The best antivirus software options for keeping PCs and Macs protected

It's important to have a great antivirus software package that can protect your PC from threats while you browse online. Viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing threats are all potential dangers when you're online, even if you think you're being careful. New threats are emerging every day, which is why many antivirus software manufacturers take a holistic approach, protecting your system from all kinds of potential threats, not just the obvious ones.

There is no shortage of options out there for protecting your system from viral threats, but it's important to have the right solution for you. Free apps are available of course, but they typically offer far fewer features and can sometimes be updated less frequently and reliably than paid antivirus software. Generally, you get what you pay for, and when it comes to keeping your PC secure from security threats, who wants to scrimp on protection?

A dangerous virus or piece of ransomware can lock you out of your system, meaning if you don't have a reliable backup, you could lose banking details, private documents, and personal photos that can never be recovered. Fortunately, if you install the right paid antivirus software, you won't have to worry about that being an issue.

It's worth remembering that even though it might seem like having multiple antivirus software apps installed is the best solution, this often causes issues. A far better idea is to pick one and stick with it so that they don't clash with each other. Nowadays, many threats emerge from phishing attempts such as scam emails or websites that are disguised as something reputable. The best paid antivirus software appreciates that, so it looks out for anything that could be suspicious as well as more obvious virus files.

It's also important that your antivirus software has an on-demand malware scan as well as checks for vulnerabilities along the way. That way, it can keep an eye out for issues before they develop. Some paid antivirus software also detects files that are behaving suspiciously, giving you a head's up so you can determine if you want to trust it or not. Viruses and security issues are fast-moving, so this is a great method for ensuring that potential issues are spotted even before a new virus is officially identified.

I have a Mac. Do I need antivirus software?

Plenty of people tout Macs as impenetrable fortresses when it comes to viruses and other issues of the like, but they've been misled. While Macs are generally more secure than PCs — Apple software and hardware are all in-house, where Windows tends to have security vulnerabilities because they work with multiple manufacturers — that doesn't mean they're invincible. Albeit smaller than PCs, there are still holes in the system that can be infiltrated.

So yes, if you have a Mac, that doesn't mean you should immediately write off picking up a high-quality antivirus software package. Many Mac users who carry the notion that they cannot be affected by malware tend to skip out on antivirus software because they feel like they don't need it, and malicious hackers have caught onto this. As a result, Mac users are more targeted than ever when it comes to cyber attacks. (We have a roundup of antivirus software *just* for Mac users as well.)

Don't be a part of that statistic. Protect your computer, whether it's a PC or a Mac.

Viruses, malware, and ransomware

There are slight differences between them, but they're worth knowing about so you can spot issues more easily as they come up. Just like all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares, all viruses and ransomware are malware, but not all malware is a virus or ransomware. Got it? No? Well, let's go a little deeper.

Malware, which is a term used for malicious software, covers any software that is meant to cause harm to a computer, server, network, or the user themself. This ranges from the seemingly innocuous nuisance, like pop-up ads, to the actually dangerous situations, like webcam hacking (maybe pick up a webcam cover, just to be safe).

Now that we've established the malware umbrella, we can understand what a virus is. Viruses are a form of malware that self-replicates, effectively causing an "infection" on your computer (hence "virus"). Viruses can be picked up from things like email attachments, links with dangerous code embedded in them, disguised pop-ups, and downloads that haven't been properly vetted.

Ransomware is another form of malware that has a different purpose from a virus. A ransomware attack blocks access to a specific system until a "ransom" is paid, basically creating a hostage situation. Average computer users don't have to be all that concerned about ransomware, as these types of attacks usually target larger institutions and businesses that hold a lot of capital.

A good antivirus software package will work to fight all of these things, and while it still won't make your device 100% impervious to attacks, it'll still supply you with enough protection and peace of mind to keep your anxieties from running wild about getting hacked all the time.

Get a VPN, too

If you use a public network in any capacity, a VPN is a great thing to have by your side, and many antivirus software packages include them. Unsecured public networks are a hacker's dream, which you can find present in places like coffee shops, airports, hotels, and more. Since connecting to public networks requires no authentication, hackers are easily able to get in and wreak all kinds of havoc.

Thankfully, VPNs add a level of encryption that most public networks do not — they connect you to a secure server and provide you with an extra layer of protection around your data. Next time you're on a public network, a secure VPN can keep you safe from people eavesdropping on your emails, stealing personal information, or sending you malware. Plus, they're great for watching exclusive Netflix offerings that are specific to other countries, as a little bonus.

Password managers — are they necessary?

A lot of us do it: We repeat the same password for every single account we make, or at least some variation of that password. Even though it's the more convenient option, seeing as you don't have a billion passwords to remember at all times, it can also potentially be very dangerous. Think about it — if a hacker can get access to that master password of yours (which isn't all that difficult, FYI), they can then get access to anything you used that password with, whether it's your Amazon account or your online banking information. Bad news.

That's where a password manager comes in, and most antivirus software packages thankfully include them. A password manager has the ability to store all of your passwords in one place so that you don't have to remember them, meaning you can create a completely new and unique one every time you need to without worrying about possibly losing it. This will make it way harder for anyone trying to get access to any of your multiple accounts across the internet, which is better for you in every way.

So, what's the best antivirus software?

There are a lot of options out there, but we were able to narrow it down to eight packages that we think are worthwhile for you to check out. Here are our top picks for the best antivirus solutions, no matter your network situation: