Aleksandra Velickovic
June 18, 2024
Constant news reports of data breaches are alarming for any business owner. Each week brings a fresh reminder of the vulnerability of personal information. While large-scale breaches may feel unavoidable, there are proactive steps we can take to strengthen our defences – the first one is finding the best antivirus software for your business.
Cybersecurity management is the first line of defence for any business. Antivirus software acts as a high-tech security guard for your digital assets, constantly patrolling against malware and protecting your data.
We’ve reviewed antivirus solutions to help you navigate this crucial decision, looking for the most suitable options for different business needs. This guide will provide a clear analysis of each contender, focusing on real-time protection features, firewall capabilities, and all the essential elements you require to make an informed choice.
In 2024, most businesses will deal with sensitive customer data, financial records, intellectual property, etc. Without antivirus software, this information is at risk of theft. Antivirus software helps prevent malware, phishing attempts, and other cyber threats aimed at stealing data.
Cyber attacks can cripple businesses by disrupting operations. Antivirus software works to detect and block threats before they impact your systems. This helps avoid system crashes, software issues, and network outages that could suspend business activities.
Many industries have security compliance standards businesses must follow. Antivirus software helps ensure you meet requirements around data protection, privacy, and information security. If audited, antivirus software demonstrates your commitment to compliance and cybersecurity best practices.
The cost of antivirus software pales in comparison to the potential losses from a cyber attack. Data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other incidents can result in sizable fines, legal fees, and remediation costs. Robust antivirus software acts as an investment in risk mitigation and business continuity.
Customers today expect businesses to secure their data and systems properly. Antivirus software gives customers confidence you take cybersecurity seriously and are actively working to protect their information. This can strengthen customer trust and loyalty over the long run.
Antivirus software will remain essential for business security in 2024 and beyond. As cyber threats become more advanced, antivirus solutions help safeguard data, enable operations, and build customer confidence. For any organization, the risks of forgoing antivirus protection far outweigh the costs of a comprehensive solution.
The primary purpose of any antivirus software is to protect against viruses, worms, Trojans, and other malware. For business use, look for a solution that offers real-time scanning and scheduled full-system scans. It should detect and block known malware as well as use heuristic monitoring to catch unknown threats.
An antivirus solution shouldn’t slow down your systems or interfere with day-to-day tasks. Look for software with a lightweight footprint that uses minimal system resources. It should perform scans and updates efficiently in the background without impacting productivity.
Regular maintenance and support are key to ensuring that your antivirus software and other security measures continue to function effectively.
Businesses need an antivirus solution that’s easy to deploy and manage across multiple devices. Look for a centralised console that lets you remotely install the software, run updates, monitor protection status, and take action against threats if needed. The ability to create policies and custom groups can also help simplify administration.
New malware strains appear daily, so an antivirus program is only as good as its latest update. Look for software that provides automatic definition and program updates to ensure protection against the latest zero-day threats. Updates should happen seamlessly in the background without interrupting system use.
Modern antivirus software often includes features such as anti-spam filtering, firewalls, anti-phishing tools, and more. These added layers of protection can help safeguard against email scams, network intrusions, and other threats that traditional antivirus alone may miss. For business use, additional safeguards are always worth considering.
Stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats to protect your business better. Our article on Top Cyber Security Threats provides valuable insights into current risks and how to mitigate them. With the right solution of the best antivirus software guarding endpoints, networks, and email, your business can benefit from enterprise-grade protection against digital threats.
| Software | Key Features | Pricing | User Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitdefender GravityZone | Multi-layered protection, AI-driven, low system impact | From $29.99/year | “Highly effective and efficient” |
| Kaspersky Endpoint Security | Easy deployment, comprehensive protection | From $44.99/year | “User-friendly and reliable” |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | Includes VPN, password manager, backup software | From $39.99/year | “Trusted and comprehensive” |
| McAfee Total Protection | Extensive malware protection, data encryption | From $29.99/year | “Great value for money” |
| Avast Premium Security | Real-time scanning, phishing protection | From $23.99/year | “Ideal for small businesses” |
Bitdefender GravityZone is our top recommendation for the best antivirus software for businesses in 2024. It provides multi-layered protection across all endpoints, whether they’re physical or virtual machines, desktops or servers.
Bitdefender’s malware scanning engine is powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence, allowing it to detect known and unknown malware with extremely high accuracy. It uses behavioural analysis and anomaly detection to spot threats. According to independent tests, Bitdefender has the highest malware detection rates in the industry.
