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Best Antivirus for Browser: 11 Popular Picks for Safe Browsing
Check out the safest antivirus for web browsing available
11 min. read
Updated onMarch 21, 2024
updated onMarch 21, 2024
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Many Windows users believe they don’t need to pay for antivirus software since Windows Defender is free. Sure, it’s free and safe to use.
However, independent tests show that Windows Defender’s protection level falls below 90%, compared to 99% of the dedicated antivirus programs.
Besides, some malware programs advance with the advancement in technology, and the built-in Windows Defender might not stand up to such threats.
Whether it’s the latest ransomware encrypting all your files or browser hijackers grabbing your search page, you will need a first-rate antivirus package to keep threats at bay.
In this article, we bring you the best browser antivirus programs that will give you all-around protection.
Secure your devices with award-winning cybersecurity technology.
Maximize your PC’s security and performance with top-notch digital threat detection.
Keep secure with groundbreaking AI detection and prevention technology.
Browse the web securely for up to 3 devices across Windows, Mac, iOS or Android systems.
Best security tool for intense browsing activity.
Do I need an antivirus for web browsing?
If you don’t want to risk exposing personal data from your computer, including banking details, you should use an antivirus while web browsing. An antivirus will scan and block infected sites before you even click on them, as well as files and links that can contain viruses.
Scam sites are everywhere. The only way to avoid them is by having a decent antivirus that checks a site’s integrity before you enter it. A good antivirus will make your online browsing smoother and free from intrusive ads and pop-ups.
Here are the reasons why you should use antivirus when web browsing:
Even though you can still browse without an antivirus, it’s still a good idea to consider the best antivirus programs on the market today. One might even catch your attention.
Which antivirus has the best browser protection?
ESET HOME Security Essential– Best browsing security overall
ESET HOME Security Essentialtakes a no-nonsense approach when it comes to keeping threats at bay. It is developed to protect your computer from all types of threats.
Thisantivirusfeatures anti-phishing protection, email protection, browser protection, advanced heuristics & configuration settings, custom scan files, and a wealth of additional security tools.
You can also adjust the settings to tell the program which types of threats to scan which is faster and more specific.
Additionally, the software also offers an anti-theft tool that you can activate on all the devices that are licensed to run ESET.
When you log onto your anti-theft account on each device, you can track them through a web-based interface. It remains one of the bestantivirus softwareand has a clean and clear interface.
ESET HOME Security Essential
Bitdefender Internet Security– Best security for sensitive data
BitdefenderInternet Securitycombines nearly flawless malware protection, antispam, and antiphishing components with a wealth of other integrated security features.
Just like its twin brotherBitdefenderAntivirus Plus, this program also offers protection againstmalware, email attacks, and phishing, and also comes with a file shredder and a password manager.
BitdefenderInternet Security provides full protection and scans everything including email attachments and page URLs for malicious websites.
It can also block outsiders from scanning your system’s ports.BitdefenderInternet Security doesn’t support Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Using this antivirus from Bitdefender, you have banking data security, increased privacy with a VPN tool, an anti-tracker functionality to block suspicious websites, and more to go.
Bitdefender Internet Security
Guard.io– Best protection against malicious websites
Guard.iois a browser extension tool perfectly suited for web protection against digital threats and malicious websites.
If you require an efficient antivirus created to guard browsing activities, then you can simply add this light browser extension to any of your current browsers.
This antivirus extension has multiple utilities that include email phishing protection and sensitive data-stealing attempts. You can block malicious sites and web pages that contain malware and corrupted files.
You will efficiently guard your online presence regardless of browser and use this secure extension for Edge, Google Chrome, or Firefox browsers.
At the same time, you’re able to monitor all your email accounts for data leaking threats and act shortly if there are data breaching invasions.
In addition to that, you have full coverage of the Google Chrome extensions, and thus you’re secured against infected web extensions.
Guard.io
TotalAV– Intuitive interface
TotalAV is an all-in-one security program that offers multiple advanced features not only to help you browse safely and securely but to protect your device.
It has a feature called WebShield that constantly defends your device against all kinds of potential cyber threats and blocks them before they can even affect it.
It helps you stop intrusive hackers and malicious and untrustworthy websites from stealing your personal information.
You can schedule smart scans to run precisely at your set time and ensure that your system remains safe and secure permanently.
TotalAV eliminates all tracking cookies and no browsing activity of yours is left behind. Additionally, it blocks all intrusive ads, including pop-ups, annoying notifications, and in-play videos.
TotalAV
Vipre Antivirus– Best email protection
Vipreis an antivirus with award-winning endpoint protection, perfect for both home and business protection.
With real-time advanced threat protection, you won’t encounter any threats while browsing the web. Whether you are home, at work, or on the go, Vipre will remotely protect you from anywhere.
Vipre checks all files you download, all websites, and all emails that you receive or sends to make sure that you don’t leak sensitive data online. It even prevents sending emails to the wrong person.
Vipre provides multi-layered security solutions, such as machine learning capabilities and sandboxing technologies to verify all links and attachments before you click on them.
