Rating
A hacker can do a lot of damage if they gain access to your system. From stealing data to completely trashing your system, the results are never in your favor. However, with the right software in place, you can protect your system against such attacks. But with so many choices, it can be quite challenging to find the solution that's best for you. Our guide is designed to help you evaluate the features and capabilities of the top hacking protection software so that you can make a well-informed decision.
Norton, the antivirus brand trusted by 500 million-plus users across 150 countries, is one of the world's leading providers of consumer cybersecurity products and a pioneer in antivirus protection. This brand has won multiple antivirus awards from leading online test laboratories, including AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, PCMag, and The Anti-Malware Testing Standard Organization.
Updated on:
07 October 2024Compatibility:
Rated #1 best antivirus software of 2024. High-accuracy, low-impact antivirus solution with online backup capabilities
Price: 120$
Save 82%
Compatibility:
Award-winning antivirus solution featuring privacy & performance tools for all your devices
Price: 120$
Save 82%
Compatibility:
Provides excellent virus protection, includes an extensive list of great features, and has minimal impact on system performance.
Price: 120$
Save 82%
Compatibility:
Powerful security protects you from numerous forms of online and offline danger
Price: 120$
Save 82%
Compatibility:
Privacy-focused antivirus combines the power of real-time scanning with cloud protection and other comprehensive security features.
Price: 120$
Save 82%
Compatibility:
Highly accurate security solution for computers and mobile devices
Price: 120$
Save 82%
Compatibility:
Highly effective, low-impact, and affordable antivirus solution
Price: 120$
Save 82%
Compatibility:
Award-winning premium antivirus solution suitable for all devices
Price: 120$
Save 82%
Compatibility:
Smart, fast, and reliable antivirus solution with limited impact on system performance
Price: 120$
Save 82%
Compatibility:
Well-balanced security solution with powerful antivirus capabilities
Price: 120$
Save 82%
Rating
Detection Capabilities
System performance
Features
Value For The Money
Protection
Real-Time Protection
Removes Malware
Removes Spyware
Removes Adware
Dedicated Ransomware Protection
Anti-Phishing
Anti-Fraud
Rescue Mode
Features
VPN
Safe Online Banking
Webcam Protection
Parental Advisor
Vulnerability Scanner
Firewall
Quiet Mode
Social Network Protection
Password Manager
Anti-Theft
Data Shredder
Battery Mode
Support
Phone Support
Live Chat
Compatibility
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
iOS
One of the most critical factors when choosing the antivirus solution that’s right for you is who you should trust. With so many fly-by scams and fake review websites across the web, finding a trustworthy and reliable source can be difficult. Unfortunately, most of the teams behind the online antivirus review websites have never actually installed or tested any of the products they recommend. And who wants to purchase an antivirus solution from a Top 10 software list compiled by a team of fake researchers?
Keeping true to our original goal of becoming the most trusted and respected buyer’s guide for antivirus software, we wanted to do things differently right from the get-go. Rather than compiling a quick Top 10 list consisting of the latest best-paying antivirus affiliate programs, we began by researching the market and identifying the most reputable antivirus solution providers. We decided only to include established brands with proven track records in excellence combined with industry-wide recognition. After purchasing a premium package from each brand, we began researching online, benchmarking each product using a proprietary scoring system (more about this in our blog).
But who are we? We are a team of experts specializing in software testing and reviewing with a combined experience of over 30 years. We aim to take an entirely new approach to the world of antivirus software reviewing based on integrity, trust, and transparency.
We’ve spent hours researching the most reputable antivirus testing labs, compiling all the virus and malware detection data we could find. AV Comparatives and AV Test have proven to be reliable sources, but our research didn’t stop there. We’ve also studies countless white papers and articles published by groups and institutions like The Anti-Malware Testing Standard Organization, PcMag, Google's Project Zero, Ars Technica, to name just a few. This approach allowed us to identify the key technical components and requirements of antivirus software and attribute a detection score to each solution.
While a solution’s detection capability plays a significant role, there is still much more to consider when selecting the best antivirus solution. Other important factors that need to be considered include software features, ease of use, and system performance. We set out to test these factors on the various PCs and Macs located in our office. After settling on a list of features to analyze and agreeing on a scoring system for each function, we installed the individual antivirus solutions. The testing process proved to be more time-consuming than expected, but eventually, we could harvest some interesting insights when comparing products. (Some of these insights will be featured in our blog over the following weeks, so be sure to keep an eye out.) Eventually, our scoring table was ready. But we still needed to consider another factor — pricing.
It’s not uncommon for a fully-stocked antivirus solution with premium features to come with a hefty price tag. Some companies will even include “exotic features” in an attempt to justify a higher sales price. The question is, are all of those extra features even worth the extra cost? Along with highly sought-after detection capabilities, we’ve agreed to only consider the must-have features included in each package, including usability, system performance, and the total price. Throughout the research phase, we realized that a handful of virus protection packages that were swimming in exotic features were actually highly overpriced.
