Complete guide to choosing the best antivirus for your devices

Antivirus software is designed to protect devices from malware, viruses, ransomware, and other cyber threats. Their utility lies in their ability to detect, block, and remove threats, ensuring data security and proper system functioning. These tools are essential for home users, professionals, and businesses that want to protect their devices from unauthorized access and data damage.

Evaluating the effectiveness of one antivirus compared to another is crucial for choosing the tool best suited to your needs. Evaluation criteria include effectiveness in real-time protection, impact on system performance, and the ability to recognize new and unknown threats. Comparative tests conducted by independent security firms, such as AV Comparatives, provide objective data to compare the different solutions available on the market.

This guide is aimed at those who want to understand how to evaluate antivirus software and choose the best solution for PC, Mac, smartphones, and tablets. It will provide detailed information on comparative tests, the best free and paid options, and how to install and configure these protection tools.

Prerequisites

• A device with Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS operating system
• Internet connection to download antivirus software and access comparative test sites
• Email account for registration and activation of any paid trial versions
• Payment method (credit card, PayPal, etc.) for purchasing paid antivirus software

Antivirus comparative tests

By the end of this guide, you will be able to objectively evaluate the effectiveness of antivirus software available on the market.

• Go to the AV Comparatives website.
• Go to the dedicated section to view the test results.
• Filter the tests using the left sidebar menu.
• Examine the various test categories, such as Real-World Protection, Performance, and Heuristic/Behavior.
• Consult other antivirus rankings through this guide.

Best antivirus for PC

By the end of this section, you will know how to use Windows Security and other free antivirus software for PC.

• Press the Start button, click on the gear icon, and go to Privacy & security > Windows Security > Open Windows Security.
• In the window that opens, click on Virus & threat protection in the left sidebar.
• Select Quick scan to perform a quick scan or Scan options for a more targeted check.
• Download and install AVG Free, Bitdefender, or Avast following the instructions on their official website.
• For more information on free antivirus software, consult this guide.

Best paid antivirus software

• Go to this page.
• Press the Try it now for free button.
• Choose from the dropdown menu how many devices you want to protect and click on Try for free for 30 days.
• Fill in the form with the required data and indicate a payment method.
• Open the email received, press the Download in My Kaspersky button, and set a password for access.
• Accept terms and conditions and click on Download.
• Run the downloaded .exe file, click on Continue, accept the terms and conditions, and press on Accept.
• Click twice on I agree and then on Yes.
• Wait for the installation to complete and press on Continue, then on I agree and on Scan in the background.

VERIFICATION AND TROUBLESHOOTING: How to test if it works and what to do if it fails

Follow these steps to verify the correct functioning of the antivirus and solve any problems.

Functionality verification

• Run a test scan: Open the antivirus and start a full system scan. Make sure the software detects and reports any threats.
• Check for updates: Verify that the antivirus is updated to the latest version. Updates are crucial for protection against the latest threats.
• Test real-time protection: Download a test file from a reliable site, such as EICAR. The antivirus should detect the file as a threat and block it.

Troubleshooting

• Installation issues: If the installation fails, make sure you have administrator permissions and temporarily disable other security software that may interfere.
• Slow or stuck scans: Interrupt the current scan and restart the computer. If the problem persists, try running a scan in safe mode.
• False positives: If the antivirus incorrectly blocks safe files, add them to the exceptions list or contact the manufacturer's technical support for assistance.
• Update issues: If the antivirus does not update, check your Internet connection and make sure the firewall does not block connections to the update server.

If the problems persist, consult the manufacturer's official website or contact technical support for further assistance.

Now that you know the options available to you, it's time to put them to the test. Install the antivirus software that interests you the most and personally verify their effectiveness and usability.

• Start with Windows Security for basic protection.
• Try free antivirus software like AVG Free, Bitdefender, or Avast for added protection.
• Consider paid solutions like Kaspersky for advanced features.
• Consult AV Comparatives' comparative tests to compare performance.

Put these tips into practice and choose the antivirus that best meets your security needs.