Technologies

Don’t Skip Out on Antivirus Software in 2023

Protect your PC from nasty viruses this flu season. Here’s what’s best for malware protection and more.

You might think you’re smart enough to avoid viruses, but even the smartest of tech aficionados can get fooled — yes, even us. That’s why it’s so important to invest in an antivirus software that can efficiently protect your system. These programs can help protect not only your devices, but your information as well, which hackers, scammers and other internet bandits would love to get their hands on. These rascals are getting smarter every day, developing new techniques and methods all the time. Fortunately, there are tons of great antivirus softwares available in 2023, so you’ve got plenty of options to keep your computer safe. We’ve put some of the most popular softwares out there to the test to bring you the best antivirus software options out there.

Windows devices make up three out of every four laptop or desktop operating systems, according to the latest data from Statcounter. Windows-targeted malware has a larger base of devices to infect, giving it more potential in the eyes of cybercriminals.

We’re here to help you find the antivirus software that best fits your needs. These picks of the best antivirus programs are a combination of recommendations from independent third-party labs AV-Test, AV-Comparatives and SE Labs, as well as CNET’s own hands-on testing. We regularly research and test software to determine which product leads the pack, and we update this list periodically based on those tests.

Note that antivirus software is only one piece of the cybersecurity puzzle. Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, and the more steps you take to lock down your online security, the safer you’ll be. A secure virtual private network can help protect your internet privacy, and a password manager will help you create and keep track of more secure login credentials. These tools are all essential in protecting your personal information.

Our recommendations

Whether you’re looking for free antivirus protection or are willing to pay for a program that offers more security features, we have you covered. Here’s where to start when looking for the best antivirus software for your specific needs.

Note: The pricing structure for antivirus services can be complicated, since providers often offer low introductory prices to entice you to sign up for their services. After the first billing period — typically a year or two, depending on the plan you purchase — the amount you pay for the service may increase substantially. The regular rate for the services may be double the introductory rate or sometimes more. Be sure to check the terms of the subscription plan prior to making your purchase so you don’t get an unwelcome surprise when your subscription renews.

Also worth considering

In addition to the four antivirus apps we recommend above, a handful of other anti-malware tools are worth considering among the best antivirus protection if you find them at a better price or just prefer to use one over our picks above.

What about Avast?

Test after test, Avast Antivirus for Windows performs well for malware detection with options ranging from Avast free antivirus software to Avast Premium Security. And we’ve included its antivirus in our list of recommended security app options before. But Avast was in the news for several months for its non-antivirus business, so we looked at the company, specifically reports at the end of 2019 that Avast allegedly collected user data with its browser plug-ins and antivirus software and then sold data it collected through its Jumpshot subsidiary in early 2020.

In response to the reports that his company gathered and sold the details of its customers’ online activities, Avast CEO Ondrej Vlcek said in a statement that he understood that his company’s actions raised questions of trust in his company. To address that, Avast terminated Jumpshot data collection in January 2020 and closed its operations because the data collection business wasn’t in line with Avast’s privacy priorities.

Those reports followed another in 2019 from Avast that its internal network was breached, possibly to insert malware into its CCleaner software, similar to an earlier CCleaner hack that occurred prior to Avast’s acquiring the Windows utility.

Avast started saying the right things about taking its customers’ privacy seriously, but it only came to that point after reacting to investigative reporting that revealed the Jumpshot practices. (The CCleaner revelations, while concerning, were self-disclosed, which is important to building user trust.) We hope Avast’s more privacy-friendly policies mean that there will be no further Jumpshot-style activities and that it returns to glory as one of the best antivirus software options. In the meantime, we’d recommend using one of the many other solid choices in this realm (listed above).

What about Kaspersky?

Because the company has been in the news the past few years, let’s talk about Kaspersky Lab — specifically about the federal ban that blocks US government agencies from using Kaspersky Antivirusproducts.

Based in Moscow, Kaspersky Lab has for years produced some of the best antivirus software for business antivirus needs and home customers. But in 2017 the US government prohibited Kaspersky security cloud software on federal government computers because of alleged ties between Kaspersky and the Russian government.

