisfaction, then the subscription costs $39.99 for the year of protection.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus is is a useful security suite that includes the features of real-time malware protection, excellent heuristic detection, an anti-ransomware layer, exploit protection, and URL filtering to block malicious websites. It also has modules for preventing attacks using PowerShell, defense against malicious scripts, a scanner for USB mass storage devices, and a UEFI scanner for protection during the boot process.

Other functions that are found in some antivirus suites such as a password manager, software firewall, file shredder and vulnerability scanner do not make the cut as ESET NOD32 Antivirus focuses more on core features.

• ESET NOD32 Antivirus for £29.99 per year

8. G-Data Antivirus

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Android | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: automatic scanning of USB sticks, hourly program updates, 24/7 English phone support

G-Data Antivirus goes back to the mid-1980’s, and has enjoyed popularity in the European market, while being a relative newcomer to the antivirus market in the United States. Their entry level offering for antivirus software is G-Data Antivirus, and has quite a bit to recommend.

G-Data Antivirus in testing by independent labs gets high marks at detecting many types of viruses, although noted to be less of a superstar at malicious URL blocking. The list of pros is long, and includes online shopping and banking protection, hourly updates, protection from phishing emails with attachments, automatic USB flash memory inspection, and a 24/7 phone hotline for English support.

A con is the high system resource requirement, making this program more suitable for more powerful systems.

G-Data Antivirus has a cost of $29.95 for the annual subscription, and protects a single device.

9. Comodo Windows Antivirus

A full protection suite

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Cloud-based scanning, secure shopping, game mode

Comodo Windows Antivirus’ more complicated setup makes this solution better suited for an expert user, rather than a newbie. The reward is that once this program is installed, it is very effective at virus detection, and then keeps them totally isolated with a feature called Auto Sandbox Technology.

An additional feature is the cloud based antivirus scanning which can detect the latest viruses from across the internet, and not rely on local virus signatures being up to date. Gamers will also appreciate the software’s Game Mode which makes sure that video games are not interrupted by antivirus software alerts.

Comodo Windows Antivirus costs $39.99 for the annual subscription. The higher cost can be easily justified by the expansive feature set.

10. Avast Pro

The pro version kicks the free offering up a serious notch

Operating system: Windows only | Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Wi-Fi inspector, browser cleanup, smart analytics virus detection

Avast has a longstanding, and excellent reputation in the antivirus area, particularly for their free offering. However, it also has a paid offering, Avast Pro, which adds more protection, making it a worth considering to upgrade.

Avast Pro has additional features, such as sandboxing of suspicious files, protection from hijacking your DNS, Wi-Fi inspection against wireless poaching attacks, and browser cleanup for unwanted toolbars and malicious browser extensions. In case support is needed, there is convenient messaging from within the Avast Pro software.

A downside is that the paid version costs more than the free version, and we note that Avast Pro is more expensive than some other antivirus solutions. A single Windows PC subscription costs $49.99 yearly, but it can be tried for free for a full 30 days, and the option of multiyear discounts can make it more affordable.

BestAntivirus Software for Windows 10Windows Central2019

Using live malware samples, we tested and evaluated 20 antivirus programs. McAfee Total Protection is the best antivirus software for PCs running Windows 10 because of how well it stops threats before you're infected, the minimal amount of system resources it uses while running and the number of extra protections included with this program.

Best Overall: McAfee Total Protection

For many years McAfee ranked near the bottom for cybersecurity. It caused computers to drag and lots of malware to sneak through. However, since cutting ties with Intel in 2017, McAfee has worked hard to become more secure while using fewer computer resources, and it has paid off. In the last two years, security test labs, have seen McAfee become one of the best in malware detection and protection. This year we can clearly see it earns the top spot.

On top of earning a perfect 100 percent in both protection and performance - which looks at how much slowdown it causes on your computer - McAfee has a long list of advanced security tools. This list includes a firewall that keeps hackers, snoops and identity thieves from sneaking in through your network and boots off anyone trying to steal or piggyback on your internet connection. Its PC Boost scans your entire system for any vulnerabilities. It looks for outdated software programs and helps you bring them up to date, which makes it harder for ransomware to attack. It encrypts and saves your files to McAfee's online backup storage. Its robust parental controls allow you to manage when and how long children can be online and what they have access to while there. Last, but not least, McAfee's webcam monitoring makes sure no person or software accesses your computer's video camera without your permission.

Because of the sheer number of features included with McAfee Total Protection, it becomes a little overwhelming to find some of them on the dashboard. It took us a couple of hours of consistent use to become familiar enough to re-find what we needed on later occasions. Even then a few of them weren't as intuitively placed as we'd like, so it took a few tries to find them. Since most tools are already set up and enabled, there wasn't a lot that we needed to do to feel fully protected by McAfee Total Protection.

