In a constantly growing cybersecurity climate, it’s not enough to protect your devices with a basic antivirus program. A quality antivirus suite will offer protections that go beyond basic malware detection, like the use of a VPN, performance optimization tools, and password managers. You should also consider an antivirus that works across all operating systems and won’t slow down or hog your system’s resources.
The most reliable antivirus software will detect and block a wide range of threats such as viruses, trojans and worms, adware rootkits, and keyloggers. They also shield your computer from phishing attacks by being able to detect fake links and malicious websites.
Most brands offer a free test of their software or a money-back guarantee. They will provide 24/7 customer support and a vast knowledge base online to help solve problems.
If you’re looking for a reliable antivirus program for Windows, the most popular option is Microsoft Defender (which comes preinstalled on newer Windows computers). It’s been rated very highly by independent labs AV Test and AV Comparatives. It’s light and unobtrusive to use, however, it lacks the sophistication of top standalone antivirus.