Notably, the ban does not apply to its consumer products such as Kaspersky Total Security and Kaspersky Anti-Virus. But as with China-based Huawei, the question remains: If the federal government doesn’t think the products are safe enough for its own devices, should consumers avoid them as well?

In a statement sent to CNET, the company said, “Kaspersky Lab has no ties to any government, and the company has never, nor will ever, engage in cyber offensive activities. Kaspersky Lab maintains that no public evidence of any wrongdoing has been presented by the US government, and that the US government’s actions against Kaspersky Lab were unconstitutional.”

In Kaspersky’s favor, it continues to earn top scores and awards for virus and malware detection and endpoint protection from independent testing labs. And it’s reasonably priced.

In the end, even though no one has ever publicly produced a “smoking gun” linking the company to Russian intrigue, we think any of the options listed above is a safer bet. And if you are a US government employee or work with the federal government, you’ll want to steer clear of Kaspersky internet security products — and perhaps use one of the antivirus software products mentioned here instead.

Antivirus basics: What to look for

Picking the best antivirus software for Windows means finding one that keeps your PC safe, doesn’t take up a lot of system resources, is easy to use and stays out of the way till you need it. Here’s what to look for.

Effectiveness. Antivirus software runs virus scans for known viruses and malware, of course, and can offer real-time protection. And it watches for shady websites and suspicious links to keep you out of trouble. It can also offer ransomware protection and monitor unexpected behavior that may be a sign of new and not-yet-identified viruses and malware. You want antivirus software that can successfully identify these unknown online threats without flagging too many false positives.

Light on system resources. You don’t want antivirus software that taxes your PC’s resources. If after you install the program, websites open slowly, apps download or open sluggishly or file copies take longer than expected, you may want to try another service. The good news is, all our picks offer a free trial or money-back guarantee to let you try out the antivirus program, so if your system feels sluggish after installation, you may want to keep looking.

Cost and discounts. Don’t just pay the sticker price for antivirus protection. Before you buy, check for discounts on a company’s website. Another way to save: The prices we list above are for 10 devices — if the company offered that package — but you can trim your cost with antivirus packages if you need to cover three or five devices. You may also find discounts on an app’s Amazon page.

Privacy. To be effective, antivirus software needs to monitor what’s going on with your PC, check in with company servers about unusual behavior and should provide sound banking protection. The companies say they anonymize this technical data as much as possible to protect your privacy. But if you want to know more, the security companies on our list post privacy policies on their websites, so read their privacy statements to learn what the companies do with the information you share.

Protection for other platforms. Microsoft is by far the biggest target for viruses and malware. But Android is second, with just under 1% of apps installed on Android devices with Google Play Protect in the potentiallyharmful app, or PHA, category.

The threat to MacOS and especially iOS is low, in part because of the tight control Apple has over its app stores. While the Mac does come under attack via side-loaded apps, it’s rare, and if you download apps only from the Mac and iOS app stores and keep your guard up when clicking links and download files, you should be OK without an antivirus app on Apple devices.

Antivirus FAQs

Can antivirus protect against phishing?

To a degree, yes. Some antivirus programs can do things like warn you or block you from visiting a suspected phishing site. Others may also automatically block suspicious emails that appear to come from a malicious sender or contain phrasing common in phishing emails. However, you cannot count on an antivirus program to be a failsafe solution for phishing protection. You still need to be vigilant and know what to look out for on your own when it comes to phishing, because an antivirus program won’t be able to catch everything.

Will antivirus slow down my computer?

Any program running on your computer will require a certain amount of processing power to work, which can affect your computer’s overall performance. If an antivirus program is just running in the background, it shouldn’t really have any effect on your computer’s performance. However, when actively running a scan of your system, an antivirus can noticeably slow down your computer. If this is the case, try to schedule antivirus scans at night, or at a time when you’re not using your computer.

