What is an antivirus?

Antivirus is a dedicated program that prevents malware infection, identifies it, and removes it from the device following an infection.

Are free antiviruses any good?

Today, some reputable free antivirus solutions offer satisfactory protection against most known malware threats. However, they may be annoying due to ads. They are also relatively slow to update with the latest virus definitions compared to paid programs. In comparison, some other free tools may lack fancy protective tools.

Is "antivirus" and "antimalware" the same thing?

Apparently, yes. Both tools protect your device from malicious programs. However, they're different in the way they work. Antivirus programs have a more preventive approach, protecting your device from being infected in the first place. In contrast, antimalware programs do not often prevent infection. Instead, they destroy the malware once it arrives on the device.

Is it safe to use antivirus and antimalware together?

Yes. Since both tools work differently, you can install them together for robust protection. However, ensure you do not have two antiviruses or two antimalware simultaneously, as they will counter each other's activity. If you have two similar programs installed on your device, make sure to disable one of them before running the other.

Do I need antivirus software on Windows 10?

Microsoft ships the Windows 10 operating system with a built-in free antivirus, Windows Defender. Though it's good enough as a free security tool, it may not yet match other paid solutions' security levels. So, it's better to equip your Windows PC with a robust paid antivirus. Or, you can consider installing antimalware on your machine.

Which is the best antivirus for Windows 10?

Norton360, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and McAfee are all great. Whereas, if you're looking for a free solution, you can try Avira Free Security for Windows, which also comes with a password manager and device optimizer.

Does running an antivirus affect my PC speed?

Like any other software or app, an antivirus program also consumes your PC resources. So, if you're a keen user, you may notice sluggishness in the overall performance. But that won't be huge, and unless there's a potent malware running on your device that needs time for removal, you won't be bothered by the slow speeds.

Will an antivirus prevent phishing attacks?

Yes, to a certain extent, depending upon the program. For example, some antivirus services offer dedicated email protection, filtering out any suspicious or phishing emails. But this feature isn't super-smart. So, you need to be vigilant about phishing attempts when interacting with unsolicited emails.

The 10 Best Antivirus Software in 2023

Abeerah Hashim - Security Expert

Last updated: November 13, 2023

Read time: 28 minutes

This is an estimated reading time to let you know how long it will take you to read all the content on this particular PrivacySavvy.com page. However, it has a sneak peek, easy guide steps, and/or a quick list providing quick in-page navigations and easily-found answers if desired.

Antivirus protection is vital for every device today. With the help of the best antivirus software in 2023 you can keep your devices safe.

Sneak peek at using an antivirus software

With rising malware threats, an antivirus is a must-have security tool for every device. Unfortunately, the diversity of the device’s operating systems and configurations makes it difficult to find an inclusive tool that offers similar protection. Nonetheless, services like Norton 360 and Bitdefender offer excellent cross-platform compatibility, empowering users to protect all their devices with a single subscription.

With time, traditional viruses and malware have evolved drastically to become unbeatable. Therefore, you cannot choose an average antivirus software that can’t fend off severe threats.

So, the question is, what is the best antivirus program you should install?

Since the needs of individuals vary, we can’t list one as the best for all. However, this article has gathered the ten premium antivirus tools to protect your device in 2023.

Top 10 best antivirus software – The quick list

Are you in a rush? Here are the top antivirus protection tools for your device: