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It also offers the most value, with an unlimited password manager, a secure browser with a virtual keyboard, a Wi-Fi network scanner, a file shredder, protection against encrypting ransomware and Bitdefender's new web-privacy software - features often found only with pricier antivirus packages. Its active scans don't add much to the background system impact, but that background load is a bit heavy. It has very good, if not perfect, malware-detection scores. īitdefender Antivirus Plus is our top choice among entry-level antivirus products. Read our full Kaspersky Total Security review. We think it's the best antivirus software you can buy today.Īs mentioned earlier, Kaspersky Total Security has won Best Antivirus Software in the 2021 Tom's Guide Awards. The premium antivirus suite, Kaspersky Total Security (£19.99 UK/$44.99 US), adds backup software, parental controls, file encryption, a file shredder and an unlimited password manager. It also includes software for macOS, Android and iOS. It has a secure browser, anti-theft protection for laptops, webcam protection and a limited-use VPN client that kicks in when you connect to an open Wi-Fi network.
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Kaspersky Internet Security (£17.49 UK/$39.99 US) is our top choice among midrange packages. But it's beaten by Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which has even more features. The entry-level program, Kaspersky Anti-Virus (starting at £12.49 UK/$29.99 US), has dedicated ransomware protection, a virtual keyboard and a convenient online account portal. Kaspersky's Windows products have excellent malware-detection scores and a light-to-moderate system-performance impact, the two most important criteria in our rankings. Limited VPN usage -Microphone protection hard to enable The best antivirus software you can buy today Our free rankings immediately follow our paid rankings below. See our section on how to choose the best antivirus software below, or our stand-alone antivirus buying guide.įor the best free antivirus protection, we like Kaspersky Security Cloud Free, which sailed past Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition for the top spot.īoth offered excellent protection against malware without system slowdowns, but Kaspersky's free program lets you schedule scans, has a quick-scan option, adds a ton of useful extras and had the smallest system impact we've ever seen. Right behind that are the entry-level Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which may be the best bargain in antivirus software, and Norton 360 Deluxe, which offers excellent protection and a ton of extra features, including unlimited VPN service and LifeLock identity protection.Īny of these three would serve you well, but the ideal choice depends on your circumstances. It delivers excellent malware protection, a full complement of extra features and an easy-to-use interface.
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Our first choice for best antivirus software is Kaspersky Total Security.
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