Best Virus Scanners For Windows 8 – Alternatives to Windows Defender

Microsoft first unveiled their own antivirus application included in Windows in 2012 called Windows Defender. Even though it was pre-installed with windows, it could still be disabled by PC manufacturers.  Windows Defender, although effective, is not as complete and mature as some third-party antivirus software and we will talk about these in this article.

To protect your computer to the fullest extent, it might require a third-party anti-virus application.  In order to effectively use one of these, you will need to disable Windows Defender.

Whenever you’re moving to other third party anti-virus program, make sure that it should be in top 3 best anti-virus lists. What you need to look is their Performance, Features and Help & Support. Bit Defender, Norton and Kaspersky Anti-Virus are the top of the list for Windows 8.

BitDefender

BitDefender Total Security is one in all the most effective anti-virus, malware protection engines with spectacular parental controls and a customizable interface to form it. BitDefender understands the needs the need for the average user and has implemented a top-notch solution. They are taking care of smaller things like restrict unnecessary popups and remember decisions for every scan detection. But where BitDefender excels is in its subperb performance.

Pros: Slick desktop widget; best protection engine; spectacular parental controls; Customizable interface
Cons: Lengthy install method
Verdict: From excellent malware protection to helpful parental controls, Bitdefender’s Total Security 2014 is that the final antivirus suite for your computer.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus

Kaspersky is one of the best anti-virus applications with a focus on security. Kaspersky provides powerful anti-virus and malware protection. Usually an antivirus or web security takes massive amounts of memory and CPU utilization, however the memory and CPU footprint is very light with Kaspersky. This application has an excellent intrusion detection system that warns the user right away and can take corrective action.

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Pros: Quick and straightforward installation process; User Friendly interface; folks will block mature video games; Exceptional protection engine.

Cons: Sizable performance impact; lowest privacy controls; No mobile element

Norton Anti-Virus

For many years, Norton Anti-virus has been a mainstay in this category. The firewall blocks and filters ports, scans for threats and hides IP addresses. Still there are some vulnerabilities in its firewall. Norton offers easy-to-use home screen, provides backup functionality, registry cleaner, etc. All the features are not built-in available. Norton provides Android app by which you will get malware protection.

Pros: Solid privacy tools; negligible system impact; Affordably priced; Top-notch protection engine
Cons: Install needs system restart; sure features downloaded separately; Pricier than some competitive suites
Verdict: Symantec’s Norton 360 packs serious antivirus capabilities with a bunch of fantastic parental controls, creating it a superb security suite

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