Pros:

• Perfect malware protection
• Doesn't drain resources
• Webcam monitoring
• Personal firewall
• Parental controls

Best Overall

McAfee Total Protection

Number one pick for PC protection.

McAfee earned perfect scores for both malware protection and for the limited amount of resources it uses while running. It comes with a personal firewall, password managers, safe banking tools, and parental controls. Plus, McAfee guarantees to help remove threats and restore your computer if it does become infected.

Best Value: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2020

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus provides fantastic protection against system-crippling viruses and other annoying malware, and for the price, Bitdefender is the best. Where other antivirus programs give you a single user license, Bitdefender gives you three to protect multiple PCs at once. It also includes several advanced protection tools that basic antivirus programs typically don't have, including a VPN, safe banking tools and a password manager.

During our tests of the best antivirus software, Bitdefender consistently stopped threats before they had a chance to start the download process, including ransomware, Trojans, and rootkits. When we attempted to visit a website that harbored malicious links and files, Bitdefender usually blocked them and displayed a warning message about what was lurking there. It did an excellent job of blocking phishing schemes, including those designed to look like social media and banking login pages. A couple of threats Bitdefender wasn't sure were completely dangerous, but instead of letting them go free, the files were placed in the quarantine folder. This folder allowed us to look at them first before allowing Bitdefender to take care of them. When Bitdefender stops a threat, it scrubs your system to make sure it is clean. It then permanently removes the malware in a way that it can't escape and re-infect your computer.

Virus and system scans take a bit longer than other antivirus solutions. Most antivirus programs take about five minutes to perform a quick scan and 20 for deep scans. Bitdefender took twice as long. However, Bitdefender doesn't use a lot of system resources, so you can still work and play online without noticing any slowdown. I was able to upload and download files, send email messages, watch videos, and play online games while Bitdefender scanned our computers. I didn't experience any slowdown or interruption from the program.

Pros:

• Real-time protection
• Extra security tools
• Multiple user licenses

Best Value

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2020

Excellent protection at a great price

This antivirus monitors your computer in real-time to stop malicious files before they have a chance to start downloading. It consistently scores high for malware protections and includes three user licenses at a price point where other programs charge for one.

Social Media Protection: VIPRE Advanced Security

VIPRE Advanced Security is one of my favorite antivirus programs because of how easy it is to use. Its minimal use of computer resources and how quickly it stops malware from infecting computers were also strong reasons to recommend it. In my tests of the best antivirus for Windows 10, VIPRE stopped all malware downloads before they had a chance to infect my computers. While it was doing that, it ran so quickly and lightly I could hardly tell an antivirus program was installed. Safe browsing is enabled from the VIPRE dashboard instead of requiring you to install and activate browser extensions. VIPRE also scans your Facebook timeline and lets you know if anyone has posed a malicious link or is trying to break into your account.

This program has a few extra security tools, including a firewall, a tool not many basic antivirus programs include but an important one to have. It monitors email messages and blocks and links or downloads sent in them. If you are sent suspicious messages, like phishing schemes, VIPRE sends a copy of the message to its quarantine folder. Here you can open and read messages in a secure space without worrying about anything dangerous being let out.

The biggest complaint is VIPRE has a bit of a learning curve. Even though its dashboard isn't cluttered, and it is a basic antivirus program, come of the file and features take a bit to locate. We had to relearn where some of the tools were - usually found by scrolling down further. After a day or two, we got the hang of it.

Pros:

• 99 percent protection score
• No computer slowdown
• Includes firewall
• Quarantines email messages

Social Media Protection

Best Antivirus Download For Windows Xp

VIPRE Advanced Security

Scans Facebook accounts for malicious links.

VIPRE doesn't cause computer slowdown as it protects you from malware threats. It has a firewall and quarantines email messages so you can read them without worrying about threats downloading from them.

Free Security: Avast Free Antivirus

For a free program, Avast Antivirus does an excellent job. In our test of the best antivirus software, I saw Avast stop 98 percent of all threats. It did have trouble blocking a few phishing schemes, but Trojans, rootkits and ransomware were all easily stopped. Avast stops malware files as they are downloading, and before they have a chance to infect your computer. And if you try to access a dangerous website, including most phishing schemes, Avast displays a warning message and has a popup warning, too.

One impressive quality of this free program is the amount of extra security tools that come along with it. It includes a VPN and password managers. We were particularly impressed with the deep system scanner that looks for all types of vulnerabilities on your computer, like loopholes in your browsers and outdated drivers and software. These are weak spots where ransomware and hackers tend to sneak in, so we're always impressed when an antivirus solution includes them. Avast doesn't have a firewall, but its Wi-Fi monitoring tool watches out for anyone trying to steal, or piggyback on your internet connection.

