Best Internet Security 2021 (Windows)

Internet security test February 2021 for Windows 8.1, and Windows 10

Every year antivirus companies come with new security versions. The focus of an internet security package comes more and more down, for PC, laptop, tablet and smartphone, on ready-made security solutions. TopReviews has examined 19 internet security packages in the last week and extensively tested them for antivirus protection, user convenience, possibilities, stability and reliability of the security package.

In the text above we only tested internet security packages. If you are looking for a good virus scanner, in other words an antivirus scanner without extra functions, such as parental supervision, password safe etc., then we recommend that you look at this antivirus test. Here you will find at a glance what the best antivirus of this moment is.

Test method

Seventeen companies sent their newest version. We installed the packages on both Windows 7/8 and on the newest Windows version 10. In the test we included various points such as user convenience, the possibilities and the stability. To test the security and reliability various dangerous and possible hazardous websites were visited. In addition, we included the test results of the virus scanner test.

The test overview looks as follows: (Internet security)

1. BullGuard Internet Security 2021
2. Norton Security Premium
3. Bitdefender Internet Security 2021
4. McAfee Total Protection 2021
5. Panda Internet Security 2021
6. Kaspersky Internet Security
7. Trend Micro Internet Security
8. G Data Totaal Protection
9. ESET Smart Security
10. F-Secure Safe

New Trends

It used to be the case that a virus scanner developer could still get away with just a good virus protection for the computer. Nowadays you see more and more large antivirus companies that focus themselves on total solutions. You purchase a year license for the security of all of your computer(s), tablet(s) and smartphone(s). This way your entire family is provided with security software.

Because the programs are installed on different systems, the synchronisation of functions is obvious. This synchronisation will ensure that more and more internet security packages exchange mutual data. Passwords and personal files are therefore accessible, at your home, at different devices. In addition, more and more antivirus companies move to cloud solutions and offer online backup possibilities there.

Subscription version

The time when you purchased an antivirus package as a one-off is as good as over. To be able to use the software the security packages come in a kind of subscription version these days. The software is usually valid for 1 year, after that the software needs to be purchased for a new year. If the year is over most packages can still be used, however, they are no longer supplied with new virus definition files. In the course of time you will have to update the package because otherwise you will no longer be protected from the latest threats.

Every year the packages return with extra functions. The packages are becoming better and more stable.

If you opt for a new package then you always need to properly remove the old package from your computer. If this does not happen then both packages can see each other as a threat. This will drastically slow down the system. In addition, the new package cannot be installed properly/completely and will therefore run unstable on your computer.