5 Best Anti-Viruses to Keep your Computer Safe in 2021

The widespread use of internet has created opportunities for different types of malicious software to spread and grow. Luckily, there are good guys out there too, who have created programs especially for protecting our privacy and keeping our computers free of malicious software.

Keeping your computer safe can seem daunting at first, but a good anti-virus program is not that hard to come by if you know where to look. These are the 5 best anti-virus programs you can use to protect your PC.

How to Pick the Best Anti-Virus Program

With so many anti-virus and anti-malware programs available today it can be incredibly difficult to figure out which one is best for you. Before we get into our picks for the best anti-virus programs, lets review how they work and how they’ll protect you.

First, anti-virus programs and necessary for the protection of your personal information and even the health of your computer. Viruses and malware come in many forms. Some are pretty easy to prevent (like not opening email attachments you aren’t familiar with) while are more difficult to prevent. This is where anti-virus software comes in. Good software will detect any virus or threat in real-time and work to prevent any damage from being done.

Aside from real-time protection, you should also consider that some anti-virus programs will slow down your system. The software we’ll be looking at shouldn’t cause any problems with your system.

Other things to look at before settling on one software is the price and the ease-of-use. Again, a lot of this depends on your specific needs, but let’s get into our top picks for anti-virus software in 2021.

Do keep in mind, anti-virus software is slightly different from anti-malware software.

Bitdefender Antivirus 2021

Bitdefender is currently one of the best anti-virus solutions out there. The program has its own autopilot mode that is responsible for keeping you PC protected at all times. The anti-virus protects your internet browser as well, keeping you safe from phishing links.

The program won’t interfere with your system but it’s packed with cool features that go above and beyond your typical anti-virus software. The price point isn’t bad either. Depending on your needs you can get protection for as little as $30/year.

An additional feature that many people use is the password manager, which helps you keep track of all your different passwords. As we’ve mentioned elsewhere, a password manager can be a very useful addition to your online security.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2021

Kaspersky anti-virus software is quite popular among independent testers. Available on macOS, Windows, Android, and even iOS, the subscription is quite low compared to some others on the market. The most basic plan starts at around $30/year for three devices. Another great features is that it’s easy to use and packed with features like parental controls.

This software provides the perfect amount of protection. Like Bitdefender, Kaspersky will keep you safe from any sort of malware, virus, or phishing links. Compared to other software in this niche, a complete scan can take a little more time from Kaspersky, but it is thorough and worth the wait.

Webroot Anti-Virus 2021

This great anti-virus program offers a highs level of protection against any type of attack that may happen to your PC. One of the best things about it is that it takes up a minimal amount of your PC’s resources.

Like the others on the list, Webroot is both affordable and reliable. This software starts at $39.99/year but unfortunately, that’s only for one device. You can look up the coverage and purchase Webroot here.

The program is extremely small and is lightning fast, but it does have one major flaw: in order to function properly the program requires a constant internet connection. We are online most of the time nowadays, but you never know when you might need a scan. Not being able to use your anti-virus without the internet can end up frustrating in some situations.

Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is known for a lot of things but it’s really a popular choice for anti-virus protection. Similar to the others we’ve mentioned so far, Malwarebytes scans and protects your devices in real-time. It protects against malware, prevents threats, and even scans harmful websites.

This is another user-friendly and cost-efficient anti-virus software that is easy to install and manage. There are varying tiers of protection users can purchase to match your individual needs too.

Among other neat features, the highest tier also provides users with a Virtual Private Network. Unfortunately, the lowest priced option only offers protection for one device but with good reviews and a reliable history, Malwarebytes is a great option for anti-virus protection in 2021.

AVG Anti-Virus

This awesome anti-virus software has conquered the online world. The number of people using this program is simply staggering, and it confirms the level of quality that AVG provides for its users.

Like the above-mentioned anti-viruses, this one performed extremely well in independent lab tests. The online shield is capable of handling any sort of online threat. The program’s Data Safe, as they call it, is responsible for keeping your files for your eyes only.

You can download the free or paid version of AVG Anti-Virus software here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a free anti-virus software?

Absolutely! Many of the options we’ve listed above either have a free version or a free trial. There’s also Windows Defender and macOS does a pretty decent job of protecting your device with its built-in software too.

Of course, the paid version of anti-virus software often adds extra protection and important features to further protect your privacy and security.

These are some of the best solutions when it comes to protecting your PC in 2021. Using any of the anti-virus programs on this list will ensure that your PC stays completely safe.

Note: unfortunately, running two anti-virus programs at once won’t make your computer twice as safe, but it will make it run a lot slower. Keep in mind that free variants of these programs are more than enough for home use. When it comes to business anti-virus protection, though, you should be ready to invest in the premium versions.