The best internet security software of 2018Welcome to our list of the best internet security software suites to install on your PC, Mac or mobile devices in 2018.While our computers are more secure than theyve ever been, the threats they face are more sophisticated than ever too.
That means security software isnt just a nice thing to have; its essential, especially on Windows PCs.As more of us move to multiple platforms, security suites have moved too and youll find that some big-name suites now offer to protect not just PCs, but Macs and mobile devices too.Its hard to buy a bad antivirus these days (especially if you chose them from our list of best antivirus), but with wildly differing features and pricing it can sometimes be tough to pick the best one.So if you're looking for some additional protection in the form of Internet Security, then you've come to the right place.
Here are our picksBitdefender Total Security Multi-Device 2018 is the bigger brother of Antivirus Plus and adds a lot more features1.
Bitdefender Total Security Multi-Device 2018An excellent security solutionLightweightAccurateNoneBitdefender is a regular visitor to the top of the security charts, and with good reason its lightning fast, exceptionally accurate and boasts a range of tools including secure browsing, a password manager and a very effective spam filter.In its Total Security guise, it also delivers password management, secure browsing, battery management, VPN (with 6GB monthly allowance), Wi-Fi protection, ransomware protection, system optimisation, file encryption and shredding, and a licence for five PCs, Macs or Android devices (and up to 10) plus an option to get it installed and setup for you, presumably remotely.Not bad for 29.99 or $45 per year.
Note that the aforementioned prices are heavily discounted and that these discounts only apply to the first payment.
Bitdefenders secret is simple: its very, very good at what it does.Despite the recent controversy behind Kaspersky's products, the brand (and its Total Security solution) remains one of the most popular in the security market2.
Kaspersky Total Security 2018It even includes a VPN serviceVPN includedNoneKaspersky is another name youll hear mentioned when talking about the top security players, and with good reason.
The companys Total Security product starts at 27.99 for one device, rising to 42 ($50) per year for five devices, with support for 10 devices and up to three-year subscription.Total Security protects PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices, with very solid security scanning supplemented with file backup and encryption, password management, parental controls and child safety measures, along with privacy protection, including a VPN for trace-free browsing.McAfee LiveSafe is highly user-friendly and covers you for unlimited devices3.
McAfee LiveSafeA tried-and-trusted household nameUnlimited devices coveredMost expensive security solution out thereAt 89.99 or $94.99 per year, the Intel-owned LiveSafe isnt the cheapest product out there, but its particularly user-friendly.
There are parental controls and anti-spam, password management and identity protection, website scanning and a guaranteed 100% virus removal or your money back.
The licence covers unlimited PCs, Macs, phones and tablets, although as with any such suite the PC gets all the toys while Macs and mobile get a subset of the main package.Symantec Norton Security Premium boasts high quality malware scanning and a 100% virus removal guarantee4.
Symantec Norton Security PremiumA well-known name that's sticking around100% virus removal guarantee25GB cloud storageNo PC optimisation toolsNorton Security Premium is usually 79.99 (around $110, AU$150) per year for up to 10 PCs, Macs, iOS and Android devices, but at the time of writing its just 39.99 (around $55, AU$75) making it less than half the price of other premium suites.Once again we have parental controls, identity protection and excellent malware scanning, and theres also a useful Android feature that warns of dodgy apps the biggest current source of Android malware.
Theres a 100% virus removal guarantee, 25GB of cloud backup and a network firewall, but you dont get a password manager or any system optimisation tools.BullGuard Premium Protection gives you identity protection, online backup facilities and much more5.
BullGuard Premium Protection25GB online backupNo password managerHeres another security suite with big discounts: BullGuard is usually 69.95 (around $100, AU$130) per year for 10 devices but is always available for cheaper.
Once again the basic antivirus protection is enhanced you get parental controls, anti-spam, identity protection, 25GB of online backup and automatic upgrades, and BullGuard also offers to warn you about inappropriate content on your childrens social media.
