Katarina Glamoslija
Updated on: January 7, 2026
Fact-checked by Kate Davidson
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🥇 Norton
: Excellent internet security suite that offers complete protection against all malware and cyber threats. Comes with web protection, a firewall, a VPN, a password manager, parental controls, and more. All plans are covered by a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you have plenty of time to try it out risk-free.
In 2026, staying safe online takes more than just antivirus software — a full internet security suite is essential. Beyond malware, users face a range of threats to their privacy and security, from phishing sites to data trackers and identity thieves.
To truly protect your data, the best internet security package needs these extras:
- Web protections — for blocking dangerous websites.
- Anti-ransomware — for stopping ransomware from locking up your device.
- Firewall — for monitoring and blocking unwanted and suspicious network traffic.
- Password manager — for creating and storing strong passwords.
- VPN (virtual private network) — for streaming and browsing the web anonymously.
- Parental controls — for restricting your children’s access to inappropriate and dangerous content.
- Identity protections — for alerting and providing assistance if your information is leaked.
Cybersecurity packages differ greatly in the quality of protection offered, the usefulness of their extra features, and the overall value they provide. After several weeks of testing, I found the top 10 internet security packages of 2026. Each offers the most essential protections and more for a reasonable price. That said, Norton 360 has the most comprehensive protection overall.
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Quick Summary of the Best Internet Security Software in 2026
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🥇1. Norton 360 Deluxe — Best Internet Security Suite in 2026
Approved by our experts
Norton 360 Deluxe is a comprehensive internet security suite that’s better than all competitors. On top of an antivirus engine that detected 100% of malware in my tests, Norton has a range of security features to keep you safe online. It’s perfect for those looking for the most features in a single intuitive package. It’s also my favorite choice for complete protection on all operating systems.
Here are a few protections that Norton Deluxe includes:
- Firewall.
- Phishing protection (secure browser and browser extension).
- VPN (unlimited data, with connections in 29 countries).
- Ransomware protection.
- Password manager.
- Parental controls.
- Webcam protection.
- Dark web monitoring.
- Data broker removal tool (US only).
- Secure browser.
- Social media monitoring.
- Identity theft protection.
- Cloud backup (up to 250 GB with LifeLock Select).
- And lots more…
Norton’s web protection is excellent. Its Safe Web feature blocked every known phishing site I tried to access — far more than Firefox could recognize. There is also a secure browser called Private Browser that integrates all of Norton’s security extensions, meaning you don’t need to add each of them separately, and it’s totally free.
I particularly like Norton’s dark web monitoring. While many other antiviruses monitor data breach databases, Norton uses human agents to find information other vendors aren’t able to, so this really makes its service stand out. American subscribers can also get access to a tool to stop data brokers from selling your personal information, reducing your digital footprint.
In addition, users in the US and several other countries can take advantage of Norton’s identity theft protection. Features offered in its LifeLock packages include credit report monitoring, live identity recovery assistance, credit freezing, home title, court record, 401k, social security, ID monitoring, and more. LifeLock even offers up to $3 million in insurance payouts and legal assistance for victims of identity theft.
Norton’s VPN is also excellent for an antivirus-bundled VPN — it’s very secure (256-bit AES encryption, kill switch, WireGuard encryption protocol), and it has decent speeds and useful extra features like split-tunneling.
If you have children, Norton can help keep them safe on the internet, too. Safe Family, Norton’s parental controls, is available on mobile devices and Windows computers. You can use it to set time limits and monitor the apps and websites your child uses, protecting them from unsuitable content.
Overall, Norton 360 is a well-rounded internet security suite ideal for both individuals and families with several devices to protect. Norton 360 Deluxe is the best-value package. Costing just £29.99 / year, it covers 5 devices (across all operating systems) and comes with almost all of Norton’s internet security features, missing only the more advanced identity protection services. It’s also ranked as the #1 best antivirus with parental controls (but note that parental controls aren’t available on Mac).
Bottom Line:
Norton 360 Deluxe is a top-tier internet security suite, offering excellent protection at a great price. Norton’s antivirus engine and web protections are some of the most powerful on the market, and the 360 Deluxe plan includes all the essential internet security features: a VPN, dark web monitoring, parental controls, and more. Since 360 Deluxe includes coverage for up to 5 devices, it’s a perfect choice for individuals or families looking to protect multiple devices. Plus, there’s a generous 60-day money-back guarantee on all Norton packages.
