12 best antiviruses

Only fearless people can afford to use a computer or a smartphone without antivirus. On the Internet, every second or third page if it does not download malware, then translates into phishing sites. And antivirus will help keep your computer and protect sensitive information.

Here are just plenty of antiviruses too. We have compiled a rating of 12 best software products that uniquely protect your computer from external threats.

What can a good antivirus

The main task of antiviruses is, of course, to protect your computer from malware. But the functionality of integrated solutions for Internet security is not limited to this.

Web screen and web page analysis

Most viruses get to the computer from the Internet - after downloading a malicious file or simply when opening an infected page. The web screen prevents download of such software by acting as an “extra layer” of the firewall built into the operating system.

Payment Protection

Payment protection tools prevent the interception of bank card data that users enter when shopping on the Internet. It also prevents phishing and does not allow you to make unnecessary spending with hidden accounts.

Parental control

The Parental Control tool filters and blocks content that may not be safe for the child — shocking images, pornography, and other materials. In addition, he may limit the time that the baby spends at the computer.

Password Store

The “Password Storage” tool is intended for recording authorization data on websites in a special protected container. It helps not to remember multiple logins and passwords - just set one master code.

Privacy Preservation

Confidentiality preserving tools encrypt files in a special storage and delete cookies from the browser. They also protect against phishing and block unauthorized access to personal information.

Top Antivirus Rating

Top Free Antiviruses

Avast Free Antivirus

Rating: 4.9

Why first place: Maximum functionality even in the free version.

Description: Avast, antivirus antivirus leading to a rating, is only as popular as the Protector built into Windows 10. Lightweight and developed, it does not load the computer and shows notifications no more than once every 3-4 days. At the same time, Avast works - two engines protect against viruses at once: offline, which checks malware signatures with the database, and online, sending unknown files to the cloud for verification. Heuristic analysis that protects against zero-day threats is also available.

Scanning mechanisms check hard drives, passwords used, network connection and program behavior. Antivirus analyzes active files and therefore prevents the penetration of malware onto a computer from downloads, flash drives or keygens.And the automatically activated game mode turns off all notifications, including system and from third-party programs, for continuous gameplay.

360 Total Security

Rating: 4.8

Why the second place: Three scanning engines, low load on the computer, but integrated advertising.

Description: 360 Total Security - "Swiss knife" among antiviruses. He uses the highest number of engines in the rating - four. These are offline Avira and Bitdefender, based on 360 QVMII artificial intelligence and cloud scanner. The engines protect against known threats by comparing virus signatures and against unknowns by analyzing the behavior of programs.

Antivirus also protects against ransomware, keyloggers and system modifications. Suspicious applications run in the sandbox. Anti-Virus downloads critical Windows updates to protect against system vulnerabilities, checks the security of the wireless network, and prevents payment information from being intercepted while shopping on the Internet.

Also in 360 Total Security are built file shredder, tools for cleaning and optimizing the operating system, driver update mode and scheduler.

Panda Free Antivirus

Rating: 4.7

Why third place: Free VPN and minimal load on the system, but limited functionality.

Description: Panda Free Antivirus is the only antivirus in the rating that offers a free VPN connection. True, the amount of transmitted traffic is limited to 150 megabytes per day, but this is enough for most purchases on the Internet or access to blocked sites.

The antivirus engine uses cloud signature comparison. Due to this, the load on the computer is minimal. Panda protects against “new” viruses, as cloud signatures are updated hourly. Antivirus pays special attention to protection against viruses from USB drives, so it is recommended to be installed on public computers.

In the antivirus, you can create a bootable cleaning flash drive that removes viruses from blocked computers - for example, those who “grab” ransomware banners. Like Avast, Panda Free Antivirus supports game mode with disabling notifications, including system ones.

The best paid antiviruses for Windows

Avira Antivirus Pro

Rating: 4.9

Why the first place: Protection with the use of "collective intelligence" and artificial intelligence.

Description: Avira Anti-Virus uses three technologies to protect your computer from malware — a comparison with a daily updated database of signatures, “collective intelligence” for analyzing program behavior and artificial intelligence for heuristically checking files on your hard drive.

Avira is the only antivirus in the ranking that effectively fights encryption software thanks to the heuristic analysis tool. It also scans external devices connected to a computer for infection, protects confidential and personal data, blocks DNS substitution and the launch of banking Trojans for secure purchases.

The Avira web screen analyzes the activity of network ports directly, blocking malware even before loading it into a computer’s cache. Therefore, it also prevents the computer from being turned on to botnets or illegal banking transaction nodes.

Bitdefender Internet Security

Rating: 4.9

Why second place: Multi-level protection against ransomware programs, remote management and VPN - however, with limited traffic.

Description: In Bitdefender Internet Security, the emphasis is not on protection against classic viruses, but on preventing theft of confidential, personal and banking information. However, he also copes with the destruction of malware, including encryption programs. Antivirus protects against worms, trojans, zero-day vulnerabilities, rootkits and spyware, including keyloggers.

Additionally, it protects against phishing by checking the consistency of certificates and DNS sites being opened; from theft of bank data; from spying through a webcam and even from fraudulent activities. Autopilot technology controls computer behavior and some user settings to prevent potential security risks. Photon mode adjusts the work of the antivirus to minimize the load on the operating system.

And Bitdefender is the only paid anti-virus in the rating with limited VPN: 200 MB per day.

