The best antivirus software will not just shield your PC against malware, but also protect you from hackers and suspicious websites. It should provide a variety of additional features, including the use of a VPN, password protection and phishing detection. You can choose from a broad selection of options, ranging from basic antivirus programs that focus on eliminating viruses to comprehensive suites that offer all the basics plus extra features such as identity theft protection and password management. A majority of these are offered as annual subscriptions, so make sure to do some research prior to making a decision.
Kaspersky is a well-known brand in the field of antivirus, but it also has privacy issues that haven’t been resolved due to suspicions the company is connected to the Russian government. It has impressive features and excellent virus protection in AV Comparatives tests. In addition to standard security tools such as firewalls it also comes with brute-force as well as zero-day exploit protection, which will help prevent you from being the victim of attacks that target your usernames and passwords or your bank details.
Malwarebytes is a different option. It has a great reputation for malware detection, and includes a robust collection of additional security tools. It’s a top heuristic detector and behavior monitoring, as well as an excellent VPN. It’s a bit more expensive than other premium offerings, but it comes with a simple interface and a hefty amount of additional features like dark web scanning and a virtual keyboard.