Top 10 Antivirus for Windows

Computers make our life much easier. With their help, you can quickly find the necessary information, create a document, watch an interesting film and much, much more. And we have listed only the tasks of ordinary users, while ATMs, robots in factories and satellites also work on the basis of the most common operating systems, even if they are installed on specific equipment.

Of course, most users are aware of the threat, which is popularly called simply a "virus." Wits, Trojans, spyware, banners, and malware should be attributed to this shit. However, these subtleties are of little interest to us, because the methods of protection are practically the same. And the first “line” of defense is your own brain. Yes, in order not to catch the virus, it’s worth remembering just a few simple rules:

1. Use the latest version of the operating system. Older versions have vulnerabilities, which is why they are easier to infect.
2. Use a modern browser. For example, Chrome or Firefox
3. Do not click on banners or follow unknown links.
4. Download files only from trusted sites

But even all these precautions can fail, and therefore it is worth thinking about installing an antivirus - a program that, roughly speaking, checks files, finds infected and disinfects or deletes them. Our traditional rating will help you to choose software exactly for your requirements.

Top Free Antivirus for Windows

Windows is currently the most popular operating system for desktop devices. Because of this, we have a huge number of programs for it and ... a lot of viruses. Such is the flip side of popularity. Fortunately, antiviruses under Windows also a lot. First of all, let's pay attention to free software. And here it is worth making one remark - only fully free programs are included in the rating, trial versions of paid solutions were not included in the rating.

5 Microsoft Windows Defender

Let's start with one of the most popular anti-virus for Windows. This program has received a huge distribution not because of the sympathy of users, but due to the initial presence in the Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 operating systems. And this is the main advantage of the product. Antivirus does not need to be installed, there is no need to understand hundreds of settings - it simply protects your computer from malicious programs by default.

How good is the protection? The results of independent tests leave much to be desired: zero-day threats (previously unknown) are detected by Windows Defender only in 80-85% of cases. With known threats, the situation is much better - about 99.7% of threats are successfully neutralized. Protection against web threats is present only in branded browsers - Internet Explorer and Edge - there are no plug-ins for other browsers.

In general, the conclusion is this: this software is well suited as a basic protection for advanced users who know how to prevent exposure to malware. Or for people who do not bother to search and study more advanced antiviruses.

Advantages:

• Pre-installed on the system
• Does not display ads, does not offer to upgrade to premium, etc.
• Good basic protection

Disadvantages:

• Protection against threats is not 100%
• Anti-virus protection only

4 Comodo Internet Security

In contrast to the previous participant, free Comodo Internet Security provides a huge functionality. There is basic anti-virus protection, anti-rootkit, firewall, cloud scanning, sandbox and much more. The program will protect not only from malware, but also from phishing programs, Internet attacks. If you doubt the reliability of an application, you can run it in an isolated sandbox, from which a “virus” cannot harm the system.

The program interface can be presented in two versions: simple - in which the user can enable only quick, full or selective scanning, and expert - for advanced users who have enough knowledge and courage to manually configure all aspects of the program. Among other interesting features, we note the presence of a “game mode”, in which notifications will be hidden in full-screen applications.

Advantages:

• Powerful enough protection
• A large number of additional features
• Many settings for advanced users

Disadvantages:

• Excessive paranoism of the firewall
• Imposing other company products.

3 Panda Free Antivirus

Three leaders opens antivirus software from programmers from Spain. Protection indicators in synthetic and real tests are close to 100%, however, the load on the system is quite high, which does not allow the program to take the lead. Of course, modern PCs will not slow down when using it, but owners of old systems should think about other software.

Advantages:

• Automatic "vaccination" of USB flash drives and external hard drives
• Can display security information about a Windows process.
• Detects potentially unwanted non-virus programs.
• Convenient setting of exceptions

2 360 Total Security

A creation from the Chinese a couple of years ago shone on the very top lines in the rankings of reputable sites that test antiviruses. However, 360 Total Security is now disqualified for using the Bitdefender engine (we'll talk about it below). But such a “dope” to us - ordinary users - is only at hand. When you keep free, the program shows the best results in protecting your PC from threats. The only drawback that users are talking about is that the antivirus sometimes sees a threat where it cannot be in principle.

Advantages:

• Using engines from more powerful anti-virus systems
• There is a cleaning system, startup
• Protection from cryptographers
• Running a suspicious program in the sandbox
• Protect flash drives, browser and webcam

1 Avast Free Antivirus

Antivirus from Avast is not the first year in the list of the best antiviruses. When used in Windows 7 and Windows 8, the program shows 99% protection, in Windows 10 - 97%, which for a free product can be considered an excellent indicator. Convenience of use is also at altitude. Even during installation, the user can choose which methods of protection and functions are necessary for him. It also draws attention to a very simple interface, which even a very experienced user can figure out. The only drawback of the program is not the best performance, but it’s impossible to say that the computer starts to slow down after installing Avast.

