12 best antivirus

Nomination	place	product name	rating
Best Free Antivirus	1	Avast Free Antivirus	4.9
2	360 Total Security	4.8
3	anda Free Antivirus	4.7
Best Paid Antivirus for Windows	1	Avira Antivirus Pro	4.9
2	Bitdefender Internet Security	4.9
3	Kaspersky Lab Internet Security	4.8
4	Norton Security	4.7
5	Trend Micro Internet Security	4.6
Best Antiviruses for Android	1	Antiy AVL	4.9
2	Bitdefender Mobile Security Antivirus	4.8
3	Cheetah CM Security	4.7
4	Kaspersky Antivirus Security	4.7

Best Free Antivirus

Avast Free Antivirus

Rating: 4.9

Why first place: Maximum functionality even in the free version.

Description: Avast Free Antivirus is the most popular antivirus compared to only the built-in Defender in Windows 10. Lightweight and elaborate, it doesn’t burden your computer and shows notifications no more than once every 3-4 days. Avast works, though – two engines protect against viruses at once: offline, which checks malware signatures against the database, and online, which sends unknown files to the “cloud” to be checked. Heuristic analysis, which protects against zero-day threats, is also available.

Scanning mechanisms check hard drives, passwords used, network connectivity and program behavior. Antivirus analyzes active files, so it prevents malware from downloads, thumb drives, or keygen downloads. And automatically activated game mode disables all notifications, including system and third-party programs, for uninterrupted gameplay.

Advantages

• Takes up to 50 MB of RAM to run;
• Three protection engines, including preventive heuristic analysis;
• Game mode with notifications turned off.

Disadvantages

• Full web screen only in the paid version;
• The license needs to be renewed every year, after two to three months “pause” it cannot be renewed;
• Requires a constant and reliable Internet connection during installation.

360 Total Security

Rating: 4.8

Why second place: Three scanning engines, low computer load, but ads are built in.

Description: 360 Total Security is a Swiss knife among antiviruses. It uses the largest number of engines in the ranking – four. These are the offline Avira and Bitdefender, the AI-based 360 QVMII, and the cloud-based scanner. The engines protect against known threats by comparing virus signatures, and against unknown ones by analyzing program behavior.

The antivirus also protects against ransomware, keyloggers and system modification. Suspicious applications are launched in a sandbox. Antivirus downloads critical Windows updates to protect against system vulnerabilities, checks wireless network security, and prevents interception of payment information when shopping online.

360 Total Security also includes a file shredder, tools for cleaning and optimizing the operating system, a driver update mode and a scheduler.

Advantages

• Four antivirus engines that you can turn on and off;
• Additional features;
• Downloads critical operating system updates.

Disadvantages

• Advertising;
• Lots of notifications and pop-ups;
• “Out of the box” antivirus engines Avira and Bitdefender are disabled.

anda Free Antivirus

Rating: 4.7

Why third place: Free VPN and minimal system overhead, but limited functionality.

Description: Panda Free Antivirus is the only antivirus in the rating that offers free VPN connection. Traffic is limited to 150 MB per day, but that’s enough for most online shopping or accessing blocked sites.

Antivirus engine uses a cloud-based signature comparison technique. This keeps the load on the computer to a minimum. Panda protects against “new” viruses as cloud signatures are updated hourly. The antivirus pays special attention to protection against viruses coming from USB drives, so it is recommended to be installed on public computers.

The antivirus can create a bootable cleaning flash drive that removes viruses from blocked computers – for example, those that have “caught” ransomware banners. Like Avast, Panda Free Antivirus supports game mode with notifications turned off, including system notifications.

Advantages

• Free VPN;
• Constant cloud signature updates;
• Minimal load on your computer.

Disadvantages

• Advanced protection modes are only available in paid versions;
• The amount of traffic transmitted via VPN is limited to 150 megabytes per day;
• Reduced protection when disconnected from the Internet.

Best paid antivirus for Windows

Avira Antivirus Pro

Rating: 4.9

Why first place: Protection using “collective intelligence” and artificial intelligence.

Description: Avira Anti-Virus uses three techniques to protect your computer from malware: comparison of the daily updated signature database, “collective intelligence” to analyze program behavior and artificial intelligence to heuristically check files on your hard drive.

