Best virus scan programs

We would also like to note that antivirus software isn't the only security feature you should invest in. A secure virtual private network to protect your internet traffic, a password manager to keep track of login credentials and an end-to-end encrypted messaging app to stop others from spying on your communications are all essential in protecting your personal information.

Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and high-profile attacks like the Columbia Pipeline hack are becoming more commonplace, which is concerning. Looking for free antivirus protection, malware protection or virus detection, willing to pay for an antivirus program that offers broad internet security coverage across all your devices, including from ransomware and phishing, or need to remove a computer virus or malware from your PC right now?

Here's where to start when looking for the best antivirus software for your needs. Honestly, if you practice safe computing -- you keep your software up to date, you use strong passwords with the help of a password manager , you steer clear of unexpected emails and you don't click suspicious links that may be phishing attempts -- you probably can avoid zero-day attacks and ransomware attacks.

And with the free Microsoft Defender Antivirus software running on Windows 10, you have a malware protection safety net if you do let your guard down.

In fact, it is one of the best antivirus software. Note that Microsoft changed the name of Windows Defender to Microsoft Defender and has expanded the service to other platforms. This free antivirus program is built into Windows and it's turned on by default, the antivirus engine does its thing, and this antivirus solution will cover the basics of internet security. Microsoft pushes new updates frequently.

Defender also lets you tune the level of protection you want, giving you control over blocking potentially unwanted apps and protecting folders and files from a ransomware attack. Note that Windows 10 will automatically disable its own Windows Defender antivirus when you install third-party antivirus.

If you uninstall the third-party protection, Windows 10 will turn back on its own antivirus. Norton antivirus provides industry-leading security software for PC, Mac, and mobile devices. Note, we don't think antivirus protection is terribly useful outside the Windows realm.

In addition to malware and virus protection for your computer and mobile device, this antivirus suite provides GB of backup to the cloud, safe-browsing tools, a secure VPN, password manager, parental controls and LifeLock identity theft protection and fraud alert. While not all of those services are necessarily best in their respective class, getting them all in one package is a compelling option.

If you'd like to take a step up in securing your PC without taxing your wallet, it's hard to beat Bitdefender's free antivirus software for Windows The Windows security software offers real-time monitoring for viruses, malware, spyware and ransomware protection. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is easy to set up and stays out of your way until you need it.

And the protection this antivirus product offers is solid. Bitdefender antivirus software consistently earns top marks for its antivirus protection and usability from the respected AV-Test independent testing lab. The free antivirus version covers one Windows PC. Malwarebytes does protect your PC from a virus or malware attack, scoring reasonably well in recent independent testing for guarding against malware threats.

But that's not really what Malwarebytes is known for. If you find yourself in trouble, the go-to disinfectant for many is Malwarebytes. To get the antivirus company's free antivirus version, download this trial version , which "downgrades" to a no-fee on-demand cleaner with fewer features that detects and removes viruses and malware when you run an on-demand antivirus scan after 14 days.

In addition to the four antivirus apps we recommend above, a handful of other anti-malware tools are worth considering among the best antivirus protection if you find them at a better price or just prefer to use one over our picks above.

It feels like McAfee Antivirus has been around forever, first on its own in the '80s, then as part of Intel starting in , and then again on its own when Intel spun it off in And McAfee Total Protection has been around forever because quarter after quarter it creates solid, modern antivirus software that protects your PC.

In recent evaluations by AV-Test, it had high scores on both protection and performance. Its foundational technology offers solutions for both home and office systems protection. Key features : Sophos offers the following features:. Pricing : Sophos for personal use can protect up to 10 devices most apps stop at five.

Editorial comments : Sophos products have a rating of 3. A few users have pointed out that Sophos sometimes works in the background without alerting you — which could hinder transparency. Consider this solution if you want AI-enabled malware detection, seamless cloud synchronization, and, most importantly, malware protection for Linux endpoints.

Founded in as Sunbelt Software, Vipre has come a long way and established itself as one of the leading cybersecurity vendors offering a wide range of security solutions covering endpoint, email and network protection for enterprises. The company was acquired in by J2 Global, the parent company of Ziff Davis. Key features: Vipre provides security for both home and enterprise users.

The enterprise security suite covers all sorts of threat protection solutions. The comprehensive plans include:. Pricing : Vipre offers three options under comprehensive plans. While malware is surely a major threat to endpoint systems , there are several other cybersecurity issues to consider. As our reliance on the cloud and web-based apps grows, online safety and cloud security should also be on our checklist.

Which malware software do you recommend, and why? Comment and let us know on Facebook , LinkedIn , and Twitter! We would love to hear your views. By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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Newsletter Topics Select minimum 1 topic. Endpoint Security. Top 11 Malware Scanners and Removers in A malware scanner and remover: Provides wide coverage: This makes it different from antivirus, anti-ransomware , pop-up blockers, and other more specific security tools.

Supports analysis and removal: The software highlights suspicious apps and lets you act on the findings either quarantining the files or deleting them entirely. Has a built-in malware library: The software compares application activity to this built-in library and flags those apps behaving similar to library components.

Permits ad-hoc scanning: Not only does the malware scanner run in the background, alerting users to suspicious activity, but it also allows users to run a non-scheduled scan if needed.

These include: 1. Option to activate before bootup Malware targets your operating system, first infecting a host file and then spreading gradually. An add-on for content filtering Certain types of content are regularly associated with malware.

