Best Windows 10 antivirus of 2020

[Karlston]

Best Windows 10 antivirus of 2020

Play it safe - download the best Windows 10 antivirus for your PC

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

 

If you use a Windows 10 system then you're an attractive target for hackers simply because Windows is the world's most popular PC operating system. The antivirus situation on Windows has improved dramatically over the last few years, but the sheer number of users mean it is still under threat - that's where getting a Windows 10 antivirus comes in.

 

Yep, we're afraid that the reality remains that you still need a regularly updated Windows antivirus package to keep you safe from the latest threats. That's because the bad guys are constantly looking for new ways to access your data and control your system.

 

From ransomware to fileless attacks and blended malware, there are plenty of threats out there - some you'll know the names of, other's you'll never even heard of - and there's the danger is great on Windows 10, no matter how careful you are online.

 

So which are the best virus protecting products for Windows 10 you can get right now, and is Windows Defender sufficient to keep you safe these days? Find out with TechRadar's guide to the best Windows 10 antivirus.

Here are the best Windows 10 antivirus in 2020

Image credit: Bitdefender)

1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Top-notch protection and bristling with features

Maximum devices covered: 10 | Stand out features: Safepay banking protection, Wi-Fi Security Advisor, web protection

+ Superb antivirus engine

+ Loads of features

+ Nicely user-friendly

- Could have some impact on your PC’s performance

 

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus delivers excellent protection for Windows 10 PCs, regularly being the top performer with independent antivirus testing labs. One of those big-name labs, AV-Test, gave Bitdefender a 100% protection rating in its most recent test, and the security firm consistently achieves this (in fact, it’s last ‘fail’ rating from that lab was way back in 2014). It was also AV-Comparatives’ product of the year for 2019.

 

As well as this superb core antivirus engine, you get very capable anti-ransomware protection, and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is one of the best products out there when it comes to blocking malicious websites.

 

The package delivers a range of other features, including Safepay – a well-designed and fully secure browser with which you can carry out sensitive tasks like online banking – plus a password manager, vulnerability scanner, and a Wi-Fi Security Advisor which evaluates any wireless networks you use, rating them for security.

 

 

While it’s easy-to-use for beginners, Antivirus Plus also offers some nifty more in-depth settings, like being able to set up profiles to, for example, keep any background activity to a minimum when you’re on a laptop using battery power. One slight drawback with Bitdefender is that it’s only middle of the pack when it comes to the impact it has on system performance, but at least you can tweak things somewhat using the profiles system.

 

To sum up, this is a well-featured package with some very smart touches, and the icing on the malware-busting cake is that it’s good value for money, particularly considering everything you get here.

 

 

 

 

(Image credit: Norton)

2. Norton AntiVirus Plus

Top-quality antivirus that keeps you well-protected and informed

Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Intelligent firewall, PC maintenance features, backup tool, Norton Insight

+ Very light resource usage

+ Many useful tools beyond simple antivirus protection

+ Even includes a backup option

- Only covers a single device

 

Norton AntiVirus Plus just gives you coverage for one device, but if you only have a single Windows 10 PC which needs protecting from online threats, then it’s a sterling option for many good reasons.

 

 

The core malware protection provided is among the best in the business, alongside the likes of Bitdefender, and offers a novel touch for more tech-savvy types in the form of the Norton Insight tool. This gauges the reputation of any given file on your system, and may help to pinpoint more obscure threats.

 

 

Norton Antivirus Plus provides these robust defenses at an extremely minimal cost to your system resources. Indeed, PassMark recently ranked Norton as the best antivirus package when it comes to the impact on the host PC’s performance.

 

 

Furthermore, on the web, this antivirus does a great job of blocking malicious sites, and you also get an ‘intelligent’ firewall which keeps you well-informed on any potential risks to your computer.

 

 

Bonus features include a password manager, useful PC maintenance and performance monitoring utilities, and a backup tool, which is an unusual inclusion for an entry-level antivirus (while it’s limited to 2GB of online space, it can also be configured to back up files locally).

