The best Internet security software of 2018
Welcome to our list of the best Internet security software packages to install on your PC, Mac or mobile devices in 2018.
Although our computers are more safe that ever, the threats they face are more sophisticated than ever. That means that security software is not just something nice to have; It is essential, especially on Windows PC.
As many of us moved to multiple platforms, the security suites also moved, and you'll find that some reputable suites now offer protection not only for PCs, but also for Mac and mobile devices. as well.
It's hard to buy a bad antivirus these days (especially if you selected them from our list of best antivirus), but with very different features and prices, it can sometimes be difficult to choose the best one. These are our current favorites.
1. Bitdefender Total Security Multi-Device 2018
An excellent security solution
Lightweight
Accurate
None
Bitdefender is a frequent visitor at the top of security lists, and with good reason, It is very fast, exceptionally accurate and has a range of tools that include secure browsing, a password manager and a very effective spam filter.
In its Total Security aspect, it also offers password management, secure browsing, battery management, VPN (with 6GB of monthly allocation), Wi-Fi protection, ransomware protection, system optimization, encryption and file shredding, and a license for five PCs, Mac or Android devices (and up to 10) plus an option to install and install it for you, presumably remotely.
Not bad for £ 29.99 or $ 45 per year. Keep in mind that the prices mentioned above are very low and that these discounts only apply to the first payment. The secret of Bitdefender is simple: it is very, very good at what it does.
Kaspersky Total Security
Even includes a VPN service
VPN included
None
Kaspersky is another name you will hear mentioned when talking about the best security players, and with good reasons. The company's Total Security product starts at £ 32 (around $ 40, AU $ 50) for one device, reaching £ 48 (around $ 60, AU $ 75) for five devices, with support for 10 devices that will They return £ 64 (around $ 80, AU $ 100) for one year's coverage in each case. Pay for two years and you will get a little discount at the lower end of the scale, or a substantial one for the first level offers.
Total Security protects PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices, with very robust security scanning supplemented with file backup and encryption, password management, parental controls and child safety measures, along with protection from privacy, including a VPN for exploration without tracking.
McAfee LiveSafe
A tried and trusted family name
Unlimited covered devices
Expensive security solution that exists
At £ 89.99 (about $ 110, AU $ 145) per year, the Intel- LiveSafe is the cheapest product that exists, but it is especially easy to use. There are parental controls and antispam, administration of passwords and identity protection, scanning of websites and a 100% virus removal guaranteed or your money back. The license covers an unlimited number of PCs, Macs, phones and tablets, although as with any suite, the PC gets all the toys while the Mac and mobile devices get a subset of the main package.
Symantec Norton Security Premium
A well-known name that stands firm
100% virus removal guarantee
25GB of cloud storage
No PC optimization tools
Norton Security Premium is usually £ 59.99 (around $ 75, AU $ 95) per year for up to 10 PCs, Mac, iOS and Android devices, but at the time of writing this is only £ 39.99 (around $ 50, AU $ 65 ) – so it's less than half the price of other premium suites.
Once again we have parental controls, identity protection and excellent malware scanning, and there is also a useful Android feature that warns about dubious applications: the biggest current source of Android malware. There is a 100% virus removal guarantee, 25 GB of backup in the cloud and a network firewall, but you do not get a password manager or any system optimization tool.
BullGuard Premium Protection
25GB Online Backup
Without Password Manager
Here is another security suite with great discounts: BullGuard is usually from £ 69.96 (around $ 85, AU $ 110) per year for 3 computers, but it is always available at a lower cost. Once again, basic antivirus protection is improved: you get parental controls, antispam, identity protection, 25 GB online backup and automatic updates, and BullGuard also gives you warnings about inappropriate content on your children's social networks. There is no password manager or support for mobile devices, but BullGuard is a solid offer to protect PC.
Trend Micro's maximum security
A multitude of tools available
Ransomware protection
Available on mobile
None
Oh, look! Trend Micro is for sale! We are beginning to detect a trend here, and that trend would make us very leery of subscribing to any security suite that currently does not offer a large RRP discount. After all, you do not want to be the only person who paid the full price of a sofa.
Trend Micro's maximum security protects up to five PCs, Macs or mobiles for £ 41.97 (around $ 50, AU $ 65) per year (usually it's £ 69.95, which is about $ 85, AU $ 110) , and the suite includes ransomware protection, identity protection, parental controls and a password manager. It also offers PC optimization tools to accelerate inactive computers.
Avast Internet Security
Beyond Duty
Offers DNS Sequester Protection
Expensive
Avast is known for its excellent free product antivirus, and its paid Internet security starts at $ 49.99 ( £ 40, AU $ 65) per year for a PC. In addition to the basic antivirus / antimalware product, you get router security, browser cleanup, password management, isolated space downloads, DNS hijack protection, safe browsing and antispam. It's a very good product, but it can not help but look terribly expensive when everyone seems to offer double-digit discounts.
Panda Internet Security
Does more than just secure your PC
Unlimited devices option [19659003] Expensive
As in most security suites, the main tools of Panda Internet Security are for Windows , with additional applications for Mac, iOS and Android; although unusually the option of three licenses only allows a Mac installation.
At this level you get antivirus, Wi-Fi protection, parental controls, backup and data protection, as well as Android smartphone and antivirus location, but if you want file encryption, file destruction and PC tuning tools you will need to go up one level to Global Protection.
That starts at £ 38.49 (around $ 50, AU $ 60) for a PC, increasing to £ 129.49 (around $ 160, AU $ 210) for unlimited devices.
AVG Ultimate [19659009] Ideal for a large number of devices
One of the fastest scanners around
Without password management
Without parental controls
AVG has done well with the model freemium, which offers a very good antivirus package for nothing in the hope that it will boost the sales of its paid products.
At a price of £ 69.99 (around $ 85, AU $ 110) per year for unlimited Windows, Mac and Android devices, AVG Ultimate is good value for money, especially if it's a small business with many devices different
suite also has one of the fastest malware scanners that exist, although in independent tests that speed meant that some potential threats had been lost.
There is no password manager, secure browser or parental controls, but it is a good option to protect several PCs, Macs and Android devices.
F-Secure Total Security and Privacy
Everything, including the kitchen sink
Large quantity of products
Expensive compared to the competition
The flagship product of F-Secure has three options of prices, to cover three, five or seven devices at £ 79.99 (around $ 100, AU $ 130), £ 99.99 (around $ 120, AU $ 160) and £ 119.99 (around $ 145, AU $ 190) per year respectively.
That's at the upper end of the market, but you get many tools for your money, including a private VPN for encrypted connections to Wi-Fi hotspots and to evade geoblocking.
In fact, Total Security and Privacy are two products linked together: the security package F-Secure SAFE and F-Secure Freedome VPN. The package covers Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices, although the Mac component is only antivirus.