A whole family
Kids' phones, a shared laptop, a parent's tablet — one unprotected device can be the way in.
Our match
McAfee
- One subscription across Windows, Mac, Android and iOS
- One account to see every device's protection
Antivirus & online safety, reviewed
Scammers don't care which device you use. Protect all of them.
Fake texts, phishing pages and malicious downloads target phones and tablets, not just PCs. We compared Norton, TotalAV, McAfee, Avast, Avira, VirtualShield and System Mechanic on what they actually protect — so you can pick the right one in about a minute.
Ad-supported — we may earn a commission from links on this page, at no cost to you, and it never changes our assessments. How this works.
| Suite | Best for | Stand-out | Skip it if | Ad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Editors' choice Norton | All-in-one bundle seekers | Bundled VPN + cloud backup | You won't use the extras | |
| TotalAV | Simple, all-in-one setup | Ease of use + tune-up tools | You want deep configuration | |
| McAfee | Mixed-OS families, many devices | Breadth + family-scale management | You only protect one device | |
| Avast | Familiar all-rounder | Recognized brand, broad suite | You dislike upsell prompts | |
| Avira | Starting free, with extras | Free VPN, password manager + updater | You'd lean on a VPN every day | |
| VirtualShield | Antivirus with a money-back removal promise | Virus Defense Promise + optional VPN | You want independently tested antivirus | |
| System Mechanic | Windows PCs that need a tune-up | PC tune-up + real-time protection | You use a Mac or want a VPN |
Ad
Why it matters
$16 billion
reported lost to fraud by Americans in 2025 — including $3.5 billion to scammers pretending to be companies and agencies people trust.
Source: US Federal Trade Commission, June 2026. Reported losses only — the FTC notes the true total is higher.
It starts with a click
A text about a parcel, an "invoice" for a renewal, a pop-up that says you're infected.
On every device
Phones, tablets and Macs are targets too — not just the family PC.
Before you notice
Good protection can flag scam links and malicious downloads before they cost you anything.
Find your match
Start from your situation — we'll tell you which suite fits
Each pick is matched to a real need, with the reasons it fits. Ranked by fit, never by commission.
Everything in one plan
Antivirus, a VPN and backup bought separately add up — and three apps mean three renewals to track.
Our match
Norton
- Higher tiers bundle a VPN and cloud backup
- Cross-platform coverage for the whole household
Keep it simple
When security software is confusing, people switch it off — or click straight through the warnings that matter.
Our match
TotalAV
- One uncluttered app on every platform
- Tune-up tools in every plan; VPN in higher tiers
Start free
Not ready to pay yet? Free protection beats none — as long as it comes from a vendor you can trust.
Our match
Avast
- Best known for its free antivirus
- Upgrade only for the extras you actually need
I use a Mac
Macs block a lot on their own — but fake installers and phishing pages target the person, not the machine.
Our match
Norton
- A Mac app inside a plan that also covers PCs and phones
- Bundled extras if you'll use them
My PC is old and slow
An older Windows PC slows down under junk files and startup clutter — and it still needs real-time protection.
Our match
System Mechanic
- Clean-up and speed-up tools, with real-time protection in Ultimate Defense
- Covers the household's Windows PCs — no Mac or phone apps
Not sure which one you are?
See all seven suites side by side — who each fits, what's bundled and what to check before you pay.
Identity protection · US only
Worried about identity theft?
Antivirus guards your devices. Identity protection watches your credit, Social Security number and personal details for misuse — and helps you recover if someone uses them.
Our match
OmniWatch
- Credit monitoring from one bureau, or all three on Elite and Family
- 24/7 identity theft restoration support on every plan
Protected in three steps
- 1
Pick your situation
Family, Mac, all-in-one, simple or free — start from what you actually need to protect.
- 2
See your match
One suite per situation, with the reasons it fits and the trade-offs we'd want to know.
- 3
Check the price on the official site
Compare the renewal price, not just the intro offer — then set it up on each device you want covered.
- 5 suites compared side by side
- Ranked by fit — never by commission
- Sources linked on our guides
- How we review
Do you even need antivirus?
Straight answers for each device — including when the built-in protection is enough.
- Is Windows Defender enough?
- Do Macs need antivirus?
- Do iPhones need antivirus?
- Does Android need antivirus?
- Is free antivirus enough?
- Is my phone hacked?
Know the threats
Latest guides
All guides →
Scams & Fraud
Gift card scams: how to spot them, and what to do if you already paid
A call, text, email or social media message says you must pay right now, with a gift card. The FTC says that's a scam, whatever the story. How the stories go, how to check a card on the rack, who to contact if you already paid, and what official sources say about getting the money back.
PrivacyTechReview Editorial Team Reviewed Nov 2, 2026 8 min read
Scams & Fraud
Is that delivery text a scam? How to check USPS, FedEx and UPS messages
A text says your package couldn't be delivered and asks you to tap a link. What USPS, FedEx and UPS each say they do by text, how to check a delivery safely, where to report it, and what to do if you already tapped.
PrivacyTechReview Editorial Team Reviewed Nov 2, 2026 9 min read
Online Privacy
Data removal services explained: what they do, what they can't, and the free route
Data brokers and people-search sites sell details about you, and a paid service can file the opt-outs for you. You can also do it yourself for free if you have the time. Here's what each route covers, where both stop, and how to judge a service from its own pages.
PrivacyTechReview Editorial Team Reviewed Nov 2, 2026 12 min read
Online Privacy
Tor Browser explained: what it is, whether it's safe and legal, and who it's for
Tor Browser sends your traffic through volunteer-run relays, so your internet provider can't see which sites you visit and those sites can't see your IP address. How it works, where it falls short, how it differs from a VPN or incognito mode, and where to get the real one.
PrivacyTechReview Editorial Team Reviewed Nov 2, 2026 13 min read
Online Privacy
Ad blockers explained: how they work, whether they're safe and which kinds exist
Ad blockers stop ads, and often trackers, before they load. How they work, what your browser already blocks for free, what Chrome's Manifest V3 change meant for uBlock Origin, and how to avoid installing a fake one.
PrivacyTechReview Editorial Team Reviewed Nov 2, 2026 13 min read
Online Privacy
How to clear your browsing history, cache and cookies in any browser
Steps for Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox on a computer or phone, the difference between what your browser saves and what your Google Account saves, and what you'll lose before you tap Delete.
PrivacyTechReview Editorial Team Reviewed Nov 2, 2026 13 min read
Don't leave the next click to chance
Pick the protection that fits your devices today. It takes a minute to choose — and the right plan can cover the whole household once it's set up.