Antivirus Software For Pc That Detects And Removes Spyware – This article contains affiliate links. Listed products or services are independently selected by journalists after practical testing or expert opinion. We may earn a commission when you click on a link, purchase a product, or subscribe to a service.

In the past decade, antivirus programs have evolved rapidly, and it’s a fact that today’s families are no longer a place to wait in line for a “computer.”

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Everyone from kids to grandparents have dozens of different digital devices in their homes – so today’s antivirus packages are typically built to protect multiple devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets, not just detect and neutralize them. Malware works. .

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You can still download “simple” (often free) antivirus packages for computers and smartphones that provide basic protection, but today’s advanced products protect smartphones and laptops and offer additional functions such as protection against identity theft.

As a tech writer and computer user, I know that the single most important function of antivirus software is to remove computer malware (rather than other platforms that target viruses and malware). But protecting yourself from questionable websites, phishing attacks, and snoopers makes sense, especially if you have inexperienced computer users in your home.

The downside is that you pay £20-30 a year for software that protects multiple devices. These sometimes include add-ons like a virtual private network or VPN, which prevent snoopers from spying on your online activity. (Read my guide to the best VPNs for more details.)

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At the other end of the scale is completely free antivirus software, with vendors like AVG offering free packages that scan your laptop or desktop for malware, and Microsoft Defender running on every computer operating system starting with Windows 8. If your car is slowing down and you suspect something fishy is lurking somewhere, this is your first stop.

In this review, I tried to cover the modern antivirus market with three free PC packages and three all-in-one software packages that offer multiple functions for five or more devices. I aim to tailor these reviews to some families who are less experienced computer users and have rated antivirus software for simplicity, value, and performance.

When looking for the best antivirus for PC or other platforms, British computer security expert Graham Cluley says to check the statistics of independent virus testing laboratories to see how well it detects malware such as ransomware, spyware and Trojans.

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Cluley says, “First, you want to know if it’s actually doing a decent job of detecting malware. The best way to do that is to be tested by an independent testing authority. AV-Test.org and AV-Comparatives have a long history of doing this. Run the tests.’

In the reviews below, we’ve highlighted AV-Comparatives’ comparative test results comparing the best antivirus for Mac and other technology platforms like laptops and smartphones.

Whether you’re looking for the best antivirus for Android or other platforms, virus scanning is just the start, Cluley says — and customer service is critical.

Security Tool Removal Report

Cluley says, “It’s even more important. Because if you run into trouble, you want someone you can turn to for help — who can respond in a timely and helpful way. Another challenge is knowing how to remove malware from your computer. Change your desktop wallpaper.’

Ultimately, Cluley says, you want to choose software that runs quietly and efficiently in the background and doesn’t interfere with your computing life.

Cluley says, “How much system resources does it use? Is it compatible, does it work well with your setup? Fortunately, many security vendors out there offer free trials where you can see how well they do whatever they do on your computer. . A good antivirus is almost Should be invisible – not in your face. You only know it’s there when it stops something bad. But when it’s visible, you want to find it easily and (hopefully) eliminate all infections. .’

How Does Antivirus Software Work?

I have downloaded and tested all the functions of several packages (some free, some paid) on different platforms including PC, Android and iOS. I used data from AV-Comparatives, an independent malware testing lab, to evaluate the “real-world” performance of various software against threats (labs like AV-Comparatives conduct long-term tests where machines are exposed to real-world viruses, trojans, malware, ransomware) and the software’s impact on speed. Based on I rated the software based on how easy it was to use, how valuable the “extras” offered were, and how intrusive (or not) the software was. A good anti-virus software should be practically invisible, only when there is a problem.

Founded in 1987, McAfee is a veteran in the antivirus market, and most computer users will be familiar with the name because the free trial is bundled with many laptops. As you’d expect, it offers a high level of protection, detecting 99.8% of threats in tests by independent testing lab AV-Comparatives (only after Norton).

Built for multi-device families and households, McAfee Total Protection is a £22.49 annual subscription, offering protection across five devices and downloadable versions for Android and iOS. There’s a subscription for one device, but it’s hard to see why you’d opt for four extra devices for just £2.49 (confusing price plans are unfortunately a fact of life with modern AV software).

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The interface is simple and technical language is kept to a minimum, so it’s easy to access features even if you’re not good with computers. Customer support is available via chat and phone if things go wrong.

There’s also a built-in VPN (virtual private network): it’s a case of sliding it to “on” and choosing a location (if you want) that not only protects your data online (eg ) but also makes it easier to access. UK TV shows when you’re abroad. Your subscription must be set to auto-renew to use this feature.

The software runs quietly and unobtrusively (McAfee actually ranked at the bottom of all the software tested here, in tests conducted by independent testing laboratory AV-Comparatives).

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There are refreshingly few annoying “nags” in its performance: overall, if Total Protection has anything to say, it’s worth noting.

Some of the “extra” features here require you to sign in to your McAfee account through your browser, ID Protection, which notifies you of passwords leaked from previous data breaches (if you haven’t done this before, because it’s likely that if you’ve been using the Internet for a decade or more, some of your passwords have been exposed). guaranteed). You can also configure the software to collect other personal details such as phone numbers in case they are shared with cybercrime websites in the future. RansomGuard protects your files if you’ve been infected with a ransomware virus (bad software where criminals encrypt files and demand money to open them with cryptocurrency) and QuickClean helps speed up computers by detecting unwanted files.

Mobile versions of the app are similarly no-nonsense, offering a security score (similar to a credit score) and highlighting potential issues with the device, including malware, unsecured Wi-Fi and more. Overall, McAfee is easily accessible and offers peace of mind.

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BitDefender offers many features such as firewalls, antivirus, camera protection, parental protection, and a spam filter (which most users don’t need). annually across PC, MacOS, iOS and Android platforms. Customer support is available via chat, phone and email.

There’s also a VPN here, like rivals Norton and McAfee (although it maxes out at 200MB per day, which you’ll burn through quickly, even when browsing the web without watching videos). There’s also a password manager and SafePay, a secure browser for online banking and shopping.

There are other interesting features like video and audio alerts (they warn you that an attacker is trying to take over the webcam), and a ransomware recovery feature that lets you recover your data without paying a ransom if an attacker steals your files. .

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According to independent testing laboratory AV-Comparatives, the complete security “systems” offered here have the least impact on computer speed, but we found the design and language a bit intimidating for inexperienced computer users. With pages and pages of information.

In our tests, we also found that BitDefender offers so many security warnings that it feels a bit overwhelming and doesn’t do much for your security. In our tests, the Wi-Fi network is “secure” (apparently because the password is all lowercase), it warned.

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