A huge number of PC users are wondering which antivirus is best to choose to protect Windows 10. In this article we will try to answer this difficult question.
The first part of the article will be devoted to the most popular antiviruses today, which are distributed on a paid basis. And in the second part we will look at free computer protection solutions that are suitable for working with the Windows 10 operating system.
Note: When writing this article, we used antivirus testing data provided on the website av-test.org, as well as results from independent laboratories. Popular among many Dr. For some reason, Web
www.av-test.org
- Avast Free Antivirus
Kaspersky Total Security 2020
The most popular antivirus for Windows today. It has a wide range of tools suitable for all types of users - from private to small businesses.
Free membership in Kaspersky Security Network means that any suspicious files are sent to the cloud for testing. This creates a huge database of various malicious files from many users.
The program has a clear graphical interface, and it is also possible to work via the command line.
Cost: 1,800 rubles per year for two devices.
Kaspersky Total Security 2020 →
Review of antiviruses for Windows 10 - home versions
Windows 10 has its own built-in Defender utility, which has become more efficient and functional over the past years. However, the program only provides basic computer protection. It is sufficient for users who do not install third-party applications, do not download files from the Internet, and visit only a limited number of trusted sites.
If you actively use the Internet, Windows Defender will not be able to guarantee complete protection. Also, its capabilities are completely insufficient for business purposes. Most active users require a third-party paid antivirus.
It is recommended to select an antivirus taking into account:
- User needs - software used, device characteristics, computer operating mode;
- Areas of use - for home or business;
- Type of equipment - regular computer or server;
- Antivirus application period;
- Specifics of security software - when developing antivirus products, manufacturers can focus on different areas of protection.
Taking these factors into account, you can determine which antivirus is best for specific conditions of use. Let's figure out what security software options modern developers offer.
Basic protection
Antiviruses without a firewall fall into this category. They effectively protect the system from malware and other threats, but do not prevent network attacks. Popular antiviruses in this category are Kaspersky Anti-Virus and ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus
For basic protection, Kaspersky Lab offers Kaspersky Anti-Virus. At a low price, this software provides powerful protection against major web threats.
The main advantages of Kaspersky Anti-Virus:
- scanning sites, messages, files;
- effective protection against malware;
- anti-phishing function;
- checking links in search results;
- secure data entry function via virtual keyboard.
The antivirus is characterized by high performance and ease of management.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
ESET NOD32 Antivirus provides proactive protection for private PCs against malicious software and hacker attacks. The antivirus has a full range of functions to protect your computer:
- detection and neutralization of viruses, worms, Trojans and other types of malware;
- protection of files and data, electronic correspondence;
- ensuring surfing safety.
The product is suitable for users with high security requirements. The new 2020 version adds protection against ransomware and an intelligent Smart mode, which detects suspicious activity in the system.
The firewall is built into the advanced version of ESET NOD32 Smart Security.
Antiviruses with advanced protection
Products in this category, in addition to the basic antivirus functions, are designed to effectively protect your computer from network hacker attacks.
Kaspersky Total Security
The advanced protection required for active users is provided by Kaspersky Total Security. This is a powerful antivirus for Windows 10 that has a wide range of features to protect against malware and other types of threats.
Additional features of Kaspersky Total Security include:
- VPN connection;
- protection against network attacks;
- parental control;
- function of automatic data backup to the cloud;
- password manager;
- solutions for payment protection.
There are other additional features that increase security and simplify your work.
Dr.Web Security Space 12
Anti-virus Dr.Web Security Space 12 - product: powerful protection of home computers from any network threats. It effectively counters the entire range of current malware, protects your files and data from damage, and provides real-time traffic scanning.
Additional features of Dr.Web Security Space 12:
- firewall;
- protection of financial data, secure payments;
- anti-phishing, anti-spam, web anti-virus;
- identification and protection against vulnerabilities of installed software;
- protection against data loss and ransomware;
- protection against surveillance via computer.