Advantages:

• Best classroom protection
• It is possible to create a rescue disk to boot from it and check the system for viruses
• Browser extensions scan present
• Special modes that reduce the load on the system
• Can check Wi-Fi for security

Disadvantages:

• Sometimes it is too annoying to go for a paid version from the same developer.

The best paid antiviruses for Windows

Everything in our world has its price. If you want to get a really high-quality product, in most cases you will have to pay a certain amount. With antivirus, the situation is similar. Both free and paid versions are equally well protected from simple viruses, but the latter also have a huge amount of additional functions in the asset that will not only increase the level of protection, but also facilitate the work.

5 Norton Security Deluxe

Top 5 paid antivirus product opens the company Symantec. Norton Security - one of the leaders in the field of anti-virus protection. Judging by the numerous independent tests, the level of protection is almost at the same level as that of the industry leaders. At the same time, the cost of the annual subscription is much lower: for the Deluxe version for 5 devices, the Russian user will have to pay only 1205 rubles, protection of one device will cost 649 rubles. This is more than 2 times less than that of competitors!

At the same time, Norton also offers a large number of additional functions: protection from spyware, phishing (one of the best in the class), from spam, from ransomware. Of the interesting features, we note the availability of tools for maintaining the Windows system. These include the startup manager for applications (you can disable or delay autoloading for faster system startup), temporary files cleaning, disk defragmentation.

Advantages:

• Excellent anti-virus performance
• The most budget price tag
• Many additional features, including system maintenance tools

4 BullGuard Internet Security

BullGuard is probably the least known product in our selection. But this does not prevent the antivirus from doing its tasks well. The accuracy of threat detection is only a few tenths of a percent lower than that of the category leaders. The functionality is comparable with other representatives of TOP: protection against spyware, phishing, spam. But there are many additional interesting features. Note the presence of a backup that almost no competitor offers. At the same time, you can configure file types, specify specific folders and select the time for automatic backup.

Also encourages advanced parental control. You can create multiple profiles. There are presets for children of different ages, you can also manually select which sites to give access to and which to block. In addition, you can adjust the time when the child can use the computer. Finally, there are tools for system maintenance and game mode already mentioned in the review of other antiviruses.

Advantages:

• Excellent anti-virus protection
• Advanced parental control
• Data backup
• Maintenance tools

Disadvantages:

• High price tag excluding discounts.

3 BitDefender Internet Security 2017

BitDefender is one of the recognized leaders in the field of anti-virus software. Indicators of security and performance are only a couple percent lower than the leader of our rating, but the cost is 2 times lower! In this case, the program features no less. Particularly noteworthy is a secure password manager and complete file deletion system. The latter will be especially important for companies or people who really do not want their files to fall into the wrong hands. Also worth noting is round-the-clock technical support and cloud checking, which significantly reduces the load on the system.

The remaining functions are quite standard for this class: protection against phishing attacks and cryptographers, firewall, low power mode, game mode, etc. In general, a great solution for your money.

Advantages:

• Low cost
• Built-in password manager
• "Shredder" files
• Wi-Fi Security Check
• Protection modules against phishing attacks, extortionists and cryptographers

Disadvantages:

• Not the most convenient interface

2 Kaspersky Internet Security 2017

It is gratifying that the development of domestic experts are recognized as one of the best in the world. Antivirus software from Kaspersky Lab is known to almost all PC users. Version 2017, in addition to a high level of protection, added some more interesting pieces. First, a VPN appeared. Its functionality is somewhat lower than that of the leader, but for the average user it’s enough for the head. Secondly, the program manager is now able to update the software on your computer, because fresh programs are less susceptible to attack. Also worth noting is the traffic control function, which not only protects your device from an attack, but also helps optimize costs when connecting to the Internet via 3G or 4G. The remaining features are present and competitors.

Advantages:

• The clear interface is completely in Russian
• VPN availability
• Program Manager with automatic update
• The presence of the mode "Secure payments"
• Protection against unauthorized access to the webcam

Disadvantages:

• The program for one device can be bought for at least 2 years, or for a year, but not less than for two devices.

1 Avira Prime Total Security Suite

Like all previous solutions, Avira provides excellent anti-virus protection. However, in addition to it in the full edition, the developers added some more very interesting features. The first is device management. With this feature, you can configure the connection only certain USB-devices, while the rest will be blocked. The second is an advanced firewall, with a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls. The third is a built-in PC cleaning. This function will replace specialized programs for cleaning the system of debris, optimization and acceleration. Separately, I would like to note the ability to encrypt important personal files. Finally, in the maximum version there is a built-in VPN with all the necessary security systems. The only drawback of the program - the high cost - for the annual license for 1 device will have to pay 4,408 rubles.

Advantages:

• The best anti-virus protection
• Great firewall
• Built-in utility for cleaning, optimizing and speeding up the system
• Built-in VPN with multiple levels of protection

Disadvantages:

• Relatively high cost

Popular vote - who is the best developer of antiviruses
We vote!

Avira

Avg

Avast

360 Security

Panda security

Kaspersky lab.

Bitdefender

ESET

Microsoft

Other

Total voted: 385

Vote results