Avira is the only top antivirus that effectively fights crypto programs with its heuristic analyzer tool. It also scans external devices connected to your computer for infections, protects confidential and personal data, blocks DNS spoofing and banking Trojans for safe shopping.

Avira’s web-screen analyzes network port activity directly, blocking malware even before it’s loaded into the computer’s cache. So it also prevents your computer from being included in botnets or illegal bank transaction nodes.

Advantages

• The antivirus uses artificial intelligence and collective intelligence for protection;
• Scans network ports directly, not downloaded data;
• Fights encryption ransomware effectively.

Disadvantages

• Without an internet connection, only some of the antivirus functions work;
• Supports only in English;
• Expensive.

Bitdefender Internet Security

Rating: 4.9

Why Second Place: Multilayer protection against ransomware, remote control and VPN, but with limited traffic.

Description: Bitdefender Internet Security is designed to prevent theft of confidential, personal and banking information, not just classic viruses. However, it also does a good job of destroying malware, including encryption software. Antivirus protects against worms, trojans, zero-day vulnerabilities, rootkits and spyware, including keyloggers.

Additionally, it protects against phishing by checking certificates and DNS of opened sites; against bank data theft; against spying via webcam, and even against fraudulent actions. Autopilot technology controls computer behavior and some user settings to prevent possible security threats. Photon mode tweaks anti-virus to minimize the load on the operating system.

Bitdefender is the only paid antivirus in the rating with limited VPN: 200 MB per day.

Advantages

• Maximum protection through offline and online technologies;
• Many proprietary technologies: Autopilot, Photon, remote control;
• Multiple layers of protection against banking data theft.

Disadvantages

• Limited VPN;
• Price;
• Difficult to configure (if you want to configure it and not use it “out of the box”).

Kaspersky Lab Internet Security

Rating: 4.8

Why third place: Many security features, but high system overhead.

Description: What an anti-virus rating, and without Kaspersky Internet Security? This comprehensive Internet security solution protects your computer in two ways – by checking file signatures offline and sending suspicious programs to the cloud. But its main advantage is the sandbox, an isolated environment for running applications.

Built-in web screen protects against fake websites and phishing. It is complemented by an extension for the browser, which checks links before opening them.

Two-level protection for purchases prevents theft of bank cards and other payment information on phishing sites and pages with substituted DNS and SSL certificates. Browser can be run in maximum protection mode if needed.

Built-in parental controls that filter downloaded content and block use of your computer if your child spends too much time on it.

Advantages

• Powerful antivirus engines;
• Protection for Mac;
• Parental controls.

Disadvantages

• High system load;
• Few additional features;
• Sometimes there are false positives.

Norton Security

Rating: 4.7

Why the fourth place: The most expensive, but with a unique feature of support from specialists.

Description: Norton Security is the only antivirus on the list that offers a 100% malware removal guarantee from your computer. It offers remote technical support. Norton staff can handle the removal if the antivirus fails. If they fail too – your subscription fee will be refunded.

Antivirus protects against web and offline malware, increases security when shopping, supports parental controls. Backup feature backs up important information to external storage media and to the proprietary secure “cloud” with a capacity of 25 GB.

The antivirus comes with Norton WiFi Privacy, a program that encrypts data when connected to open wireless networks. This protects against sniffing – intercepting personal information, logins, passwords, and bank card numbers in public Wi-Fi.

Advantages

• 100% virus protection guarantee;
• Regular signature updates;
• Norton WiFi Privacy included.

Disadvantages

• One of the most expensive antiviruses;
• Difficult to install and uninstall;
• High system load.

Trend Micro Internet Security

Rating: 4.6

Why rank fifth: A basic level of protection, but a minimum price.

Description:

Trend Micro Internet Security is the only antivirus in the rating with a subscription price of less than 1000 rubles per year. For the money, the user gets basic protection against Internet vulnerabilities and offline threats.

The main feature of the antivirus is Folder Shield, which blocks access to folders with sensitive information for unauthorized applications. Also

Norton Micro IS offers advanced protection for private data, especially that shared on social networks. It analyzes the information posted there and makes recommendations to remove or hide certain information.

Parental Control with a whitelist of applications and Web sites is built into the antivirus, protecting children from shocking, pornographic, or potentially dangerous information. The screen also prevents access to phishing and infected sites.

System optimization mode speeds up Windows and closes vulnerabilities.

