Antivirus software for your desktop PC, laptop, and mobile devices provides an additional layer of protection that goes beyond your operating system's default security. Today's antivirus solutions offer far more than just signature-based scans. They protect against threats such as phishing, ransomware, trojans, and worms. They may also warn you when you visit an untrusted website, when your personal details -- including passwords -- are found online due to data breaches, and when you are trying to download suspicious software. You can also perform regular scans to remove threats from your system. Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers.
Show more (7 items)
Show Expert Take Show less Screenshot by Gabriela Perez/ZDNET McAfee is a well-established name in antivirus software. It offers bundles that include protection from viruses and malware, as well as security and privacy tools such as a VPN and password manager. Why we like it: McAfee offers antivirus protection for Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Chromebooks with real-time, scheduled, and manual scans for all kinds of malware. It also includes a password manager, VPN, and dark web monitoring service, so you can keep your credentials safe and stay aware of any online information leaks that could compromise your identity or accounts. McAfee consistently scores highly on independent measures from AV-Test. Also: Best VPNs for torrentingWho it's for: McAfee Plus is a good choice for purchasing antivirus protection for a large number of devices, especially if you'll use the additional features. Customers say McAfee's protection is solid and worth the price, and the company's antivirus solutions are considered beginner-friendly. McAfee's cheapest plan, Essential, costs $40 for the first year and supports up to 5 devices. You can also pay $50 for one year of McAfee Plus Premium, which covers an unlimited number of devices. It also includes features such as data cleanup, social privacy management, and identity monitoring and alerts. The Advanced tier, priced at $90 for the first year, includes identity theft coverage and credit monitoring.Cheaper one-year subscriptions can be found at Amazon, with the cheapest currently available priced at only $20.Who should look elsewhere: McAfee's one-year subscription is a good deal, but renewal prices are steep and may not offer the most value unless you're on a higher-tier plan. Some customers find the renewal process challenging, and I consider the software's frequent pop-ups a nuisance. Many of the firm's low Trustpilot reviews relate to auto billing and payments.McAfee Total Protection features: Antivirus protection | Dark web monitoring | VPN | Password manager | Firewall | File shredder | Suspicious website alerts | Text scam detection (mobile) | Protection scores | Identity monitoring | Trial available | Trustpilot: 1.2
