The 5 Best Antivirus with a Firewall (2023 Update)

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How do we test the best antivirus with firewall?

Antivirus protection with a firewall in 2023 should extend beyond detecting malware on Windows PCs. The top antivirus programs protect against various cyber threats, including data breaches, malware attacks, phishing attempts, privacy violations, ransomware attacks, spyware infections, zero-day attacks, and more, for all major operating systems.

In addition to offering comprehensive security features, the best antivirus software should also have a user-friendly interface and be reasonably priced. To find out which antivirus provider is worth your money, we put them through 15 tests.

> Test 1: Anti-malware protection test

Malware is any malicious software and can include various online threats such as adware, keyloggers, ransomware, spyware, trojans, viruses, worms, and more. Most of these threats are known malware, meaning cybersecurity companies have encountered them before. However, some are unknown malware, meaning they are new and have never been encountered before.

These latest malware threats are difficult to detect with traditional real-time protection, which uses virus definitions to identify threats by scanning the code of potential malware against a database of malicious code samples.

The best anti-malware software has evolved to include heuristic analysis or behavior monitoring to scan for suspicious behavioral patterns and discover malware before it can be added to the database.

To find the best antivirus packages for real-time malware protection, we run our tests and analyze results from independent antivirus testing labs such as AV-Test, SE Labs, and AV-Comparatives. Our preferred source is AV-Test, where we average Windows’ historical protection test results since 2016.

> Test 2: False positives test

A false positive is when antivirus software mistakes a legitimate program for malware, confuses a harmless file for malicious code or blocks access to a safe website.

While false positives are a regular occurrence for all antivirus programs and are generally not a cause for concern, a high number of them can be frustrating. To better understand this issue, we refer to the findings from AV-Test’s comprehensive analysis of false positives in their usability test.

> Test 3: System performance test

To ensure safe browsing, it is essential to consider the impact of antivirus software on your PC’s resources. We measure the CPU load while the antivirus software runs quick and complete system scans to evaluate this. This allows us to determine whether the security software requires many system resources, leaving less of your computer’s performance for other tasks.

In addition, we consider the results of AV-Test’s performance section, which measures the slow-down caused by antivirus software on opening websites

> Test 4: Firewall test

A two-way firewall sits between your computer and a network. This network can be a local area network (LAN) or the internet. The Firewall will then filter incoming and outgoing data streams to keep malware and hackers out.

Firewalls can be software-based, hardware-based, or sold as a service. For example, within antivirus software, only the software-based Firewall exists.

Software-based firewalls will consume some of your PC’s CPU and RAM. But in turn, they offer a high degree of protection against malware, can filter incoming and outgoing traffic, and offer you detailed control over the connectivity of each program on your computer.

We test whether the Firewall successfully blocks all ports on our test PC using the ShieldsUP! test of the Gibson Research Corporation. On top of that, we test whether we can set custom rules for various network types, such as home, work, and public networks. And finally, we test whether we have fine-grained control over the connectivity rules for each app.

As this comparison dedicates itself to antivirus programs and firewalls, we will explain the various firewall types and their functions. However, many firewall types only apply to enterprises and are not sold with antivirus software. So if you’re not interested, feel free to skip this part.

1. Packet-Filtering Firewall

Applications exchange information with each other in data packets. Packet-filtering firewalls check whether these data packets are transmitted according to specific rules relating to IP addresses, protocols, and ports.

If a data packet does not fit the criteria, it is dropped. So the information in the data packet is not inspected. This makes packet-filtering firewalls inexpensive, fast, and straightforward. But also a blunt instrument with little logic behind it.

1. Circuit-Level Gateway

A Circuit-Level Gateway inspects initiation messages, such as TCP handshakes, to decide whether a small party can be trusted and whether a secure connection can be established.

It is another straightforward firewall type that doesn’t inspect the data packets. It is, therefore, best combined with a different kind of Firewall, like an Application-Level Gateway.

1. Application-Level Gateway

Application-Level Gateways are sometimes called Proxy Firewalls. They function as the entry and exit points of a network. They analyze not just the address, port, and TCP header information but also the information inside the data packet.

Because they filter the data so thoroughly, Application-Level Gateways add a significant security layer to a network. However, the filtering can be labor intensive and, therefore, slow down the network’s performance.

1. Stateful Inspection Firewall

A Stateful Inspection Firewall, sometimes called a Multilayer Inspection Firewall, examines each data packet and checks whether it belongs to an established TCP or network session.

Combining data and circuit inspection, it offers a high degree of control over what is allowed in and out of the network. However, this attention to detail can be expensive and resource-intensive, potentially slowing down the network.

1. Next Generation Firewall

Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) are the most advanced firewalls, used by heavily regulated industries like finance and healthcare. They combine (deep) packet inspection and stateful inspection, with other network security systems like anti-malware.

