Get award-winning cybersecurity with Avast One
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You need more than just standard antivirus software to protect your Windows device against the complexity of today’s digital threats. The best internet security solutions defend against an array of attack types — like phishing, spyware, and ransomware — while offering privacy tools like VPNs. Learn about the best computer security software and protect yourself now with an industry-leading privacy and security suite.
Our picks for the best internet security software for your PC:
Avast One
Avast Free Antivirus
AVG Internet Security
Avira Prime
Bitdefender Internet Security
ESET Internet Security
Norton 360 Deluxe
In the cybersecurity game since 1988, Avast has decades of experience combating hackers on all fronts. And we know that as threats to your internet security continue to evolve, you need more than standard antivirus protection to keep your device and data safe. That’s why we developed Avast One — comprehensive internet security software with an arsenal of features to protect against the full range of today’s online threats.
Built on top of an award-winning threat detection network, Avast one offers industry-leading anti-malware protection, advanced anti-tracking tools, and other privacy features like a VPN. Avast One also includes a built-in optimization suite to keep your computer running smoothly.
In addition to being fully compatible with Windows 10 and 11 devices, Avast still supports Windows 7, even though Microsoft stopped offering security updates. Avast One is currently available in the following countries:
Core protection capabilities: Thanks to AI-enabled heuristic analytics and real-time intelligence from the largest threat-detection network, Avast One identifies and eliminates even previously unknown malware and viruses. Avast One’s antivirus engine is lauded by the security industry’s top malware testing group AV-Test, who gave it a perfect score for protecting against zero-day malware and web and email threats.
Features you’ll get: Avast One packs a powerful anti-malware shield and advanced anti-ransomware tools along with a built-in VPN, firewall protection to shield your network, anti-tracking technology to keep your browsing private, and password protection to secure your accounts. If that wasn’t enough, Avast One’s optimization features also speed up your PC by cleaning your disks, updating drivers, and running apps more efficiently.
Don’t take our word for it: Independent lab-testers and reviewers praise Avast One’s powerful anti-malware capabilities and excellent range of features. TechRadar cites Avast One’s “excellent” antivirus engine and calls it “one of the best all-rounders out there.” And PCMag hails Avast One as “clearly the wave of the future.”
Avast Free Antivirus is a streamlined cybersecurity software package light enough not to drag your computer’s performance but that doesn’t skimp on powerful protection capabilities. Its award-winning antivirus software includes potent security features that work around the clock to keep you and your device safe and secure.
Core protection capabilities: Avast Free Antivirus combines six layers of security to shield you against even the most sophisticated and unseen threats. Its AI-driven Intelligent Antivirus feature doesn’t just detect and block all kinds of malware, including spyware, ransomware, and trojans. It also alerts you to phishing threats and suspicious app and file behavior.
Features you’ll get: Avast Free Antivirus gives you much more than just standard antivirus protection. Additional features include the Network Inspector that allows you to connect safely to public Wi-Fi and Smart Scan that detects hard-to-find security weaknesses like unsafe settings and outdated software that could provide easy back-door access to hackers.
Don't take our word for it: PCMag notes its “excellent antivirus protection,” and AV-Test gave it a perfect score for protection, following robust testing against an assortment of malware threats.
AVG made its name through powerful antivirus software, and it now offers expanded protection against the myriad threats lurking online with AVG Internet Security. Available for Windows 10 and 11 devices (as well as those still running Windows 7), this comprehensive protection package builds on AVG’s award-winning antivirus protection to provide a range of internet security features.
Core protection capabilities: AVG Internet Security features a world-class threat-detection engine and malware removal tool that provides real-time protection against viruses and other malware threats like spyware before they can infect your system.
Features you’ll get: AVG Internet Security is more than just a malware removal tool — it also features web and email shields to check for hidden malware and block dangerous files and email attachments. And by automatically scanning website links, it keeps you away from dangerous websites. On top of that, privacy and payment protection features keep your personal data safe.
Don’t take our word for it: It’s not just AVG’s “incredibly effective malware protections” that have caught the eye of Tech Nadu and others. PCMag praises its trove of other internet security features, including “protections for sensitive data, the ability to block webcam snoops, and tools for staying safe online.”
Avira is another veteran cybersecurity player with a well-earned reputation for strong anti-malware protection. They also offer an expanded internet security suite in the form of Avira Prime, which includes their award-winning antivirus software, alongside specialized features for safeguarding your identity and personal data.
