The 5 Best Antivirus with a Firewall (2023 Update)

Summary

Norton has the best device, privacy, and identity protection. It has all the security features you need and a great price too.

• Malware protection: 100%. Norton averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 protection tests. It is excellent at detecting and removing malware.
• Speed impact: 100%. Norton averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 performance tests. It does not slow down your PC.
• Features: 100%. Norton offers anti-malware, anti-phishing, firewall, unlimited VPN, password manager, parental controls, and more.
• Price: 95%. Norton offers better value for money than all competitors, except for Kaspersky, which is slightly cheaper.

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Summary

Bitdefender offers excellent protection and bonus features. However, it’s pricey if you want the VPN and password manager.

• Malware protection: 95%. Bitdefender averaged 5.95 out of 6 in the last 10 protection tests. It is excellent at removing malware.
• Speed impact: 100%. Bitdefender averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 performance tests. It does not slow down your PC.
• Features: 95%. It offers anti-malware, anti-phishing, firewall, parental controls, and more. But the VPN and password manager cost extra.
• Price: 75%. If you only want the antivirus, Bitdefender offers great value. But if you want all features, Norton offers a better deal.

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Summary

McAfee offers excellent device, privacy, and identity protection. However, some features are only available in the USA.

• Malware protection: 100%. McAfee averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 protection tests. It is excellent at detecting and removing malware.
• Speed impact: 85%. McAfee averaged 5.85 out of 6 in the last 10 performance tests. So it has a minimal impact on your PC’s speed.
• Features: 100%. McAfee offers anti-malware, anti-phishing, firewall, unlimited VPN, password manager, parental controls, and more.
• Price: 95%. McAfee offers better value for money than most competitors, except Kaspersky, which is slightly cheaper.

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Summary

Panda offers excellent protection and has flexible pricing. However, it’s expensive if you want the unlimited VPN.

• Malware protection: 99%. Panda averaged 99.9% in the malware protection tests. It is excellent at detecting and removing malware.
• Speed impact: 99%. Panda averaged 99% in the performance tests. So it has almost no impact on your PC’s speed.
• Features: 100%. Panda offers anti-malware, anti-phishing, firewall, unlimited VPN, password manager, parental controls, and more.
• Price: 75%. Panda offers the most flexible pricing of all brands. But, if you want all the security features, Norton is more affordable.

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Summary

Kaspersky has excellent protection at a low price. But the war in Ukraine raises concerns about its ties to the Russian government.

• Malware protection: 100%. Kaspersky averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 protection tests. It is excellent at removing malware.
• Speed impact: 100%. Kasperksy averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 performance tests. So it does not slow down your PC.
• Features: 100%. Kaspersky has anti-malware, anti-phishing, firewall, unlimited VPN, password manager, parental controls, and more.
• Price: 100%. Kaspersky Plus is the most affordable way to protect a Windows PC with all essential features, including an unlimited VPN.

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Antivirus software buying guide

Below we cover a range of topics:

• What is antivirus software?
• How does antivirus software work?
• Do you need a firewall?
• How do we test antivirus software?
• How to choose the best antivirus software?
• What cyber threats can antivirus protect you from?
• What cyber threats can antivirus not protect you from?
• What antivirus software have we tested?

Clicks the links to be taken to the one of your choice:

What is antivirus software?

Antivirus software is a specialized program designed to safeguard computers and networks from various forms of malicious software, often referred to as malware. This umbrella term encompasses a wide range of threats, including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and more.

Antivirus software plays a crucial role in detecting, preventing, and eliminating these digital threats, thereby ensuring the safety and integrity of the user’s data and system functionality.

For more, read our blog post on what antivirus software is.

How does antivirus software work?

The primary function of antivirus software is to scan for and remove malicious software from your system. It achieves this through various detection methods, each designed to counter different types of malware. The three primary methods are signature-based detection, heuristic analysis, and behavior-based detection.

Signature-based detection

Signature-based detection is one of the most traditional and commonly employed methods in antivirus software. It operates on the principle of malware signatures, which are unique strings of data or ‘patterns’ that are characteristic of specific malware. Antivirus software maintains an extensive database of these signatures and regularly updates it to include new ones as they are discovered.

When a file or a program on your computer matches one of these signatures, the antivirus software flags it as potential malware. This method, while effective against known threats, struggles to detect new, unknown malware that doesn’t have an associated signature in the database yet.

Heuristic analysis

Heuristic analysis is designed to counter the shortcomings of signature-based detection. Instead of relying solely on known malware signatures, heuristic analysis allows antivirus software to detect new or modified malware by examining the code for suspicious commands or structures.

This method works on the premise that while malware signatures can be altered to avoid detection, the underlying behavior and structure of the malware remain largely unchanged. Therefore, it allows the antivirus to potentially identify unknown threats. However, heuristic analysis is not perfect and can sometimes lead to false positives, where legitimate programs are incorrectly flagged as malware.

Behavior-based detection

Behavior-based detection, also known as behavioral analysis, is a more advanced method that monitors the behavior of programs within a system to identify malicious activity. Instead of focusing on the program’s code, behavior-based detection watches for abnormal actions, such as attempts to modify system files or send data to unknown servers, which may indicate the presence of malware.

This method can be particularly effective against zero-day threats, which are new and unknown to antivirus databases. However, similar to heuristic analysis, behavior-based detection can sometimes result in false positives, as it might mistake legitimate system operations for malicious activity.

For more, read our blog post on how antivirus software works.

Do you need a firewall?

A firewall is an essential line of defense in the digital world and should be an integral part of your system’s security measures. It serves as a robust barrier between your internal network or computer system and the external world of the internet, controlling the traffic that comes in and goes out based on predetermined rules. A firewall is particularly important in preventing unauthorized external access to your system, thereby reducing the risk of various online threats, including hackers, malware, and more.

Working in conjunction with antivirus software, a firewall bolsters your digital protection. While antivirus software scans your system for known threats and removes them, a firewall helps prevent such threats from entering your system in the first place. It’s like a security checkpoint, stopping potential threats before they cross your system’s boundaries.

There are several types of firewalls, each providing a different level of protection and functioning in a unique way:

• Packet-Filtering Firewalls: The most basic type of firewall, packet-filtering firewalls work by inspecting packets (the basic units of data transmission) of information being transferred to and from your system. They check the packets against a set of rules concerning source and destination IP addresses, ports, and protocols, and then decide whether to allow or block them.
• Stateful Inspection Firewalls: More advanced than packet-filtering firewalls, stateful inspection firewalls monitor the state of active connections and use this information to assess the legitimacy of packet information. This means they can make more nuanced decisions about which packets to allow or block.
• Proxy Firewalls: Proxy firewalls operate at the application layer of network protocols and effectively shield your network’s IP address by processing requests coming from the internet, thereby providing a layer of anonymity and additional security.
• Network Address Translation (NAT) Firewalls: NAT firewalls hide an entire network’s IP addresses behind a single IP address. This not only conserves IP addresses but also provides additional security, as it’s difficult for an attacker to discover the individual IP addresses of devices on the network.
• Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs): These are advanced firewalls that incorporate traditional firewall capabilities with quality-of-service (bandwidth rate limiting), intrusion prevention systems, and other network security functions.

When it comes to antivirus software, they commonly incorporate a type of firewall often referred to as a personal firewall or software firewall. This is a type of firewall installed directly on a device (as opposed to a network), which monitors and controls network traffic on that device in much the same way as a packet-filtering or stateful inspection firewall. Personal firewalls are essential for individual devices, particularly those used on unsecured networks or for activities that could make them a target for cyber threats.

For more, read our blog posts on firewalls:

• What is a firewall?
• What does a firewall do?
• Firewall examples and firewall types.

In conclusion, while antivirus software is critical for detecting and removing threats, a firewall acts as a preemptive shield, stopping many threats from ever reaching your system. The combination of both offers a more comprehensive approach to cybersecurity.

How do we test antivirus software?

Our evaluation process of antivirus software is a meticulous and multi-faceted exercise. We scrutinize each product based on six key parameters, each assigned a specific weightage to reflect its importance in the overall performance of the software:

• Anti-malware protection (30%)
• Security and privacy features (30%)
• Speed impact (10%)
• False positives (10%)
• Price (10%)
• Ownership and reputation (10%)

The above elements are carefully selected to give us a comprehensive understanding of the software’s capabilities, its impact on system performance, its affordability, and the reputation of the provider.

Anti-malware protection (30%)

One of the primary functionalities of antivirus software is its ability to detect and eliminate malware. For this reason, our testing places a significant emphasis on anti-malware protection. We utilize a two-pronged approach to test this aspect: in-house testing and analysis of results from AV-Test, a renowned independent IT security institute.

In-house testing

In our in-house tests, we employ a rigorous procedure designed to simulate real-world scenarios as accurately as possible. We introduce hundreds of malware samples to the test computer via a USB drive, putting the antivirus software’s malware scanner to the test. The software needs to identify and neutralize all these malware instances to pass this test.

In a separate examination, we mimic malware attacks by executing malware files and initiating ransomware attacks. The objective here is to evaluate the effectiveness of the software’s real-time protection. An efficient antivirus software should be able to thwart these attacks instantaneously, preventing any potential harm to the system or its data.

AV-Test results

Alongside our in-house testing, we also consider the anti-malware protection scores given by AV-Test. AV-Test’s analysis is thorough and is respected industry-wide. They carry out routine evaluations for Windows, Mac, and Android platforms, which provides a broader perspective on the antivirus software’s capabilities across various operating systems.

By amalgamating the results of our in-house tests and AV-Test’s evaluations, we strive to offer a detailed and unbiased assessment of the anti-malware protection each antivirus software provides.

Security and privacy features (30%)

The breadth and quality of security and privacy features offered by an antivirus software significantly influence its overall effectiveness. We dedicate 30% of our total score to this aspect and test several vital features, as detailed below.

Web protection (anti-phishing)

Web protection serves as your first line of defense while browsing the internet, guarding against phishing attacks that aim to steal sensitive information. We test this feature by visiting a curated list of known phishing websites and other potentially dangerous sites to see if the antivirus software correctly blocks them.

Firewall

The firewall feature is crucial in preventing unauthorized external access to your system. We test it by trying to breach the firewall using various common techniques. Additionally, we also evaluate its user-friendliness and its ability to distinguish between legitimate and malicious traffic.

Password manager

A good password manager should securely store passwords, help generate strong ones, and auto-fill them on websites and apps. We test its efficiency and user experience, and we also check whether it uses strong encryption to secure the stored passwords.

Virtual private network (VPN)

A VPN ensures private browsing by encrypting your internet connection, making your online activities invisible to others. We check the VPN’s speed, security level, and data limits, if any. We also examine whether the VPN keeps logs of user activity, which could be a privacy concern.

Parental controls

Parental controls allow parents to monitor and control their children’s online activities. We test this feature by setting up various control parameters (such as website blocking and time limits) and assessing how effectively the antivirus software enforces them.

Identity theft protection

Identity theft protection should alert users about potential risks to their personal information. We assess this feature by checking if the software monitors various data points (like credit reports and social media), alerts users of potential identity theft, and assists in recovery.

Secure cloud storage (cloud backup)

This feature provides a secure space to backup important files and data. We evaluate its user-friendliness, storage limit, and security measures. We also test the recovery process to see how easy it is to retrieve data when needed.

Anti-ransomware

Anti-ransomware tools protect your system from ransomware attacks, which lock your files until a ransom is paid. We test this feature by simulating ransomware attacks to see if the software can prevent them and safeguard your data.

Dark web monitoring

Dark web monitoring alerts users if their personal information appears on the dark web, a common place for illegal activities. We test this feature by checking the extent of its monitoring and its responsiveness in alerting about potential data breaches.

In essence, an antivirus solution should offer a well-rounded suite of security and privacy features that can protect against a variety of threats and risks. By thoroughly testing these features, we ensure that our evaluation covers all the significant aspects of an antivirus software.

Bonus features

An antivirus program can come with various entry-level functions, such as spam filters and secure browsers, and premium options like online storage with enhanced security. We consider the following bonus features worthy of your consideration:

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

Speed impact (10%)

The performance impact of an antivirus solution is another significant factor in our testing. A great antivirus tool should protect your system without significantly affecting its speed and overall performance. To gauge this, we leverage the performance tests carried out by AV-Test.

AV-Test’s performance test measures the impact of an antivirus software on the system’s speed during typical usage. This includes activities like visiting websites, downloading and installing applications, copying files, and more. A lower impact score means the software has a minimal effect on system speed and performance, which is desirable for uninterrupted, smooth operations.

False positives (10%)

While an antivirus tool’s primary job is to identify and neutralize threats, it is equally important that it does not incorrectly flag safe files or applications (false positives). Such incidents can disrupt regular activities and even lead to vital data loss.

To evaluate this aspect, we take into account AV-Test’s usability tests. These tests focus on the frequency of false alarms during system scans, software installations, and while using legitimate websites and applications. A lower score on false positives indicates that the software is accurate in its threat detection and does not unnecessarily raise alarms, thus minimizing disruptions.

Price (10%)

In our analysis, we also consider the affordability of the antivirus software, focusing on its value-for-money proposition. We understand that cost can be a deciding factor for many users, and a higher price does not always guarantee superior performance.

