Rating
The Internet is plagued by viruses and malware as well as hackers and scammers who wish nothing more than to access your files and steal your personal data for personal gain. If you have trouble deciding which is the best Internet protection solution for you, our guide and expert reviews will help you pick the one that satisfies your particular needs best.
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.
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05 December 2024Compatibility:
Rated #1 best antivirus software of 2024. High-accuracy, low-impact antivirus solution with online backup capabilities
Price: 120$
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Highly accurate security solution for computers and mobile devices
Price: 120$
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Award-winning antivirus solution featuring privacy & performance tools for all your devices
Price: 120$
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Provides excellent virus protection, includes an extensive list of great features, and has minimal impact on system performance.
Price: 120$
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Comprehensive antivirus solution that covers all your security needs
Price: 120$
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Highly effective, low-impact, and affordable antivirus solution
Price: 120$
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Powerful security protects you from numerous forms of online and offline danger
Price: 120$
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Privacy-focused antivirus combines the power of real-time scanning with cloud protection and other comprehensive security features.
Price: 120$
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Smart, fast, and reliable antivirus solution with limited impact on system performance
Price: 120$
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Award-winning premium antivirus solution suitable for all devices
Price: 120$
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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
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.
The best Internet protection software comes with a price tag — there’s no way around it. While free antivirus programs are a tempting proposition, premium online protection software keeps you safe from much more than simple malware viruses that slow down your computer. They can mitigate serious risks, including scams, identity theft, and direct hacker attacks.
A premium online protection program will protect your entire network and identify potential security gaps that unscrupulous individuals may wish to exploit to access your personal data. In addition, rootkits and other viruses that can't be detected and removed through conventional means won't be a problem with such a program firmly in place. Furthermore, when you pay for Internet protection software, you’ll gain access to technical support from a team of professionals. This way, you won't be on your own should you encounter a problem.
The sad truth is that staying away from suspicious websites and emails is not enough to avoid a malware infection. It doesn't take much for a virus to infect your system and corrupt your files due to weaknesses you may have in your operating system's default security settings. Having a sound Internet protection system in place is the best way to prevent malware, spyware, and hackers from collecting your private data and banking information.
A proper online protection solution doesn't cost much. This makes it quite easy to find a program that will satisfy more than just your basic security needs. Even if you're on a tight budget, you can surf the web and enjoy your favorite online games without worrying about the constant risk of malware and other threats that may lead to your bank accounts being drained or your identity being stolen.
With solid Internet protection in place, you’ll be able to distinguish between legitimate and fake websites that try to steal your passwords and other personal details. Those "once-in-a-lifetime offers" you constantly see online will be gone; not to mention, you’ll never have to hear from that “Nigerian prince” again. What's more, your Internet protection software will do most of the work for you so you won't be distracted from your daily activities.
The most expensive programs do not necessarily offer the best online protection. There are many other criteria to consider before you think about the price. The first thing to look for is real-time protection and behavior analysis features that prevent zero-day threats from spreading throughout your system. If the program you're interested in doesn't include such features, then you’ll want to look somewhere else. Furthermore, in addition to its baseline detection capabilities, you should look at what other features the program has to offer as this separates the GOOD solutions from the BEST.
The best Internet protection programs come with a rich selection of useful features. They offer various modules designed to defend against specific threats, such as hacker attacks and phishing attempts. Take a hard look at each program and its features to get a better idea of which one is more suitable for your needs. For example, an antivirus with parental controls can be used to protect your children from accessing harmful online content, and a built-in diagnostics tool for your network's security will help you protect all of the smart devices in your home.
Internet protection software is available in several packages, all designed for various purposes. Users with a single computer and a mobile device will find a basic package more than suitable. A mid-range package is the best when it comes to securing an entire household, including the devices your spouse and children use. A top-tier package will provide you with professional-grade protection features, as well as backup and restore functionality for your business-related data and projects.
Compare what each antivirus package has to offer — there could be a great deal out there for you. A package that includes safe online banking, enhanced web protection, parental controls, and security for an entire network is definitely something you will want to consider buying. For every antivirus manufacturer, you will see a different selection of tools in each package. Be sure to look out for the package that offers the most features at a lower price. Just be sure that you're only paying for features that you’ll actually use.
Performance concerns are not a good reason to avoid using an Internet protection program. Nowadays, with the best online protection software, you won't experience any lagging — even while the program actively scans for malware. Enjoy watching movies and playing games without being interrupted by choppy framerates.
The best Internet protection programs constantly keep up with the latest online threats. Your system and data will stay safe while your security software is running. Trojans, rootkits, and ransomware won't be a concern if you decide to use any of our selected programs.
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.