Ranking of the best antivirus programs for Windows 2024

There is no story sadder in the world than private photos on the Internet. The price of fame in 2024 is not high, but is it really necessary, for example, after an explosive corporate party with a face in a salad? In order to avoid unplanned popularity, it is better to think about personal cybersecurity before she does it herself.

There are countless ways to protect blood files, to infect them - no less. Viruses, worms, zombies and Trojan horses - this is not a complete list of "animals" that will gladly settle in your laptop for years to come. Antiviruses, of course, will help drive out insolent tenants.

"What are there, how to choose, and why is it so expensive?" - quite an expected reaction. So that your head does not go round, we will tell you about all the pitfalls and winners in the Defender of the Year category among antiviruses for Windows right now!

Types of viruses and methods of infection

• Phishing is the theft of data by clicking on a malicious link. One click on spam in mail, and the attacker already owns a bunch of passwords and logins.
• Pharming is a young successor of the Trojan family, which looks exactly like the main page of a social network, except for one letter in the link (which also needs to be checked!). The virus will not reveal itself until the account is logged in, and then - goodbye to correspondence!
• A worm - an infected file (when it gets on a PC) multiplies and overloads the system. It is quite difficult to get rid of the problem, as the worm can attack harmless programs, which makes it necessary to delete even healthy documents.
• The Trojan Virus is the fear of children and adults, the most complex and dangerous of viruses. Direct acquaintance with it often ends up deleting personal files, system crashes and stealing passwords.

To avoid such a misfortune, we present the legendary eight, which has been tested by time and the most complex Trojans!

What should an ideal antivirus look like?

Questions tormenting everyone who came to read this rating: how to avoid mistakes? What are the selection criteria?

1. In the heyday of spy technologies and neural networks, preference should be given to antiviruses focused on computing SpyWeb in real time.
2. If you don't have to surf the Internet to customize the program. Choosing by cover, in this case, is not a mistake at all, but a contribution to reliable protection. The simpler and more “chewy” the interface, the better.
3. All high-quality antiviruses slow down the system. If the antivirus does not create the effect of presence, but only blinks from the control panel - get rid of it before it's too late. Good programs eat up memory (in moderation) and slow down your internet speed by a few percent. How else can they work?
4. The program disinfects rather than deletes files from quarantine.
5. Does not quarrel with other programs.Well-known brands have long ago solved this problem, because their products have heuristic analysis and neural networks that correctly recognize the threat.

Quality antivirus rating

What a pity that you have to pay for all the good things in life.

ESET NOD32 INTERNET SECURITY

ESET NOD32 antivirus amazes with a huge base of positive reviews. The minimalist interface with full Russification will not let even a cast-iron teapot in the IT field get confused.

On the main screen, the user is greeted with a complete absence of bright accents, only an uncle-robot and a colossal amount of functions to protect the PC. The latest version (12.0) will hit the wallet with a force of 1,500 thousand rubles for 12 months. However, she deserves it!

The first and most important benefit: profitability. After purchasing a license, the program can be used from three devices at once and launch a scan for threats with one click for the entire home network. Also, the company added the possibility of a trial period and a free transition between Internet Security and Smart Security Family versions.

The home page immediately offers to enable the Anti-theft program (blocking the device in case of theft and loss) or parental control. In addition, ESET protects against viruses at deep levels, monitors webcam connections, optimizes the system, removes unwanted ads, and audits PCs offline.

In April 2019, during a large-scale test of security programs for performance, ESET took the honorable 1st place, collaborating with devices starting from a minimum of 60 MB of RAM!

• Favorable terms of use;
• Versatility (suitable even for weak PCs);
• A small number of false positives;
• Does not overload the operating system;
• Program guarantee for up to a year;
• More than 15 protection features (against phishing, Trojans, rootkits, web blocks and unwanted sites for children).

• Consumes a lot of RAM;
• High price;
• The program often crashes when multitasking;
• The antivirus does not disinfect the file, but completely deletes it.