Read the full Norton review here >
🥈2. Bitdefender Premium Security — Comprehensive Internet Protection + Highly Customizable
Bitdefender Premium Security is one of the most comprehensive internet security packages out there, with more useful features than most competitors. It’s a great pick for advanced users who want customizable and powerful security tools with minimal impact on system performance.
I was super impressed with Bitdefender’s lightweight scanning, which caused no slowdown during full system scans. Its anti-malware engine is also very advanced; it scored 100% detection rates in all of my tests.
Bitdefender’s multi-layered protection likewise offered perfect protection against ransomware in my tests. The firewall is very customizable and offers effective security from network-centered attacks.
Bitdefender Premium Security also offers:
- Anti-phishing protection.
- Secure browser.
- Webcam protection.
- Password manager.
- VPN (unlimited data).
- Parental controls.
- Anti-theft protection.
- Identity theft protection (paid add-on).
- And more…
I visited dozens of dangerous websites to test out Bitdefender’s web protection and was very impressed by its detection rate — none of the risky or malware-infected websites I tried to access managed to get past Bitdefender’s anti-phishing filters. Compared to the default anti-phishing protections available on Chrome, Firefox, and other internet security competitors, this is a big step up.
The Safepay secure browser offers excellent protection for your financial transactions — it can stop hackers from remotely accessing your computer, blocks screenshots, and has a virtual keyboard. It also automatically turns on VPN protection and loads faster than most competitors.
Beyond keeping you safe from malware and dangerous websites, Bitdefender has other tools to improve your internet security. Parental controls are vital for keeping kids safe online, and Bitdefender’s are quite good. There are apps for all types of devices (though the iOS version is a bit limited). You can block your kids from visiting dangerous sites, set time limits, and more.
Bitdefender’s VPN provides access to thousands of servers around the world, protecting you from data thieves and enhancing internet security. On top of unbreakable encryption, you can get even greater privacy by using the Double Hop feature, which routes your connection through 2 VPN servers. My only complaint is that most plans have limited data.
To get the highest level of internet security, you’ll need Bitdefender’s Premium Security plan (£49.99 / year), which can cover up to 5 devices. Users on a budget might want to opt for the Total Security plan (£40.00 / year). It has all the features except for the unlimited-data VPN, password manager, and optimization tools. Bitdefender also has one of the best free antiviruses for Mac and Windows and all premium plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Bitdefender Premium Security is one of the most advanced cybersecurity packages you can get. The cloud-based antivirus scanner is excellent, and the full-suite package includes a ton of top-quality internet security tools — like a password manager, parental controls, and a VPN. Bitdefender is backed by a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Bitdefender review here >
🥉3. TotalAV Total Security — Best Internet Security for Beginners
TotalAV Total Security is the most advanced online protection suite from TotalAV — but it’s still simple to understand and very easy to use. It’s best for users seeking a budget-friendly antivirus with a wide range of features and an intuitive interface. It has an excellent antivirus engine that detected 99.6% of the malware in my tests, and it comes with lots of online security tools. These include a safe browsing extension, phishing and ransomware protection, an excellent ad blocker, and a VPN (with unlimited data).
TotalAV’s VPN is the best antivirus-bundled VPN out there, performing much better than many standalone VPNs. It comes with a strict no-logs policy, torrenting support on all servers, and the rare ability among antivirus-bundled VPNs to work with major streaming sites including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more. There’s even an excellent ad and tracker blocker that complements the VPN, increasing internet privacy.
WebShield is TotalAV’s anti-phishing protection. This tool successfully identified most of the malicious sites I tested it with, blocking access to them. However, WebShield doesn’t quite match up to Norton’s anti-phishing protection, which caught every phishing attempt in my tests and was way better than my browser’s built-in protection. For maximum internet security, you can use TotalAV’s secure browser. It benefits from WebShield, the ad and tracker blocker, data breach alerts, and more.
The password manager, Total Password, is almost as good as Norton’s, making it one of the best antivirus-bundled password managers. It comes with extras like security reports, two-factor authentication (2FA), and biometric logins, but lacks a secure password-sharing tool. You can get it as part of the Total Security bundle.
