What is a virus in a computer? Virus attacks are a common issue that happens to PCs like computers and laptops. It can be said that a computer virus is a program or app that can reproduce or copy itself and spread by inserting itself into other programs and data stored in a computer. This is what destroys the computer system. Poor performance, lost data, unreadable important files, to account hacking are what computer virus attacks can cause.

Since a computer virus can reproduce itself, it consumes a lot of memory in your computer so that you run out of memory though you do not have much data and files. This makes the computer frequently freeze or hang, then change the extension of files and programs that make them unusable. It can also steal someone’s personal data without them knowing. Computer viruses can also damage the computer’s hardware.

Nearly 95% of computer viruses attack PCs with the Windows operating system. The rest attacks Linux, MacOS, FreeBSD, and Sun Operating System. So, if you ask can a Mac get a virus? Yes of course. Therefore, it is crucially important for you to know the best antivirus to protect your computer and secure your important data. Below are some recommendations for you.

How To Get Rid of Computer Viruses?

One way to prevent computer viruses is to install a virus removal application. Here are some of the most powerful Antivirus.

Avast One Essential

Besides basic protection, Avast One Essential also offers protection from unidentified threats by using what is called Behaviour Shield. This feature can stop the software that previously behaved, but suddenly performs operations that may put your identity and data in danger. It also features a practical password manager so that you will be able to access a website in your browser more quickly. The free version is able to scan WiFi networks and warn you if there is any intruder in your device.

While the paid version provides protection for ransomware, which is a type of virus in computer. Avast One Essential is one of the best antivirus software to stop malware. It gets the highest point from AV-Test while LE Labs ranks it in the third place for total protection that they give. This antivirus is available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS.

McAfee Total Protection

McAfee is good for protecting your PC from computer virus attacks. It provides 3 options for running the function of this antivirus, which are Quick Scan, Full Scan, and Custom Scan. If you want to quickly scan your computer system, then choose Quick Scan. If you want to totally scan all your folders and drives, select Full Scan. Scanning your PC with Full Scan takes a long time and surely makes the performance of your computer slow for a while.

Once the scanning process is complete, you will see some problems that need to be fixed. On the other hand, Custom Scan allows you to scan only certain files or folders you have selected. McAfee Total Protection also has a feature that can remove cookies and trackers. Some websites use cookies to track your computer. And this feature can determine which cookies need to be removed. So, it is not surprising that this antivirus has many positive reviews of McAfee.

AVG Antivirus Free

It is one of the most popular antivirus software out there. AVG is a company owned by Avast so that both products use the same machine and have the same level of protection. The free version of AVG includes protection against ransomware, spyware, and other harmful malwares. It also offers 6 different types of scanning, including USB/DVD, device, files, folders, and boot scanning. This antivirus works before Windows is completely turned on.

So, it can scan and protect your laptop and computer before the malware has the chance to damage your PC. Moreover, AVG will also warn you if there are any insecure websites as well as block insecure email attachments. If you want better protection, you can update it to the paid version. This antivirus offers a free trial antivirus 90 days. It is available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS.

Kaspersky Security Cloud Free

Kaspersky is a big name in the antivirus industry. In the SE Labs’ newest report, Kaspersky ranks at the top for computer protection. It does a great job in removing computer viruses. Just like other antiviruses, Kaspersky Security Cloud is also available in both free version and paid version. The free version includes protection for files, folders, emails, automatic updates, web-based threats, quarantines, and others.

While the paid version offers the parents control feature, online payment protection, password manager, and VPN manager. Besides for PCs, Kaspersky is also available for Android, providing protection for your Android smartphone. It also gets the highest score from AV-Test.

Microsoft Windows Defender

The next best antivirus for PCs is Microsoft Windows Defender. Microsoft already equipped this antivirus on Windows 10. But you can buy the paid version, which is Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection. In the SE Labs’ newest report, this antivirus ranked in the fifth position, beating other 8 paid antivirus programs. AV-Test also found that Windows Defender can detect and protect PCs from nearly all virus attacks as effectively as Kaspersky.

A lot of people believe in Microsoft Windows Defender so that Microsoft expands its service to other platforms. This antivirus program is built into Windows so that it is automatically activated by default to do its job and maintain the basics of internet security. You can also use this antivirus to block unwanted apps and protect your files and folders from ransomware. If you install other antivirus programs, Windows 10 will automatically disable Windows Defender.

This antivirus software will be enabled again once you have deleted the other antivirus programs.

Bitdefender Antivirus

Bitdefender Antivirus is available for Windows 10, MacOS, Android, and iOS. You can buy the paid version for $40 per year for 5 PCs. This antivirus offers a real-time monitoring feature for virus, malware, ransomware, and spyware protection. It is very easy to use and has protection based on great AI. The size of this program is small so that it will not slow your computer’s performance down. Bitdefender Antivirus consistently gets the highest point for protection and antivirus functions from AV-Test.