The best corporate antivirus software

A secure virtual private network to protect your internet traffic, a password manager to keep track of login credentials and an end-to-end encrypted messaging app to stop others from spying on your communications are all essential in protecting your personal information. Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and high-profile attacks like the Columbia Pipeline hack are becoming more commonplace, which is concerning. Looking for free antivirus protection, malware protection or virus detection, willing to pay for an antivirus program that offers broad internet security coverage across all your devices, including from ransomware and phishing, or need to remove a computer virus or malware from your PC right now?

Here's where to start when looking for the best antivirus software for your needs. Honestly, if you practice safe computing -- you keep your software up to date, you use strong passwords with the help of a password manager , you steer clear of unexpected emails and you don't click suspicious links that may be phishing attempts -- you probably can avoid zero-day attacks and ransomware attacks.

And with the free Microsoft Defender Antivirus software running on Windows 10, you have a malware protection safety net if you do let your guard down. In fact, it is one of the best antivirus software. Note that Microsoft changed the name of Windows Defender to Microsoft Defender and has expanded the service to other platforms. This free antivirus program is built into Windows and it's turned on by default, the antivirus engine does its thing, and this antivirus solution will cover the basics of internet security.

Microsoft pushes new updates frequently. Defender also lets you tune the level of protection you want, giving you control over blocking potentially unwanted apps and protecting folders and files from a ransomware attack. Note that Windows 10 will automatically disable its own Windows Defender antivirus when you install third-party antivirus.

If you uninstall the third-party protection, Windows 10 will turn back on its own antivirus. Norton antivirus provides industry-leading security software for PC, Mac, and mobile devices. Note, we don't think antivirus protection is terribly useful outside the Windows realm. In addition to malware and virus protection for your computer and mobile device, this antivirus suite provides GB of backup to the cloud, safe-browsing tools, a secure VPN, password manager, parental controls and LifeLock identity theft protection and fraud alert.

While not all of those services are necessarily best in their respective class, getting them all in one package is a compelling option. If you'd like to take a step up in securing your PC without taxing your wallet, it's hard to beat Bitdefender's free antivirus software for Windows The Windows security software offers real-time monitoring for viruses, malware, spyware and ransomware protection.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is easy to set up and stays out of your way until you need it. And the protection this antivirus product offers is solid.

Bitdefender antivirus software consistently earns top marks for its antivirus protection and usability from the respected AV-Test independent testing lab.

The free antivirus version covers one Windows PC. Malwarebytes does protect your PC from a virus or malware attack, scoring reasonably well in recent independent testing for guarding against malware threats. But that's not really what Malwarebytes is known for. If you find yourself in trouble, the go-to disinfectant for many is Malwarebytes. To get the antivirus company's free antivirus version, download this trial version , which "downgrades" to a no-fee on-demand cleaner with fewer features that detects and removes viruses and malware when you run an on-demand antivirus scan after 14 days.

In addition to the four antivirus apps we recommend above, a handful of other anti-malware tools are worth considering among the best antivirus protection if you find them at a better price or just prefer to use one over our picks above. It feels like McAfee Antivirus has been around forever, first on its own in the '80s, then as part of Intel starting in , and then again on its own when Intel spun it off in And McAfee Total Protection has been around forever because quarter after quarter it creates solid, modern antivirus software that protects your PC.

In recent evaluations by AV-Test, it had high scores on both protection and performance. Maybe this antivirus provider is not as well known to consumers because of its focus on enterprise security, Trend Micro antivirus quietly brings its business expertise to the home with its Trend Micro Maximum Security tools. Avast offers several different antivirus packages for business. Teams of under 10 can protect themselves with Small Office Protection, which includes ransomware, email and internet protection.

In addition to real-time protection across desktop, mobile and web, Bitdefender offers a suite of threat forecasts that can help you seal up any leaking holes before they become a problem.

Before an attack, admins can monitor things like the number of unencrypted web pages employees visit. After an attack, Bitdefender gives you the tools to break down and understand why the attack happened and how to avoid it in the future. On top of that, Bitdefender leverages machine learning to predict and block threats before they can impact your business.

Who Should Use It: Businesses that need to monitor and analyze threats before they can happen. Emsisoft employs four different protection layers to keep your data safe from nearly all threats. It starts with protection from malicious websites in the browser, protecting your business from the most significant threats.

After that, Emsisoft uses machine learning to detect zero-day malware and block it in real-time. That should cover most threats, but Emsisoft goes further. The software uses behavior analysis to detect potentially malicious apps, and it uses that analysis to detect things like ransomware before it can encrypt your data.