Most antivirus companies offer significant discounts, but unfortunately, they’re not visible when visiting the websites directly. As some prices may drop as low as 50% off (for various reasons), the dynamics of selecting the best antivirus solution constantly fluctuate. Who wouldn't want a solution with the same must-have features as a competing brand but for half the cost? By partnering with various affiliate programs, we can provide direct links to antivirus offers at discounted prices. We’ve taken these prices into account when compiling our antivirus software lists to help you make an informed decision when choosing the right solution to protect your digital footprint.
You may have seen more than one free hacking prevention utility advertised on the Internet, but the cold hard truth is that the best anti-hacker protection is never free. Of course, with a free solution, you may get some level of defense, but nothing compared to what a paid antivirus can do for you. These solutions can make any online activity safe, whether it's work or entertainment.
Although the best hacking protection solutions come with a price tag, the investment is not as substantial as you may think. You don't have to spend a considerable amount to ensure your computer doesn’t come under attack from malware or hackers. A paid antivirus solution will provide you with powerful defense tools for all of the devices in your household — there won’t be any openings left for hackers to exploit. Even if a threat did manage to get through your defenses, you could always rely on the included professional technical support to help you out.
Although targeted hacker attacks are typically aimed at wealthy professionals, there are still some unscrupulous individuals out there who don't need a reason to attack a random person on the Internet. If you don't have proper defenses in place, it won't be hard for these people to find and exploit a weakness in your system and gain access to your private data. You may be good at avoiding suspicious websites and downloads, but if someone is bent on hurting you, there is very little you can do without proper hacking protection.
In addition to preventing malware infections, antivirus programs include various tools for tightening your network's security and preventing hacker intrusions. Whether it's remote-controlled malware or a direct attack, your anti-hacker software will close any potential gaps leaving no weaknesses behind for hackers to exploit. You’ll be able to work with sensitive information, store and use your credit card details, and enjoy all of the entertainment the Internet has to offer without worrying that a stranger could be monitoring you or stealing your data.
Purchasing an antivirus solution is the best way to ensure your computer remains protected at all times. These solutions address much more than basic hacking to make your system remains safe. Although these solutions aren’t free, the advantages are well worth the investment, especially when you consider the alternative.
When it comes to choosing an antivirus, you have to consider a few factors. The first and most obvious is the program's detection capabilities as you don't want any threats slipping through your defenses. Make sure the program you're interested in comes with real-time behavior analysis. This will enable it to detect and eliminate new, undocumented threats before they have even been added to the definitions database. This way, you won’t have to worry about possible infections should you forget to update.
The extra features regarding the main scanning and detection capabilities are an essential factor when deciding on an antivirus program, especially if hacking prevention is your top priority. Look for network diagnostics or other related features to identify and patch possible weaknesses that may grant hackers access to your devices. Of course, you shouldn't neglect other safety aspects. If you spend most of your time online, a web advisor will keep you away from dodgy websites, so you won’t have to think twice before clicking on that link you received over Facebook Messenger. Also, if you want to get rid of that slightly anxious feeling you get when making online purchases with your credit card, then be sure to look for a solution with safe banking features.
Most antivirus products are available in a variety of different packages with features for various user needs. A basic package is sufficient if you only want to protect a computer and a mobile device against simple threats, while mid-range packages have a lot more to offer to a broader audience. Also, the latter is where you’ll find the best hacking protection tools. Among other useful features, these packages will enable you to protect your entire household against viruses and hackers. Furthermore, if you're willing to spend more on a top-tier package, then you’ll benefit from the best features developers have to offer. All of the features from the previous packages, along with some new ones, will be at your disposal to help you protect your private data against corruption or theft.
In the end, it's all down to you to decide which antivirus package is right for your needs. Make sure you don't spend too much on a package if you're not planning on using most of its tools. However, if a higher-tier package has features that you’ll actually use, then the extra investment is definitely money well spent. We recommend you consider the mid-range packages as they typically provide the best bang for your buck.
Performance is a big factor when shopping for an antivirus solution as you don't want to wait for hours while running system scans. The average full-system scanning time is about 45 minutes. However, the best antivirus programs won’t affect your computer's performance. The low CPU and memory usage during a full scan allows you to use your computer normally, without feeling a significant slowdown. You can work, watch movies, or play video games all while the program is busy scanning in the background.
There are people on the Internet who just want to do bad things, either for money or twisted enjoyment. Thankfully, antivirus developers exist to limit their enjoyment as much as possible. Developers are continually evolving their solutions to keep up with the latest threats. You can certainly rely on their products to keep you safe from hacker attacks and other dangers.
The reviews, classifications, and content presented on AntivirusGuide.com represent the informed opinions of our reviewers. Our mission is simple: to help our visitors choose the antivirus solution that’s right for them. Our company receives monetary compensation when users buy the products that we recommend by clicking the links featured on our website, AntivirusGuide. Our editorial team puts countless hours of effort into providing accurate information regardless of the amount of monetary compensation received from affiliate links.