If you are a programmer, or just someone who is constantly online, then getting an antivirus program is essential. You don’t want your personal or banking information being stolen. For this reason, you need to get yourself the best antivirus program that the market has to offer.
However, there are many different options to some, and this can make things a little difficult. That said, this is exactly what we’re going to help you with today. Let’s get to it and take a look at the top five contenders for the best antivirus for programmers that the market has to offer.
Comparison Chart
McAfee Total Protection 2022 | 3 Device | Antivirus Internet Security Software | VPN, Password Manager, Dark Web Monitoring | 1 Year Subscription
Norton 360 Deluxe, 2023 Ready, Antivirus software for 5 Devices with Auto Renewal – Includes VPN, PC Cloud Backup & Dark Web Monitoring
Norton AntiVirus Plus, 2023 Ready, Antivirus software for 1 Device with Auto-Renewal – Includes Password Manager, Smart Firewall and PC Cloud Backup
Best Antivirus for Programmers: Reviews
1. McAfee Total Protection 2022
If you need what has to be one of the very best antivirus systems out there for programmers and everyone else, then here we have a fantastic option from McAfee for you to look into.
Product Highlights
With your purchase, you get a one-year subscription to this total protection program, and when you purchase it, you’ll get a digital code that will be emailed to you so you can just download the software. Keep in mind that this is an award-winning antivirus program, so you know that it is the real deal.
One of the biggest benefits that you get is that this antivirus program monitors your credit cards, emails, bank account numbers, and more, to help protect you from identity theft. This is one of the main features that it comes with. At the same time, it also comes complete with a secure VPN to allow you to browse the Internet privately and confidently, without prying eyes watching.
Even better is that McAfee antivirus provides you with a personalized protection score that helps you identify weaknesses so you can fix them and be more secure. Even better is that you can also bank, shop, and more, all without worry, because McAfee tells you all about risky websites before you go on to them.
At the same time, this antivirus program also allows you to generate and store complex passwords with a special password manager. Literally everything about this antivirus program is more than ideal to help keep you safe, with this particular option being for up to three devices.
What We Like
We really like how this is just an all-inclusive antivirus system that helps keep you protected in more ways than one.
What We Don’t Like
After your first year is up, you’ll have to pay a yearly subscription fee, and this isn’t exactly cheap.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Protects you on all fronts
- Multiple devices
- One year free
- VPN
Cons
- Yearly cost can be substantial
2. Norton 360 Deluxe
Here we have another trusted antivirus system that comes to us from Norton, with this being the deluxe package that is 2023-ready and comes complete for up to five devices at once, along with auto renewal abilities.
Product Highlights
This particular antivirus program does everything and anything you would expect it to do. First of all, it comes with real-time threat protection that protects against emerging and existing malware threats, ransomware, viruses, and so much more. It stops viruses from getting onto your computer before they get a chance to cause damage.
This program also comes complete with a secure VPN so you can browse the Internet without prying eyes spying on you. You can even add a bank grade encryption to help keep your passwords and other information as safe as possible.
What’s pretty cool is that this program also comes with 50 gigabytes of secure PC cloud backup storage that helps you protect against data loss due to stolen devices, ransomware, and hard drive failures. This system even comes complete with dark web monitoring, which is something that most other systems just don’t come with.
What We Like
What we really like about this particular Norton 360 deluxe antivirus program is that it features a 100% guarantee that it will remove all viruses or you get your money back. This just goes to show how reliable this antivirus system really is.
What We Don’t Like
What does need to be said is that if you turn off the auto renewal system that charges you money for following yearly subscriptions, it actually voids the virus protection money back guarantee.
Pros
- Effective protection
- Fantastic at preventing virus infections
- For up to five devices
- Easy to install
- Dark web monitoring
- VPN
Cons
- If auto renewal is turned off, guarantee is voided
3. Kaspersky Total Security 2022
Here we have a fantastic antivirus program. You can choose to protect one, three, five, or 10 devices. You can also choose to go with a one, two, or three-year subscription, as well as a monthly subscription if you want.
Product Highlights
What we have here is a full-fledged security system that helps to safeguard your identity by stopping viruses in their tracks. First of all, this antivirus program helps to block web cam spying. It also stops browser tracking and more. Finally, it also comes with very easy to use VPN encryption that helps you hide your data from ISPs, hackers, and trackers alike.
This system also comes with multiple layers of protection that comes complete with so-called safe money technology, which is designed to help stop online theft when you are banking and shopping online. Moreover, the system is also designed to stop viruses, phishing schemes, ransomware, and much more.
What’s pretty cool is that it also comes with a password manager system so you can create and store powerful passwords that will keep your information safe.
