What's the Best Antivirus and Is Windows Security Good Enough in 2021?
By Timothy Tibbettson 06/15/2023 |
It's time to answer the #1 most asked question on our support forums - What's the best antivirus, and is Windows Defender (Security) good enough?
The best choice for an antivirus often comes down to opinion, and people love to argue for their favorite choice. However, there are opinions, and there are facts. Never trust any security app to protect you completely. It's important to note that being careful, or a little common sense, is the missing link for many when choosing an antivirus.
Because we hate to waste your time, the answer is yes, Windows Security is good enough, but not the best available option.
It's important to note that the antivirus landscape changes every few years. For example, VIPRE, IOBit Malware Fighter, Emsisoft, and many others use the BitDefender engine. F-Secure uses the Avira engine. AVG is a rebranded Avast.
There are a handful of websites that routinely test available antivirus programs and report how well they did. These tests often include anti-phishing, false alarm, file detections tests, heuristics behavior, malware protection, performance test, PUS test, real-world protection test, and retrospective tests. One of the most popular is Av Comparatives. The thing to notice here is that every antivirus engine performs differently depending on the test.
While we wouldn't recommend Windows Security just a few years ago, it is an excellent choice, and you already have it included with Windows 10. If you don't want to hunt around, you're already protected. Windows Defender is now Windows Security and also includes Firewall protection, family options, and more.
If you already have an antivirus that expired or don't like it, simply uninstall your antivirus, and Windows Security will take over.
Most of the "free" antivirus programs require you purchase the program to get all of the available protection you already have for free in Windows Security. Many of these programs are now bloated and can slow your computer down. Even worse, some of these companies now install PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs), and a few have been caught stealing user data.
If you want the absolute best protection, history has proven that you need to pay. A couple of the best options include Kaspersky, and our personal favorite, Bitdefender. Advanced users lean towards Nod32.
AV-Comparatives, as of December 2020, picked Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and ESET as their favorites. BitDefender and Kaspersky have made the top of the list for as long as we can remember.
If we had to purchase an antivirus program, it would be Bitdefender. It consistently tops the list on Av Comparatives and is the most used engine in other antivirus applications.
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The best choice for an antivirus often comes down to opinion, and people love to argue for their favorite choice. However, there are opinions, and there are facts. Never trust any security app to protect you completely. It's important to note that being careful, or a little common sense, is the missing link for many when choosing an antivirus.
Because we hate to waste your time, the answer is yes, Windows Security is good enough, but not the best available option.
It's important to note that the antivirus landscape changes every few years. For example, VIPRE, IOBit Malware Fighter, Emsisoft, and many others use the BitDefender engine. F-Secure uses the Avira engine. AVG is a rebranded Avast.
There are a handful of websites that routinely test available antivirus programs and report how well they did. These tests often include anti-phishing, false alarm, file detections tests, heuristics behavior, malware protection, performance test, PUS test, real-world protection test, and retrospective tests. One of the most popular is Av Comparatives. The thing to notice here is that every antivirus engine performs differently depending on the test.
While we wouldn't recommend Windows Security just a few years ago, it is an excellent choice, and you already have it included with Windows 10. If you don't want to hunt around, you're already protected. Windows Defender is now Windows Security and also includes Firewall protection, family options, and more.
If you already have an antivirus that expired or don't like it, simply uninstall your antivirus, and Windows Security will take over.
Most of the "free" antivirus programs require you purchase the program to get all of the available protection you already have for free in Windows Security. Many of these programs are now bloated and can slow your computer down. Even worse, some of these companies now install PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs), and a few have been caught stealing user data.
If you want the absolute best protection, history has proven that you need to pay. A couple of the best options include Kaspersky, and our personal favorite, Bitdefender. Advanced users lean towards Nod32.
AV-Comparatives, as of December 2020, picked Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and ESET as their favorites. BitDefender and Kaspersky have made the top of the list for as long as we can remember.
If we had to purchase an antivirus program, it would be Bitdefender. It consistently tops the list on Av Comparatives and is the most used engine in other antivirus applications.
Similar:
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