Core protection capabilities: At the heart of Avira Prime sits the cloud-based AntiVirus Pro engine which references a huge malware directory and uses heuristic analysis to detect the latest threats. Known for its excellent malware detection rates, Avira Prime got outstanding test results from the 2022 AV-Test roundup.
Features you’ll get: Along with powerful malware defenses, Avira Prime offers unique features including unlimited access to its Phantom Pro VPN service for private browsing without web tracking. Additional safe-browsing tools include phishing and spam filters, a secure file shredder to delete private documents, and optimization tools to keep your device running smoothly.
Don’t take our word for it: TechRadar describes Avira Prime as “a holistic solution for home security,” noting that it “includes antivirus scanning, web security, a VPN and computer performance enhancements.” Avira Prime has also added extra sheen to a strong and unique feature set, with a sleek design praised by PC World as “a much nicer look, and a vast improvement over Avira’s previous design.”
Bitdefender is a well-regarded cybersecurity company that develops products geared toward both companies and consumers. Bitdefender also advises Europol’s European Cybercrime Center (EC3) in investigating cybercrime.
Core protection capabilities: Bitdefender Internet Security takes a multi-layered approach to protection, offering real-time network protection with strong detection capabilities, data protection, anti-phishing, and antispam. It also integrates with a limited VPN.
Features you’ll get: Bitdefender’s features are focused on protecting your online privacy and personal data. This means that along with anti-tracking and a firewall, it provides microphone and webcam security, social network protection, and a private browser app that helps secure online transactions and prevent fraud.
Don’t take our word for it: Having scored top marks in testing by AV Comparatives, Bitdefender’s Internet Security suite competes well against rival brands with more name recognition. And PCMag hails Bitdefender Internet Security as a good choice “if you’re looking for a suite that covers the basics without getting in the way.” But many alternative internet security packages come with a larger — and stronger — range of features.
Specializing in products geared toward tech-savvy users, ESET has a reputation for developing powerful cybersecurity software with an emphasis on device performance. ESET Internet Security is a suite of tools designed to offer general protection, but some users may find some of its features hard to use.
Core protection capabilities: ESET takes a real-world approach to cybersecurity with proactive protection fusing antivirus technology with banking and payment protection to stop fraudsters, and prevent ransomware attacks. It also has a built-in firewall and network inspector to keep all types of hackers out of your network.
Features you’ll get: ESET Internet Security comes with several additional utilities geared toward modern internet usage. Along with a download scanner, parental controls, and gamer mode, ESET offers diagnostic tools to optimize and speed up your PC.
But don’t take our word for it: PCMag has noted its strong antivirus performance, claiming the software had “no impact in performance tests.” But although its core protections are solid, TechRadar points out that it’s not always easy to use. And some of ESET’s feature-set, including the parental controls and secure browser, have been found lacking.
Norton is a major player in digital security, with a range of products and services trusted by millions of people around the world. Now, they’ve added Norton 360 Deluxe to their armory. As the name suggests, Norton 360 Deluxe is their most powerful and comprehensive cybersecurity suite, offering enhanced privacy and identity protection along with malware defense for truly complete protection.
Core protection capabilities: Containing more features than many other leading internet security software packages, you get your money’s worth and much more with Norton 360 Deluxe. Alongside consistently top-rated anti-malware that will block even the most insidious spyware and ransomware, Norton’s flagship offering also includes powerful phishing shields as well as protection against non-software-based threats.
Features you’ll get: Norton 360 Deluxe includes firewall network protection, parental control settings, a password manager, and a VPN that can be used on up to 5 devices to encrypt your internet connection and avoid geoblocking. US customers are also eligible for LifeLock identity theft protection.
Don’t take our word for it: TechRadar lauds its advanced security features, multi-device protection, privacy safeguards, and parental controls. And in their 5 star review, SoftwareLab declared it to be “in a league of its own,” singling out its “perfect anti-malware” and “excellent password manager” for particular praise.
Today, effective PC security still depends on strong antivirus protection, but that’s not enough to combat the wide array of internet security threats. You need a range of security and privacy safeguards to keep you safe against all the emerging threats out there.
Avast One includes an integrated VPN to encrypt your communications and 24/7 data breach monitoring to ensure your personal data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. And its optimization suite will keep your device running buttery smooth. Get the ultimate online protection today — completely free.