While antivirus is the always the base feature, others that these packages might offer include ransomware protection, a VPN, and even a password manager. These really are all-singing all-dancing online security downloads for those wanting the best possible protection. Independent studies have shown that McAfee is better than Norton in terms of malware protection and the impact on system performance. Also, McAfee offers more security-enhancing features and extra utilities in its suites than Norton.
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Their annual subscription prices run well into the triple digits, but still cost less than if you were to buy the identity protection, password manager, cloud-backup storage and antivirus software separately. Antivirus makers normally offer multiple paid Windows products with identical malware protection but different numbers of extra features that get added as the retail price goes up. McAfee AntiVirus Plus is a good program for reliable and efficient protection against malware and for warning against malicious websites that harbor dangerous threats. Given the choice, though, we recommend investing in McAfee Total Protection instead.
The software will have essential malware protection and maybe a password manager or a two-way firewall. If you want features such as a password manager or a hardened web browser, then Avast Free Antivirus might be for you. But its malware protection isn’t as good as the top two and its performance impact is heavier. Unlike some of the other best antivirus software makers, Norton doesn’t offer a file shredder, file encryption or secure web browser with any of its products. Yet every other digital protection service you could possibly ask for is included with at least some of its bundles.
Microsoft’s built-in antivirus software has finally made it to the big leagues. All eight of Norton’s antivirus products offer excellent malware protection, and the once-heavy system-performance load is much lighter.
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As the name suggests, McAfee’s baseline product, Total Protection Individual, only covers one individual device. And if you’re thinking of buying it, and you own more than just a Windows PC, then you’re almost certainly better off purchasing McAfee Total Protection Multi-Device.
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Beyond antivirus – this is personal protection
Now Avira’s malware protection is in the middle of the free-antivirus pack. The program’s numerous extra features, including a password manager, a system optimizer and Avira’s own Phantom VPN service, are mostly just teases for paid subscriptions. Avira Free Antivirus’ system-performance impact is also remarkably heavy. There’s also a surprising number of extra features built into Windows 10 itself, including parental controls, a gaming mode and protections for all browsers, that make up for Windows Defender’s no-frills approach. You still won’t get a password manager or a VPN, but you also won’t be bothered by pop-ups trying to upsell you to paid antivirus software.
This program just costs a bit more than McAfee Antivirus Plus. The kinds of features an antivirus suite offers tell a lot about the product as a whole. It’s true that keeping your computer safe from digital threats is the primary job of a security package, but today’s online world demands much more than just simple malware protection.
- But over the last couple of years, McAfee has really focused on refining its programs and optimizing them for peak performance without the lag.
- In the past, McAfee has gotten some slack for being a real resource guzzler and creating a lot of computer slowdown despite doing a decent job of stopping malware infections.
- McAfee AntiVirus Plus didn’t cause any noticeable slowdown during our in-house tests and was one of the only programs to earn a perfect score for malware protection from both us and other internet security testing labs.
The number of extra features each program has varies according to price, but the sweet spot in the lineup is Norton 360 Deluxe. Internet security suites offer a comprehensive range of protection for your online devices.
For not much more money, you get a sound security suite which protects up to five Windows or Mac computers, and Android or iOS devices. US customers also get a useful additional extra in the form of identity theft protection.
List prices start at $80-$100 per year, but make sure you really need those extra tools you’re paying for. The password managers are often quite good, but the online storage can be paltry and the VPN services often don’t give you unlimited data.
In the past, McAfee has gotten some slack for being a real resource guzzler and creating a lot of computer slowdown despite doing a decent job of stopping malware infections. But over the last couple of years, McAfee has really focused on refining its programs and optimizing them for peak performance without the lag. McAfee AntiVirus Plus didn’t cause any noticeable slowdown during our in-house tests and was one of the only programs to earn a perfect score for malware protection from both us and other internet security testing labs. McAfee also earned the top spot in our best antivirus software for Windows in 2019 roundup.
It’s a good solid program that stops malware quickly without using up too much of your computer’s resources. The biggest drawback is that this is a very bare-boned program without a lot of extras.
Total Protection has the same level of internet security as its basic antivirus program, which is excellent. But Total Protection also includes many more valuable tools for keeping tabs on your internet connection, your children’s online activities and cryptocurrency accounts that are worth the few extra dollars. There isn’t a lot of negatives that we saw while testing McAfee AntiVirus Plus.
Security beyond antivirus
Both McAfee and Norton are top-of-the-line antivirus software companies that focus on delivering a quality security product. Independent lab tests prove that both antivirus programs put a minimal impact on system performance. However, in terms of malware protection, Norton is slightly ahead of McAfee.
However, most free antivirus software packages offer limited malware protection, with some even lacking real-time malware protection capability. Plus, all security companies reserve their best security features and utilities for their paid-for suites. McAfee Total Protection is a security suite which provides your device with anti-virus, identity, and privacy protection. It includes things like personal firewall, vulnerability scanner, parental controls, crypto-currency protections, and password manager. Basic paid antivirus software is usually just called “Antivirus” or similar, and yearly subscriptions start at $40-$60.
This means that while internet threats are stopped from infecting your computer, other types of threats can still sneak in. However, McAfee Total Protection includes all these extra protections on top of parental controls and internet filters.
Security Outcomes
Many of the top-priced premium products include identity-theft protection, password managers, backup software and VPN service. Are you a techie who understands the risks of using the internet? The multi-device licenses of those two security suites also come with an identity-protection service, but none of the McAfee products have a secure browser or webcam protection, which you often get with the best antivirus programs. If you want full-on identity protection, Norton offers three bundles with varying degrees of LifeLock service and even more online storage space.