DR.WEB

Dr.Web anti-virus has experienced more than one ups and downs during its existence. However, the version of Space Security, released in 2018, intends to erase the negative characteristic from the face of the Internet and get into the 2nd place in our rating. What is it about her?

For 1,300 rubles, the user gets a whole complex for protecting a PC in one box, these are: antivirus, firewall, web antivirus, antispam, parental control and data backup. As we can see, next-generation defenders specialize not only in file scanning. Dr. Web is great at surfing the internet and optimizing your workspace.

If earlier the program was suitable only for weak devices that support only manual scanning, now Dr.Web scans without problems in real time.

Together with an unassuming interface, which can be understood intuitively, and small notification icons (instead of huge windows that slow down the system), the antivirus gets a solid four and the audience's award.

• License for 2 years;
• The ability to use on 2 devices at the same time;
• Real-time verification;
• Huge functionality at a bargain price;
• Dr.Web Cloud;
• No false positives;
• Discounts and bonuses for regular users.

• Works stably only on powerful devices;
• The firewall blocks everything;
• Long check;
• Takes about 1 GB of memory;
• Requires additional tuning.

KASPERSKY TOTAL SECURITY

And here is the nimble old man from the Russian segment. Is there at least one person who does not know about Kaspersky Anti-Virus?

The glory of the application is rather heterogeneous, what one likes, while others see it as hell. The first plus is definitely the easy-to-use official site. The company offers to buy a license based on the functions that the anti-virus version should have and the number of devices connected to the home network.The best option for 2 devices is sold at a price of 1800 rubles per year, but the developers recommend not to stint on 200 rubles and purchase a full package of services, or "maximum protection".

As a guarantee, the team offers to get acquainted with the demo version for 30 days. This can be done by users of the Windows operating system since 2000.

Internet or Total?

The versions are almost identical, and it seems so much that they are separated only by a difference of a couple of hundred. But Kaspersky suggests adding parental control, which does not exist on the Internet, protection of online payments and VPN encryption, in addition to Internet protection, anti-theft, webcam control, ad blocker and firewall.

• Nice price;
• Russian manufacturer;
• Convenient and simple design;
• Multifunctional;
• Has the function of updating programs.

• Slows down the system even with 16 GB of RAM;
• False positives;
• Conflicts with other programs;
• Consumes half the internet speed during secure surfing;
• Complex setting of the program.

AVAST! PRO ANTIVIRUS

I am easy to install, easy to understand and impossible to remove. I am Avast Premium Security for 2000 rubles.

The lightest 350MB defender is unlikely to clog up even the weakest PC. Avast takes less than a minute to install and is ready to jump into battle right there without any prior configuration. The antivirus gets average reviews and ratings from users in a wide variety of price categories (Mac, Windows).

The main functionality: blocking viruses, spyware, protection from switching to fake online stores, control of banking transactions on the Internet, firewall, regulation of webcam activity.

However, trying a new product after Avast is unrealistic! Residual files will scatter to all the nooks and crannies of your hard drive, and will certainly conflict with other programs.

In general, the application does not stand out among its fellows and even loses ground, so the price can be reduced.

• Antivirus is tailored to work with Windows;
• Multifunctionality;
• Stylish and simple design;
• Little weight;
• Fast installation;
• There is no need to set additional settings.

• No VPN encryption;
• Slows down the PC;
• Conflicts with Google Chrome browser;
• High price;
• Difficult to remove.

AVIRA ANTIVIRUS PRO

There are good antiviruses in a quiet pool.

Avira's defender is undeservedly neglected. The trepidation and love with which the developers speak of him speaks volumes.

Firstly, AV-TEST named Avira Antivirus the best in 2019, because the product coped with its tasks by 99.9! Secondly, the program is installed in two clicks + everything, is aimed at Apple and Windows OS in equal shares, which means it becomes universal.