Auto flagging of suspicious links Like content filtering , auto flagging is also an add-on feature, but one that can come in handy for those unsure about what constitutes a safe email. The ability to create offsite backups This is among the more advanced features to look for in a malware detection app.

There are several versions of this product, so users can pick the features they need, but even the lowest level offers PC maintenance utilities including the ability to produce a faster bootup and 2GB of cloud backup. The amount of cloud storage increases based on the package level.

Webroot SecureAnywhere for Mac offers excellent phishing detection and fast scanning ability specifically designed for Macs. The company was founded in and introduced its first antivirus product in OpenText acquired the company in Webroot SecureAnywhere for Mac is our choice for antivirus protection that's best for Mac computers.

There is still a belief that Mac computers are safe from cyberattacks, and while most viruses are targeted at Windows computers, Macs are vulnerable to other malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, and even Apple-targeted viruses. This software boasts a very small footprint on your computer's operating system but offers very fast security scans and is one of the best at phishing detection. Offering an email address when installing Webroot gives users alerts for new threats.

For those who use both Windows and Mac, Webroot's interface is more similar across platforms than other antivirus software. The main difference is Webroot for Mac doesn't include a firewall. This price covers one device. There is a day money-back guarantee. McAfee Antivirus Plus is our top choice for multiple devices because its subscriptions offer protection for every device in the home for a reasonable cost. McAfee Antivirus Plus is the one antivirus platform that recognizes the growing number of devices used in a single household, which could include four or more different operating systems.

The basic package supports up to 10 devices, support, secure web browsing, and antivirus. The MTP 10 Device plan is for one year for 10 devices, but also includes features such as full protection for the home network, password manager , encrypted storage, and identity theft protection. Unlimited device protection is also available in one-year subscriptions. Plans come with one to five VPN licenses.

Trend Micro was founded in in the U. The company operates worldwide and has many partnerships in the tech industry.

Password management and protection are only offered in the product family's highest tier. This version is Windows-only, but Trend Micro offers a Mac version.

The highest tier plan supports mobile operating systems as well. The company offers a day money-back guarantee. Our top choice for malware scanning, Malwarebytes, is the best at removing malware on demand among any providers. Malwarebytes was founded in Santa Clara, California, in and specializes in protecting home computers and mobile devices. The free version of Malwarebytes is limited but powerful. It doesn't have many advanced features and protections—it simply detects and removes malware.

Malwarebytes does an excellent job of capturing, quarantining, and removing malware that is wreaking havoc in your system. You can run a full or quick scan of the free version whenever needed, and it will create a report on your system. The premium version can be used as antivirus software. The free version runs on-demand, scanning for and removing malware, but should always be used in tandem with more comprehensive antivirus software.

This version adds features such as parental control, password management and file backups. But, even without all these extras, we think Kaspersky is still the best antivirus program of Is there something Kaspersky could improve? Is this an issue for mainstream users?

We doubt it. Want to know more? Click here to read our full Kaspersky review. Do you want to try Kaspersky for free for 30 days? Avira comes in in second place in our best virus scanners review. Although this provider is not yet as big as some of its competitors, such as Bitdefender and Avast, it still has a lot to offer.

Avira includes malware protection against viruses, ransomware and other malware. It also includes tracker blocking, an adblocker , web protection, a device scanner, and an intelligent system that identifies both new and old threats using cloud technology.

Just like Kaspersky, Avira has different subscriptions. Avira Internet Security adds a password manager and a software updater. If you choose Avira Prime you get even more features, including a program that cleans your computer and a way to anonymize your browser history. On top of that, Avira also offers a very decent free solution, Avira Free Antivirus. According to AV-Comparatives, Avira scores above average when it comes to blocking all kinds of viruses and other threats.

This means that running this software will barely affect your normal internet activity. Another advantage of Avira is that the company is based in Germany, where privacy laws are very strong. With Avira, you can therefore rest assured that your data is safe.

In addition, Avira has a day moneyback guarantee, so you can try this antivirus before you are tied to an annual subscription. Bitdefender is a giant among virus scanners and is used by hundreds of millions of people. That is not surprising, because Bitdefender has pretty much all the functions you may want or expect from an antivirus program.

So, this is a possible drawback for Apple and smartphone users who prefer a basic antivirus package and are reluctant to pay extra for options they may not need or want.

However, if you are looking for a free antivirus program for Windows, Bitdefender has you covered. The solution helps to keep your personal information safe and is fast. Moreover, this provider values your privacy, their solution is easy to use and you can get basic protection at a low price.

Our overall conclusion? An excellent virus scanner with an excellent price to quality ratio. Do you want to know more about Bitdefender? Read our full review of this virus scanner. If you want to take out a subscription immediately, you can do so via the button below.

AVG Antivirus is a well-known name among free antivirus programs. The same company also owns Avast Antivirus, our number 5 on this list. AVG has several products, including a dedicated app for mobile devices. Their free package comes with reasonable basic protection against malware, a virus scan function and a firewall. This version includes a more advanced firewall, better protection against ransomware, webcam protection , as well as phishing and spam filters.

In addition, the fact that the software is easy to install and use, makes AVG very user-friendly. AVG requires very little working memory, and it does its job quietly and quickly in the background. Moreover, their customer service is difficult to reach.

In the past, AVG has been caught reselling user data to other parties. Since then, it has added a clearer opt-out option to its software and more privacy controls. Want to know more about AVG Antivirus?