The Best Protection Against Identity Theft In 2024

Compare & Find The Best Identity Protection Solutions

Suppose you store personal information on your computer, like credit card details and social security numbers. Perhaps you use this private information online without proper precaution. In this case, you run the risk of being the victim of identity theft. Someone could use your personal information for their own gain, and you could wind up with a hefty bank loan looming over your head. Although antivirus software can't fight against identity thieves directly, it can help you take the necessary precautions to avoid falling victim in the first place. Don't hesitate to use our expert guide to determine which product is best suited for this task.

What’s The Best Antivirus Solution?

Bitdefender, 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:

29 April 2024
1
Best Antivirus
Bitdefender
Detailed Information

Compatibility:

30 Days Money Back Guarantee

9.8

9.8

Best Antivirus

Visit Bitdefender

Website available in English

Rated #1 best antivirus software of 2024. Provides excellent virus protection, includes an extensive list of great features, and has minimal impact on system performance.

Price: 120$

Save 82%

2
Norton
Detailed Information

Compatibility:

9.2

9.2

Excellent

Visit Norton

Website available in English

High-accuracy, low-impact antivirus solution with online backup capabilities

Price: 120$

Save 82%

3
TotalAV
Detailed Information

Compatibility:

9.0

9.0

Very Good

Visit TotalAV

Website available in English

Award-winning antivirus solution featuring privacy & performance tools for all your devices

Price: 120$

Save 82%

4
McAfee
Detailed Information

Compatibility:

8.9

8.9

Very Good

Visit McAfee

Website available in English

Highly accurate security solution for computers and mobile devices

Price: 120$

Save 82%

5
Panda
Detailed Information

Compatibility:

8.5

8.5

Very Good

Visit Panda

Website available in English

Powerful security protects you from numerous forms of online and offline danger

Price: 120$

Save 82%

See All

Compare The Best Antivirus Software

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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

9.8

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Visit Site

9.2

Excellent

Good

Excellent

Good

Visit Site

9.0

Excellent

Excellent

Good

Good

Visit Site

8.9

Good

Good

Good

Fair

Visit Site

8.5

Fair

Good

Good

Good

Visit Site

Why You Should Trust Us

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.

Finding The Best Antivirus

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.

The Right Price

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.

Why Should You Buy The Best Identity Protection Software?

You can't really count on free software to protect your identity and privacy, especially if its functionality boils down to simple disk cleanup. Paying for an antivirus solution is the best way to protect yourself as these solutions often include a wide range of useful safety features to shield you from identity theft, as well as many other online threats. A premium solution can strengthen your existing security measures and make your system a safe place for online activity.

The best identity theft protection is never free. The good news is that it’s capable of much more than just scanning for suspicious activity. Premium antivirus programs prevent malicious programs and individuals from even attempting to steal your data in the first place. They can detect intrusions in your system or applications and block them immediately before they have the chance to collect any information. You can even turn to included professional technical support if something goes wrong.

Although identity theft isn’t that easy to pull off, you should still take the necessary precautions. Identity thieves leave very few traces of their presence. You may not know you're a victim until someone has taken out a bank loan in your name. Sure, you could do your best to avoid suspicious websites and downloadables. But when using your personal information, like your banking details, the stakes are high.

Antivirus programs include a wide variety of tools designed to prevent identity theft. These tools combined are enough to give identity thieves a run for their money — instead of your money. In the meantime, you can enjoy surfing the web and making online purchases in complete safety. With a reliable antivirus program in place, you won't have to worry about malware collecting your credit card information for insidious purposes any longer.

Purchasing an antivirus solution is undoubtedly the best way to protect yourself from identity theft. In addition, it will also protect you from many other security concerns. Not only will it protect your system from viruses, hackers, and other threats, but it can even ensure protection for your entire household and smart devices.

Choosing The Best Identity Protection Program

There are a few factors that must be considered if you’re looking for the best identity guard solution. Be sure to take a close look at the malware detection capabilities, as this is the main defense against hacking and identity theft attempts. Look out for an antivirus program with behavior analysis capabilities if you want to prevent infections from new, undocumented threats. This feature is quite standard nowadays — most antivirus programs have it. Don’t waste your time if a solution doesn’t include this feature.

Although antivirus programs are rated based mainly on their malware detection capabilities, many secondary features should be considered. If identity security is your priority, then you’ll want a product that includes additional safety features that strengthen your home network's defenses, as well as a built-in web advisor to help you identify and avoid dodgy websites. These features alone will ensure that no outsiders can connect to your Wi-Fi signal or devices. You’ll also feel much safer when clicking on links and downloading from unfamiliar websites. A safe online banking feature should definitely be at the top of your list to ensure your credit card details remain safe from hackers at all times.

Antivirus products are available in several different packages, all with different features to address specific needs. A basic package is a good choice if you only require protection for one computer and a mobile device or two. A mid-range package addresses a broader audience and is usually the best deal. These packages include additional security tools to protect your identity and are generally suitable for the entire family. For example, children can enjoy a computer or mobile device without risk of being exposed to harmful content thanks to parental controls. Finally, if you’re looking for the best identity protection program, then you’ll have to be willing to spend a little more. Regarding these solutions, some developers have partnered with dedicated services to warn you if your private information pops up online. Some of these companies will even provide legal aid if required.

In the end, it’s up to you to decide which product is right for you based on the needs a particular solution addresses. Whatever you do, don't overpay for a program with features you won't use. Of course, if you spot a higher-tier package with tools that will actually benefit you, then the extra protection is definitely worth the price. In many cases, the price difference is quite small, allowing you to have better security without having to make a significant investment.

You don't want your work interrupted by an antivirus that suddenly decides to scan your system and take up your resources. The best products are designed to respect your time. They don't have a substantial impact on your computer's performance at all. You can start a full system scan and let it run in the background while you continue to work, stream movies, or play games without lag.

When it comes to identity theft, people tend to believe it won’t happen to them. As a result, they choose not to take measures to protect themselves. Ensuring adequate protection against identity theft is not hard, especially when you see what modern antivirus programs are capable of. These solutions are continuously updated and improved to keep up with the latest threats. There’s no better way to keep yourself and your family safe than with an identity protection solution.

Transparency Disclosure

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.