In terms of usability, TotalAV’s mobile features are spread across multiple separate apps — which isn’t ideal. That said, if you’re a computer user, the desktop app provides access to most features via its interface. I’m confident that even beginners and children won’t have any problems using it.
On that note, despite the lack of parental controls, I still think TotalAV is a good choice for families because it offers simple, plug-and-play internet security for non-technical users. What’s more, the extensive identity theft protections, though only available in the US, can protect the whole family. TotalAV Total Security is a good choice if you want a simple, beginner-friendly security suite that you can install and forget about (on up to 8 devices). It includes the password manager but doesn’t have as many additional features as Norton or Bitdefender, but at £49.00 / year, it’s one of the best-value deals around.
Bottom Line:
TotalAV Total Security offers easy-to-use antivirus protection and comes with some pretty good internet security tools. The antivirus engine is fast, lightweight, and highly secure, and the included VPN offers speeds comparable with some of the top names in the VPN industry. TotalAV is truly ‘plug and play’ — you’ll be protected within seconds, and it’ll run quietly in the background without you even noticing. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of TotalAV’s plans.
Read the full TotalAV review here >
4. McAfee+ Advanced — Unlimited-Device Plans + Excellent Cybersecurity Extras
McAfee+ Advanced is a well-rounded internet security suite with everything you need to maintain defenses against online threats in 2025. It’s best for users who want support for unlimited devices, and its real-time antivirus engine scored a perfect 100% detection rate against all my test malware. Plus, it offers some great extra features, including:
- Firewall.
- Phishing protection.
- VPN (unlimited data, securely connects to 48 countries).
- Password manager.
- ID theft monitoring and coverage.
- Parental controls (family plans only).
The firewall is effective at blocking most network-based threats, but it’s pretty light in terms of customization and extra features. It doesn’t monitor inbound traffic, either (you’ll have to keep Windows Defender turned on for that), which is disappointing.
Secure VPN is also really good, maintaining fast browsing speeds even on distant servers. Its fast speeds make it pretty good for streaming, too.
McAfee comes with identity theft protection. This service includes credit monitoring, SSN tracing, and identity restoration insurance up to $2 million. Available in over 20 countries, it’s an excellent option for those outside the US, where TotalAV’s identity theft protection services aren’t accessible. Features like Online Account Cleanup (finds accounts associated with your name or email) and Personal Data Cleanup (data broker removal tool) are great for reducing your digital footprint and enhancing your internet privacy.
With plans starting at £29.99 / year, McAfee is one of the most affordable options on this list. However, I recommend the Advanced plan (£66.63 / year) for complete internet security. It’s also worth noting that McAfee is one of the only antiviruses on the market to offer coverage for an unlimited number of devices, making it a great choice for larger households.
Bottom Line:
McAfee+ Advanced is an excellent antivirus package. It comes with additional tools like a VPN, a password manager, and even identity theft protection in some countries. The Premium plan is one of the best-value unlimited-device antiviruses on the market. All McAfee plans are protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full McAfee review here >
5. Panda Dome Complete — Intuitive User Interface With Lots of Additional Internet Security Protections
Panda Dome Complete has a good malware scanner, an easy-to-use interface, and several additional features to protect you from internet-based threats. It’s ideal for users who want flexible and customizable security plans with a strong focus on cloud-based protection. Unlike Norton, Panda didn’t catch every piece of malware, but its internet security features are pretty good.
I also like Panda’s user-friendly password manager, which includes all of the essential features of a good password manager, including a password generator, the ability to auto-fill and auto-save passwords, two-factor authentication (2FA), password strength auditing, and more. Like any decent password manager, it improves your overall internet security by reducing the risk of your passwords being compromised.
Panda can also keep your kids safer as they use the internet. You can use its content filters to block inappropriate sites in dozens of categories on your child’s computer. There are more advanced controls for mobile devices, but these are only available as a paid add-on.
Powered by Hotspot Shield, Panda’s VPN can privatize your internet usage. It’s missing some features (like a kill switch), rather slow, and most plans have a very low data limit, but it’s still an okay tool.
On the other hand, the web protections are just bad, detecting only 50% of the detection rate during my tests, and missing even some of the most obvious phishing sites. This is very poor compared to top brands like Bitdefender. That said, I like that it comes with a virtual keyboard you can use if you’re worried about keyloggers.
