Antivirus

If you want to keep your computer, phone, or other internet-connected devices secure, you will need proper antivirus software. Antivirus software detects, halts and removes various types of malware so that they cannot access your systems. Consequently, you are less likely to fall victim to spyware, keyloggers or trojans.

Everything You Need to Know About Antivirus Software

The online world is full of opportunities as well as dangers. Cybercriminals who try to steal your data, viruses that are loaded onto your device without you noticing… the list goes on.

Malware comes in all shapes and sizes. There are trojans, computer worms and keyloggers, for example. Or, even more popular, spyware and computer viruses. To learn more about all of these online dangers, you can dive into our special category on malware, which gives you more insight into the various types of threats.

Just rest assured that you are not defenseless. Virus scanners, also called antivirus software or antivirus programs, help you detect and remove malware from your computer. And if you also have a proper firewall, viruses and other dangers will be much less able to enter your computer via the internet.

Do you want to know more about antivirus software, how it works, and why it is important? Then read our informative articles below.

Do I Need Antivirus Software?

You may be wondering whether you really need an antivirus program. As long as you are cautious about which websites you visit, you should be fine, right?

Sure. If you only visit legitimate, well-encrypted websites, chances of a virus are small. Still, dangers linger in every corner, and cybercriminals keep finding new ways to trick us.

Antivirus software provides the necessary protection to stay safe at all times, without having to constantly worry about every page you visit.

Antivirus Software on All Your Devices

Most laptops and desktops have their own firewall. It is also relatively easy to download antivirus programs onto these devices. Yet it doesn’t stop here: how often are you on the internet with your smartphone? Viruses can also penetrate your Android or iOS system. Therefore, it is very important to also protect your phone and other devices.

But how do you know which antivirus software is best for you and your device? We tested different antivirus programs with all kinds of devices so you know exactly what to expect.

Antivirus Software Reviews

A proper virus scanner works efficiently without annoying you. You shouldn’t even notice you have one, so to speak. There are countless options out there, but not all of them are equally great at keeping your devices safe.

Some antivirus software slows down your computer considerably. There are also (free) virus scanners out there that don’t respect your privacy or contain malware themselves. Obviously, you would want to steer away from these programs.

To ensure that you install the right program on your device, we have tested a number of popular antivirus programs, like well-known free options Avast Free and AVG Antivirus and paid software by Bitdefender and Kaspersky. Our experts put each provider to the test using our antivirus review guidelines. This way we can tell you without a doubt whether a certain program is a good choice or not.

Click below for an overview!

Compare the best virus scanners

Antivirus Comparisons

It can be a challenge to figure out which antivirus plan is the best option for you. Should you go for the extra options Avast offers, or the ultimate security of Norton? Is Intego the best for Mac, or would Bitdefender be the better choice?

We tested the most popular antivirus providers and compared their level of security, privacy, usability, speed and performance, and price. Are you doubting between two options? The comparison reviews below will help you make your final decision.