14 Premium Antivirus Software to Secure Your PC

Staying protected online is more important today than ever before. As we do more and more of our daily tasks on our computers, from banking to shopping to communicating, we open ourselves up to new cybersecurity risks. That‘s why having a reliable premium antivirus is essential to keep your devices and data safe.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll provide an in-depth look at 14 of the top premium antivirus software options to consider for your Windows PC. For each antivirus, I‘ll overview its key features, protections offered, and pricing details to help you determine which is the best fit for your needs.

What to Look for in a Premium Antivirus

With so many antivirus products on the market, it can be tricky to know which one to choose. Here are some of the most important factors to consider as you evaluate your options:

• Malware protection: At a minimum, any reputable premium antivirus should provide real-time scanning and threat detection to block viruses, spyware, ransomware, trojans, and other malware.

• Phishing/fraud prevention: Many antiviruses now offer tools to detect fraudulent websites and block phishing attempts aimed at stealing your data.

• Firewall: A firewall monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and blocks suspicious or malicious activity. This provides an extra layer of protection.

• Tune-up utilities: Many premium antiviruses include features to help keep your computer running fast and smoothly, such as by cleaning up junk files or optimizing system resources.

• Password manager: Storing passwords securely is critical. Some antiviruses provide built-in password managers.

• Customer support: Having reliable technical support in case issues arise can provide peace of mind.

• Light system impact: You don‘t want antivirus software that slows down your computer. Look for efficient programs with minimal system drag.

Keeping these aspects in mind, let‘s dive into the top premium antivirus options available in 2022.

1. Norton 360 Deluxe

Arguably the most well-known antivirus software, Norton 360 Deluxe provides robust and full-featured protection for up to 5 PCs, Macs, smartphones, or tablets.

Key features include:

• Real-time monitoring detects viruses, ransomware, malware, and other threats
• Blocks unsafe links and downloads and warns you of risky websites
• Monitors network traffic and blocks intrusions with a firewall
• Provides 50GB of secure cloud storage for backups
• Comes with a password manager and PC tune-up utilities
• Allows controlling children‘s screen time and blocking inappropriate sites
• Dark Web Monitoring continuously scans for your info on dark web sites

Norton 360 Deluxe normally costs $99.99 per year, but can often be found discounted to around $49.99. With its extensive protections and tools, Norton 360 is an excellent premium antivirus choice.

2. McAfee Total Protection

Veteran security company McAfee offers its robust Total Protection plan for securing unlimited Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices. It includes:

• Multi-layer anti-malware and ransomware protection
• Blocks malware, phishing, and malicious links
• Monitors network activity with a firewall
• Encrypts your browsing and transactions
• Provides the True Key password manager
• Helps shred and permanently delete sensitive files
• Optimizes system performance with tune-up tools

Subscriptions for new users are discounted to $34.99 for the first year. With strong security provisions and excellent value, McAfee Total Protection is a great premium antivirus choice.

3. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Known for its minimal system impact and solid protection, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is a top choice for many. It offers real-time scanning, anti-phishing, anti-fraud, and anti-malware tools, plus includes several bonus features:

• A Vulnerability Scanner finds weaknesses that could be exploited by hackers.

• The Password Manager securely stores passwords and auto-fills them across devices.

• Bitdefender‘s 200MB/day VPN allows you to browse anonymously.

• The Safepay Browser provides heightened security for banking and shopping.

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus covers 1 PC for 1 year and normally costs $59.99, but is often discounted around 40% off. With robust protection that won‘t slow your system down, it‘s an excellent premium antivirus option.

4. Kaspersky Internet Security

Offering real-time defenses against a wide range of digital threats, Kaspersky Internet Security is a top antivirus contender. Key features include:

• Continuously monitors and blocks malware, viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, and more
• Prevents ransomware from encrypting your files
• Protects from phishing and fraud
• Controls network traffic with an advanced firewall
• Provides exploit prevention to stop attacks on vulnerabilities
• Includes a password manager and parental controls

Kaspersky Internet Security covers 3 devices for 1 year for $49.99. With comprehensive security provisions, excellent malware detection rates, and minimal impact on system performance, it‘s easy to see why Kaspersky is trusted by millions worldwide.

5. Trend Micro Internet Security

Trend Micro Internet Security‘s multi-layered protection utilizes advanced machine learning and cloud-based threat analysis to keep you protected. Features include:

• Real-time scanning blocks viruses, ransomware, trojans, spyware, and more
• Prevents phishing attempts and blocks malicious links
• Trend Micro‘s Pay Guard secures financial transactions
• Social media privacy features check privacy settings and block ads
• Parental controls allow monitoring children‘s online activities
• Protects smartphones and tablets with Trend Micro Mobile Security

Subscriptions cover 3 devices for 1 year and normally cost $79.95. However, the price is often discounted around 50%. Trend Micro provides robust security with minimal system impact.

6. Webroot Antivirus

Webroot Antivirus takes a unique cloud-based approach, which minimizes its footprint on your system. Key highlights include:

• Uses real-time cloud scanning to detect threats with minimal system drag
• Continuously monitors processes, files, and applications
• Blocks malicious and high-risk websites
• Prevents phishing attempts and identity theft
• Scans external drives and devices when connected
• Provides basic tune-up utilities

Webroot Antivirus is designed for resource efficiency – scans are 20x faster and use minimal memory compared to competitors. It covers 3 devices for 1 year for $29.99. The minimal impact paired with highly effective protection makes Webroot worth considering.

