Best Computer Security Protection

05.09.2022

Best Computer Security Protection

SECURITY

Over the past few years, importance of data protection and cybersecurity has significantly increased. We all use our devices and go online every day. Unfortunately, there is also ever-growing raise in the number of threats to our security and security of our data. From viruses and Trojans to inadequate data protection, your personal computer is exposed to a variety of dangers every day and your data security is threatened. Being aware of the problem is good, but you need to stay one step ahead and take measures addressing your computer and data protection. With best software offered in the category of cybersecurity, you can make the right decision and make valuable contribution to the security. You ensure effective protection against viruses and malware – and it does not have to cost anything.

Safe on the Internet with the right programs for best protection
Viruses and malware are the most common threats to your PC and security and, in the worst case, wipe your hard drives clean after infecting your computer. Over the years, Trojans and spyware have become additional threats to your security. With their help, criminals connect to your PC unnoticed via the Internet to intercept passwords and bank data and use them illegally. Especially if you use public networks with a laptop or netbook and do online banking, for example, IT security and data protection are even more important and make downloading protection software indispensable. What is the best antivirus software out there? 

Some of the most popular programs for virus protection & security
There is no doubt that certain protection tools must be used. For comprehensive and free virus protection, as well as for cybersecurity, Avira Free Antivirus 2016 AntiVir and Avast Free Antivirus 2016 are currently the most popular programs. Software from Kaspersky or Ad-Aware can also be downloaded for free. Installed on your computer, it offers real-time protection against thousands of viruses, among other things. In the spyware sector, such protection tool as Spybot – Search & Destroy is one of the most popular titles. The free available software Malwarebytes helps in protection against malware like worms and Trojans. With ZoneAlarm Free Firewall, you can also enhance your protection strength and prevent unwanted connections between your computer and the Internet. The combination of several programs ensures optimal best security for your computer. 

Stiftung Warentest: The best virus protection in the test 2022
There are now numerous virus protection programs for your computer, for your data protection and security. Some of them can have basic security features, some of them can offer extra features, but all of them have the main purpose, which is to strengthen your security and ensure proper protection. Stiftung Warentest has tested the most popular protection software, which can run under both Windows and macOS operating systems. So, which virus protection is the best?

Best virus protection according to Stiftung Warentest

In a recent test (issue 03/2022), Stiftung Warentest tested the most popular antivirus protection programs for Windows and MacOS security. The programs had to prove their protection capabilities with all security components and protection layers. To obtain realistic test results, Stiftung Warentest challenged the antivirus programs against real security threats on the computers.

The results provide information about which antivirus products perform well in the disciplines of protection, handling, computer load, data protection, and, in general, provide solid security. The test results: The best virus protection under Windows operating system.

The antivirus test report from Stiftung Warentest shows some interesting results. The top best security tools includes three paid programs, Bitdefender, F-Secure and Kaspersky. In this year's test, the protection effect accounted for 65 percent of the overall score. The antivirus program Bitdefender Internet Security provided the best protection for a computer.

F-Secure SAFE

Bitdefender IconWhoever offers the best possible security for your computer. And it is definitely best advised with the antivirus protection program Bitdefender Internet Security (bitdefender.de).  The software provides great virus protection features, which are easily customizable to each customer’s needs. 

The best protection was not only shown by the antivirus test results of Stiftung Warentest. In the latest tests of the leading antivirus protection software, test labs AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives, the antivirus program also demonstrated best results and successfully fended off 100% of all security attacks.

Bitdefender's security suite is very easy to use and includes a wealth of useful additional security functions for different types of protection (parental control, password manager, phishing protection, VPN service and much more) in addition to the virus protection function.

F-Secure IconF-Secure SAFE is certainly one of the best antivirus protection programs in terms of speed and malware detection and protection. However, unfortunately, the program produces many false positives – harmless programs are seen as security threat and marked as malware. In the last two real-world tests by AV-Comparatives alone, the virus scanner triggered 55 false positives. Analysis of these false positives will take time which better be spent on some real security threats. Despite good results in the Stiftung Warentest test, we therefore tend to advise against F-Secure as a security tool.

Windows Defender only lands on place 19
Microsoft IconFirst released in September 2009 as Microsoft Security Essentials. The antivirus protection software now known as Windows Defender took quite a while to achieve acceptable virus protection scores. For years, the software ended up at the bottom of independent security tests. In the meantime, the Windows protection regularly shines with good results of antivirus protection.

In the Stiftung Warentest test, Windows Defender only landed in 20th place among protection tools – the worst antivirus protection program in this year's test. However, the worst test result in this case was still satisfactory in terms of security. After all, the protection program still managed to get a rating of 3.4 (satisfactory). Although the security handling and computer load were convincing in the test, the virus scanner scored comparatively "poorly" in the protection and security discipline.

Best free virus protection
Originally, the free virus protection software Kaspersky Security Cloud Free came out on top in Stiftung Warentest's test as the best free security solution. However, the German Federal Office for Information Security has been warning against the use of Kaspersky products since March 15, 2022. As a result, Stiftung Warentest has withdrawn its test quality ratings for Kaspersky software.

The best virus protection and data security for macOS computers
For years, Apple was known for its security strengths. They praised the macOS operating system for its security and user data protection. It seemed almost impossible to get a malicious program on a MacOS computer. The real reason for this: there simply wasn't any macOS malware, so there was no need for protection. MacOS operating systems were far less common than Windows systems. This made the operating system seem less desirable to hackers as a target. In the meantime, the target group has grown considerably, and the variety of MacOS malware is correspondingly large now. And the number is continuously increasing. Therefore, there is also a demand for antivirus protection and security software for this operating system. 

Bitdefender IconThere now has numerous antivirus protection programs for MacOS security and data protection. Stiftung Warentest has tested 9 of them to find the best of the best. As in the previous year, the inexpensive antivirus program Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac (bitdefender.de) won in 2022 with the grade "good 2.1". The Stiftung Warentest testers were particularly impressed by its performance in terms of security features.

The antivirus protection software includes such security features as a password manager, a special banking browser and VPN access (200 MByte/day). A completely new feature in version 2022 is the anti-phishing system, which blocks fraudulent websites in real time.
 

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