The best antivirus software should not just protect your computer against malware and viruses, but also shield you from hackers and shady websites. It should include a variety of additional features too, like the use of a VPN as well as password protection and phishing detection. There are many options available with basic packages that solely focus on eliminating viruses to full suites that offer all the basic features and extra features like identity theft protection or password management. Most of these are sold as yearly subscriptions, so be sure to do some research prior to making your decision.
Kaspersky is a household name in the antivirus industry, but it has some privacy concerns that have not been resolved due to suspicions the company has ties to the Russian government. Still, it has impressive virus protection results in AV-Comparatives tests, as well as a formidable feature set. It includes the standard security tools, such as a firewall and also brute-force protection and zero-day exploits that help defend you from attacks that target your passwords, usernames, or bank details.
Another option is Malwarebytes, that has a great reputation for malware detection, as well as a strong set of additional security tools. It has excellent heuristic detection and behavior monitoring, as well as an extremely secure VPN. It’s a bit more expensive than other premium VPNs, but it offers an easy-to-use interface and a variety of additional features, such as dark web scans and a virtual keypad.