Best Antivirus for Windows 10 Ultimate Guide 2022
Having antivirus software installed on your computer is now a need. You might be vulnerable to malware attacks if you don’t have it installed on your device. And if you already have it installed, you should update it regularly to ensure that it stays updated with the latest security patches.
There are several ways to install antivirus software on your PC or laptop. Some require paid subscriptions, some come bundled with other programs, and some are free. This article will show you how to download and install free antivirus for windows 10.
Key Take Aways:
As with other software, choosing a Windows 10 antivirus program depends on your needs and budget. Here are some things to keep in mind:
The best bang for your buck
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is relatively cheap ($29.99 per year, 3 devices) and offers an unlimited password manager, file shredder, and secure browser.
If you only have one computer to worry about protecting, you could opt for Norton AntiVirus Plus ($59.99 per year). This package includes unlimited password manager, VPN, and dark web monitoring.
McAfee AntiVirus Plus ($39.99 per year) is another option worth considering. It protects up to ten PCs and Android devices and includes several helpful security features such as a VPN, a dark web monitor, and a password manager.
Best overall solution
Norton Security Premium ($59.99 per year) is our pick for the best overall Windows 10 antivirus because it combines excellent malware detection rates with a powerful firewall, a robust antiphishing system, an easy-to-use app scanner, a built-in password manager, and a USB virus remover.
Why is Microsoft’s built-in security in Windows 10 insufficient?
Windows 10’s built-in protection is not enough because it is not a complete antivirus program. It only provides essential protection against malware and does not include features such as real-time protection, email protection, and parental controls. You can get a free antivirus program from many different companies, but you should make sure to get one that is compatible with Windows 10.
Best Antivirus for Windows 10
I will list some of the best antiviruses for Windows 10, which will help you eliminate viruses and malware.
Windows Defender
The first on my list is Windows Defender. Now, it may be true that this antivirus software helped little in fighting malicious bugs and had a low detection rate in finding viruses. The good news is that it has all changed now. It earned 6/6 points for detecting malware samples during the December 2017 test AV-TEST conducted, which Also achieved a 100% detection rate for discovering malicious URL samples when AV-Comparatives performed its ‘Real-World Protection Test’ in February 2017.
There are several reasons people like Windows Defender. This anti-malware software is pre-installed on your PC and is enabled by default. It is lightweight and will handle everything smoothly. It also offers some security features, Real-time protection, and Browser integration that quickly makes it one of the best antiviruses for Windows 10.
Although it provides you with the best internet security, Windows Defender still has some issues. Its test results may sometimes be inconsistent and produce more false positives than average. But even with these problems, it now provides more protection than ever. So, it is advisable to give this software a try. If you haven’t downloaded the Windows Defender, click on the Windows Defender download option by visiting Microsoft’s website.
Kaspersky
If you don’t want to get the Windows Defender downloaded, then why not try Kaspersky? It is arguably among the top antivirus companies in the world right now that have been consistently producing quality products. The company currently offers three antivirus suites, Kaspersky Antivirus, Kaspersky Security Cloud, and Kaspersky Internet Security.
The reason that makes Kaspersky one of the best antiviruses for Windows 10 is that it has repeatedly proved that it can help you fight against all kinds of computer viruses. AV-Test gave it a 6/6 rating across all of its testing categories.
The Kaspersky antivirus offers many features, including parental controls, online banking protection, file backup, and password management. The company also extends its services to mobile devices and MAC. This is not free software, and its cost will vary depending on the number of devices you want it for. However, it offers a 30-day free trial.
Bitdefender
Founded in 2001, BitDefender is a Romanian cybersecurity company with over 500 million users worldwide. Many people trust this software, and so do I, which is why it has made my list.
BitDefender is undoubtedly among the best antivirus for Windows 10. This is because it scored a perfect 6/6 for performance, protection, and usability on AV-TEST. The software only gave three false positives from a sample size of 1.6 million, which speaks volumes regarding its authenticity.
Another thing that makes BitDefender stand out among other antivirus software is its many valuable features. Some include parental control, network threat prevention, and multi-layer ransomware protection. It provides three products: Internet Security, Total Security, and Antivirus Protection.
Panda Security
Another popular antivirus software that has been producing quality products for many years is Panda Security. In 2012, the company became the tenth-largest antivirus vendor globally, with a market share of 2.0%. It also introduced the SaaS concept (Security as a Service).
Panda Security is highly reliable and will make your PC safe from all malicious bugs. It received a Gold award from AV-Comparatives and was called a ‘Qualified IT Security Product’ by the National Cryptologic Center. Moreover, it was recognized as the best Advanced Persistent Threat Solution by Computing Magazines Security Excellence Awards in 2016.
The free version of Panda Security is a good option if you are on a budget. However, if you need better protection, the company offers four packages, Essential, Advanced, Complete, and Premium. Depending on your plan, the company will provide you with additional features, including unlimited VPN, Parental Control, Password Manager, and many more.
Trend Micro Internet Security
Trend Micro Internet Security may not be as popular as other antivirus programs, but it sure gets the job done. Therefore, I have included it in my list. Developed by Trend Micro, the NSS Lab reported the software as the fastest tracing of new internet threats, which is pretty impressive.
Independent testing has shown that Trend Micro Internet Security delivers exceptional results. The company has received a three-star Advanced + rating by AV-Comparatives, making it the highest ranking that the organization ever gave in 2014. It also scored 17/18 points on AV Test in the same year.
Trend Micro offers multiple products and contains all the necessary features, including ransomware protection, antivirus, web filtering, e-mail checks, and social media monitoring. Apart from Windows, the software is also available for MAC, iOS, and Android.
How important is it to have Windows 10 antivirus software?
With Windows 10, you have two options for protecting your PC: Windows Defender and a third-party antivirus program. Is it necessary to have Windows 10 antivirus software?
The short answer is yes; you should still install a third-party security suite even if you have Windows Defender. While Defender is getting better with each new release, it’s still not as good as the best antivirus programs.
And if you have more than one Windows 10 PC or device, you’ll need to buy an antivirus program for each one. The good news is that many security suites come with multiple licenses, so you can easily protect all your devices with one program.
Which anti-virus software do you recommend for Windows 10? That’s a tricky question, as many great options are available. But we recommend Bitdefender Total Security or Kaspersky Total Security as two of the best antivirus programs for Windows 10.
What’s the Best Antivirus for Malware?
A wide range of antivirus products are available on the market, so it can be challenging to know which is the best for malware protection. However, a few things to look for when choosing an antivirus product will help ensure you get the best protection possible. First, ensure the product is compatible with your operating system (e.g., Windows). Second, check if the product has received good reviews from independent testing organizations. Finally, compare the features and prices of different products to find the one that best meets your needs.
Antivirus Software: How Does It Operate?
Antivirus software is a program that helps protect your computer against viruses. Viruses are malicious software that can damage your computer, steal your personal information, or even delete your files. To clean your computer, antivirus software first scans it to see if any viruses have been installed.
Antivirus software usually comes with a real-time scanner that automatically scans new files as they are downloaded or created. This helps to prevent new viruses from infecting your computer. Antivirus software also includes a scheduler that you can use to schedule regular scans of your computer. This helps to ensure that your computer is always protected against the latest threats.
Conclusion
These are the five best antiviruses for Windows 10, which would help prevent your PC from getting infiltrated by all the harmful viruses and malware. Have you ever used any of this antivirus software before? Let us know by commenting down below.