Antivirus & online safety, reviewed
Fake texts, phishing pages and malicious downloads target phones and tablets, not just PCs. We compared Norton, TotalAV, McAfee, Avast and Avira on what they actually protect — so you can pick the right one in about a minute.
| Suite | Best for | Stand-out | Skip it if | Get protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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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
Each pick is matched to a real need, with the reasons it fits. Ranked by fit, never by commission.
Kids' phones, a shared laptop, a parent's tablet — one unprotected device can be the way in.
Our match
McAfee
Opens McAfee's official site
Antivirus, a VPN and backup bought separately add up — and three apps mean three renewals to track.
Our match
Norton
Opens Norton's official site
When security software is confusing, people switch it off — or click straight through the warnings that matter.
Our match
TotalAV
Opens TotalAV's official site
Not ready to pay yet? Free protection beats none — as long as it comes from a vendor you can trust.
Our match
Avast
Opens Avast's official site
Macs block a lot on their own — but fake installers and phishing pages target the person, not the machine.
Our match
Norton
Opens Norton's official site
Not sure which one you are?
See all five suites side by side — who each fits, what's bundled and what to check before you pay.
Compare all fiveFamily, Mac, all-in-one, simple or free — start from what you actually need to protect.
One suite per situation, with the reasons it fits and the trade-offs we'd want to know.
Compare the renewal price, not just the intro offer — then set it up on each device you want covered.
Straight answers for each device — including when the built-in protection is enough.
Most big security suites now include a VPN in at least some plans. Whether that's a bargain depends on what you'd actually use a VPN for.
Avira's free suite comes with a VPN — which sounds like a reason to skip paying for one. Here's what the free Phantom VPN actually covers, where its limits bite, and when VPN Pro or Avira Prime is worth it.
A window says Avira found viruses, or that your subscription has expired. Sometimes it's Avira's own upgrade offer; sometimes it's a scam page wearing Avira's name. Here's how to tell them apart — and what to do about each.
One is free and stops most new-account fraud before it starts. The other watches for trouble and tells you about it afterwards. They're not rivals — but the free one comes first.
An invoice for an antivirus renewal you don't remember, a large charge and a phone number to call within 24 hours. It's one of the most common scams around — here's how it works and how to check safely.
Slowdowns, pop-ups and a hijacked browser can mean malware — or just an old laptop. How to tell the difference, the calm steps to take if something is wrong, and how to spot the fake warnings that are the real threat.
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.