GravityZone can be deployed on both physical and virtual endpoints. It has a simple, intuitive web-based management console that allows you to remotely install, configure and monitor the software on all endpoints. You can set policies, run reports and complete tasks (e.g. updating virus definitions) with just a few clicks.
Bitdefender GravityZone has been optimised to have minimal impact on system performance. It runs discreetly in the background without slowing down endpoints or disrupting user activity. Resource consumption is extremely efficient so you won’t experience lag or latency.
Also read: Capaciteam’s guide on Secure Coding Practices
In addition to protecting endpoints, Bitdefender GravityZone also safeguards your network. It uses network traffic filtering to monitor communications between endpoints and block suspicious traffic. This helps stop threats like network worms, Trojans and botnets in their tracks before they can spread and cause damage.
Bitdefender GravityZone is known for its competitive pricing, offering options to suit businesses of all sizes. While exact costs vary depending on your needs, it generally starts at a reasonable price. Basic packages with excellent protection and management features are available, with more advanced options including additional tools like web filtering and firewall management at an incremental cost.
Overall, Bitdefender GravityZone is a comprehensive yet affordable endpoint protection solution that provides unparalleled malware detection with minimal impact on system performance. For any business looking to strengthen its cyber defences in 2024, Bitdefender GravityZone should be at the top of the list.
Kaspersky Endpoint Security is among the most popular and user-friendly antivirus software solutions in 2024. It offers robust protection against malware, viruses, and cyber threats.
Kaspersky Endpoint Security can be deployed on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. You can install it through the cloud-based Kaspersky Security Center console. This enables you to install the software on all endpoints in your network remotely.
Kaspersky Endpoint Security combines antivirus, anti-malware, firewall, and web filtering capabilities to provide comprehensive protection. It can detect and block fileless malware attacks, ransomware, crypto-miners, and zero-day threats. The software scans files, emails, and web traffic to filter out threats.
The Kaspersky Endpoint Security has an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate. Users can perform security scans, view reports, and configure settings with a few clicks. The dashboard provides an overview of your security status, license details, and alerts.
You have granular control over Kaspersky Endpoint Security through the centralized console. You can create security policies, schedule scans, manage updates, and configure notifications based on your needs. The role-based access allows you to delegate responsibilities to different administrators.
Kaspersky Endpoint Security generates detailed reports on malware detections, blocked web resources, security events, and more. You receive real-time alerts on critical events so you can take immediate action. The reports provide insights into your security posture and help ensure compliance with industry regulations.
Also read Red Team vs. Blue Team Cyber Security 101, to see how simulated attacks can fortify your defences.
Norton 360 Deluxe is one of the most well-known antivirus software brands on the market. It offers comprehensive security for up to five devices, whether Windows PCs, Macs, smartphones or tablets.
Norton 360 Deluxe provides award-winning antivirus and malware protection. It uses signatures, heuristics and machine learning to detect and block viruses, malware, spyware, ransomware and phishing attempts. Real-time monitoring also helps detect and block threats before they can infect your devices.
In addition to antivirus, Norton 360 Deluxe includes a firewall, password manager, secure VPN for online privacy and backup software to protect your files. The firewall monitors network activity and blocks unauthorised access to your devices. The password manager generates strong unique passwords and syncs them across devices.
Norton 360 Deluxe is designed to be easy to use for people of all technical abilities. The main dashboard provides an overview of security and allows you to run quick or full system scans with one click. Notifications alert you to threats that have been detected and blocked. Automatic updates help ensure you have the latest protection against new malware and cyber threats.
Norton offers 24/7 phone, chat and email customer support. Tech support can help users install, configure and troubleshoot Norton 360 on different devices. They can also help restore access if your devices get infected before the software installation. Support is based in the U.S. and Canada.
Norton 360 Deluxe combines comprehensive, award-winning antivirus and security protection with user-friendly software and excellent tech support. You can rely on Norton’s decades of experience protecting home and business users.
McAfee Total Protection provides powerful antivirus and anti-malware protection for your business. It uses signature-based detection with heuristic monitoring to protect against known and emerging threats.
The software scans for viruses, ransomware, spyware, rootkits and other malware in real-time as you surf the web, download files and open email attachments. It also performs full system scans on-demand or on a schedule.