Outside of protection, Emsisoft includes a centralized web dashboard for seeing the protection across your business. Here, you can manage your teams, set custom protection policies and much more. Who Should Use It: Anyone looking for holistic protection that you can manage through a centralized dashboard.

F-Secure takes a different approach to business antivirus. All of its services are centered around F-Secure Elements, which is a cloud-native platform that allows you to choose the protection you need. There are four services available, each protecting a different aspect of businesses. For most, Endpoint Protection is the most critical element.

Powered by AI and based in the cloud, Endpoint Protection can help your business reduce attack surfaces, identify threats from community-sourced data and defend your data in the event a breach happens. Malwarebytes can protect as little as a single device and as many as devices. Those include real-time protection on desktop, ransomware and phishing protection and zero-day exploit detection. If you have a larger team or need extra security, Malwarebytes has you covered.

The premium package includes threat isolation and recovery, ransomware rollback and the ability to add server security. From protecting a few devices in a small office to defending dozens of devices from large attacks, Malwarebytes has something for everyone. Who Should Use It: Malwarebytes offers a scalable platform that fits in the small office as well as it does in the sprawling enterprise.

Norton is a household antivirus name, and for good reason. The business service provides the same excellent protection. That said, it loses a few points due to a limited feature set and high prices. Norton provides the convenience of a personal antivirus with the reach of a business one. As a cloud-based service, you can easily manage your devices and protection without dedicated hardware. AVG sets itself apart with features such as Linkscanner, which checks links before you open them, and CyberCapture, which sends unrecognized files to AVG for analysis.

Featured Partners 1. Holistic antivirus protection is important for business and personal use, but there are few areas that are more important for businesses. By taking little space, you are certain to use it promptly as it opens fast and scans. The real-time defence is also another gain this antivirus has for you. The protection offers a hour guard for your files and other online stuff so worry little when your internet goes off as the system will still work offline to detect and block malware.

Moreover, McAfee small business security has a timer where you can schedule the scanning time and start the scan when no one uses it. This is an advantage since you run your daily errands uninterruptedly. Once the scan is complete, McAfee gives you a detailed report of the issues detected on your device. This helps you to fix them instantly and run your device safely. This expands the use. Another essential feature of this antivirus is the ability to manage your passwords and ensure a safe login.

The browser-based password manager memorizes the login password and gives you a warning to the insecure sites. It also supports file lock, making it a privilege for you if you prefer safety file locking.

This is also backed with the bit file encryption for added security. Unlike other Antivirus units that limit you to several devices, this offers unlimited device use even though you can still choose the limited number unit and still get the best protection. The safe family parental controls ensure your kids grow up knowing the good digital habits.

This promotes secure browsing for the entire family and the small business. As much as this is a time winner antivirus, you will still feel the pain of subscription since it is expensive but accessible online. Finally, you get free access to customer care support with your annual subscription. This allows you to get issues resolved with ease hence a reliable business internet security.

During your initial installation, you get a full free trial. With this, you can monitor the effectiveness of this antivirus then choose to purchase it. The defender offers comprehensive security protection from malware to ransomware, threats to delays, and other random security issues such as phishing scams. This keeps your business protected all through.

The five device subscription for this antivirus runs you through one year while the ten device subscription gets you through two years. This allows you to choose the right package for your business. Bitdefender is speed optimized and offers protection across all your devices with operating systems on Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android. This is an advantage as the systems are basic and readily available on your devices. There is a new microphone monitor feature on this antivirus.

It lets you know when apps have access to your device. Besides, an anti-tracker is tasked to keep your browsing data private and keep safe sites for secure browsing without harming your device. This improved antivirus features parental controls making it secure enough for children browsing as you can filter data and limit screen time. Besides, you can easily track the location. This antivirus also supports safe online banking and will never leak your pin or security password to your safe.

This keeps the business transactions from access by unauthorized users. The antivirus also uses smart behavioral detection technology for advanced threat defense. This monitors apps in real-time and delivers reports instantly. This feature is excellent for travelers and out of office workers. Despite the best features, we still found the support system worse in reviewing the support ticket.

This slows the process when responding to urgent matters. In general, this antivirus offers comprehensive protection and privacy. Therefore, you can bank on it if you are set for the best small business antivirus.

We included Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus on our list since it has had a successful run for the last 30 years as the best firewall for business. With continued innovation and advancement in technology, most enterprises are trusting in the way this antivirus protects online and offline presence.

