Network firewall - Prevents unwanted internet traffic from reaching your laptop.Advanced scanning engine - Scans for all kinds of malware, like viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other threats.Real-time malware protection - Stops malware in real-time from damaging a system.But if you use your laptop for things like online banking and shopping, or if you travel often or connect to public Wi-Fi networks, you’ll need something more advanced.Ī good laptop antivirus should have these things:
If you only use your laptop to browse the internet at home, you may not need more than a basic antivirus. And many antiviruses that offer good protection from viruses don’t necessarily have good protection from internet security threats like phishing and ransomware. A lot of antiviruses are not good, only offering basic protection (often at a really high cost). I tested the most popular antiviruses on the market - I wanted to find the ones that provide the best protection for laptops in 2021.īut it wasn’t easy. Short on time? Here’s the best antivirus for laptops: