Best Antivirus Software

Compare built-in and paid security features across your devices.

Illustration of Smart App Control: an app goes through a cloud check that lets safe apps run, blocks malicious ones and checks the signature when unsure, beside the Evaluation, On and Off settings in Windows Security.

Antivirus · Nov 10

Smart App Control in Windows 11: what it blocks and why

What Windows 11 Smart App Control blocks, its three modes and how to turn it back on.

Four steps of a Microsoft Defender Offline scan, from saving your work to a restart, a scan of about 15 minutes and results in Protection history, above a checklist: suspend BitLocker, WinRE enabled, admin account, x64 Windows PC.

Antivirus · Nov 5

Microsoft Defender Offline scan: when and how to run it

A restart-time scan for malware that hides from Windows. When to run it, how long it takes and where results appear.

Two browser windows, Site A and Site B, each holding its own cookie jar, separated by a dashed line marked no share

Firefox · Nov 1

Firefox Total Cookie Protection: settings and site fixes

Keep cookie isolation enabled and diagnose broken sign-ins with a narrow, reversible site test.

An Android phone with a Play Protect shield, linked to notes on daily scans, apps from Google Play, protection on by default and updates from the phone maker.

Antivirus · Oct 27

Do Android phones need antivirus? What Play Protect does

Most Android phones already scan apps with Google Play Protect. Here is what it covers, what it misses and when to pay.

A computer screen with pop-up windows and a bug badge beside four steps: disconnect, run a full scan, back up and reset if still infected, change passwords from a clean device.

Malware · Oct 21

What to do if your computer has a virus: a step-by-step plan

Disconnect, scan, reset if needed, then change passwords from a clean device: the ACSC's recovery steps in order.

A download passes Gatekeeper, notarisation and XProtect before reaching a Mac, with one blocked item turned away at the first gate.

Antivirus · Oct 17

Do Macs need antivirus? What macOS already does

Every Mac has built-in malware protection. Here is what it covers, what it misses and when paying makes sense.

Illustration of a Windows Security settings window with four sections and a shield

Antivirus · Oct 14

Windows Security settings worth checking

Seven Windows Security switches to check in Windows 11, from tamper protection to memory integrity.

A phone shows three text threads: a registered sender name, an Unverified thread and an ordinary phone number, beside Stop, Check and Protect

Scams · Oct 11

How to spot scam texts and calls in Australia

What the "Unverified" SMS label means, the warning signs ACMA lists, and what to do if you have replied.

Files pass through an inspection gate and branch towards allowed files or quarantine.

Antivirus · Sep 27

Best antivirus software: what is worth paying for?

Compare built-in Windows protection and three paid suites by device coverage, useful extras and renewal terms.

Diagram of fake utility discovery, an imitation site, a bundled download and malware execution

Best Antivirus Software · May 27

Fake PC utility downloads spread miners, Microsoft warns

Microsoft describes fake PC utility sites spreading miners and remote-access software.

Security software is one part of protecting a device. ULKA compares built-in protection and paid packages by their supported platforms, account features and the needs of individuals or families. We separate documented features from independent laboratory findings and avoid treating a subscription as a guarantee of safety. Check renewal costs and the tools already included with your operating system before paying for overlapping protection.

Check each device separately: a subscription can cover several operating systems while offering different protection tools on each one.

Read about ULKA’s editorial approach or contact the editors.