Computer viruses expose computers to multiple dangers. Currently, 773 million email addresses and 21 million hacked pass words are circulating on the dark web, not to mention the millions of pieces of malware created every day. To protect your data, install antivirus software. But which one to choose? To find out, read our guide to the best antivirus software in 2021.
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Our selection
"Nortonlifelock, formerly Symantec, continues to be one of the leading providers of affordable, high-performance antivirus software. This edition combines simplicity, user-friendliness and shines in terms…"
"With its Total Security, the Romanian publisher Bitdefender has designed a first-rate antivirus with very effective defensive shields. This 2021 edition is a must-have, as…"
"F-Secure Total 2021 promises maximum protection against all types of threats. Thanks to the features offered, this suite is a particularly effective and attractive protection…"
"Kaspesky remains a global reference in the protection market. With a range of features of unparalleled performance and a particularly rich web portal, it deserves…"
Nortonlifelock, formerly Symantec, continues to be one of the leading providers of affordable, high-performance antivirus software. This edition combines simplicity, user-friendliness and shines in terms of performance.
55,99 £ on AmazonThis year, the Norton 360 premium has once again been awarded the title of Top Product by the AV-Test laboratory. Thanks to the virtualization system, it isolates all malware and quickly eliminates various malware. The interface with its subtly arranged menus makes the software very easy to use.
In terms of functionality, the firewall and password manager perform excellently. The performance optimization system and the parental control will allow you to restrict access to certain websites. Finally, you will also benefit from an unlimited secure VPN to browse in complete confidentiality. This Norton suite is equipped with a remarkably simple web-based management console, but it lacks remote control.
With its Total Security, the Romanian publisher Bitdefender has designed a first-rate antivirus with very effective defensive shields. This 2021 edition is a must-have, as it offers the best quality/price ratio on the market.
25,60 £ on Bitdefender.frBitdefender Total Security 2021 is suitable for both novice and experienced users. With this version, you will enjoy optimal protection without impacting the performance of your device. It goes without saying that this antivirus is compatible with all operating systems. This suite stands out for the quality of protection it offers against the most sophisticated malware and defends itself superbly against zero-day attacks, Trojans and other malicious viruses. A new feature protects your files and documents against ransomware.
With Bitdefender Total Security 2021, you'll enjoy parental controls and a built-in VPN that works independently. This antivirus offers a total multi-layered protection even if some features such as the password manager and the digital safe can be improved.
F-Secure Total 2021 promises maximum protection against all types of threats. Thanks to the features offered, this suite is a particularly effective and attractive protection for online privacy.
79,99 £ on F-Secure.comThe Freedome VPN is the main asset of the F-Secure Total antivirus. Its protection will allow you to browse anonymously thanks to servers located in various countries. The Key service is its second asset, thanks in particular to the parental control function, even if it is rather limited. This service gives you access to password synchronization and allows you to make online identifications automatically.
There is also an anti-tracking protection that gives you access to a list of sites that collect personal data from Internet users. F-Secure Total 2021 really holds its own against the giants of protection software. However, its minimalist interface will not be suitable for advanced users.
Kaspesky remains a global reference in the protection market. With a range of features of unparalleled performance and a particularly rich web portal, it deserves its place in the ranking of the most effective antivirus.
55,99 £ on Kaspersky.frWith this suite, the Russian publisher has done everything possible to ensure maximum protection for its users. Its defensive shields have never been so effective, without impacting the performance of the protected devices. This antivirus was also awarded the title of Top Product by AV-Test with a detection rate of 100%. Equipped with a powerful password manager and a very effective parental control system, Kaspesky total security also has a banking protection function.
Its interface is suitable for all types of users, thanks to a cleverly designed menu layout. It also has an integrated web management console that allows remote control and updating. This protection software is a reference in the field.
Any specific needs?
The best paid antivirus in 2021
The best entry-level paid antivirus
The best high-end paid antivirus
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| TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
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Norton 360 Premium
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Bitdefender Total Security
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F-Secure Total
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Kaspersky Total Security
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Nortonlifelock, formerly Symantec, continues to be one of the leading providers of affordable, high-performance antivirus software. This edition combines simplicity, user-friendliness and shines in terms of performance.
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With its Total Security, the Romanian publisher Bitdefender has designed a first-rate antivirus with very effective defensive shields. This 2021 edition is a must-have, as it offers the best quality/price ratio on the market.
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F-Secure Total 2021 promises maximum protection against all types of threats. Thanks to the features offered, this suite is a particularly effective and attractive protection for online privacy.
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Kaspesky remains a global reference in the protection market. With a range of features of unparalleled performance and a particularly rich web portal, it deserves its place in the ranking of the most effective antivirus.
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VPN
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Menus and interface
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A good antivirus program has little or no impact on computer speed. For many years, antivirus vendors have been working to design the perfect software, taking into account this risk of impairing the performance of machines. Slowdowns can occur if you are using a machine that is several years old, or one that runs on very little RAM. If you are in this situation, it would be wise to choose another software.
A good antivirus software offers you protections against all current computer threats. From programs designed to steal personal data in order to pass it on to hackers, to Trojan horse viruses, etc., everything is taken into account in the software's virus signature dictionary. Also consider checking their level of protection against ramsomware and email scams that can steal even your banking information. If you have children, consider checking the performance of the parental control.
