In the market for an antivirus on Windows 10? These four are the best you can get.
Shopping for antivirus software that works well with Microsoft Windows 10 seems to be a lot easier than it used to, compared to older versions of Microsoft Windows. This is mainly due to the fact that Windows 10 comes with an array of security enhancements of its own, particularly in the realm of data encryption, and the way Windows 10 handles the installation of applications through User Account Control (UAC), which is a feature with which users have come to develop a love/hate relationship, and yet it’s still one of the best ways to detect when a software tries to install itself without user authorization.
Windows 10 comes with its own blend of anti-virus and protection software, in the form of Windows Defender, which works perfectly fine for a free, fall-back solutions, and it does keep a PC safe, to an extent, until a more proper security software is installed.
According to a benchmark conducted by AV-Test, on 20 antivirus software solutions in October, there is four antivirus and security suites that scored a perfect 6 on Windows 10, in the categories of Protection, Performance and Usability. These include:
- Avira Antivirus Pro 2015
- BitDefender Internet Security 2015
- Kaspersky Lab
- Norton Security by Symantec
What NOT to buy
The security suites featuring the lowest scores for virus protection include Windows Defender, ThreatTrack VIPRE, and Comodo, with a Protection score of 3.5.
The lowest scores achieved in the performance category start at 2.5, with Quick Heal Total Security, followed by G Data and Eset, with a score of 3.
When it comes to usability, nearly every software solution scored perfectly, with the exception of K7 Computing, with a 4.5, and AhnLab and Comodo, both scoring 5 out of 6.
Pricing
While skimping on the security bill is generally not a good practice, especially when modern computing relies heavily on connected apps, the top four alternatives benchmarked by AV-Test offer a few choices for budget-oriented consumers:
Avira Antivirus
Avira offers a free version, and a Pro version with a yearly subscription starting at $44.99.
The Pro version includes virus protection, web browsing integration, safe downloads and email attachments, secure online shopping, and technical support. The caveat, in this case is that the two versions above the Pro, which are “Internet Security Suite” and “Ultimate Protection Suite”, has us scratch our heads, as the features included list faster boot times, memory enhancements, hardware performance enhancements, and faster gaming.
This can be read in two ways: it’s either that anything above the Pro version of this security software has a direct effect on hardware and the operating system in a positive way, improving the overall performance of a system, OR that the Pro version is actually a hindrance on system resources, effectively causing stress on the system, which can be lightened by, well... paying more.
BitDefender
BitDefender has consistently received the highest ratings in all categories, and, while it does not provide a free version, the price point is reasonable for a multi-device subscription, starting at a regular price of $59.95 for the antivirus alone, all the way up to $89.95 for the Total Security suite, which protects up to 3 PCs.
Kaspersky Lab
The Essential Protection option includes Kaspersky’s antivirus, starting at $59.99, which seems a little steep compared to both Avira and BitDefender, however the two option above, including Premium Protection and Ultimate, are still below the hundred-dollar price point.
Norton Security
Symantec has been one of the first top antivirus and Internet security solutions to call dibs on Windows 10 support. The Norton Security Deluxe option offered to consumers starts at $70, but discounts for first time customers often brings the price down to $49 for the first year. The Deluxe option is the most common among consumers, and it keeps up to 5 PCs, Macs and mobile devices protected. A Standard option starts at $44.99 for the first year, and goes up to $59.99.
The Premium version of Norton Security includes support for up to 10 PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets, at $89.99 per year, with a promotional price of $69.99 for the first year. This includes parental controls, automatic data backup up to 25 GB, on Symantec’s secure cloud storage servers, which can be increased as needed.