This makes Avast for business premium endpoint security the best on the market. Additionally, this antivirus detects and blocks malware and other threats in real-time. This keeps your data safe and secure. Besides, it delivers reposts instantly so that you can analyze and resolve the issues on your devices. Also, it scans for WI-FI security weaknesses and finds intruders to your network.

This eliminates the ease of hacking by the intruders. It is a great way to avoid fake shopping sites that trick you into losses. This hides your presence online and keeps all your plans private. The plan is available for PC only. The antivirus has a password notification so that you get information in case your password leaks. This protects your information from unauthorized access. It also has the permanent shed files system where you delete files so that nobody recovers them.

This ensures the sensitive documents are out of reach. Bottom line : Regardless of your business size, Symantec may be worth considering. It has some drawbacks, but they might be improved with the next update. Avira Prime Avira Prime is a robust yet user-friendly business antivirus solution. It can protect you from viruses, ransomware, hackers, and sophisticated phishing attempts, providing your office with peace of mind. In addition, its next-level security features and mind-blowing technologies allow you and your employees to perform work-related duties safely and efficiently.

Pros: Up to 25 devices with one subscription : Avira Prime is a cost-effective solution that allows you to share one license with up to 25 devices. Real-time antivirus protection : Avira Prime protects you from malware, ransomware, phishing, and other online threats in real-time. Inefficient Browser Safety component : Avira Prime comes with a browser extension that blocks sketchy websites.

Bottom line : Despite its significant downsides, Avira Prime is not bad business antivirus for small and mid-sized companies. It is cost-effective and packed with unlimited VPN, which may be a suitable solution for the beginning of your corporate journey. It keeps your business safe from ransomware and cryptographic attacks, making sure your business data is safe from the most common and complex external threats.

Additionally, it successfully identifies endpoint connections with malicious servers, discovering all the compromised systems.

Pros: Stellar AI-powered platform : Thanks to its cloud-native protection and robust Intercept X technology, Sophos can protect all your devices with a single console, using a predictive instead of reactive approach.

Advanced protection features : Sophos blocks malware and non-malware attacks while identifying endpoint connections with compromised systems.

After that, you may decide whether it is worth purchasing for your office. Web control and URL blocking : This business antivirus detects and blocks fraudulent websites, preventing any suspicious activities on the web. Cons: day free trial : You can download and use the product for 30 days.

It features a powerful AI-based technology that predicts and prevents some of the most sophisticated cyberattacks that could jeopardize your business safety.

FireEye Endpoint Security FireEye Endpoint Security features cutting-edge antivirus technology that can safeguard your enterprise from the most advanced cyber threats and potential data breaches.

It detects activities in real-time, using the best tools to address malware and stop it in progress. Easy-to-use interface : FireEye is easy to install and configure, while its intuitive interface allows you to manage options easily. Real-time security search : FireEye searches for threats across all online endpoints in real-time, reducing the risk of their execution. Cons: Expensive to purchase and maintain : According to users, FireEye is more costly than most of its competitors.

Bottom line : FireEye Endpoint Security is an enterprise-level software packed with advanced security features that protect endpoints in real-time. Small businesses may find it a bit pricey, but bigger offices may benefit from its protection options. It features modern cloud-based technology that lets you control all the deployments from one single place.

It is excellent for any business size due to its robust security functions. Pros: Advanced cybersecurity : Webroot Business Endpoint Protection keeps your business files safe from advanced JavaScript attacks, malicious PowerShell, file-based and script attacks, and other sophisticated threats.

This feature enables a more seamless file scan and fewer false positives. Free phone support : You can rely on free phone tech support whenever you are experiencing software issues.

Cons: No mobile support : You can use Webroot protection on Windows and Mac devices, terminal server, and Citrix environment, but the app is not available for Android or iOS. Bottom line: Generally, Webroot Business Endpoint Protection can be a pretty useful anti-malware for your office.

It has all the essential features to protect your vital business files quickly and efficiently. Pros: Stronger protection : VMWare Black Carbon features advanced threat protection against the broad spectrum of newly formed cyberthreats.

Increased efficiency : Thanks to a single platform, console, and agent, your IT team can deal with security events more efficiently. Easy to use : Black Carbon features a user-friendly interface you can manage straightforwardly.

Cons: Increased efficiency : Thanks to a single platform, console, and agent, your IT team can deal with security events more efficiently.

Bottom line : If you are looking for a business antivirus beast, VMWare is an ideal choice for you. It is packed with significant benefits that can protect the most critical parts of your business IT infrastructure.