Theres no password manager or support for mobile devices, but BullGuard is a solid offering for protecting PCs.Trend Micro Maximum Security boasts a password manager, not to mention PC optimisation tools6.
Trend Micro Maximum SecurityA multitude of tools availableRansomware protectionAvailable on mobileNoneOh look! Trend Micro is on sale! Were starting to detect a trend here, and that trend would make us very wary of signing up for any security suite that isnt currently offering a big discount on the RRP.
You dont want to be the only person who paid full price for a sofa, after all.Trend Micros Maximum Security protects up to 10 PCs, Macs or mobiles for $59.95 or 29.95 per year (its usually $99.95 or 69.95), and the suite includes ransomware protection, identity protection, parental controls and a password manager.
It also offers PC optimisation tools to speed up sluggish computers.Avast Internet Security is a powerful suite offering features like router security and sandboxed downloads7.
Avast Internet SecurityGoing beyond the call of dutyOffers DNS hijacking protectionExpensiveAvast is well known for its excellent free antivirus product, and its paid-for Internet Security starts at $47.99 (around 35, AU$65) per year for one PC.
In addition to the core antivirus/antimalware product you get router security, browser clean-up, password management, sandboxed downloads, DNS hijacking protection, secure browsing and anti-spam.
Its a very good product but it cant help but look awfully expensive when everybody else appears to be offering double-digit discounting.Panda Advanced Protection has an armoury of security tools including features to make sure your precious data stays safe8.
Panda Advanced ProtectionDoes more than just secure your PCIdentity and data protectionExpensivePanda Advanced Protection covers Windows, Mac and Android devices, giving you not just antivirus, but identity protection and data protection features, too.
You also benefit from automated backups to the cloud but if you want PC tune-up tools youll need to move up a level to the Complete Protection product.Advanced Protection starts at 19.99 (around $28, AU$35) for one PC, rising to 54.99 (around $75, AU$100) for 10 devices.AVG Ultimate offers good protection and speedy malware scanning9.
AVG UltimateGreat for a large number of devicesOne of the fastest scanners aroundNo password managementNo parental controlsAVG has done well from the freemium model, offering a very good antivirus package for nothing in the hope that itll drive sales of its paid-for products.At $79.99 or 69.99 per year for unlimited Windows, Mac and Android devices, AVG Ultimate is good value for money, especially if youre a small business with lots of different devices.The suite also boasts one of the fastest malware scanners around although in independent testing that speed meant it was found to be missing some potential threats.Theres no password manager, secure browser or parental controls, but its a good option for protecting multiple PCs, Macs and Android devices.F-Secure Total may not be the cheapest security suite around, but you get a VPN thrown in10.
F-Secure TotalEverything including the kitchen sinkPlethora of productsExpensive compared to the competitionF-Secures flagship product has three pricing options, to cover three, five or seven devices at $89.99/79.99, $109.99/99.99 and $129.99/119.99 per year respectively.Thats at the higher-end of the market, but you do get a lot of tools for your money including a private VPN for encrypted connections to Wi-Fi hotspots and to evade geoblocking.In actual fact, F-Secure Total is two products bolted together: the F-Secure SAFE security suite and F-Secure Freedome VPN.
The suite covers Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices, although the Mac component is just antivirus.What's the difference between Antivirus and Internet SecurityWhereas antivirus (AV) software provides a basic level of protection for your system, Internet Security expands on capabilities such as scanning files and software, activity monitoring and vulnerability search with features tailored for Internet use.Indeed, many Internet Security products are marketed as suites because they contain several different programs that can be accessed by a single interface.These might include a firewall, anti-spam controls, ad blockers, webcam protection, keylogger protection, parental controls and credit card safeguards.
There might also be additional protection against web-specific types of malware such as spyware and adware.However running so many different types of program might mean that Internet Security suites use more of your system resources than conventional AV.6ee62d1246d72abfd2d5216ca3908473.jpg#