Panda Dome offers several plans, ranging from a free plan with basic antivirus protection and a limited-data VPN to the Panda Dome Premium plan, which comes with a VPN with no limitations and costs £34.99 / year. However, I recommend most users get the Panda Dome Complete plan (£24.99 / year), as Panda’s VPN has mediocre connection speeds, doesn’t work with most major streaming sites, and lacks critical features like a kill switch that helps ensure your privacy and security.
Bottom Line:
Panda Dome Complete offers good malware protection and a good set of internet security features. The web protection is pretty patchy, and the unlimited-data VPN is only available with the most expensive package, but it does have some parental controls (though the Windows version is super limited and you have to pay for an add-on to get mobile coverage). You can try Panda risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Panda review here >
6. Avast Ultimate — Powerful Firewall Plus Windows Sandbox
Avast Ultimate provides dependable everyday security. Its real-time engine blocks online threats like viruses, spyware, and ransomware before they run, and its on-demand scans were fast and lightweight in my tests.
I like Avast’s Web Shield and Mail Shield, which filter malicious links and attachments as you browse and email. Meanwhile, its Real Site feature protects you from DNS hijacking so you don’t land on fake banking or shopping pages. I also found the Ransomware Shield handy — it lets you lock down sensitive folders so nothing can encrypt them without permission.
Avast Ultimate has lots of extra internet security features. The built-in firewall is more capable than many rivals, with smart profiles for public Wi-Fi and easy app-specific rules. I was also impressed with its Sandbox feature on Windows. It lets you open unknown files in an isolated environment, allowing you to safely test downloads or suspicious attachments.
Its Network Inspector scans your home router and connected devices for weak passwords, open ports, and other risks and provides step-by-step fixes. You can also enable Sensitive Data Shield on Windows to prevent untrusted apps from reading documents like tax forms and IDs.
Avast Ultimate also includes SecureLine VPN (unlimited data) to encrypt your connection for safer browsing and hotspot use. When I tested it, I didn’t notice significant slowdowns. The AntiTrack feature cut down the creepy retargeting I usually see and reduced my browser fingerprint, which made everyday browsing feel quieter. Another impressive feature is the Do Not Disturb mode, which automatically mutes notifications when you are gaming, watching videos, or presenting.
Avast Ultimate is the best value for households, covering up to 10 devices across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It includes everything in Premium Security, plus SecureLine VPN, AntiTrack, and Cleanup Premium. There’s also a single-device option if you only need protection on 1 PC or Mac, and you can try any of the plans risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Avast Ultimate delivers strong core protection, plus valuable extras — a capable firewall, a sandbox, and thorough network scanning — that significantly enhance your day-to-day online security. You can test Avast Ultimate risk-free since a 30-day money-back guarantee backs it.
Read the full Avast review here >
7. Avira Prime — Great for Online Shopping & Fast Virus Scans
Avira Prime has one of the best antivirus engines around — it runs entirely in the cloud, so it’s fast, lightweight, and doesn’t cause lags or system slowdowns. In addition to top-notch malware protection, you’ll also get a full range of internet security tools: a firewall, web protections, a VPN, and more.
I like Avira’s Safe Shopping browser extension — it identified and blocked more phishing sites in my tests than most competitors. The extension also blocks browser tracking, preventing companies from tracking your online activity and delivering ads based on your browsing habits. Another cool thing about this extension is that it helps you find the best deals online (though this doesn’t always work as intended).
Avira comes with a secure, fast, and easy-to-use VPN. I could browse the web, watch videos, and download files with minimal or no speed loss, which is pretty great for a bundled VPN. It also supports torrenting on all of its servers, and it passed all of my IP leak tests. That said, Avira’s VPN doesn’t work with the majority of popular streaming websites.
Avira’s firewall is fairly basic, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good at blocking attacks and exploits. Like most of Avira’s features, it’s easy to use, so you don’t need to be an expert to enhance your internet security.
Unfortunately, the Prime package doesn’t include parental controls, so Norton and Bitdefender are better options if you have kids to protect.
Priced at £51.99 / year, Avira Prime is the company’s best internet security suite, and it covers up to 5 devices across all operating systems (the mobile apps also come with really good anti-theft protection and a network scanner).
