Whether you're looking for free antivirus protection or are willing to pay for a program that offers more security features, we have you covered. These tools are all essential in protecting your personal information. A secure virtual private network can help protect your internet privacy, and a password manager will help you create and keep track of more secure login credentials. Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, and the more steps you take to lock down your online security, the safer you'll be.

Note that antivirus software is only a piece of the cybersecurity puzzle. We regularly research and test software to determine which product leads the pack, and we update this list periodically based on those tests. These picks of the best antivirus programs are a combination of recommendations from independent third-party labs AV-Test, AV-Comparatives and SE Labs, as well as CNET's own hands-on testing. Windows-targeted malware has a larger base of devices to infect, giving it more potential in the eyes of cybercriminals.īut don't worry - we're here to help you find the antivirus software that best fits your needs. Windows devices make up three out of every four laptop or desktop operating systems, according to latest data from Statcounter, which paints a bigger target on those devices. The best antivirus software offers secure browsing, malware protection and monitored downloads so you can have peace of mind while you're online.įinding good antivirus software is especially important for people using Windows operating systems such as Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Antivirus software has had to get savvier, adapting to more complete malware as people spend more time online.

Top free virus scan and removal