Awesome Information About the Best Antivirus Softwares for 2018

The paid antivirus software typically offer better support and greater protection features than the free ones. Internet security suites go a step further, offering useful features, including firewalls, parental control, etc.

The definition of a good antivirus software has changed quite a lot over the past few years. It's not enough for an antivirus to be just quick and effective in detecting and eliminating threats. It must also consume minimal resources, run quietly in the background, and updates itself as often as possible without requiring any user intervention.

With the evolution of the Internet, malware has become notoriously resilient and all the more pervasive. As their numbers grow with each passing day, it is certainly reassuring to see that the antivirus software of the present have kept pace, and are well-equipped to deal with them.

Antivirus technology has advanced significantly over the past few years. While these software could only deal with the known 'defined' malware in the past, they are now able to also check the advancement of the new and unknown variants. Also, they are better equipped to exterminate the malware that have already infiltrated into a system.

In the following sections, we have enlisted the best antivirus softwares. We have even highlighted the important features, and you can choose the one that suits you the best.

The Symantec's Norton Antivirus comes basically in three variants. Each of the variants, their pricing and the operating systems that they support are explained below.

The Standard version of Norton Security Anti-virus has a yearly subscription of USD 69.99 and the subscription for two years costs USD 139.99. It supports operating systems like Mac OS X and Android iOS. It is recommended for a single computer or a single mobile device. Some of the interesting features include,

1. Protects against viruses, spyware, malware, worms, trojans and other threats.
2. Scans faster and yet in a reliable manner.
3. Safeguards the identity and online transactions of the user.
4. Excellent customer support.

The Deluxe version of Norton Security Anti-virus has a yearly subscription of USD 89.99 and the subscription for two years costs USD 179.99. It supports operating systems like Windows, Mac OS X, Android iOS. It can be used with up to 5 devices. It includes all the features present in the Standard version and an additional feature included in this version is, a user-friendly web portal which can be used for managing protection of all devices.

The Premium version of Norton Security Anti-virus has a yearly subscription of USD 109.99 and the subscription for two years costs USD 219.99. It supports operating systems like Windows, Mac OS X, Android iOS. It can be used with up to 10 devices. It includes all the features present in the Deluxe version and some additional features which are listed below,

1. Parental Control.
2. An automatic backup of important files on the computer.
3. 25 GB of cloud storage for your computer which can be extended as per the needs of the user.
   
   

Note: Please check the official website of Norton Security for any seasonal discounts, if applicable.

The Bitdefender Antivirus is available in three variants that are listed below. Their prices and their important features are discussed.

A. Bitdefender Anti-virus Plus 2018

The Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 is priced at USD 29.99 per year. It supports only Windows operating systems and can be used with a single device. It provides top-notch protection with a good scanning speed. It receives continuous updates about viruses, spyware, malware and other security threats to keep your device well protected. Some of the most important features are,

1. Protects against viruses, spyware, malware, worms, trojans and other security threats.
2. Protects from phishing attacks.
3. Optimum speed and performance along with battery saver which ensures better battery life.
4. Password manager keeps all the passwords protected.
5. If you want to delete a file in the system permanently and leave no traces of it, Bitdefender provides you with that feature.
6. It checks the missing security patches and gives suggestions for the same.
7. Checks for outdated and vulnerable software generates alerts about the same.

B. Bitdefender Internet Security 2018

The Bitdefender Internet Security 2018 is priced at USD 59.99 per year. It supports only the Windows operating system and can be used with up to 3 devices. It supports more devices and hence is more affordable if you have more than one device for which you need an anti-virus. This variant has all the features present in the Bitdefender Antivirus Plus and includes some additional features as well, which are listed below.

1. Advanced defence system for protection against threats.
2. Webcam protection with a feature to block unauthorized access.
3. Feature to un-authorize access to important files.
4. Parental Control.

C. Bitdefender Total Security 2018

The Bitdefender Total Security 2018 costs USD 69.99 per year. It supports operating systems like Windows, Mac OS X, Android and iOS. It can be used with up to 5 devices. This variant has more or less the same features of Bitdefender Internet Security, and includes some advanced protection features as well. It is more affordable if the number of devices that you own is more than three. Note: Please check the official website of Bitdefender for any seasonal discounts, if applicable.

