Best inexpensive antivirus

Hi all,

I'm in the market for new antivirus protection. I'm finally able to put money towards really protecting myself, but still not much.

I still use free software such as CCleaner, AVG, surfshark VPN and MalwareBytes

Are any of these paid programs worth a full purchase for someone who really only uses their laptop for school and youtube? Any suggestions on new programs that are decently inexpensive but really worth it?

Perhaps an all in one model? (VPN antivirus and antimalware?)

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Happy to be here again !

The built-in Windows Defender. Free and good for most.

You can add : https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/configuredefender.html to revel hidden settings that you can use in Defender.

As well hidden settings in Defenders Firewall for more control, site review with link to Binsoft (Developer now works for Malwarebytes) : https://www.makeuseof.com/windows-firewall-control-guide/

Harden your Browser with : https://www.malwarebytes.com/browserguard & Ublock Origin in Advanced Mode and trained : https://ublockorigin.com/ & Privacy Badger

as the browser is usually 1st way in.

My take on this: Give AVG the boot and use Defender, Otherwise, other than some folks paranoia about CCleaner having been hacked and sold. I think that you'll be fine

Hello and welcome to BC:

To be honest (and I don't intend to come across as flippant or dismissive), there is no "best inexpensive antivirus", no best free antivirus, and no best paid antivirus.

If you ask 100 computer users/experts, you will get at least 110 different, fervent opinions, both pro and con. 

No one security application or suite "best" suits all users.

A basic internet search with Uncle Google or Auntie DuckDuckGo will turn up many, many comparative reviews.

Take them with a grain of salt, as they are not always entirely unbiased.

There are also AV Comparatives and similar comparisons. They are not perfect, either.

And there are many threads HERE in this forum section

Having said that, no security application can provide complete protection.

And the weakest link in any computer security setup is the USER.

This excellent pinned topic is worth a read:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/407147/answers-to-common-security-questions-best-practices/

Respectfully submitted

PS When it comes to price ( "free" vs. "inexpensive" vs. "premium"), one needs to ask: "How much are my precious data, my sensitive personal/financial information, my identity, my peace of mind and my time/effort worth?"

PPS Since you asked, I was a LONG-TIME Kaspersky user who was recently forced to move to ESET for reasons beyond my control.

The built-in Windows Defender. Free and good for most.

+1

Further note last Post # 5 this Topic : https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/770589/product-topic-malwarebytes-binisoft-firewall-control-your-verdict/

If you  use Microsoft Edge for a browser consider enabling Smart Screen.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/operating-system-security/virus-and-threat-protection/microsoft-defender-smartscreen/

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5520-turn-off-smartscreen-microsoft-edge-windows-10-a.html