While comparing prices, we look at both the first-year price, often discounted, and the second-year price, which gives a more accurate indication of ongoing costs. Notably, there can be significant differences between these two prices, which we highlight to help our readers make informed decisions.

Ownership and reputation (10%)

The credibility and trustworthiness of the company behind the antivirus software also play a crucial role in our evaluations. It’s important to remember that not all companies are created equal, and past behavior can be indicative of how the company might act in the future.

A case in point is the Avast scandal, where the company was found to be selling user data via a subsidiary called Jumpshot. Such practices raise serious questions about user privacy and data security. Thus, we take into account the ownership and reputation of the companies to ensure that our recommendations are not only technically sound but also ethically reliable.

For more, read our blog post on how we test antivirus software.

How to choose the best antivirus software?

Selecting the right antivirus software requires careful consideration of various factors. This not only includes the effectiveness of the software in tackling threats but also its impact on system performance, regular updates, security features, customer support, and cost. Let’s break down these aspects:

Reliable protection from malware

At its core, an antivirus solution should provide robust and reliable protection from various forms of malware, such as viruses, ransomware, trojans, spyware, etc. This includes real-time scanning, in-depth system scans, and prompt removal of detected threats. You should look for software that consistently achieves high scores in independent antivirus testing by organizations like AV-Test.

Security updates

The world of cyber threats is continually evolving, with new forms of malware appearing regularly. As such, it’s crucial that the antivirus software you choose releases frequent updates to keep its virus database current and adapt to new threats. Regular updates ensure that your software stays effective against emerging malware.

Security features

In addition to fundamental malware protection, consider the additional security features offered by the antivirus software. These might include a firewall, web protection (anti-phishing), a password manager, a VPN, parental controls, and more. These features add layers of security and can significantly enhance your defense against cyber threats.

Performance impact

While robust protection is critical, it shouldn’t come at the expense of your device’s performance. Some antivirus software can slow down your system due to heavy resource usage. Choose a solution that provides excellent protection while having a minimal impact on your system’s speed and performance.

Customer support

Excellent customer support can be a lifesaver if you encounter any issues or need assistance with the software. Check whether the antivirus provider offers multiple support channels like email, phone, and live chat. Also, consider the availability of online resources like FAQs, tutorials, and user forums.

First-year and second price

Finally, price is an important factor. While many antivirus tools offer discounted prices for the first year, the renewal price (second-year price) can be significantly higher. Consider both these prices to understand the actual cost of ownership. Remember, a higher price doesn’t always guarantee superior protection, so focus on value for money.

In conclusion, selecting the right antivirus software involves a balance of several factors. Always consider your personal needs, device compatibility, and budget when making your decision.

Operating system

If you have a specific operating system that you would like to protect, we probably have a dedicated antivirus comparison for it:

• The best antivirus of 2023 – For all OS.
• The best antivirus for Windows 11 – For Microsoft’s latest desktop OS.
• The best antivirus for macOS – For Apple’s desktop OS.
• The best antivirus for Android – For Google’s mobile OS.
• The best antivirus for iPhone – For Apple’s mobile OS.
• The best antivirus with a VPN – For both security and privacy.
• The best VPN providers – For a dedicated privacy solution.

Click the links to be taken to your comparison of choice.

What cyber threats can antivirus protect you from?

While antivirus software originally began with the sole focus of protecting against computer viruses, it has since evolved into a more comprehensive solution against a wide range of cyber threats. However, it’s important to note that while robust, antivirus software cannot guarantee 100% protection from every conceivable threat. Here’s a brief overview of some common cyber threats that a comprehensive antivirus solution can defend against:

Malware

Malware is a broad term that encompasses several types of malicious software designed to harm or exploit any computing device or network. This includes viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and more. Antivirus software scans your system and files, detecting and eliminating such threats.

For more, read our blog post on malware or malware examples.

Adware

Adware is unwanted software designed to throw advertisements up on your screen, most often within a web browser. These ads can severely affect your user experience and can sometimes serve as a conduit for other malware. Antivirus software can block adware, preventing these intrusive ads.

For more, read our blog post on adware or adware examples.

Botnets

A botnet is a network of private computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the owners’ knowledge. Botnets can be used to carry out distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS attack), steal data, send spam, and allows the attacker access to the device. Antivirus software can detect and remove the malicious software, disconnecting from the botnet.

For more, read our blog post on botnets or botnet examples.

Keyloggers

Keyloggers are a type of surveillance technology used to monitor and record each keystroke you make on your device. This can lead to serious breaches of privacy and data theft. Antivirus solutions can detect and neutralize keyloggers.