Because it is a free program, you will see a lot of pop-up ads asking you to upgrade your subscription. The Avast Antivirus dashboard lists all the tools available from Avast, but clearly marks those you cannot access unless you pay for them. These include a personal firewall, data shredder, and webcam monitoring. Also, we found Avast Free Antivirus uses up a lot of computer resources that resulted in test computers running noticeably slower.

Pros:

• Free virus protection
• Wi-Fi monitoring
• Password managers
• Passive mode

Cons:

• Lots of popup ads
• Creates a little slowdown
• No firewall

Free Security

Avast Free Antivirus

The best option for free protection.

If you are on a budget and don't mind being inundated with ads, Avast is our top pick for free antivirus. It stops threats in real-time, includes a password manager and keeps a close eye on your Wi-Fi connection for anyone attempting to steal or piggyback on your service.

Resource Friendly: Kaspersky Anti-Virus

We could tell from the beginning that Kaspersky is a very light program. We didn't need to wait long for the program to set up and be ready to use. While it was performing deep scans, we were able to use our computers without experiencing any slowdown. Kaspersky Anti-Virus is a very basic program without a lot of extra security tools, but even its more advanced applications, like Kaspersky Internet Security or Total Security that have several more tools that still don't cause computer drag.

One of the features we like about Kaspersky Anti-Virus is its virtual keyboard. This digital keyboard pops up in the web browser and lets you 'type' without worrying about keyloggers or other internet snoops seeing what you are entering. This is ideal for shielding usernames and passwords as you log into online accounts. It also a good security measure when entering in bank account or credit card information while shopping online.

The biggest downfall of Kaspersky Anti-Virus is the black eye it received in 2017 when Kaspersky was accused of using its computer protection programs to gather classified information from government computers and filter that information to the Russian government. The U.S. government has since required Kaspersky removed from all its agencies' networks and has asked its workers not to use it on personal devices, especially if they do any work from home. Kaspersky's official statement claims, 'As a private company, Kaspersky Lab has no ties to any government, and the company has never helped, nor will help, any government in the world with its cyberespionage efforts.' Germany's BSI found no evidence that Russian hackers used Kaspersky, and the U.S. Government never placed sanctions against Kaspersky that would have banned its use entirely in the United States, even among private users. In short, we haven't seen any evidence that suggests Kaspersky isn't safe enough for consumer use.

Pros:

• Uses minimal resources
• Safe browsing
• Virtual keyboard

Cons:

• Lacks advanced tools
• Not recommended for government workers

Resource Friendly

Kaspersky Anti-Virus

Excellent protection without the slowdown.

Kaspersky is a top-notch security program that stops malware before it downloads and doesn't use up a lot of system resources while running. It includes a virtual keyboard to shield anything you type online from keyloggers and trackers

Virus Free Guarantee: Norton AntiVirus Plus

Norton AntiVirus Plus comes with a few extra features that aren't commonly included with basic antivirus programs, including a firewall and a password manager. Both are essential tools, beyond stopping malicious downloads, for keeping your entire computer safe and protecting your online identity. The firewall monitors your internet connection to make sure nothing is sneaking in, or sensitive information is accidentally being sent out. This is an excellent way to stop hackers and some ransomware threats. The password manager helps you create and save complicated passwords for logging into online accounts. This makes it more difficult for trackers and internet snoops to swipe your login credentials, but also lets you create passwords that are difficult to hack without requiring you to memorize them.

Another great feature of Norton AntiVirus Plus is access to 2GB of online storage. This is a great way to save sensitive documents and files in case your computer becomes infected with ransomware and to hide essential data from hackers. It's also helpful when restoring your computer after a system crash or virus attack.

In our tests of Norton AntiVirus Plus, it stopped most malware files we attempted to download. We did notice a couple of threats we were told were stopped had still downloaded completely. Norton AntiVirus found these threats during a deep scan and took care of them. It was a bit disheartening that a couple of threats got through but also encouraging that Norton was still able to recognize and clear them at some point. It is also comforting to know that if our computers had become infected to the point that the threats couldn't be removed that Norton's virus-free guarantee would have given us access to its experts to help clean and restore our systems.

Cons:

• Slows down computer
• Expensive

Best Antivirus Download Free

Virus Free Guarantee

Norton Antivirus Plus

Guaranteed to block malware or your money back.

Norton's advanced antivirus solutions come with a 100 percent virus-free guarantee. If your system becomes infected, Norton will remove the threat and restore your computer, or give you a refund. Even without the guarantee, Norton does a decent job stopping most internet threats in the first place.

