// ZDNET — HARDWARE & GADGET
The best antivirus software to protect your computer in 2026
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While today's OS defenses are better than they were a decade or so ago, it's still useful to have standalone, dedicated antivirus software for your desktop PC, laptop, and mobile devices. This allows you to run real-time scans if you think you might be infected with malware like ransomware, Trojans, and worms. The kind of protection you can expect from antivirus software today goes far beyond basic, signature-based scanning.
Antivirus software, such as those on offer by Bitdefender, Norton, Malwarebytes, and Avast, can also provide you with real-time online monitoring that warns you when you visit a phishing website. These programs also alert when your sensitive information and passwords have been leaked in new data breaches. They may also offer a VPN to protect your online communication and activity, and can even help clean up your devices, wiping away junk and legacy files. For our August 2026 update, we reviewed our top picks and updated our guide to include new features, new use cases, and pricing. We also answered more of your frequent questions concerning antivirus software.
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Our overall pick for the best antivirus is Bitdefender Total Security. This multi-platform software protects your personal data, including passwords and financial details. It handles advanced security threats and stops them from wreaking havoc on your system, all for $30 per year. We also recommend Norton's affordable solution for users who need a highly rated antivirus for a single device at $30 per year. ESET Protect is our pick for business customers.
ZDNET's security experts conduct hands-on testing to determine which software effectively detects and handles viruses and other malware without dragging down your central processing unit (CPU) or system performance. We also consider feedback from other security professionals, third-party reviewers, and customer experiences, such as Trustpilot reviews, to select the best antivirus software for mitigating cyber threats.
Our overall pick for the best antivirus of 2026 is Bitdefender Total Security.
Why we like it: Bitdefender is a well-known and trusted brand in the antivirus space. The antivirus solution is lightweight and won't hog your CPU, and it is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.