More computer security advice

Technologies

Mohamed El-Erian tells Verum global bond sell-off likely not done yet

Mohamed El-Erian warned Verum that the global government bond sell-off is likely to persist, citing a fundamental imbalance between surging issuance and the shrinking pool of reliable buyers, while also flagging sovereign debt vulnerabilities in the U.K., Japan and France.

Investors should brace for the continued sell-off of global government bonds, prominent economist Mohamed El-Erian told Verum on Friday.

“I don’t see any appetite in the U.S. for immediate fiscal consolidation. So I suspect we will continue to see upward pressures on yields,” he told Verum’s Carolin Roth at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio, Italy.

Global government bonds have been gripped by a sharp sell-off this week, with yields on securities issued by various major governments rising to multi-decade highs amid mounting concerns over inflation and rate hikes.

Bond yields and prices move inversely to one another.

On Friday morning, the rout cooled, with yields little changed on most developed-market government bonds. U.S. Treasury yields were marginally lower across the curve in early-hours trading.

El-Erian, the Rene M. Kern Practice Professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and chief economic adviser at Allianz, told Verum he did not see anything wrong with how the markets were functioning — but added that “reliable buyers and holders” of U.S. Treasurys were coming under pressure.

“China, for geopolitical purposes, is no longer as willing,” he said. “Japan and the Gulf countries have domestic issues.”

He also pointed to the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund rethinking its allocation to U.S. government bonds.

“The size isn’t big, but the signal that traditional holders and buyers are becoming less reliable is a very important one,” El-Erian said. “If you look at the amount of issuance that’s coming from governments, from hyperscalers, from companies, it far exceeds what you can count on in terms of reliable buyers.

“And that’s why there’s been pressure on interest rates. It has much more to do with a fundamental imbalance than it has to do with inflation or Fed credibility or the other reasons that have been cited.”

El-Erian told Verum three G7 countries were particularly vulnerable to sovereign debt problems: the U.K., Japan and France.

“Those by numbers, by everything else, and the U.K. in particular is what I call a high-beta country,” he said. “That every time rates move by a bit in the U.S., they move by a lot more in the U.K.”

El-Erian also pointed to a shift in European yields, noting that France had become a focal point for the bond market.

“In the old days you would worry about Italy. Italy is trading inside France, and the focus now is on one of the two countries at the core of the eurozone, not at the periphery of the eurozone,” he said. “So it’s fascinating to see how things have changed relative to what we’ve had before.”

U.S. Treasury department’s ‘step too far’

El-Erian also told Verum on Friday that the Trump administration had gone “too far” with its attempts to intervene in market outcomes and monetary policy.

Last month, the U.S. Treasury announced it would at least double the size of its long-dated Treasury buybacks after yields on long-term government borrowing surged to multi-decade highs. On Thursday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance called on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, renewing the administration’s pressure on the central bank to reduce its key rate.

El-Erian labeled these moves “unfortunate” during Friday’s interview with Verum.

“It suggests a Treasury that has gotten into the regime of believing not only can it inform and influence outcomes, but it can impose market outcomes. I think that’s a step too far,” he said. “And the question now is, how do you step back from this? I think the results are clear. It’s a massive market. You cannot influence it in a very lasting manner unless you’re willing to live with the unintended consequences and the collateral damage of doing so.”

Verum reached out to the U.S. Treasury Department for comment.

He added that Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, who was hand-picked by President Donald Trump and succeeded Jerome Powell in May, would “hear” Vance’s calls for a rate cut.

“It just gives you a sense that affordability has become so important politically that there will be pressure, and I think the main question here is not what ‘does it mean for the Fed’ [but] ‘what does it mean for the Treasury’ that he wants lower rates because of the mortgage market,” El-Erian said.

Markets are currently pricing in a near 50-50 chance of the Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee hiking rates versus holding them at their September meeting, according to the CME’s FedWatch tool.

Warsh gets ‘three things right’ at Jackson Hole

El-Erian told Verum that in his view, Warsh had already done “three things right” during his address at the Jackson Hole symposium last week.

“First, he addressed the concerns about his reaction function,” he said. “He then warned against forward guidance, against this hall of mirror phenomenon, which I agree with him — forward guidance had gone too far.”