Bottom Line:
Avira has a lightweight cloud-based antivirus engine with perfect detection rates and excellent web protection. I’m particularly impressed with Avira’s Safe Shopping browser extension, which prevents phishing attacks, blocks browser tracking and ads, and finds the best shopping deals. However, it doesn’t have parental controls, so it may not be the best pick for families. There’s a 60-day money-back guarantee on all Avira purchases.
Read the full Avira review here >
8. Malwarebytes Plus — Simple Security With a Good Antivirus Engine
Malwarebytes Plus is an easy-to-use but minimal internet security suite. It comes with strong malware protection and a tool that blocks dangerous websites. On top of that, you get an unlimited-data VPN.
Malwarebytes proved very effective at catching phishing websites, scoring a 98% detection rate. Best of all, Malwarebytes’s web protections are available as a free internet security extension. It’s also quite effective at blocking ads (though its claims about vastly increasing browsing speeds are exaggerated).
Backed by a strict no-logs policy, Malwarebytes’s VPN is great for privacy. It also supports torrenting, split-tunneling and has a kill switch, making it an excellent choice for security, too. That said, it’s much worse in terms of streaming support than TotalAV.
The best plan adds advanced identity protections. They’re missing a few features that Norton has, but you’ll still get insurance coverage in the event of identity theft, dark web monitoring, and more.
Malwarebytes plans start at £22.20 / year, but in terms of internet security, I recommend the Plus plan, which costs £29.61 / year and is only missing the identity theft protections (you’ll need Ultimate to get those). All plans are backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Malwarebytes is a highly effective anti-malware program, but it lacks many additional features I want to see in an internet security suite. The web protections are great, and the VPN is solid, but it’s a shame the identity theft protections come at a much higher price. The company offers a generous 60-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Read the full Malwarebytes review here >
9. Intego Mac Premium Bundle — Best Internet Security Software for Mac
Intego is the best option on this list for Mac users — its Premium Bundle is the best Mac internet security suite on the market. Most of the products on this list are primarily intended for Windows (although they all work well on Mac), so I decided to include one that focuses on protecting Macs. That said, Intego also offers a Windows antivirus.
Intego’s excellent real-time malware protection helped to make it our #1 antivirus for Mac in 2026. In my tests, it blocked all of the Mac-specific malware samples I threw at it — including newer spyware samples that macOS antiviruses from competitors like Panda missed.
Intego’s other features include:
- Firewall.
- Device optimization tool.
- Parental controls.
- File backup (local backup only).
- VPN (add-on).
I was very impressed by Intego’s NetBarrier firewall. It’s highly customizable, easy to use, and overall a great improvement on Apple’s built-in firewall. It automatically adjusts settings based on network traffic, and you can also manually adjust your settings to allow or block incoming or outgoing internet and LAN connections. There’s also a pretty good VPN, though you’ll have to pay extra for it.
I really like Intego’s parental controls. Besides the standard features you’d expect, like content filters and the ability to set a screen time limit, Intego’s parental controls also allow you to monitor your child’s chats and emails to guard them against online predators and prevent them from communicating with others inappropriately — using malicious words and sharing personal or sensitive information, for example.
However, Intego is missing phishing protection, which is a critical internet security feature. Its “phishing protection” is just a feature that checks whether the built-in protections on Chrome, Firefox, and Safari are active — in other words, Intego doesn’t offer any additional protection of its own.
Intego’s Premium Bundle (£27.99 / year) comes with all of Intego’s features for up to 5 devices. But if you’re only looking for basic protection for your Mac device, then you can also take a look at Intego Mac Internet Security, which includes malware protection and a firewall for just £17.99 / year.
Bottom Line:
Intego Mac Premium Bundle improves macOS’s internet security tools in every way — it has excellent malware scanning and a really good smart firewall. I also really like the parental controls, which offer a ton of customization options that macOS doesn’t include. All of Intego’s plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Intego review here >
Editor’s Note: Intego and this site are in the same ownership group.
10. MacKeeper Premium — Intuitive Internet Security for macOS Users
MacKeeper is the best option for Mac users who also want a VPN in the same bundle. It’s another good internet security program for macOS, with near-perfect malware detection rates and a wide range of cybersecurity tools. Its malware scanner detected more than 99% of my malware samples, which is similar to Intego, and its additional features improve upon macOS’s built-in protections.
