Posted on January 21, 2021 at 1:17 PM

Your Best Antivirus Software Guide For 2021

Technological advancement and cybersecurity goes hand in hand given that there are nearly 200 billion connected devices in the world today

With every passing day consumers, as well as companies, are getting more and more vulnerable to cyberattacks with the average cost of a data breach for a company exceeded $150 million in 2020. Moreover, with the current digitalization happening, it’s safe to say that cyberattacks are not going anytime soon.

A robust and compatible antivirus software effectively protects computers and smartphones by detecting and preventing a number of digital threats such as malware, viruses, spyware, rootkits, Trojans, adware, etc.

Also read: Top Cybersecurity Challenges and Threats of 2021

That’s why antivirus software is really important because viruses can potentially corrupt boot sectors, hold users hostage for ransom, embed in the system memory, embezzle identity, compromise confidential data and so much more. Having reliable antivirus software is the only possible security a user can ensure against falling victim to malicious cyber-attack.

Thankfully, there are many antivirus programs that effectively defend operating systems by safely removing as much as 100% threats from operating systems against the complexed landscape of viruses.

While this is certainly good news, the wide variety of antiviruses with different features available today has an adverse effect on users. People find the trouble of choosing just the right antivirus that offers the best protection without disturbing the machine’s overall performance rather overwhelming.

Top 8 Antivirus for 2021:

To help users narrow down this long list, we have compiled the list of best antivirus software for 2021:

• Norton antivirus plus
• ESET nod 32
• Bitdefender antivirus plus 
• Kaspersky 
• Webroot SecureAnywhere antivirus
• AVG antivirus
• McAfee total protection
• Avast 

Norton Antivirus Plus ($60/year)

The best thing about Norton antivirus plus is that it provides protection to anything from varying numbers of PCs to any handheld device. It covers all the essentials and have one of the best malware detection. Norton antivirus plus keeps the system protected against spam, malware, phishing attacks, and malevolent email attachments. Norton projects itself as all-in-one antivirus that caters to user’s all security and privacy needs.

Strengths

• Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari browser extension
• Backup software with online storage
• Two-way firewall
• VPN support
• System-optimization software
• Password manager
• 24/7 customer support

Weaknesses

• Heavy system performance

ESET NOD32 ($39.99/year)

ESET NOD32 is ranked at the top by many independent testing labs. It has amazing compatibility with Microsoft Windows server operating systems but also has security options for Mac and Android. ESET NOD32 comes in two editions; home edition and business edition. The business edition is sold vastly given how desperately we need some of the best business antiviruses today to counter the looming threat of ransomware in the corporate world. Its excellent ability to detect and disable malicious malware and phishing attacks makes it ideal even for Google that uses it for the Chrome protection.

Strengths

• Malware and Anti-Phishing Protection
  Straightforward User Interface
• Less system space requirement
  Clean parental control options

Weaknesses

• No VPN and file shredder support

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus ($39.99/Year)

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is the best choice for the security of your PC. Its ability to detect ransomware traces and protect targeted files by preventing encryption until the malicious attack is halted, makes is top of the range antivirus software.

Although it is Windows baseline antivirus package, Bitdefender also has versions for Mac, Android and iOS.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

There is also a Bitdefender Antivirus free edition which is an authentic and accurate free antivirus available today. It is designed with the simplest configuration and is perfect for PC and antivirus novice who cannot manage the security themselves.

Strengths

• Ransomware remediation
• Multi-layered password manager
• Hotspot shield-powered VPN support
• Banking protection
• Multiple scan modes

Weaknesses

• None

Kaspersky ($59.99/Year)

Kaspersky antivirus software aces many antivirus testing labs with first-rate scores. With the most powerful malware protection, simple interface, and an efficient system performance, Kaspersky does it job the best and continue to be trusted by millions of people. It lives up to its reputation of being incomparable with every new upgrade and version. It comes packed with many advanced options to detect and destroy phishing, keyloggers, and banking Trojans access attempts.