Avira has a modern design, easy operation and a full package of services. Based on customer reviews, the app is a huge competitor to ESET NOD32. Subscription for a year will add an extra 1800 rubles to your losses. But this purchase is unlikely to upset anyone!

Avira's main star is anti-theft. The lost device takes pictures of the area, turns on geolocation, and perhaps does not grow legs to get away from the robber. Also, the antivirus at the first start conducts training and helps to select manually settings for better protection.

Features: blocking malware, checking finances on the Internet, comparing prices with Avira, online protection, cloud with files for emergency situations, system optimization, saving battery power.

As we can see, the word "antivirus" cannot fully reflect the functionality of Avira, in fact, the program is a good helper for a PC user and protection in one package.

• Beautiful design;
• Free version available;
• Versatility;
• Rich functionality;
• Developer guarantees;
• An improved version of AntiVor;
• Easy installation.

• High price;
• System overload;
• Big size;
• Remains in deep layers of the computer after removal;
• Conflicts with other programs.

Free antivirus software

AVZ ANTIVIRUS

The first free antivirus in our rating as a gift to public sector employees.

You won't hear too much about AVZ, either no one wants to share happiness, or is it really bad? Let's find out!

Of course, the freeware doesn't match the maximum protection from ESET or Avira. This protector is fully aimed at eliminating SpyWare and AdWare modules. In terms of treating trojans, AVZ is rather weak, light viruses that do not penetrate into the deep layers of the OP can be cured without problems, but this is where the miracles end.

This application can be advised for online protection against spyware, network worms and for the safety of passwords. In addition, there are such features: a keylogger detector, its own neural network (assistant), driver optimization, checking USB ports and flash drives. One significant BUT, AVZ works with Windows and only works well with Internet Explorer.

• Russian production;
• Doesn't overload the system;
• Few false positives;
• Checking speed;
• Small file size;
• Suitable for beginners;
• Aimed at working on the Internet.

• Copes only with easy viruses;
• Doesn't work correctly with all browsers.

McAfee

Probably there is no person who? when updating a flash player, I did not forget to uncheck the checkboxes from additional installations, or, briefly, about how the not very popular McAfee antivirus gets into the hands of users.

The program is free, but certainly not for beginners. The settings are a continuous IT jungle, in which it is better not to meddle without equipment.

The design of the antivirus is not too simple, so figure out "where and how?" not easy. With all the "drawbacks", the application quickly copes with its duties, performing a full PC scan every time it starts. And what tricks he does with the AntiVor function! If suddenly the device is stolen - McAfee will notify the whole district with a terrible siren and will also take a picture of the thief.
For cleaning from viruses and worms - a win-win option.

• Free version available;
• Anti-Theft function;
• Checking speed;
• Safe Internet access;
• File size.

• Frequent updates;
• Clogs memory;
• Complex interface;
• Quarantines healthy files by mistake;
• Not suitable for beginners.

Windows Defender

There is no better antivirus for Windows than the one they made themselves.

The program can be downloaded free of charge for an unlimited period. The interface fully simulates the OS, right down to window decoration and style. Using it is no more difficult than working with a computer.

The application focuses on searching for Trojans, perfectly finds keygens and spyware. For nothing, you simply cannot find a better option!

Its functionality includes: synchronization with cloud storage, firewall, phishing protection, secure surfing, webcam control, parental control and financial tracking, website URL checking.

• Convenient, minimalist design;
• Free;
• Multifunctional;
• Parental control;
• Fast support;
• Strong protection system.

• Works only with licensed OS;
• Quarantines by mistake;
• False notifications.

Outcome

The main conclusion: nowhere without antiviruses. Which one will suit a grandmother from a village, and which student from Moscow? The question is ambiguous. Among the brands presented, absolutely all are excellent companions for secure work on the Internet. Based on the power of your PC, important characteristics, budget and the “perfect defender” section, it will not be difficult to find the right program. So go ahead for cybersecurity!