 

While its interface is a little odd and quirky, Norton AntiVirus Plus undoubtedly remains a great choice for those who simply want to protect their own Windows 10 PC and no other devices.

 

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(Image credit: Trend Micro)

3. Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security

Commendably beginner-friendly with strong ransomware defenses

Maximum devices covered: 1 | Stand out features: Ransomware monitoring, Pay Guard banking protection, high-quality URL filtering

+ Easy-to-use

+ Folder Shield anti-ransomware layer

+ Good web surfing protection

- Not very configurable

- Doesn’t have that many features

 

Trend Micro’s entry-level antivirus is another product which is designed for a single Windows 10 PC only. And, in fact, this security solution is only available for the Windows platform - so another way of looking at this would be that Windows 10 users have the company’s full attention here.

 

 

One of the major strengths of Trend Micro Antivirus Plus is that it’s not just focused on Windows, but also on novice PC users. This is an antivirus app you can simply install and then forget it’s there, letting it work away in the background keeping the computer safe, with no need to tweak or configure anything much. But while this is a great choice for the less tech-savvy, more demanding users will probably want to steer away due to the lack of configurability and options available.

 

 

As you might expect, the program’s interface is user-friendly. You also get a good quality antivirus engine, and while there is some disagreement as to exactly how good Trend Micro is in this respect – with a few shakier ratings from some independent lab tests – the app generally comes out towards the top of the rankings. It also delivers strong anti-ransomware protection as well, with a dedicated Folder Shield that could help block even undiscovered ransomware trying to compromise your PC.

 

Overall, this is a high-quality antivirus package, and while it’s not loaded with features, you do get impressive URL filtering, and a Pay Guard feature to keep your online banking secure.

 

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(Image credit: Kaspersky)

4. Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows

Strong malware protection from a well-respected provider

Maximum devices covered: 5 | Stand out features: Highly configurable virus scans, self-protection defence, System Watcher module

+ Highly accurate antivirus engine

+ Impressive against ransomware

+ User-friendly

- Rather feeble extras

- Not much new for 2020

 

Kaspersky is another veteran of the security world, and while the company didn’t make all that many changes to the latest version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus, it didn’t particularly need to.

 

 

You get a very impressive level of antivirus protection here, with Kaspersky being highly rated by the independent testing labs, and there’s a good amount of flexibility when it comes to configuring virus scans, too. Furthermore, its System Watcher module allows Kaspersky to pick up on undiscovered threats like fresh ransomware.

 

 

All the main pillars of Kaspersky Anti-Virus are rock-solid in terms of keeping your PC safe, then, although the program’s extra features aren’t as good as you’ll find with some rivals. There are some passably useful bits and bobs like a vulnerability scanner and privacy cleaner, but some of the wizards provided are a bit feeble (like the Browser Configuration Wizard which only supports Internet Explorer – not many people use IE anymore).

 

In short, don’t expect much over and above the anti-malware protection that Kaspersky delivers – but that core protection is unwaveringly solid.

 

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(Image credit: Webroot)

5. Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus

Supremely lightweight antivirus

Maximum devices covered: 3 | Stand out features: Real-time anti-phishing, firewall monitor, sandbox

+ Minimal system footprint

+ Impressive URL blocking

+ Neat extra features that’ll please experts

- Not tested by big-name independent labs

- Interface could be better thought out

 

Webroot is the most compact antivirus package in the world (at least among the main players anyway) and has barely any impact at all on your PC’s resources, which is a great start. Virus scans are also very quick, and you get a decent level of malware protection (although be aware that Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus isn’t evaluated by the major independent testing labs).

 

 

You also benefit from real-time anti-phishing protection which does a good job of keeping your PC protected on the web, and an intelligent ‘firewall’ monitoring system which keeps a watchful eye out for anything suspicious happening in terms of processes connecting to the internet.

 

 

There are some nifty additions for expert users, too, like a sandbox that facilitates running suspicious apps in a closed-off environment, so they can’t affect the main system.

 

The interface is a little clunky, but on the whole Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus is a highly streamlined effort with some useful extra features and impressive protection for when you’re browsing the web.

 

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Is Windows Defender good enough to secure Windows 10?

 

It used to be the case that Windows suffered badly from security vulnerabilities and malware attacks that only third-party antivirus software could protect against. However, over the years Microsoft has made a concerted effort to improve the security of Windows, not least with the inclusion of Windows Defender by default in Windows 10.

 

 

That said, in the past, Windows Defender has been regarded as a fairly poor security solution, and simply a ‘better than nothing’ option. That isn’t true anymore, though: in fact, Windows Defender now holds its own. One independent antivirus testing lab, AV-Test, rates Microsoft’s solution highly, although AV-Comparatives isn’t so enthusiastic, merely giving Windows Defender a ‘standard’ rating for malware protection in its most recent tests.

 

 

That’s still solid protection, though, and of course Windows Defender has the added advantage of being a hassle-free solution which comes already integrated with Windows 10, and it’s free. If you just want basic protection which works, Defender is all you need.

 

 

However, the additional security and privacy features that other third-party antivirus apps provide can make them very attractive choices in their own right.

 

 

Your system is secure with Windows Defender, but if you want added peace of mind, it’s likely worth investing in the additional protection – the top-rated antivirus engines, extra anti-ransomware capabilities and other features – that Bitdefender Antivirus Plus and the other best Windows 10 antivirus packages afford.

 

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Should I get free or premium antivirus?

 

If you're simply looking to protect your PC from viruses, trojans, and worms, then free antivirus from any reputable provider such as above, will keep you protected against these.

 

 

The difference with paid-for versions is that they add additional features that aim to protect tighter security, better privacy protections, and even tune up your PC.

 

 

For example, extra security features might include ransomware protection and the ability to ensure certain files or folders are locked down against any changes by third-party programs. 

 

 

For privacy protection, there might be the inclusion of a VPN which allows for more anonymous web browsing. There might also be features in paid software to kill tracking cookies and other privacy protections.

 

 

Some paid-for anti-virus even include features such as tuning up your PC, by getting rid of junk files from temporary or cache folders, as well as fix any registry issues that might also be slowing down your PC.

 

 

So, overall, if all you want is the most essential virus protection, then free software will do its job. However, if you want a wider range of malware protection, extra privacy controls, and even additional tools to help your PC run more smoothly, then paid-for anti-virus can often offer some or all of these, and more

 

 

Source: Best Windows 10 antivirus of 2020 (TechRadar)

[hari1419]

all ram eaters

[Ryrynz]

4 hours ago, hari1419 said:

all ram eaters

 

I look forward to seeing the review of your perfectly optimized and expertly balanced Anti-malware, I'm sure it will best all of these and be free to boot.

Thanks for your future work.

[stylemessiah2]

No one should take the OP seriously

 

BitDefender is always at the top of these "lists" for one reason, it pays for favourable reviews.

 

Its the single WORST AV i ever tested, it turned my  4  core/8 thread i7 with 16Gb of RAM into a slow as molasses Celeron

 

Hateful product....

 

p.s. Anyone paying for an AV in this day and age may as well open their front door and throw $ into the street....

 

I use Avast Free and have for eons, number of infections in a decade: 0

[Nastrahl]

BitDefender Free doesn't have the feature to scan only changed/modified/downloaded/new files, so it's scanning on access every time which is useless and takes up a lot of resources.

 

The paid versions are lighter.

 

But I think for the majority, just Windows Defender and a bit of hardening with ConfigureDefender and/or some GPO rules would suffice.

[shorty6100]

Ah, the good old antivirus topic-always good for click bait and debate. Everyone has their loyal tried and true favorite. Going in the same direction of @stylemessiah2, the worst AV I have ever tried (and I've tried a lot) is Norton. Why? Granted, I have not used it in 15-20 years, but it made my PC unbootable, it's resource-hungry and it had a lot of unnecessary options. 

[dark0]

kaspersky security cloud is not so heavy, then it has many interesting options for being a free antivirus, migrated from panda dome to kaspersky and I am not sorry, bitdefender is too spartan for my taste

 

[vanillasky33]

Bitdefender number 1?😁

 

1-Eset

2-kaspersky

3-Avast