Effectiveness
Your antivirus should be able to block most malware, with regular updates to ensure protection against new viruses. You can get the best protection by choosing an antivirus solution that consistently receives top marks for protection from third-party labs like AV-Test.
System resource consumption
Your antivirus software should always be actively protecting your computer, but it shouldn’t be using a lot of processing power to do so. Running a scan will use more resources, but it still shouldn’t make your computer unusable.
While there are review sites that evaluate antivirus software for resource usage, the only way to be 100% sure how an antivirus software will interact with your system is to test it on your computer. Many antivirus tools offer free trials or money-back guarantees, so you can do this without losing money.
Privacy
Antivirus software works by tracking your activities and checking unusual behavior, suspicious files or other potential threats against information stored on company servers. This helps the software identify and block malware and other digital attacks. Some antivirus tools also monitor your banking and credit card transactions to prevent identity theft.
Reputable antivirus companies take steps to anonymize this data, which you can find detailed in their privacy policies. They will also refuse to sell your data or use it for any purpose other than securing your devices and identity.
Bundled services
Many antivirus companies offer digital security bundles with tools like:
Ransomware protection: Protocols to prevent thieves from stealing your data and forcing you to buy it back.
Phishing protection: Email screening that blocks fraudulent emails that encourage you to reveal sensitive information.
Password manager: A tool that helps you create and store secure passwords.
VPN: Software that masks your public IP address to hide your online activity and location.
Safe browsing tools: Browser extensions or even specialized browsers that block unsafe websites and third-party trackers.
Parental controls: Tools for restricting your children’s access to certain websites or programs.
Identity theft protection: Protocols that identify and block suspicious activity in your bank and credit accounts. Some programs also include identity theft insurance, reimbursing you for up to $1 or $2 million if a breach occurs.
Some of these bundled programs -- like the password manager or VPN -- may not be the best-in-class, but you can often save time and money with them. This makes security bundles effective for many users. However, you may want to purchase some tools separately if you have specific security and privacy concerns or needs. Additionally, while bundles can sometimes save money, you may want to do the math for yourself with what you’d pay to put together your own cybersecurity toolkit versus an off-the-shelf package.
Protection for other operating systems
Windows may be the most commonly targeted operating system, but malware is also created for Android, iOS and MacOS. Most of the best antivirus tools for Windows also offer options for these operating systems so you can protect all of your devices. Some programs may limit features on other operating systems; make sure you understand these differences if you want to protect non-Windows devices like your phone.
Cost
Many antivirus tools offer discounted pricing for the first year, allowing you to save $50 or more. However, you’ll have to pay full price when the contract renews. Make sure you’re accounting for the price increase in your long-term budget.
All of the plans discussed in this article are built for five or more devices, so you may also be able to save money by choosing a plan for one or two devices. You can always switch to a more expensive plan if you get more devices in the future.