7. AVG Internet Security

AVG Internet Security delivers robust malware protection along with useful bonus features. It offers:

• Real-time scanning blocks viruses, spyware, ransomware, and trojans
• Prevents your computer from being used in DDoS attacks
• Keeps financial transactions protected with AVG Online Shield
• Detects malicious links and unsafe sites
• Provides a free basic VPN for anonymous browsing
• Includes tune-up tools to keep your PC running smoothly

AVG Internet Security covers unlimited devices with prices starting from $69.99 per year. With well-rounded security protections and extra utilities, it‘s a strong premium antivirus choice.

8. ESET NOD32 Antivirus

Utilizing advanced heuristics and machine learning, ESET NOD32 Antivirus provides top-notch malware protection with minimal system demands. It offers:

• Proactive anti-malware blocks viruses, spyware, ransomware, worms, trojans, and bots
• Prevents phishing and hijacking attempts
• Stops exploits from leveraging vulnerabilities
• Scans connections to check websites before accessing them
• Features optimized scanning to preserve system resources
• Comes with ESET LiveGrid® cloud-based threat analysis

ESET NOD32 Antivirus covers 1 PC for 1 year for $39.99. With extremely high malware detection rates, low false positives, and lightweight performance, it‘s a premium antivirus worth considering.

9. BullGuard Antivirus

BullGuard Antivirus couples effective real-time scanning with useful bonus utilities. Highlights include:

• Detects and blocks viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, ransomware and more
• Prevents access to malicious or phishing sites
• Monitors network traffic with a firewall
• Provides identity protection against online fraud
• Includes performance optimization tools to keep your PC running fast
• Comes with 24/7 expert technical support

A subscription covers 3 PCs for 1 year and costs $29.99. BullGuard Antivirus offers well-rounded security protections and extras at an affordable price.

10. Malwarebytes Premium

Leveraging heuristic analysis to proactively detect threats, Malwarebytes Premium focuses on eliminating zero-day exploits, ransomware, and hard-to-detect malware that traditional antivirus may miss. It provides:

• Proactive ransomware monitoring to detect and block attacks
• Real-time scanning identifies and isolates emerging threats
• Removes malware and repairs damaged files
• Blocks access to malicious sites and scam pages
• Monitors startup items and registry for threats
• Compatible with other antivirus software

A subscription covers 3 devices for 1 year at $39.99. With specialized capabilities beyond traditional antivirus software, Malwarebytes Premium is a smart addition for enhanced security.

11. Sophos Home Premium

Sophos Home Premium leverages AI and deep learning to provide enterprise-grade protection optimized for home use. It features:

• Intercept X advanced anti-ransomware and anti-exploit technology
• Real-time scanning blocks viruses, malware, spyware, and more
• Website filtering blocks dangerous sites and pages
• Prevents malicious links in emails, chats, and documents
• Scans WiFi connections for threats and vulnerabilities
• Comes with 24/7 support and protection updates

Sophos Home Premium covers 10 devices for 1 year for $60. With robust, proactive protections powered by AI, it‘s a standout premium antivirus.

12. F-Secure Total

F-Secure Total bundles antivirus, VPN, and password manager together into one comprehensive package. It includes:

• Real-time scanner and deep guard AI block the latest threats
• Banking and payment protection secures transactions
• Automated full system scans and updates
• Powerful F-Secure FREEDOME VPN for anonymous browsing
• F-Secure KEY password manager securely stores logins

F-Secure Total covers 5 devices and costs $124.99 per year. With robust security plus built-in VPN and password manager, it provides extensive protection and value.

13. G Data Antivirus

Utilizing dual-engine scanning for enhanced detection, G Data Antivirus couples real-time monitoring with proactive protections. It provides:

• Blocks viruses, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and exploits
• Proactively protects against unknown malware
• Prevents phishing and hacking attempts
• Scans SSL-encrypted connections
• Checks files on external drives when plugged in
• Comes with a built-in firewall for traffic monitoring

A subscription covers 3 devices for 1 year for $39.95. With multilayered defenses powered by two scanning engines, G Data Antivirus is a strong premium option.

14. Panda Dome Premium

Panda Dome Premium provides comprehensive multilayered protection coupled with optimization tools. Highlights include:

• Real-time monitoring blocks ransomware, spyware, malware, and phishing
• Endpoint protection secures devices using advanced cybersecurity services
• WiFi protection encrypts connections and alerts on vulnerabilities
• Includes a VPN, password manager, and PC cleanup tools
• Optimization software speeds up and maximizes PC performance

Subscriptions start at $107.64 per year covering unlimited Windows, Mac, and Android devices. With full security protections and useful extras, Panda Dome Premium is an excellent premium antivirus choice for complete protection.

Summary – Choosing the Best Premium Antivirus for You

Any of the premium antivirus solutions in this guide would serve you well—the differences come down to features, pricing, and user preferences. Key factors to consider are:

• Malware detection rate – how effectively the antivirus identifies threats
• Impact on system performance – lower is better
• Extra tools – password manager, VPN, tune up utilities, etc.
• Price – both initial cost and renewals
• Supported platforms – Windows, Mac, mobile devices, etc.

Take stock of your needs and priorities. Read a few reviews and free trials to get a feel for the software. An investment in a robust premium antivirus pays dividends through enhancing your cybersecurity and peace of mind. Staying vigilant and protected online allows you to reap the full benefits of your devices safely and securely.