You can stay away from malware-related threats if you are careful to keep your software up to date and use strong passwords and stay away from suspicious links in online chats and apps. However, you still require antivirus security. It’s recommended that you choose a product which monitors other types of digital threats, including ransomware and spyware. The most effective software will guard you from these types of threats while protecting your privacy and preventing sensitive data from being stolen.
Microsoft Defender is a free program that comes with every Windows PC starting with Windows 8. It doesn’t score well in lab tests conducted by independent labs however, it’s simple to use and almost invisible while it’s running, only occasionally notifying users with a short message or alert. More comprehensive options like ESET Cyber Security Pro offer several options for preferences to adjust its behavior and are less intrusive with regards to the impact on performance of your background.
AVG Internet Security, with an easy-to-use interface as well as reasonable pricing (it’s $60 in the first year for 10 devices) extends the firm’s free antivirus to warrant a recommendation. The Essential version is a comprehensive protection against ransomware, malware and phishing attacks. The Premium version offers additional features, such as an account manager for passwords and an my link VPN for your Mac. All versions got top marks from AV-Comparatives in terms of security, but scored very low in terms of impact on performance of PCs.