Strengths

• Topper of four independent testing labs
• Robust phishing protection
• Multiple scan modes
• Secured VPN
• Password manager
• Bank protection
• Prompt malware-blocking
• 24/7 phone and live chat support

Weaknesses

• None

Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus ($29.99/Year)

Webroot SecureAnywhere is an efficient antivirus solution with special focus on the security and performance speed. It uses quite different approach to detect and monitor any threat which allows it to scan the system with no performance impact.

Webroot has one of the most active databases of malware among some top rated antiviruses. Its security trials and resource adeptness make it compatible with Windows, Linux, Android, and IOS.

Strengths

• Ransomware protection
• Webcam protection
• Little to no performance impact
• Inexpensive and easy to use
• Real-time monitoring
• Ransomware protection
• Large malware database

Weaknesses

• No live chat or phone support

AVG Antivirus (Free)

AVG is very popular on the antivirus market, it has powerful infrastructure, security methods, simple interface, and most important of all – it is free. Even for paid features, AVG offers perfectly affordable plan.

This antivirus is particularly relied upon due to its honest approach. It provides features like strong protection against malware as well as download monitoring and email security, which are usually concealed behind a paywall in other antiviruses.

Strengths

• Fully developed free versions for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android
• Ransomware protection
• Secure browser
• Webcam protection
• Real time download monitoring 
• It is fast and lightweight
• Easy-to-use interface

Weaknesses

• No password manager and VPN in the free version

McAfee Total Protection ($44.99/Year)

McAfee is here since the conception of antiviruses. The latest upgrade of its McAfee Total Protection ensures 100% protection against a number of viruses with improved anti-malware measures and automatic updates.

McAfee Total Protection is the best choice for multiple machine usage. The upgraded version has some very interesting options like Threat-Map that lets you keep track of top threats on the global network e.g., malicious malware or hacker IP. It has fully-fledged support for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and IOS

Strengths

• Reasonable multi-user plan
• Strong computational results
• Ransomware, Webcam, download, phishing protection
• Secured browser
• Firewall support

Weaknesses

• Clustered interface

Avast Antivirus Software (Free)

With 435 million monthly users, Avast antivirus is among the top league in the security market. Its features like hardened browser, customize computing style, Wi-Fi scanner, strong malware detection, gaming interface etc., make it the most flexible free antivirus available today.

It is designed to provide multi-layered antivirus fundamentals for Windows, Android and Mac. The latest upgrade with a revamped interface has changed Game-Mode into Do-Not-Disturb Mode which effectively terminates any interruption in the full-screen usability. The Behavior Shield is another added feature that serves to detect suspicious undertakings.

Strengths

• Reliable malware protection
• Free password manager
• Free browser extension
• Home network scanning
• Mobile security feature
• Lightweight interface and zero impact on system performance
• Inexpensive premium versions

Weaknesses

• No automatic and boot scanning

Throughout the years 2019 and 2020, ransomware remained one of the top cyber threats in the world. According to tech analyst Forrester, the next few years will witness a new range of threats that will challenge the cybersecurity and antivirus deployment like never before. It is high time to invest in a powerful antivirus program.  

Some FAQs

How to temporarily pause an antivirus?

It is very important to temporarily disable the antivirus program while using any of the specialized tools to prevent and cross-interaction.

To do that, go to the bottom right of the system tray until you locate the small icon of your antivirus software. Right click on the icon and select the preferred disable duration from 10 minutes, 1 hour, until the system restart, or permanently.

How to uninstall an antivirus?

Uninstalling an antivirus program does not cancel the subscription. So it is better to temporarily disable it if you are facing a minor issue.  

To uninstall an antivirus, click on the Windows Start menu and find your antivirus program in the list. Open the program and look for an uninstall option. From there it is an auto-uninstallation process, you just have to follow the prompts until to an end.

How to disable antivirus?

It is necessary to disable an antivirus while installing some new program into the system. Because often antivirus software fails to distinguish between a legitimate program and a virus settling in the computer’s storage system.

In order to do that, go to the notification area present on the lower right of the taskbar and right-click on an antivirus icon, then select the option to either disable or exit the program.