Features make the difference between the multitudes of antivirus programs on the market today. Each publisher integrates a function according to the needs of its users so consider choosing the brand that meets your usual needs. For example, if you frequently use USB sticks, look at the level of protection against Trojan horses and other viruses. If you download a lot, make sure the built-in firewall insulates you from the threats mentioned above and that the parental control feature is good enough.
Some
antivirus brands excel at performance, but fall short on convenience. If you are an experienced user, you will not have any difficulty handling your antivirus, on the contrary. On the other hand, if this is your first experience, and you urgently need an antivirus, choose an edition with more accessible and easy-to-use menus. You opt for a more advanced brand after some time.
One of the criteria to consider when choosing software is whether it is free or not. The best software costs a few dozen euros, but among the free software, you can find a good one that meets your needs. Nevertheless, it is advisable to get a paid software to guarantee you results and to allow you to access all the features.
Malicious programs evolve very quickly and can cause significant damage. The most advanced viruses are capable of stealing the most secret information about your private life. If one or more of these programs attack you, you are at risk of personal information disclosure, fraudulent withdrawals from your bank accounts and many other misdeeds.
Financial institutions guarantee optimal security, but recently we've seen that the most secure organizations are under constant cyberattack from hacking geniuses. Therefore, in order to offer the best protection, it is necessary to install a good quality antivirus.
There are several types of antivirus software categorized according to the way they work. Let's take a closer look at the notable differences that distinguish these various types of software.
It is the most common form of antivirus on the market today. It identifies malicious software by its signature. Depending on their programming, the antivirus proceeds either to the deletion of the infected file, or to the repair by eliminating the virus responsible for the contamination, or lastly, moves the contaminated file to an area where its propagation will be stopped. The dictionary-type antivirus software requires regular updates, as virus creators do not stop working! Thus, the viral definition base of protection software must evolve at the same pace as the evolution of threats.
The
second type of protection software is beginning to make its way into the milieu of the most popular antivirus programs. It works in concert with the system administrator by simply blocking the execution of malicious programs before they can infect your files. This method of operation has the advantage of being efficient, even without updating the virus base. In addition to viruses, this method also blocks unwanted software whose execution can impact the performance of your computers. The effectiveness of this method depends heavily on that of the system administrator.
The
second type of protection software is beginning to make its way into the mainstream of popular antivirus software. It acts in concert with the system administrator by simply blocking the execution of malicious programs before they can infect your files. This method of operation has the advantage of being efficient, even without updating the virus base. In addition to viruses, this method also blocks unwanted software whose execution can impact the performance of your computers. The effectiveness of this method is highly dependent on the system administrator.
The
fourth type of antivirus is less widespread but should soon make a good place on the market. It proceeds by emulation and simulates the execution of the file. During this simulation, the protection software analyzes the operation of new software or applications and warns users about the risks involved in letting the program run freely and in a real way on the computer. This method allows to detect a new version of malicious programs and to send the report to the antivirus editors who will act accordingly. The heuristic analysis method still needs to be perfected because at the beginning, some malicious programs can run freely without posing any threat.
Free antivirus programs are available on the Internet. They are very easy to install, as they are usually downloadable applications. Moreover, this type of antivirus software updates itself automatically. Therefore, there is no need to worry about obsolescence.
Nevertheless, free antivirus programs offer a basic level of protection. Moreover, they are accompanied by numerous advertisements that can be intrusive.
Paid antivirus software offers an optimal level of security and a superbly equipped range of features. In addition, unlike free antivirus software, paid antivirus software provides access to technical support.
The main disadvantage of a paid antivirus is its price and the need to upgrade it periodically.
The free antivirus can help you out and offer a decent level of security. For personal use, this type may be sufficient.
For professional use, it is better to prefer a paid antivirus. If you do business and manage your banking data on the web, it would be wise to use a paid software.
Prefer activation codes sent by email.
By purchasing your antivirus by email, you will save on shipping costs or travel expenses.
Stay alert when your computer alerts you to suspicious files.
Trust your computer when it alerts you to the presence of a suspicious file. Remember to look closely at the behavior of these files and proceed with the installation when you are sure they pose no threat.
Regularly scan USB drives.
Adopt
the reflex to always scan USB keys before running them. This will take you a few seconds but will save you other problems such as having to reinstall your entire system.
Install only verified software.
Some
software is identified as a virus by your computer even if it
is not.
So, whenever possible, prefer software whose publishers have been verified.
Contact your antivirus vendor.
The
majority of paid antivirus programs give you access to customer service, so don't hesitate to take advantage of it if you have problems with your software
.
The best paid antivirus software depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best at the moment.
The price of antivirus software varies from 35 to 80 € per year. This price may vary depending on the publisher or your license.
The vast majority of antivirus software does not impact the speed of your machine, unless it is several years old.
Apart from the classic viruses which are still relevant but are much less virulent, the main threats are spyware which seeks personal data to feed the dark web.
Antivirus software reacts differently depending on the publisher. Most send notifications to your computer to warn you of risks. For more information, read our buying guide in the section on the different types of antivirus software.
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