Since the antivirus focuses on the business and professional side of security as well, it provides additional layers for email security, data loss prevention as well as security awareness training to reduce either internal or external assault risks.
Vipre
Norton 360– Best online parental control
If you are looking for an antivirus that will protect you as well as your kids when browsing, Norton 360 is the right choice for you.
Through innovative technology powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, the antivirus provides features such as anti-spyware, malware, ransomware, and anti-phishing threats.
On top of this, web protection is essential for Norton 360. While today’s viruses are complex and harder to uncover, advanced security it’s able to stop the attacks right before it reaches your device
Norton 360 is perfect for home computers especially if you have children. The parental control feature gives you control over what they search, download and see online. This antivirus will keep them proactively engaged in important school subjects even if they are at school.
Also, the School Time feature gives you the ability to manage the learning environment and helps keep your children focused even when they are at school.
Norton 360
Kaspersky Standard– Most anti-malware features
Kaspersky Bundlelives up to its name by offering more anti-malware protection features than any otherantivirusprogram on the market.
The program comes packed with a bevy of extra protection features. It comes with browser protection that protects you from reaching malicious sites.
Kaspersky features a powerful firewall that blocks network attacks, a virtual keyboard that keeps your confidential data safe, and parental controls that protect your kids including an adult website filter.
Other extra features include helpful diagnostic tools that show your CPU and RAM usage and a password manager that integrates into Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Internet explorer.
By choosing this comprehensive antivirus, you’re covered from the most common digital threats like worms or trojans or advanced malware such as rootkits or rogues.
Kaspersky Standard
McAfee Antivirus Plus– Great features variety
McAfee Antivirus Plusis rich in features and highly effective at preventing phishing attempts and fightingmalware. It has anti-phishing protection and it gives you full control over its scanning behavior.
In your quest to find the bestantivirusprograms, you will not come across many that will beat McAfee Antivirus Plus.
It offers unlimited licenses across all of your devices. This means that you can protect all your Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS devices without paying for an extra license.
McAfee Antivirus Plus also comes with its own firewall which decides what content enters your PC and a file shredder that completely erases files.
In addition, this antivirus solution can offer you strong firewall support, a password manager tool, a file shredder for personal files, web protection, and reliable VPN protection.
McAfee Antivirus Plus
F-Secure Antivirus– Great for professional use
F-SecureAntivirusis among the bestantivirus softwarethat can keep your computer safe from cybercriminals. F-Secure is not cheap but it’s second to none at detecting security threats.
It uses two anti-malware engines to increase threat coverage thus offering almost flawless malware detection.
F-SecureAntivirusis one of the fastest at scanning for threats and its interface is clean and bright. The company offers two antivirus products; F-Secure internet security and F-Secure SafeAntivirus.
The F-Secure Internet security adds browser protection, a network scanner, a URL scanner, parental controls, additional protection for Macs and mobile devices, and a web-based account.
Knowing you can ensure full security for your online shopping and banking activities is worth knowing. Every time you access monetary websites automatic protection will activate to keep your money safe.
F-Secure Antivirus
Avast Free Antivirus– Great overall protection for a free antivirus
Designed by a company that has been in business for over 20 years,Avast FreeAntivirusdelivers a perfect balance between virus removal andreal-time protection.
Getting a good balance between these components is a huge problem for many antivirus products today. It comes with some top-notch features that other brands reserve for premium packages.
This includes a password manager and DNS protection that prevents DNS hijacking and protects against website redirects.
It also analyzes whether your applications are out of date and updates them for you. It’s a handy tool especially if you tend to delay software updates.
Avast antivirus offers enterprise-grade security for online navigation and benefits every user with AI protection and machine learning tools for increased online privacy.
Avast Free Antivirus
Avira Antivirus Pro– Great malware protection
Avira Antivirus Prois one of the bestantivirusproducts in terms of malware detection. It offers near-perfect malware protection at a very small price.
It blocks known malicious websites, constantly updates its database of malware signatures, scans all email attachments, offers a secure web browser, and has unlimited tech support.
The installation process is quick and straightforward. Besides protection, it repairs damage caused bymalwareto your files and also secures your finances and other private data.
You can employ this antivirus tool confidently for web defending against unsafe websites, plus advanced security to block zero-day ransomware attacks.
That being said, Avira is a practical method to entirely secure your online navigation and prevent viruses or personal information threats.
Avira Antivirus Pro
So, is it safe to browse without antivirus?
Yes, it can be safe to navigate on specific websites without a high-detection antivirus. You can remain protected by browsing on secured websites and taking minimal precautions.
Regardless, we suggest using the multi-layered malware protection that is offered by the solutions above. This way, you can navigate online worry-free and avoid any risky malware or data phishing attacks.
All the programs on this list have spectacular features designed to protect you from all types of threats while offering unparalleled performance.
If you have been looking for the best browserantivirus softwareon the market, there you have it. Have you used any of these programs? Let us hear about your experience in the comments section below.
More about the topics:antivirus,browsers
Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.