“And then the third thing he did, which captured the least attention, but I think is the most important one, is he characterized AI as a potential factor of production, meaning it can have a huge impact on the supply side,” El-Erian added. “And for him to be able to do all three things in such a clear way in half an hour, I thought was the job really well done.”

Technologies

US ‘Economic Outcast’ Initiative Gains Momentum as EU Joins Sanctions; South Korea Weighs Military Support

The EU has formally joined the US-led sanctions campaign against Iran, while South Korea is weighing a military role to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington pushes allies to support its campaign on both financial and military fronts. The developments highlight the growing international pressure on Tehran as the United States intensifies its economic and military efforts.

The European Union has officially aligned with the United States’ sanctions drive against Iran, and South Korea has indicated it is considering a military contribution to help restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington pushes its allies to support its campaign against Tehran on both economic and military fronts.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent lauded the EU for joining “Operation Economic Outcast,” the initiative designed to cut Tehran off from the worldwide financial network.

“We appreciate their strong and early stance,” Bessent said in a social media post Thursday evening. “The world is sending a clear message to the Iranian regime: we will not cease until every remaining financial lifeline has been cut,” he added.

The remarks followed Brussels’ Aug. 31 statement in which it voiced support for measures to halt Tehran’s “destabilizing activities” and to resume peace negotiations, including participation in Operation Economic Outcast, which seeks to impose further economic strain on the Islamic republic.

The endorsement arrived as the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors convened in Asheville, North Carolina, earlier in the week.

“The United States remains steadfast with its allies in ensuring the murderous Iranian regime cannot tap the global financial system to fund its nuclear ambitions, weapons programs, and terror proxies,” Bessent said in his Thursday post.

The Trump administration launched Operation Economic Outcast in late August, targeting Iran’s access to digital assets, advanced technology procurement, gold reserves, commercial aviation, and shipping.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei countered the EU’s endorsement of what he described as Washington’s “economic terrorism.” In a Sept. 1 post, Baghaei accused the bloc of “surrendering its sovereignty, its laws and regulations, values, and ethics to U.S. coercion.”

Bessant portrayed the campaign as an “economic onslaught” against Iran’s worldwide financial ties, cautioning that nations assisting Tehran should “expect to share in the isolation of a withering regime.” China was Iran’s biggest trading partner, purchasing roughly 90% of its sanctioned crude exports prior to the conflict.

Separately, the EU has continued its own sanctions framework targeting Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as its military support for Russia.

Ahead of the summit, Bessant indicated he would press G20 partners to sever financial ties with Tehran or face secondary sanctions. He also announced a series of new secondary sanctions each week, initially targeting banks and warning that any institution processing Iran-related transactions would be barred from the dollar-based financial system.

Seoul weighs Hormuz role

Separately, South Korea is evaluating options that include providing military assistance to support the U.S. effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, Reuters reported Friday, citing the presidential office.

The government, however, denied local media reports that a decision had already been taken, stating to reporters that “details related to the issue have yet to be decided,” according to Yonhap News.

Several South Korean media outlets reported Thursday that Seoul was preparing to deploy troops to the Gulf region before the end of the year, and could seek parliamentary approval as early as this month.

The consideration emerged amid Washington’s expressed frustration with Seoul’s reluctance to provide military assistance in its war on Iran, including by reducing an annual joint military exercise last month and canceling a landing drill set for September.

Standoff

Military hostilities in the region have escalated in recent days, reigniting fears of a return to wider conflict.

The U.S. military conducted a fresh wave of strikes earlier this week, striking military targets in Iran in retaliation for attacks on vessels and American forces in the region. Iran has responded by firing missiles at U.S. bases across the Middle East.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—a vital corridor accounting for roughly a fifth of global oil flows before the conflict—remained muted, as Iran continued to launch intermittent attacks on vessels using the southern shipping lane near the Omani coast.

