Top 7 best virus protection software for Windows (Update 2024)

Antivirus software is one of the most essential applications on any system. This is because viruses, malware, and trojans are increasingly developing rapidly and becoming more dangerous, so users are also interested in finding the best security options for their systems against network attacks.

However, the problem that arises is that more and more free antivirus software programs are being "born," so choosing the best antivirus software is crucial.

In the article below, Gpwebmedia.net will introduce you to the top 7 best and most effective antivirus software for 2024 on computers, highly rated for their popularity, updates, and minimal resource usage.

1. Norton 360 Deluxe – Best Overall Antivirus for PC

https://us.norton.com/products/norton-360-deluxe

Pros:

• Powerful antivirus protection
• Extensive protection against major online threats
• Simple, easy-to-understand features

Cons:

• Impact on performance on some PCs
• User interface could benefit from consolidation
• Additional cost for extra services

An ideal antivirus suite has everything needed for security without much cost, and that's why the best antivirus software in 2024 remains Norton 360 Deluxe. Although it has a somewhat difficult interface, its extensive protection and affordable price make it ideal for most users.

This package includes almost everything most PC users need without being too cumbersome. In terms of antivirus performance, Norton provides strong online protection while having minimal impact on system resources, as long as you are not frequently downloading or copying large files. Additionally, users receive malicious link and attachment screening, privacy and dark web monitoring, as well as webcam protection.

Norton also offers 50GB of cloud storage for backups, access to Norton's password manager and VPN, parental controls, and PC utilities including outdated software monitoring. These important additional features—password manager, VPN, and parental controls—have simple, easy-to-use interfaces that are not overwhelming.

Overall, Norton is a great choice for those looking to consolidate their online security measures into a single software interface. Norton 360 Deluxe is suitable for everyone.

2. Avast One – Best Overall Choice

https://www.avast.com/en-us/avast-one#pc

Pros:

• Good new design
• Good price
• Excellent performance

Cons:

• Smart scan requires too much user intervention
• Avast requires installing Google Chrome

Avast not only provides reliable protection but also has a simple, user-friendly interface. Combine that with useful additional features and multi-device coverage, and you have the perfect combination in Avast One.

In addition to top-rated antivirus protection, it also offers protection against remote webcam hijacking, malicious websites, and trackers. The Avast One package also includes dark web monitoring, a VPN with up to 5GB of bandwidth per week, and protection for passwords saved in the browser. You get utilities that help update drivers, clean up your PC, and optimize applications.

These features may sound standard, and to be fair, many of them can be found in rival software. But Avast makes staying up-to-date with security issues simple, whether you're a newbie or a security expert. Its default settings require little tweaking to keep your PC protected, and if you want to delve deeper or tinker, there are options to do so.

If you have already set up a password manager, don't need parental controls, and prioritize top scores in threat detection tests, then Avast One is worth considering.

3. AVG Internet Security – Best Budget Antivirus Suite

https://www.avg.com/en-us/internet-security#pc

Pros:

• Top-rated antivirus protection
• Extensive protection against malicious websites and remote attacks
• Clear, simple interface

Cons:

• Some PCs may experience performance issues under heavy workloads
• Some features are somewhat rudimentary

AVG Internet Security not only offers more comprehensive protection but also makes managing these tools easy. This can be valuable if you find keeping up with online threats overwhelming or time-consuming.

The Internet Security package builds on the top-notch protection of the free version against malware and threats from the web, email, and network. It also protects browser-stored passwords, prevents webcam hijacking, blocks unauthorized access to sensitive data files, stops malicious redirects (also known as DNS hijacking), and defends against Windows Remote Desktop attacks. Dark web monitoring is also included. This app has minimal impact on resources when monitoring the system in the background, although full scans may more significantly affect older or budget systems.

Despite minor annoyances (such as ads for additional paid features), AVG Internet Security is a reliable, user-friendly, and affordable antivirus software.

4. Avira Prime – Best Antivirus for Beginners

https://www.avira.com/en/prime

Pros:

• Strong security with a reasonable subscription price
• Well-designed and user-friendly
• Offers a range of features in security, privacy, and performance

Cons:

• No subscription option for fewer than 5 devices
• The simplicity of the app may seem at odds with the depth of PC tools

Avira Prime is one of the best options for those looking for additional help managing their PC, thanks to its feature set and clear, straightforward interface. In addition to reliable antivirus protection, it provides a password manager, unlimited VPN, and numerous PC utilities that can update applications, delete files, and back up data securely.

Avira Prime has minimal impact on system performance when running in the background, so most people won't notice it's running. Avira Prime will likely appeal most to users who want a simple antivirus suite, extensive online protections, robust PC utilities, and want to use these tools to manage their computer more confidently. Not every utility is the best, but the overall toolkit can help identify and better understand technical aspects of Windows and system maintenance.

5. McAfee Total Protection – Best for Privacy

https://www.mcafee.com/consumer/en-us/landing-page/direct/aff/mtp-family/desktop/abt/2024/sb/mcafee-total-protection-cl.html

Pros:

• Good protection
• Useful features like file shredder and home network analyzer

Cons:

• Impact on performance
• New app design is somewhat disjointed

McAfee has been around for a long time, and the company continues to tackle current threats to PCs with reliable results. Today, dangers not only include malware but also identity and privacy issues. McAfee Total Protection can address all these concerns.

The ID protection feature makes it stand out from competitors, especially if you pay to expand the service's scale. This app also provides a feature to help change passwords for online accounts if needed. VPN access is also included.

Personal information can be used against you online, and with data breaches being very common, you can feel more at ease with help monitoring who has your information. McAfee can act as a hub for managing all your online security concerns.

6. Panda Dome Complete – Most Feature-Rich

https://www.pandasecurity.com/en/homeusers/

Pros:

• Mobile-like interface is very understandable
• Includes some basic smart home network monitoring features
• Attractive monthly pricing options

Cons:

• Performs well but currently limited in third-party testing

All premium antivirus suites offer additional tools as part of the package, but Panda Dome Complete stands out. It also has one of the most unique interfaces. Similar to Microsoft’s Bing homepage, Panda Dome has attractive background images with interface elements overlaid.

A lot of utilities come with this suite, including a virtual keyboard, advanced virus removal, an updater for Windows applications, a disk defragmenter, a hard drive cleaner, and a startup application manager. Users also get Wi-Fi protection (allowing you to see which devices are connected to the network), a password manager, parental controls, and a VPN providing 150 megabytes of bandwidth per day.

Besides offering reliable antivirus protection, Panda has minimal impact on system performance. Panda Dome Complete puts many features right at your fingertips, through an interface ideal for those who want to understand everything immediately. If you dislike deeply hidden or overly simplified menus, you’ll enjoy this software.

7. Windows Security – Best Free Antivirus

Pros:

• Integrated into Windows 10 and 11
• Settings are easy to review and customize
• Integrates with other aspects of Windows security

Cons:

• Prone to false positives, particularly with SmartScreen
• Lacks advanced features found in third-party products

Windows' built-in security suite is an excellent free antivirus option, even if its protection is not as robust as third-party competitors when the PC is offline. It works in tandem with Defender to monitor viruses and malware, Firewall to block malicious incoming and outgoing traffic, ransomware protection (including controlled folder access and data recovery via OneDrive integration), application control, and even basic parental controls.

The most important protections are automatically enabled in Windows—you don’t need to do anything to get virus scanning or real-time network protection. However, some features need to be manually activated, including ransomware folder control and file recovery. This free protection tool is pre-installed on Windows machines and does a solid job of shielding you from most threats.