Kaspersky Lab Internet Security

Rating: 4.8

Why third place: A lot of protective functions, but a high load on the system.

Description: What is the antivirus rating, and without Kaspersky Internet Security? This comprehensive Internet security solution protects your computer in two ways - by checking file signatures offline and sending suspicious programs to the cloud. But its main advantage is the sandbox, an isolated environment for launching applications.

The built-in web screen protects against fake sites and phishing. It is complemented by a browser extension that checks links before they are opened.

Two-level protection of purchases prevents theft of bank card data and other payment information both on phishing sites and on pages with spoofed DNS and SSL certificates. If necessary, you can start the browser in maximum protection mode.

The antivirus has a built-in parental control mode that filters downloadable content and, if necessary, blocks the use of the computer if the child spends a lot of time behind it.

Norton security

Rating: 4.7

Why fourth place: The most expensive, but with a unique function of support from specialists.

Description: Norton Security is the only antivirus in the ranking, the developers of which give a 100% guarantee of removing malware from your computer. It is expressed in remote technical support. If the antivirus does not cope with the removal, Norton employees will take care of this. If they turn out to be powerless, the subscription money will be returned.

Antivirus protects against malware and malware penetrating your computer from the Internet, increases security when shopping, and supports parental control.The backup function makes backups of important information to external media and to a proprietary secure cloud of 25 GB.

Included with the antivirus comes Norton WiFi Privacy - a program that encrypts data when connected to open wireless networks. This protects against sniffing - interception of personal information, usernames, passwords and bank card numbers in public Wi-Fi.

Trend Micro Internet Security

Rating: 4.6

Why fifth place: Basic level of protection, but the minimum price.

Description: Trend Micro Internet Security is the only antivirus in the rating with a subscription price of less than 1000 rubles per year. For this money, the user receives basic protection against Internet vulnerabilities and offline threats.

The main feature of the antivirus is the Folder Shield function, which blocks access to folders with confidential information for unauthorized applications. Trend Micro IS also offers enhanced protection of private data, especially published in social networks. It analyzes the information placed there and gives recommendations for deleting or hiding some information.

The antivirus includes Parental Control with a white list of applications and websites that protect children from shocking, pornographic, or potentially dangerous information. The screen also prevents access to phishing and infected sites.

System optimization mode speeds up Windows and closes vulnerabilities.

Best Antivirus for Android

Antiy AVL

Rating: 4.9

Why the first place: Lightweight, does not load the system, analyzes all types of executable files.

Description: Antiy AVL AntiVirus heads the rating for two reasons. First, it is lightweight - even when installed, it takes no more than 30 megabytes of internal memory. Secondly, it analyzes all types of executable files for the Android operating system, including APK application packages, SIS scripts, DEX instruction sets, and others.

Anti-Virus uses its own AVL SDK engine with compact signature databases and effective detection with low system resource consumption, including battery charge.

Antivirus works in automatic and manual mode. The database of signatures is updated daily. Automatic mode analyzes downloadable and executable files for activity and access to system resources. In manual mode, all internal memory is checked, including the data stored on it and applications in the / data section without access to the providers' databases and the need for root.

Bitdefender Mobile Security & Antivirus

Rating: 4.8

Why second place: Antivirus with "anti-theft", a web scanner and a paid subscription.

Description: Bitdefender Mobile Security & Antivirus Antivirus is multi-functional and could therefore lead the ranking, but the most interesting features are only available in the paid version. So, without a subscription, the “Anti-theft” mode will not work, which helps in finding the phone and detecting the kidnapper.

But in free mode, the antivirus also works. It scans the phone or tablet automatically to detect malware being downloaded or executed. A manual analysis runs the entire internal drive.

The application protects and confidential user data, prohibiting unauthorized access to installed programs and placing especially personal photos and contacts in a special encrypted storage.

Web Security mode adds an additional scanner that uses cloud-based malware detection.

Cheetah CM Security

Rating: 4.7

Why third place: A lot of features, but advertising in the free version.

Description: CM Security Antivirus was developed by the company that created the Clean Master Cleaner. It is designed exclusively for mobile devices and analyzes malware through signature comparisons. However, antivirus is more “additional” than the main function of CM Security. Actually, that's why he is in third place in the ranking.

The “Smart Diagnostics” mode in this antivirus with one click corrects most of the problems that lead to a slowdown of the smartphone. After clicking the button, CM Security checks the internal memory for viruses, cleans temporary and unnecessary files, disables unused services and speeds up the phone.

The antivirus has a built-in proprietary VPN service client for encrypting traffic, circumventing regional Internet restrictions and additional protection when shopping online. The volume of traffic is not limited, you do not need to register.

Kaspersky Antivirus & Security

Rating: 4.7

Why fourth place: Powerful antivirus, which is practically useless in the free version.

Description: Kaspersky Antivirus & Security closes the rating for a reason. Of course, this is a very powerful antivirus that can neutralize infected files even in the system partition of the Android OS. It constantly checks downloads and running applications, and also scans the access rights of the installed software to save confidential information.

But all this works only in the paid version. Without a subscription, only the function of manual scan start, full or quick, is available. In the paid version, the powerful Anti-theft mode also works, which helps to remotely lock the device, find it, or destroy data from the internal memory.

Additional anti-virus features include Kaspersky Secure Connection traffic encryption, hiding personal contacts from prying eyes, a blacklist for calls and SMS messages, as well as anti-phishing mode that blocks the transition to suspicious links.

 

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.