For more, read our blog post on keyloggers or keylogger types.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts a victim’s files. The attacker then demands a ransom from the victim to restore access to the data upon payment. Modern antivirus solutions are equipped to prevent ransomware attacks and restore encrypted files.

For more, read our blog post on ransomware or ransomware examples.

Rootkits

Rootkits are a type of malicious software that provides privileged access (root access) to a computer. Rootkits are known for their stealth and can often evade detection. Comprehensive antivirus software can detect and remove rootkits to protect your system.

For more, read our blog post on rootkits or rootkit examples.

Spyware

Spyware is malware designed to spy on you, collecting information about your internet activity and personal data without your knowledge. Antivirus software can detect and remove spyware, helping to safeguard your privacy.

For more, read our blog post on spyware or spyware examples.

Trojans

Trojans are harmful pieces of software that look legitimate but can take control of your computer or open a backdoor for other malware if run or installed. Antivirus software can detect and eliminate these disguised threats.

For more, read our blog post on trojans or trojan examples.

Viruses

A virus is a type of malicious code that, when executed, replicates by modifying other computer programs and inserting its own code. Viruses can cause harmful effects, like corrupting the system software or destroying data. Antivirus software was initially designed to combat computer viruses, a function that remains at its core.

For more, read our blog post on viruses or virus examples.

Worms

Worms are a type of malware that can spread copies of itself from computer to computer. A worm can replicate itself without any human interaction, and it does not need to attach itself to a software program to cause damage. Antivirus software can prevent a worm from embedding and spreading.

In conclusion, a robust antivirus solution can safeguard against these and many other threats. Regular updates and comprehensive scanning are key to ensuring optimum protection.

For more, read our blog post on worms or worm examples.

What cyber threats can antivirus not protect you from?

While antivirus software provides an essential line of defense against many types of cyber threats, it is important to understand that it does not offer complete protection against all threats. Certain threats, particularly those involving deception and manipulation of human behaviour or exploiting yet undiscovered vulnerabilities, can circumvent even the most advanced antivirus software. Here’s a look at a few of these threats:

Phishing

Phishing attacks involve deceptive emails, messages, or websites designed to look like they come from reputable sources. The goal of these attacks is to trick users into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. Antivirus software can’t necessarily prevent you from being targeted by phishing attacks because they hinge on manipulating the user, not the device or software.

For more, read our blog post on phishing or phishing examples.

Online Scams

Similar to phishing, online scams manipulate user trust to gain unauthorized access or deceive victims into sending money. Scams can take many forms, from fraudulent auctions, “get rich quick” schemes, or deceptive tech support calls. While antivirus software can block known malicious websites and flag suspicious emails, they cannot protect users who voluntarily provide their information or funds due to a scam.

For more, read our blog post on online scams.

Social Engineering

Social engineering is a method of tricking people into revealing confidential information or performing actions that give access to their data or systems. Techniques can involve impersonation, manipulation, and exploiting trust or authority. While antivirus software can guard against the software often used to facilitate these attacks, it cannot protect against the manipulation tactics used in these types of attacks.

For more, read our blog post on social engineering.

Zero-Day Exploits

Zero-day exploits are attacks that take advantage of vulnerabilities in software that are unknown to the software maker or antivirus software. These vulnerabilities are called “zero-day” because once discovered, the software’s developers have zero days to fix the issue before it can be exploited. Antivirus software struggles to protect against these threats as they are, by nature, unknown until they are discovered and exploited.

For more, read our blog post on zero-day exploits.

In conclusion, while antivirus software is a crucial element of any cybersecurity strategy, it should not be the only line of defense. Users must stay informed about the various threats that exist and take proactive steps, such as secure browsing habits and regular software updates, to bolster their digital security.

What antivirus software have we tested?

We have tested 28 antivirus brands, ranging from entry-level free antivirus programs, to mid-range paid antivirus software and full-featured internet security suites. Below is the list of the 20 most important brands:

• Avast
• AVG
• Avira
• Bitdefender Antivirus
• ESET
• F-Secure
• Intego
• Kaspersky
• MacKeeper
• Malwarebytes
• McAfee Antivirus
• Microsoft Defender (Windows Defender)
• Norton Antivirus
• Panda
• PC Matic
• Sophos
• TotalAV
• Trend Micro
• VIPRE
• Webroot

The best antivirus programs are Norton 360 Deluxe, Norton 360 Advanced, and Bitdefender Total Security. By comparison, the other antivirus software cost too much, offer less capable protection from malware threats, or have no unlimited VPN access.