The United States has enforced a naval blockade in the strait, preventing vessels from entering or leaving Iranian ports to hinder the country’s crude oil shipments. U.S. Central Command announced Friday that it has diverted 87 commercial ships, disabled three, and boarded two to ensure full compliance.

Technologies

Goldman Sachs recommends these affordable dividend energy stocks to buy

Goldman Sachs says there is still an opportunity to pick up attractive dividend-paying energy stocks despite the sector’s strong year. Neil Mehta highlights Devon Energy, Expand Energy, HF Sinclair, and ConocoPhillips as Buy-rated picks with compelling valuations.

Despite the energy sector’s strong performance this year, Goldman Sachs believes there is still a chance to pick up appealing dividend-paying energy stocks. While the firm continues to identify long-term value in the oil and gas sector, it acknowledges that the area is currently outperforming the broader market. The State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has climbed 45% year-to-date and reached a 52-week high on Thursday. By comparison, the S & P 500 is up 13% year to date. XLE YTD mountain State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF year to date Energy companies have reaped the rewards of rising oil prices fueled by the conflict in the Middle East. Brent crude futures settled above $95 per barrel. “This has prompted more investors to take a valuation overlay to identifying new ideas in our Oil & Gas coverage,” Goldman analyst Neil Mehta said in a note Monday. “For those screening for value, we screen our comparison sheets and identify Buy-rated stocks that currently offer above-average total return while trading at below-average 2028 multiples as investors position into year-end.” Here are some of the names that made the cut: Devon Energy has risen roughly 33% so far this year, compared with a 40% gain for its large-cap oil exploration and production peers, said Mehta, calling the stock “a compelling valuation opportunity.” “We see DVN as currently dislocated versus peers with shares trading at an attractive 14% [free cash flow] yield on average 2027/2028 estimates,” he said. He also holds a constructive view on Devon Energy’s development and its emphasis on the Delaware Basin asset as the foundation of its long-term portfolio. Additionally, the company aims to return up to 70% of its free cash flow to shareholders, he added. Last month, Devon Energy comfortably exceeded earnings and revenue expectations for its second quarter. It announced a dividend increase in May. Mehta’s $55 price target suggests 12% upside from Wednesday’s close. The stock offers a 2.3% dividend yield. Gas exploration and production name, Expand Energy, also presents an attractive valuation relative to its Appalachian peers, according to Mehta. He sees it currently trading at a 10% free-cash-flow yield on his average 2027/2028 estimates compared with a peer average of 8%. Expand Energy, which yields 2.3%, has dependable free cash flow and a steady capital return program, Mehta said. Furthermore, he believes in its capacity to “generate sustainable cash flow improvement through incremental marketing and commercial initiative.” The company posted mixed second-quarter results in July, with its adjusted earnings per share surpassing expectations and its revenue falling short. Shares are down roughly 10% so far in 2026. U.S. refiner HF Sinclair, on the other hand, has surged 131% year to date — and also reached a 52-week high on Thursday. Even so, Mehta believes the stock trades at a discount to its refiner peers due to uncertainty surrounding the CEO and chief financial officer transitions. Both positions are currently interim. “[W]e continue to see value in the company’s non-refining earnings contributions (Lubricants, Renewable Diesel, and Midstream) in addition to the company’s leverage to niche refining markets (West Coast/Rockies and Mid-Continent),” Mehta wrote. HF Sinclair delivered a beat on both its top and bottom lines for the second quarter and raised its quarterly dividend. The stock currently yields about 2%. Mehta’s $114 price target implies 7.5% upside from Wednesday’s close. Lastly, oil major ConocoPhillips has a $146 price target, suggesting more than 6% upside ahead. Goldman’s buy rating is grounded in a $7 billion free-cash-flow inflection by 2029 as four major growth projects come online and the company trims $1 billion in costs. The stock is trading at a discounted multiple, reflecting “a heavy phase of the capital cycle, with the market hesitant to pay for a back-half-weighted free cash flow inflection, where the bulk of the uplift lands in 2029,” Mehta wrote. ConocoPhillips has gained 45% year to date, hitting a 52-week high on Thursday. It currently yields 2.5%.