In addition, the antivirus performs the function of parental control, protecting children from unwanted information.
Antivirus Panda Dome Essential
Powerful antivirus Panda Dome Essential prevents damage to your PC and information, protects your data.
Product advantages:
- ensuring surfing safety;
- security of Internet banking and online purchases;
- protection against known and unknown malware;
- preventing hacker attacks;
- anti-phishing;
- wireless network security;
- VPN connection.
Additionally, the antivirus supports the function of restoring a PC after an attack.
Bitdefender Internet Security
Bitdefender Internet Security is a home antivirus with a simple interface that reliably protects against all types of web threats without significantly affecting OS performance.
The set of additional product features includes:
- firewall;
- webcam protection;
- wireless security advisor;
- protection against crypto-lockers and ransomware.
It also supports a number of other additional functions that improve system performance.
Select antivirus programs in the Antiviruses section. Safety
McAfee Total Protection 2020
A distinctive feature of this product is the True Key password manager from Intel. It uses multi-factor authentication, including fingerprints or a facial scanner.
Also, the main components of Total Protection are an anti-virus scanner and mail protection. WebAdvisor checks for malicious payloads and identifies suspicious URLs. There is a module for backing up your email.
This antivirus is often installed along with free programs as an add-on, but at the same time has a time-limited mode of operation.
Cost: 2,499 rubles per year (currently 50% discount).
McAfee Total Protection 2020 →
Instead of an obituary
Let's summarize our lecture on sex education for Internet citizens.
Total:
- A system with the built-in Defender disabled (for example, through gpedit.msc - administrative templates - Windows components - Defender antivirus program - disable), without a third-party antivirus and if the rules for using the Internet are not followed - this is debauchery everywhere, always and with anyone,
- Compliance with the rules of using the Internet is intercourse after slowly choosing a partner, but without means of protection,
- Using Defender Windows is sex with a condom, but with a dubious partner,
- The combination of Defender and a third-party antivirus against the background of autorun blocking and in the absence of interest in suspicious sites is a sex scene in which faithful spouses play the main roles.
I note that even in the latter case, no one will give a 100% guarantee, as Sarah said about Abram, “he is a faithful husband, but inquisitive and loves to compare.” I would like to give advice on sleeping with a condom and with my wife, but how we will then reproduce is the question.
ESET Internet Security 10
The developer of ESET Internet Security 10 guarantees that each subsequent scan will be faster than the previous one, which is good news.
The antivirus is capable of scanning your network and creating a diagram showing all active devices. You can also scan your router for vulnerabilities, which is very useful given the rise of botnets made up of home routers.
The program can block malicious links and recognize phishing sites, block spam and check email content. ESET Internet Security 10 also provides webcam protection.
Cost: 1,950 rubles per year for three devices.
ESET Internet Security 10 →
Norton Security
Norton Security uses parental control technology and cloud support, including SONAR Protection, which detects malware by studying the behavior of applications when they launch. The intrusion prevention module blocks network attacks.
There is an integrated password manager, as well as browser protection, which is aimed at preventing the use of malware with known vulnerabilities. In addition, web downloads are analyzed and, after scanning, a report appears on their safety.
Performance tools include a disk optimizer that defragments data to make accessing it more efficient.
Cost: 1,599 rubles per year (currently 18% discount).
Norton Security →
All the pros and cons
Having carefully analyzed all the information about the protector, we can say with confidence that it provides a decent level of security. Taking into account the constant updating of databases and the use of extremely reliable browsers, the program can easily cope with the tasks assigned to it.
Despite the low score received during the tests, as we discussed above, this antivirus easily recognizes any threats and viruses. This is precisely what indicates its high reliability. According to the developers, their efforts were primarily focused on creating a program that responds as quickly and effectively as possible to the most common threats on the Internet, and they managed to do this.