It will stop viruses from getting onto your computer, and if they do get on, it will also remove them right away. In total, this system comes complete with anti-tracking, anti-malware, payment protection, security for your kids, and Wi-Fi and password protection. It just requires 1.5 gigabytes of hard disk space, 2 gigabytes of ram, and you must have Windows 7 or higher.
What We Like
We like how this is a great all-in-one security system that keeps you safe on all fronts. This total security system is designed to defend you from viruses, it won’t slow down your computer, it’s easy to use, it works on all operating systems, it keeps your money safe, it has parental controls, and so much more.
What We Don’t Like
One of the things that we really don’t like about this antivirus program is that the monthly or yearly costs are quite expensive, especially after that first year runs out. It’s definitely not the cheapest antivirus program out there.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Keeps your money safe
- Keeps your identity safe
- Child protection features
- Password manager
- Multiple devices
Cons
- Subscription cost is substantial
4. Norton Antivirus Plus
If you are looking for basic antivirus protection, then this is it. Keep in mind that whereas one of the above options was Norton Deluxe, this is Norton Antivirus Plus. Norton Deluxe is more expensive but also has more features.
Product Highlights
Norton Antivirus Plus provides you with ongoing protection. With your purchase, you can instantly download and install it, so your computer is protected within minutes. One of the features is real time threat protection that provides advanced security against both emerging and existing malware threats, including viruses, ransomware, and more.
You also get a password manager so you can easily create, store, and keep all of your passwords in one place. It also allows you to keep your credit card information and other important credentials online, in a secure and safe manner.
You then also get a smart firewall that constantly monitors communication between other computers and your computer, and it helps to block unauthorized traffic. With your purchase, you also get 2 gigabytes of very secure PC cloud backup so you can store all of your most important information online, which helps protect you from information loss.
This system then also comes with a prepaid subscription for one full year, as well as an auto renewal system. There is a 100% guarantee that this system will remove all viruses from your computer, or else you get your money back. Just keep in mind that if you turn off the auto renewal, it actually voids this 100% money back guarantee.
What We Like
We like how this is an extremely user-friendly security system that provides you with protection on all fronts, especially as far as the Internet is concerned, not to mention that the yearly subscription isn’t even that expensive.
What We Don’t Like
One of the only things that we don’t like about this particular security system is that it doesn’t come complete with a VPN or Virtual Private Network, which is ideal for browsing the Internet in a secure manner.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Great online protection
- Many useful features
- Affordable
Cons
- No VPN
5. Webroot Antivirus Software 2023
Here we have another super high-quality yet affordable security system designed for your computer. With your purchase, you get a two-year subscription for up to three devices, therefore making it very cost effective.
Product Highlights
What really stands out about this antivirus system is that it is very fast. It helps protect your computer from malware and viruses through the cloud. It scans extremely fast and uses very few resources to help identify and block threats in real time.
What’s really cool is the system is ideal for identity theft protection as it helps protect account numbers, personal information, usernames, and more against spyware and key loggers. It also comes with real time anti-phishing protection that helps to scan emails, websites, and other communications for potential danger to help stop malicious attacks that want to steal your personal information.
You might also like how this system is always up to date because it scours about 95% of the Internet up to three times a day to look for security threats. This antivirus program may sound very basic, but it actually works really well.
What We Like
What we like about this antivirus program is the fact that you get an awesome two-year subscription for up to three devices, all for a very low price, not to mention that it comes complete with everything you need to keep your computer protected.
What We Don’t Like
What we don’t like about this particular antivirus program is that it doesn’t come with any online cloud storage for data backups, plus it doesn’t have a virtual private network either.
Pros
- Affordable
- Multiple devices
- Advanced protection on many fronts
- Easy to install
Cons
- No VPN
Buyers Guide
Before we call it a day, let’s quickly go over the most important things that you need to keep in mind before purchasing any kind of antivirus program.
1. Features
You always need to pay attention to the features that the antivirus program in question comes with. You need something that is going to help protect you from malware and viruses, that can identify threats before they happen, that keeps track of your personal information and protects it, that can back up your information online, and lets you surf the Internet with security and privacy. Stopping phishing scams, malware, keyloggers, and viruses is very important.
2. Cost
Of course, you do want to pay attention to the cost of the antivirus program in question. Some will have a high upfront cost whereas others won’t, but you always want to pay attention to yearly membership costs.
3. Ease of Use
Most antivirus programs are fairly easy to use, even for people who have never really used a computer before. That said, some are a little more in depth and complex than others, so this is something to pay attention to.
FAQ
1. Do I really need antivirus?
With all of the threats out there, and with the limited capabilities of the antivirus program that computers come with, having a third-party antivirus program is essential.
2. How much does a good antivirus cost?
For the first year, expect to pay up to $50, and then up to $150 per year after that.
Conclusion
If you are looking for widespread and full protection on all fronts, then McAfee Total Protection is absolutely the best way to go.
