Antivirus Selection & Buying Guide

How to determine the correct level of security protection for your devices.

Key Considerations when choosing an antivirus:

1. Device Count Requirements

Do you only need to shield one desktop computer, or do you have multiple laptops, phones, and tablets in your household? Selecting a 3, 5, or 10-device license is often significantly more cost-effective than buying individual licenses.

2. Multi-Platform Support

Some entry-level suites are Windows-only (e.g. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus). If your household has a mix of Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS systems, ensure the product edition is "Total Security" or "360 Deluxe", which explicitly covers multi-platform installations.

3. Key Extras: VPN and Password Managers

Premium tiers include unlimited VPNs and secure password vaults. If you already utilize a separate VPN or vault, you may save money by purchasing standard core antivirus protection packages instead of premium suites.