Based on the fact that in Windows 10, in addition to the standard antivirus, there are additional protection tools, answering the question, “Can Windows Defender replace an antivirus?”, we can confidently say that yes. This is the best option for the vast majority of users. Do not download dangerous and malicious software, do not engage in risky activities, and you can make sure that your PC is completely safe.
However, if you choose a defender only because it is free and less demanding in terms of system requirements, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with even lighter utilities that may be more suitable for you and will work quickly even on the weakest devices.
Bitdefender Total Security 2020
Bitdefender antivirus will protect your device from Trojans, rootkits, worms, adware, and spam. You'll also get a central account to manage all your devices.
Bitdefender Total Security 2020 includes features such as on-demand scanning, malicious URL blocking, and phishing protection. There's also a handy Bitdefender Autopilot mode. Once enabled, the program independently makes optimal security decisions without user intervention.
Cost: 1,759 rubles per year.
Bitdefender Total Security 2020 →
Avast Internet Security
Avast Internet Security is an all-in-one solution for protecting against spyware, viruses and spam. SafeZone technology allows you to create a virtual desktop in an isolated environment and use the Internet without worrying about security. No other program on the PC can access this virtual desktop. The sandbox function allows you to run a program to observe its behavior. The cloud-based FileRep feature continuously monitors the reputation of files to inform you of their authenticity.
Cost: 900 rubles per year.
Avast Internet Security →
The best antivirus according to the editors
It all depends on what risks you face when working on a computer:
- For users who are interested in various modifications for games and visit potentially dangerous sites (http connections, a large number of advertisements, execution of malicious scripts), we recommend using the free antivirus Panda Free Antivirus 2016. On its shoulders it carries a database that can compete with the same paid Kaspersky Internet Security for all devices. But large functionality uses quite a lot of system resources and you need to remember this.
- We recommend that users who use a computer for work or leisure pay attention to the 360 Total Security antivirus. It performs not only protective functions (for example, protecting unauthorized access to a webcam), but also has in its arsenal computer care functions (cleaning junk files and the registry).
According to the editors, the best antivirus software option for a computer with Windows 10 is to install Avast Free Antivirus. Yes, it does not have as much functionality as its competitors, but at the same time it has all the standard antivirus functions and does not load the system. Also, its advantages include:
- shareware (you can use either the free version or purchase a paid subscription, which will allow you to get the maximum level of protection);
- when upgrading to Windows 10 from older versions, you do not need to reinstall the antivirus - it will do it automatically in the background;
- constant release of updates, which provides a high degree of protection;
- Possibility of flexible program settings;
- A full system scan takes no more than 15 minutes.
Avast Free Antivirus also has some disadvantages:
- cannot be used for business - only at home;
- the need to update registration once a year.
Windows Defender
Windows Defender, formerly known as Microsoft AntiSpyware, is a Microsoft software product designed to remove, quarantine, or prevent spyware. It is built-in by default in the operating systems Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10.
In Windows 10, Defender is automatically disabled if Security Center detects another antivirus installed on the system, and it activates itself if you have no other protection.
Cost: free.
Although modern antiviruses provide good protection against threats, it is necessary to take additional measures: do not install software from dubious sources, do not open suspicious links and files, regularly make backup copies of important data and store them on removable media or in cloud services.
Installation nuances
If the user decides to use antiviruses and begins to experiment with choosing a more convenient option, it is necessary to follow the rules for installing such software on a computer.
Firstly, you should never install more than one program on your PC at the same time. If a person is going to install another antivirus, he must first remove the old program and restart the PC . For almost every program, developers release a special utility to completely remove the antivirus from the system and registry.
Secondly, if the antivirus does not want to be installed on the PC and gives an error during installation, then most likely the system is missing a necessary component . In this case, you need to study the error and fix it by installing the required component. Among such errors, a common problem is the lack of a later version of the Microsoft .NET Framework program in the system. You can download it from the official Microsoft website.
To reach a larger audience of users, many developers release their programs running Android and IOS, so they can be installed on your phone or tablet to be protected on all devices connected to the World Wide Web.