McAfee Total Protection safeguards your sensitive business data through firewall protection, web protection and file encryption. The two-way firewall monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic to block unauthorized access. The web protection feature scans websites and blocks malicious links and downloads. The file encryption feature uses AES 256-bit encryption to protect files and folders on your PC.
In addition to security, McAfee Total Protection helps optimise your system performance. It removes junk files, frees up disk space, and defragments your hard drive to boost speed and efficiency. The software also has a ‘Game Mode’ which pauses background scans and updates when you launch a full-screen application like a game.
McAfee Total Protection can be centrally managed through the McAfee Security Center. From here, administrators can deploy the software to multiple endpoints, configure security policies, monitor protection status and run reports. Centralized management helps ensure consistent and comprehensive security across your business.
The combination of essential security features, performance tools and centralised management makes McAfee Total Protection a valuable, cost-effective solution for small to midsize businesses. When looking for solid, broad-based protection, McAfee Total Protection represents the best antivirus software in overall value for budget-conscious companies.
Avast Premium Security is an excellent choice for small businesses looking to protect their systems. It offers some of the best antivirus software protection against malware, phishing and ransomware attacks that could otherwise cripple your operations.
With Avast Premium Security, you get real-time and scheduled virus scans to detect threats before they infect your network. It uses heuristic monitoring and machine learning to catch zero-day malware and previously unknown viruses. The antivirus engine is frequently updated to protect against the latest threats.
For email, Avast provides effective phishing detection and spam filtering. It can block scam and malware-laden emails before they reach your inbox. The software scans websites and checks for malicious links to avoid drive-by downloads and other web-based threats.
Avast Premium Security centralises management and reporting through the Avast Business Hub. From here, you can monitor the security status of all your endpoints, push updates, configure policies and generate reports. It simplifies security administration for resource-strapped small business IT teams.
With a single license, you can install Avast on up to 10 PCs, Macs and Android or iOS mobile devices. It’s an affordable, cross-platform solution for mixed-network environments. Additional licenses are available if you need to cover more systems.
While Avast Premium Security provides solid core protection, it lacks some of the advanced features of other business antivirus products. It doesn’t offer application whitelisting, USB drive scanning or data encryption. However, for many small businesses on a budget, the essential security provided by Avast will sufficiently protect against common cyber threats.
For affordable, easy-to-deploy protection against malware, phishing and web-based attacks, Avast Premium Security is an excellent choice for small businesses. Its centralised management and broad platform support provide an effective solution for securing your critical business data and systems.
With cybercrime on the rise, choosing reputable antivirus software is crucial to protecting your business. Here are some frequently asked questions to help determine the best antivirus software for your needs.
Antivirus software scans your computer systems and network for malware like viruses, worms, trojans, and spyware. It looks for patterns in files and programs that match the signatures of known malware. Some antivirus software also uses heuristic monitoring to detect suspicious behaviour that could indicate unknown malware. Once detected, the antivirus software quarantines or removes the malicious files.
Some key features to consider include:
– Real-time scanning: Scans files and programs as they are accessed or downloaded to detect malware immediately.
– Scheduled scanning: Performs routine scans of your systems on a schedule you define to detect any malware.
– Malware removal: Quarantines or deletes any malware it detects during scans.
– Firewall: Monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and blocks unauthorized access.
– Web protection: Scans web pages and files downloaded from the internet for malware.
– Ransomware protection: Detects and blocks ransomware to prevent file encryption.
– Remote access: Allows you to monitor and manage antivirus software on employee devices and servers remotely.
Antivirus software pricing varies but typically ranges from $30 to $60 per device per year for small business use. More advanced software with additional features like data encryption, backup, and device control tends to cost $60 to $150 per device annually. Some top-rated antivirus software for small businesses include Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and Trend Micro, which offer both standard and more advanced options.
Free antivirus software can provide basic protection but often lacks the advanced features and robust support of paid software. For most small businesses, paid antivirus software is worth the investment for the enhanced security, control, and peace of mind it provides. With cyber threats constantly evolving, up-to-date and dedicated antivirus protection has become essential.
In conclusion, the best antivirus software in 2024 is the one that can cater to your needs while accommodating your budget. All the solutions we mentioned are globally renowned and used by thousands of companies. To determine the best fit, you need to define your pain points and cyber security objectives.
For a comprehensive look at how expert IT services combined with the best antivirus software can enhance your business’s cybersecurity and efficiency, visit Capaciteam. We provide a variety of services tailored to meet your unique technology needs and keep your business up-to-date and supported.
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