Advantages

• Subscription is less than 1000 rubles per year;
• Advanced Parental Controls;
• Analysis of private data posted on social networks.

Disadvantages

• Basic protection for Internet payments;
• Checks only by signature comparison;
• Microfreezes in games due to active file scanning.

Best antiviruses for Android

Antiy AVL

Rating: 4.9

Why first place: Lightweight, doesn’t load the system, analyzes all kinds of executable files.

Description: AVL Antivirus tops the rating for two reasons. First, it’s lightweight – even when installed, it takes up no more than 30 megabytes of internal memory. Second, it analyzes all kinds of executable files for the Android operating system, including APK app packs, SIS scripts, DEX instruction sets, and other.

Antivirus uses a proprietary AVL SDK engine with compact signature databases and effective detection that consumes little system resources, including battery power.

Antivirus works in automatic and manual mode. Signatures updated daily. Automatic mode analyzes downloaded and executable files for activity and access to system resources. In manual mode, all internal memory is scanned, including the data stored on it and applications under /data section, without accessing the providers database or the need for a root.

Advantages

• Takes up little space on the internal drive;
• Regular and extensive updates of antivirus signatures;
• Automatic scan in free version.

Shortcomings

• Slow full scans;
• Detects superuser rights as a virus;
• False positives sometimes occur.

Bitdefender Mobile Security Antivirus

Rating: 4.8

Why second place: Antivirus with anti-theft, web scanner and paid subscription.

Description: Bitdefender Mobile Security Antivirus is multifunctional and therefore could lead the rating, but the most interesting features are only available in the paid version. For example, without a subscription, Anti-Virus mode will not work, which helps in locating the phone and identifying the thief.

But in free mode, the antivirus also works. It scans your phone or tablet automatically to detect downloadable or executable malware. Manually triggered analysis checks all internal storage.

The application also protects confidential user data by preventing unauthorized access to installed programs and placing especially personal photos and contacts in a special encrypted storage.

Web Security mode adds an additional scanner that uses cloud-based malware detection.

Advantages

• Secure storage for personal photos;
• Cloud, heuristic and signature engines;
• Antivirus mode.

Disadvantages

• High system load;
• Limited VPN traffic in the paid version.
• Few features in the free version;

Cheetah CM Security

Rating: 4.7

Why third place: Lots of features, but ads in the free version.

Description: CM Security Antivirus was developed by the company that created Clean Master. It is designed exclusively for mobile devices and analyzes malware through signature matching. However, the antivirus is more of an “extra” than the main function of CM Security. Which is actually why it is in third place in the rating.

Smart Diagnostics mode in this one-click antivirus fixes most of the problems that cause smartphone slowdowns. Once clicked, CM Security checks internal memory for viruses, cleans temporary and unnecessary files, disables unused services and speeds up the phone.

A proprietary VPN-service client is included in the antivirus to encrypt traffic, bypass regional Internet restrictions and get extra protection for online shopping. The traffic volume is not limited, you don’t need to register.

Advantages

• One-click service;
• Built-in VPN with unlimited traffic;
• Built-in call and SMS blacklist.

Disadvantages

• The free version shows annoying and annoying ads;
• Antivirus services put a strain on “weak” and “old” devices;
• Kaspersky Antivirus Security has limited functionality.

Kaspersky Antivirus Security

Rating: 4.7

Why Fourth Place: Powerful antivirus that is almost useless in the free version.

Description: Kaspersky Antivirus Security is not at the bottom of the ranking for nothing. Of course, this is a very powerful antivirus that can neutralize infected files even in the system section of the Android OS. It constantly checks downloads and running applications, and scans the access rights of installed software to keep sensitive information safe.

But it only works with the paid version. Without a subscription, only the manual scanning function is available, full or quick. The paid version also has a powerful “Antivirus” mode that helps to remotely lock your device, find it or destroy data from the internal memory.

Additional antivirus features include Kaspersky Secure Connection traffic encryptor, hiding personal contacts from prying eyes, blacklist for calls and SMS messages, and anti-phishing mode that blocks clicking on suspicious links.

Advantages

• Constant, deep scanning;
• Neutralizing all viruses and threats;
• “Antivirus and personal data protection.

Disadvantages

• A high load on the system;
• Expensive;
• Almost all features only work in the paid version.