Best Antivirus Software for Laptops & Essential Laptop Security Tips

Antivirus software provides real-time protection against phishing attacks, hacks, and nefarious code. These cybercrimes leave you vulnerable to all sorts of issues, including data loss, poor system performance, privacy breaches, and scams. Whether you’re on Windows or Mac, you’d be mad to browse online without a trusty anti-virus app by your side.  

But what is the best antivirus software for laptops?

It depends on your budget and requirements. In this post, we cover some of the top options and provide nifty tips on how to stay safe online.  

Choosing a Reliable Antivirus Program

A bewildering array of free and paid antivirus programs compete for consumer attention. Here are our three favourites.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus

As this program comes pre-installed with Windows, it’s easily the most popular anti-virus program on Earth. The free, out-of-the-box app earns solid scores from third-party testers and doesn’t pester you to upgrade to a paid version.

Who it’s for: Windows Defender is an excellent choice for budget-conscious Windows users who don’t want to fork out for a subscription.

Norton 360

Perhaps the most famous anti-virus software developer is Norton, which has been dominating the market for decades. Their latest antivirus app, Norton 360, provides a comprehensive range of nifty real-time features such as intelligent firewall protection and online backups. Consumers can choose a plan to protect between 1 and 5 devices and the software is compatible with Windows and iOS laptops. Too pricey? Norton Antivirus Plus is a more affordable, only-slightly-less-capable alternative.

Who it’s for: Norton is perfect for security-conscious individuals or businesses seeking security from a well-established brand.  

McAfee Antivirus

McAfee AntiVirus snags excellent scores among independent testers who adore its user-friendly interface and advanced virus-fighting tech. State-of-the-art features such as an anti-cryptojacking system and real-time ransomware protection add to the appeal. However, note the premium annual subscription doesn’t offer any discounts for multi-device offices and households.

Who it’s for: McAfee AntiVirus offers excellent value for single-device households and individuals seeking premium protection.  

Understanding Malware

It’s worth obtaining a basic understanding of malware in all its atrocious forms.

• Malware: A catch-all term for malicious code designed to harm a computer or person.
• Virus: A type of malware that spreads by self-replicating onto other PCs.
• Ransomware: Cryptovirological malware that blocks access to personal information until the victim pays a ransom.
• Spyware: Software that gathers and shares data without the user’s consent.
• Adware: Malware that spams users with unwanted ads, often slowing down their PC in the process.
• Trojan: Malware that disguises itself as valuable code to evade detection.
• Rootkits: Malware that enables hackers to gain remote access to a device.
• Keyloggers: Malware that monitors keystrokes to steal passwords and other sensitive data.

Laptop Security Tips: How to Stay Safe Online

Even the best anti-virus programs can’t guarantee complete protection. It’s up to you, the discerning laptop user, to understand and follow best cyber-security practices. These handy tips will help you stay safe from malware, hacks, and scams.

Update everything

Hackers have a knack for finding sneaky vulnerabilities in out-of-date software. Regularly updating your antivirus, operating system, and other apps will close these loopholes.

Run regular scans

While the best antivirus programs provide real-time protection, you still need to run regular scans. Schedule a full system anti-virus scan at least once per week, preferably at an off-peak time.   

Safe browsing practices

Be sceptical of dodgy-looking websites or too-good-to-be-true offers and verify the source of every file you download. Only visit URLs with an encrypted HTTPS protocol, as HTTP sites are far less secure.

Consider phishing scam protection

Treat inbound text messages and emails with suspicion and never click their links, no matter how genuine or urgent they may seem. Navigate directly to the organisation’s website instead.

Use strong passwords

Use strong and unique passwords for all your accounts, preferably combining special characters with numbers and upper- and lowercase letters (a password manager makes this easy). For extra protection, adopt multi-factor authentication (MFA) where available.

Perform regular backups

A hack or nasty virus can see you suddenly lose access to your data. Schedule regular backups to a cloud storage service or an external hard drive to minimise the fallout. Backup services are especially important for businesses.

Use a firewall

A firewall inspects and authenticates all traffic coming in or out of your network to shield your computer from potential threats. All decent anti-virus programs come with one; you just need to double-check it’s been switched on.

Consider physical security

Keep your laptop safely locked away and watch out for prying eyes if you work with sensitive information in a public setting.

Malware & Virus Removal

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We deliver fast and reliable virus removal and firewall and network security services directly to your door. Get in touch with us today.

FAQs

• What is malware vs virus?

  A malware is malicious code designed to damage a computer. A virus is a type of malware that spreads by replicating itself.

• How do viruses spread to laptops?

  Viruses commonly spread to laptops by hiding inside email attachments, downloads, and external USB drives.

• What should I do if I suspect my laptop is infected?

  Run a full system scan and quarantine any infected files.

• What are the 5 most common viruses?

  Adware, viruses, worms, Trojans, and ransomware.

• How can I recover my data if affected by malware?

  The most reliable solution is to contract a professional data recovery service.