Because they are so advanced and multi-functional, they require significant expertise and integration with other security systems. As you can imagine, this makes them the most costly firewall type.

> Test 5: Password manager test

A password manager is a software that helps you create and store secure, unique passwords for your online accounts. It can also automatically enter your login information on websites and apps, making it easier for you to log in.

Using a password manager enhances the security of your online accounts by allowing you to use long and complex passwords that are hard for hackers to guess or crack. It also helps you avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, which can be risky because if one account is compromised, the hacker may be able to access all your other accounts.

Some password managers also offer extra security features such as two-factor authentication and alerts for potential account breaches. We test all these features.

> Test 6: Virtual Private Network (VPN) test

A VPN is a tool that helps you maintain your privacy and security online. It creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet, protecting your data and activity from being monitored or intercepted.

In our evaluations, we examine the security and privacy of the built-in VPN through its encryption strength and VPN protocol, log policy, and download speed. We also check its compatibility with streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime and whether it allows unlimited data and torrenting.

> Test 7: Parental control test

Parental controls allow parents to limit their children’s online activities and monitor internet usage. These controls can include setting time limits, blocking inappropriate content, and monitoring communication with others.

Our testing involves installing the parental control features on a test device and attempting to evade them in the way an intelligent child would. We also check that the parental control admin accurately and promptly reports our activity on the test device.

> Test 8: Anti-phishing protection test

A phishing attack is a type of cybercrime in which an attacker tries to trick you into giving them sensitive information, such as your login credentials or financial information, by disguising themselves as legitimate entity. This is often done through email, social media, or text messages, and the attacker may use urgent language or threats to get you to take action.

Anti-phishing software is a tool that helps defend against phishing attacks by identifying and blocking suspicious websites and emails. It examines the links and content of websites and emails and compares them to a list of known phishing threats. If a threat is found, the software will prevent you from accessing the website or email and alert you to the potential danger.

We test the anti-phishing capabilities of the antivirus software.

> Test 9: Ransomware protection test

A ransomware attack is a cyber attack in which an attacker takes control of your data and demands payment to release it. The attacker may threaten to destroy your data or make it public if you do not pay the ransom within a specific time limit. These attacks can be particularly harmful to businesses, as they can cause lost productivity and income.

Anti-ransomware software is a tool that helps defend against ransomware attacks by detecting and blocking malicious software that may try to lock your data and demand payment to release it. It works by searching your computer for known ransomware threats and stopping them before they can cause harm.

We test the anti-ransomware capabilities of the antivirus software.

> Test 10: Bonus features test

Antivirus programs aren’t just for fighting viruses – they can also come with various extra features. These can range from spam filters and secure browsers to premium options like secure online storage. While we can’t go into every part in-depth, these cybersecurity tools can be precious to have at your disposal.

• Ad Blocker
• Anti-theft
• Dark web monitoring (identity protection)
• Email protection
• File encryption
• File shredder
• Gaming mode
• Microphone protection
• PC maintenance features
• Secure browser (hardened browser to protect your online banking)
• Secure cloud storage (cloud backup)
• Spam filter
• Startup optimizer
• Tune up tools
• Virtual keyboard
• Webcam protection

> Test 11: Operating system and multiple devices test

Antivirus software must be able to protect various operating systems. It may seem obvious, but many antivirus programs only focus on Windows computers and neglect security for Mac, Android, and iOS devices. We make sure to test all antivirus software on every operating system.

> Test 12: Ownership and reputation test

Some antivirus companies have a poor reputation for handling customer data. Avast, for instance, was found to have tracked and sold the browsing habits of millions of its users via its Online Security browser extension and subsidiary, Jumpshot. While the company says it has stopped these activities and has been sold to Norton, the damage to its reputation lingers.

We review press releases, news articles, and privacy policies, especially for browser extensions and VPN services, when evaluating cybersecurity companies in our tests to ensure that they have a good reputation regarding customer data.

> Test 13: Interface test

Cybersecurity isn’t an exciting topic for many people, so antivirus software needs to be quick, easy to install, and simple to use. We test the installation speed of each program, as well as how easy it is to use on the default settings and how complex it is to adjust the advanced settings.

> Test 14: Customer support test

While it would be nice to live in a world where everything goes perfectly, the reality is that things often go wrong. People may click on dangerous links, open malicious files, fall for phishing scams, or answer spam emails. When these things happen, it’s crucial to have good customer support to turn to.

That’s why we check to see if antivirus companies offer 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support and examine their knowledge base, forums, and FAQs. We also test the support team by contacting them with complicated questions to gauge their speed and capabilities.

> Test 15: Value for money test

It’s crucial to avoid free antivirus products, as they may analyze your behavior and sell that data to marketing firms, essentially protecting you from malware by installing spyware. While some free antivirus programs may offer essential antivirus protection, they rarely do more than that, effectively making them free malware removal tools, which both Windows and Mac already have built-in.

Therefore, we recommend opting for a paid version. On the other hand, cybersecurity shouldn’t be too costly, so we compare first-year and second-year renewal prices across antivirus providers and look at what you get for your money. Ideally, we want top-tier anti-malware protection, an unlimited VPN, and a password manager.

How to choose the best antivirus with a firewall?

You can skip looking for free antivirus software when choosing the best antivirus with a firewall. These never include a firewall. Instead, you should ask yourself two questions:

• What operating software would you like to protect?
• What features do you need?

What operating software would you like to protect?

Most antivirus software include a firewall on Windows 10 and 11. Not that many offer one on macOS. And zero feature one on Android and iOS.

This example says a lot about the cybersecurity industry. It is very Windows-focused. However, most of us have multiple devices to protect, including an Android or iOS phone. And perhaps a Mac.

For full-featured protection on each operating system, we recommend Norton. It is the only brand we’ve tested that offers complete protection for each device.

Should you want more detailed advice per operating software, then we recommend visiting our comparison pages below:

• The best antivirus software of 2023. Here you can find out about the best multi-device antivirus software.
• The best antivirus software for Windows 11. Here you can read about the best antivirus software for Microsoft’s latest operating system: Windows 11.
• The best antivirus software for macOS. Here you can learn about the best security software for MacBooks and iMacs.
• The best antivirus apps for Android. Here you can find out about the best security apps for Google’s mobile operating system: Android.
• The best antivirus apps for iOS. Here you can find out about the best security apps for iPhones and iPads.
• The best antivirus with an unlimited VPN. Here you can learn about the best antivirus programs that include a VPN without a data limit.
• The best VPN software. And for those who prefer to learn more about privacy-focused software, have a look at our VPN comparison.

What features do you need?

Everyone needs anti-malware protection, anti-phishing protection, a firewall, and a password manager. That much is clear. But there are optional features, which you might need, depending on your circumstances:

• Virtual Private Network (VPN). Using a VPN is essential for those who frequently use public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks. It will protect you from advertisers and hackers that attempt to track or hack your data stream.
• Ransomware Protection. Ransomware protection can be a lifesaver for those who manage a small business. Sadly, the rise of ransomware went hand-in-hand with the rise of cryptocurrency. So if you don’t want to get locked out of your data, stay protected.
• Parental Controls. For those of us blessed with younglings, parental controls can be an excellent tool to protect them online. For example, you can set boundaries on the internet and time limits on screen time. On top of that, you can finally see what you’re kids are up to on their phones (probably Tik-Tok).

Other features to consider are dark web monitoring, identity theft protection, and secure cloud storage, all of which Norton offers.

What antivirus software have we tested?

We have tested security products from 20 different antivirus companies.

We have tested free versions, paid versions, entry-level versions, premium versions, stand-alone VPN, and much more. If it’s out there, we’ve tried it.

Below are the security tools we tested:

• Avast Antivirus Free, Avast Premium Security & Avast One
• AVG Antivirus Free & AVG Ultimate
• Avira Free Security & Avira Prime
• Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Bitdefender Internet Security, Bitdefender Total Security, Bitdefender Premium Security & Bitdefender Premium VPN
• BullGuard Antivirus & BullGuard Premium Protection
• Comodo Antivirus
• ESET Internet Security Premium Protection
• F-Secure Safe & F-Secure Total
• Intego Mac Internet Security X9 & Mac Premium Bundle X9
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus (Kaspersky Antivirus), Kaspersky Internet Security, Kaspersky Security Cloud, Kaspersky Total Security & Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection
• MacKeeper Antivirus
• Malwarebytes Free & Malwarebytes Premium
• McAfee Antivirus Plus & McAfee Total Protection Premium
• Microsoft Defender (Windows Defender)
• Panda Dome Essential & Panda Dome Premium
• Norton Antivirus Plus, Norton Norton 360 Premium & Norton Secure VPN
• Sophos Home Premium
• TotalAV Antivirus Pro & TotalAV Total Security
• Trend Micro Antivirus Security & Trend Micro Maximum Security
• Webroot Antivirus (Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus) & Webroot Internet Security

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Below are the sources and tools we’ve used to analyze the antivirus software and write our article.

• Apple 1
• Apple 2
• Aura
• AV-Comparatives
• AV-Test 1
• AV-Test 2
• AV-Test 3
• AV-Test 4
• Bitdefender 1
• Bitdefender 2
• Bitdefender 3
• Browserleaks
• F5
• Google
• Harvard
• Hotspot Shield
• GRC
• Kaspersky 1
• Kaspersky 2
• Kaspersky 3
• McAfee 1
• McAfee 2
• Microsoft
• Mimecast
• Norton 1
• Norton 2
• Norton 3
• Norton 4
• Norton 5
• Norton 6
• Panda 1
• Panda 2
• Panda 3
• Panda 4
• Sophos
• SpeedTest
• Vice