If you use a Windows 10 system then you're an attractive target for hackers simply because Windows is the world's most popular PC operating system. The antivirus situation on Windows has improved dramatically over the last few years, but the sheer number of users mean it is still under threat - that's where getting a Windows 10 antivirus comes in.
Yep, we're afraid that the reality remains that you still need a regularly updated Windows antivirus package to keep you safe from the latest threats. That's because the bad guys are constantly looking for new ways to access your data and control your system.
From ransomware to fileless attacks and blended malware, there are plenty of threats out there - some you'll know the names of, other's you'll never even heard of - and there's the danger is great on Windows 10, no matter how careful you are online.
So which are the best virus protecting products for Windows 10 you can get right now, and is Windows Defender sufficient to keep you safe these days?
Here are the best Windows 10 antivirus in 2021
- Bit defender Antivirus Plus
REASONS TO AVOID
-Could have some impact on your PC’s performance
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus delivers excellent protection for Windows 10 PCs, regularly being the top performer with independent antivirus testing labs.
- Norton AntiVirus Plus
Top-quality antivirus that keeps you well-protected and informed
REASONS TO BUY
+Very light resource usage+Many useful tools beyond simple antivirus protection+Even includes a backup option
REASONS TO AVOID
-Only covers a single device
Norton AntiVirus Plus just gives you coverage for one device, but if you only have a single Windows 10 PC which needs protecting from online threats, then it’s a sterling option for many good reasons.
Norton Antivirus Plus provides these robust defenses at an extremely minimal cost to your system resources. Indeed, PassMark recently ranked Norton as the best antivirus package when it comes to the impact on the host PC’s performance.
Furthermore, on the web, this antivirus does a great job of blocking malicious sites, and you also get an ‘intelligent’ firewall which keeps you well-informed on any potential risks to your computer.
- Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security
REASONS TO BUY
+Easy-to-use+Folder Shield anti-ransomware layer+Good web surfing protection
REASONS TO AVOID
-Not very configurable-Doesn’t have that many features
- Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows
Strong malware protection from a well-respected provider
REASONS TO BUY
+Highly accurate antivirus engine+Impressive against ransomware+User-friendly
REASONS TO AVOID
Kaspersky is another veteran of the security world, and while the company didn’t make all that many changes to the latest version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus, it didn’t particularly need to.
You get a very impressive level of antivirus protection here, with Kaspersky being highly rated by the independent testing labs, and there’s a good amount of flexibility when it comes to configuring virus scans, too. Furthermore, its System Watcher module allows Kaspersky to pick up on undiscovered threats like fresh ransomware.
All the main pillars of Kaspersky Anti-Virus are rock-solid in terms of keeping your PC safe, then, although the program’s extra features aren’t as good as you’ll find with some rivals. There are some passably useful bits and bobs like a vulnerability scanner and privacy cleaner, but some of the wizards provided are a bit feeble (like the Browser Configuration Wizard which only supports Internet Explorer – not many people use IE anymore).
English