Perfect Protection: Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security

Trend Micro is impressively good at stopping malware threats. In our tests, Trend Micro was only one of two antivirus programs that successfully prevent every single one of the over 350 malware samples used. And it didn't wait until after the file was downloaded entirely before snatching the threat. Instead, it stopped malware during the download process, so there was no chance of our computers becoming infected. Trend Micro also prevented us from accessing phishing schemes and other dangerous websites known to harbor malicious links by displaying a warning message with some information about what was being stopped. This is done by using web reputation technology that looks for signs of a fake site and quickly marks it as dangerous.

Best Antivirus Download For Android

This antivirus program includes Pay Guard, a tool specifically designed to shield your online banking and shopping transactions so personal, account, financial and other sensitive information isn't tracked or stolen. Pay Guard lets you store credit card numbers and bank accounts in it, so you don't have to pull out your credit card every time you shop online, much like a password manager stores passwords, so you don't have to remember them. However, Pay Guard has a lot more protects to keep your information more secure from being stolen.

As impressed as we are of Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security, it did create a noticeable slowdown on our computers while installed and created a lot of lag while running virus scans. It was frustrating trying to download or upload files or even navigate the web because our mouse couldn't keep up with our movements. In between scans, the lag wasn't as bad, but it did take websites longer to load and apps more time to open.

Pros:

• Perfect protection score
• Web reputation technology
• Pay Guard

Perfect Protection

Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security

Perfect score for malware protection.

This program uses web reputation technology to stop malware before it infects your PC. It's also very effective at blocking phishing schemes, and dangerous websites know to harbor malware. Trend Micro is one of the few program tests that earned a perfect protection score.

Fast Protection: Webroot AntiVirus

Webroot AntiVirus is impressively fast when stopping threats. Downloads were stopped and websites blocked before we had a chance to blink. And where other antivirus programs took an average of five minutes to perform deep virus scans, Webroot took under a minute. During tests using live malware, Webroot stopped 98 percent of these threats, which is above average for most antivirus programs. And Webroot didn't create any lag or drag on our computer while either installed or while scanning.

Norton Antivirus Download

We were impressed to see Webroot AntiVirus includes a personal firewall, a tool that is incredibly important for the overall security of your computer, but not often included with bare-boned antivirus programs. This firewall watches your internet connection to make sure hackers, ransomware, or other snoops aren't trying to sneak in through your Wi-Fi. It also makes sure sensitive information from your system isn't leaving through this connection without your permission. Webroot's firewall also ensures no one is trying to steal or piggyback on your internet, which would cause your connection to run slower or use up monthly data use quotas quicker.

As great as Webroot is, we did find it a little challenging to navigate through the user dashboard. There is a lot of text, and not all of the text is links. Several tools are found by clicking on a link that then expands. And even then, a few tools redirect you to the Webroot webpage where you are taken step-by-step through the process of enabling them. Some tools can't be used from the main landing page; instead, you need to find the setting icon and click through to more links and tools. Webroot does offer other computer security programs that have more tools available to them. These are still listed on your dashboard but clicking them won't give you access to use them until you pay for them.

Pros:

• Stops threats fast
• Non-invasive
• Firewall included

Fast Protection

Webroot AntiVirus

Stops attacks in a blink of an eye.

This antivirus solution is a little tricky to navigate, but it quickly stops 99 percent of malware without causing lag to your computer. It includes a firewall and tools that protect against identity theft.

Bottom line

Windows Defender is pretty good at stopping a lot of threats from infecting your computer, but in both our own and in other third-party lab tests, results show it isn't foolproof. We strongly recommend installing an extra pair of eyes to help stop malicious downloads before they get the chance to attack your system. We like McAfee Total Protection because of how quickly and efficiently it stops malware, the small footprint it leaves on your system, the number of extra included security tools and the overall value of the program.

If you don't need the bells and whistles of a full internet security suite, we suggest using VIPRE Advanced Security. This antivirus program doesn't use a lot of your computer's resources so that you won't experience a slowdown, plus it does an excellent job stopping malicious downloads. Though it's a basic program, VIPRE still includes a personal firewall and vulnerability scanner, two advanced tools we personally feel are essential in addition to malware protection.

Updated July 30, 2019: We refreshed this list to ensure you're still getting the absolute best options when it comes to your PC's antivirus.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Nicole Johnston is a staff writer for Windows Central covering internet security and privacy programs. She has a keen eye for pinpointing good solutions that comes from over 12 years of research and writing experience in both the public and private sector, including six years testing and reviewing consumer products and four evaluating antivirus software, parental controls, and identity theft services.

Cale Hunt is a staff writer at Windows Central. He focuses mainly on PC, laptop, and accessory coverage, as well as the emerging world of VR. He is an avid PC gamer and multi-platform user, and spends most of his time either tinkering with or writing about tech..

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Best Downloadable Antivirus Software

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