The BullGuard anti-virus comes in three variants like all its competitors. Some important features and pricing for Bullguard are discussed below.

A. BullGuard Antivirus:

The yearly subscription for BullGuard Antivirus costs USD 29.95. It supports personal computers having Windows operating systems. It is meant for a single device. Some of the features to be highlighted are mentioned below,

1. Protects against viruses, spyware, malware, worms, trojans and other security threats.
2. Gives alert messages about websites that contain malicious code, by flagging the links leading to such codes.
3. Prevents advertisements from popping up while gaming and enriches the overall experience.
4. It keeps you informed about missing security information, checks network encryption and informs you about insecure wireless networks.

B. BullGuard Internet Security:

The yearly subscription of BullGuard Internet Security is available for a price of USD 59.95. It supports Windows, Mac OS X, and Android platforms. It consists of all the features contained in Bullguard Antivirus. Some of the additional features contained are:

1. Removal of junk files on the system and generating alerts about outdated software and applications.
2. Automatic backups can be scheduled to Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
3. Added layers of protection against malware.
4. Parental control

C. BullGuard Premium Protection:

The yearly subscription charges for BullGuard Premium Protection are USD 99.95. It supports Windows, Mac OS and Android operating systems. It consists of all the features included in BullGuard Internet Security. Some of the additional features contained are,

1. It assesses the network and devices on it such as thermostats, baby monitors, etc. and all other connected devices. It then performs a scan on each of these devices.
2. It protects your passwords and personal information from hackers.

Kaspersky is one of the most popular antivirus softwares in the world which you can obtain at reasonable rates. There are three variants of Kaspersky antivirus and each one of them is listed below along with its pricing and specifications.

A. Kaspersky Antivirus:

The Kaspersky Antivirus comes with a price of USD 14.99 for a single device and supports mainly the Windows operating system. The subscriptions differ with the number of devices on which it is to be installed. Some of the features of this product are enlisted below:

1. Protects against viruses, spyware, malware, worms, trojans and other security threats.
2. Fast and efficient scanning.
3. Easy to set up and easy to use.
4. Continuous updates about new viruses and threats.
   
   

B. Kaspersky Internet Security:

The Kaspersky Internet Security comes with a price tag of USD 22.99 for a single device and supports operating systems like Windows, Mac, and Android. The subscription charges differ for different number of devices on which it is supposed to be used. It includes all the features included in Kaspersky Antivirus and some others that are listed below,

1. Protects all your devices with just one license.
2. Provides extra security while doing online transactions or entering passwords.
3. Parental control

C. Kaspersky Total Security:

The Kaspersky Total security costs USD 35.99 for a single device. Price range varies for different numbers of devices. It supports Windows, Mac, and Android. It includes all the features of Kaspersky Internet Security along with a few others listed below,

1. Securely saves passwords entered for ease of access.
2. Backs up important files and encrypts the data on your devices.

McAfee Total Protection is certainly the finest and the most preferred antivirus globally. It does not have any variants like most of the competitors. However, the subscription charges vary with the number of devices for which it is going to be used. The price ranges between USD 59.99 and USD 199.99 depending on number of devices. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS platforms.

Some of the interesting features include the ones listed below:

1. Prevents affected viruses from spreading and provides excellent protection against several security threats.
2. Saved user names and passwords are safely stored.
3. Avoid risky websites and prevent dangerous downloads.
4. Data backup, anti-theft, app privacy, and Wi-Fi protection.
5. Includes network manager and web safety tools.
6. Encrypts data on your device.
7. Parental control.
   
   

Note: Prices mentioned in the article are approximate and may vary with offers and discounts. Please check the prices on the official websites for exact prices. It is recommended to download a free trial version of any antivirus before going ahead and purchasing it.

These Antivirus software may be used if you are not so convinced about buying a premium antivirus.

1. Microsoft Windows Defender (built-in for Windows 8 and above)
2. Avira
3. AVG
4. Panda
5. Avast