I especially like MacKeeper’s system cleanup and optimization tools, and I think its VPN is pretty good, too. I could stream content on Netflix without any slowdown. On the negative side, the VPN’s privacy policies are rather unclear.
I think it’s great that even the free plan comes with dark web monitoring. As a subscriber, you’ll be alerted if your email address, passwords, credit cards, and other personal information has leaked online. There’s no possibility of payouts if your identity is stolen, and MacKeeper doesn’t monitor as much personal information as Norton, but it’s still a good tool for ensuring you aren’t being exposed on the internet.
MacKeeper’s biggest downside is that it lacks phishing protection. This is an essential internet security feature in 2026, and all of the other brands on this list have it (except for Intego). In addition, MacKeeper also lacks a firewall and parental controls (Intego has both of these features). That said, the ad blocker was quite effective in my tests.
MacKeeper has 1 premium plan, and you can choose the subscription duration and the number of devices covered (1–3). Plans start at £42.29 / year.
Bottom Line:
MacKeeper is a decent macOS internet security package with an excellent malware scanner and a good range of additional features. Its VPN is one of the better antivirus-bundled VPNs and I like that premium customers get identity protections. However, MacKeeper is missing essential features like anti-phishing protection and a firewall. All annual plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full MacKeeper review here >
Quick Comparison Table
Editor’s Note: Intego and this site are in the same ownership group.
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
To find the best internet security suites, I relied on our testing methodology, which examines a variety of factors to produce a balanced score for each antivirus tested. These are some of the tests I performed:
- I ensured the software included anti-phishing capabilities. In addition to scanning for and removing malware, good internet security software should help detect and prevent you from accessing websites that try to obtain personal or sensitive information. Norton, in particular, offers excellent web protection.
- I made sure each program I recommend is easy to use. The best internet security suites are easy to download, install, and navigate. It should also be simple to troubleshoot and customize each feature. In my tests, I gave bonus points to brands with helpful in-app instructions and exceptional customer support.
- I looked for packages with a VPN. Almost all of the internet security suites on this list come with VPNs to protect your online privacy and personal information. Norton, Bitdefender, and TotalAV’s VPNs in particular performed as well as some standalone VPNs in terms of speed, security, access to streaming services, and inclusion of extra features like streaming and P2P support.
- I looked for packages that offer password managers. Good internet security suites will include a password manager, which makes it easy for you to create and maintain a list of diverse and strong passwords. Norton and Avira’s password managers are among my favorites.
- I made sure to include suites with parental controls. Many of the brands I recommend come with really good parental controls. Norton is my #1 pick for the best antivirus with parental controls in 2026.
- I calculated the overall value. When choosing an internet security suite, you should look at how much the plans cost, how many devices they cover, and whether they offer free trials or a money-back guarantee. In my tests, I also took into account how many extra features were on offer and how much the products included in a package would cost when bought separately.
Basic Antivirus vs. Advanced Internet Security Suite
A basic antivirus primarily offers malware protection, functioning as an on-demand shield against viruses, worms, and other malicious software. It doesn’t often include real-time protection, so it’s only a good choice if you perform minimal online activities. If you’re on a budget, just want to get rid of an existing malware infection, don’t store sensitive data on your device, and don’t use the internet for banking or shopping, a basic antivirus could be a suitable choice for you.
Advanced internet security suites, on the other hand, provide a multi-layered defense that can also protect against more sophisticated attacks. These suites are equipped with a variety of tools, such as VPNs to enhance online privacy, firewalls to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic, and password managers to help generate and store complex passwords.
The added features in advanced security suites address a wider range of issues. For instance, they can protect against ransomware which encrypts files, and phishing schemes that trick users into divulging personal information. These advanced threats require more than just basic antivirus protection — they need a comprehensive antivirus to remove them.
Most antivirus products offer both basic antivirus plans and more advanced plans. The choice between the two depends on your individual needs.
What Security Threats Can an Internet Security Suite Protect You Against?
An internet security suite is designed to protect against a wide range of cyber threats. In addition to viruses, trojans, and other common malware, it will protect you against:
- Ransomware. Malicious software that encrypts your files and demands payment for their release. Internet security suites often include behavior-based detection systems to prevent ransomware attacks.
- Phishing attacks. Fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
- Spyware. Software that secretly gathers your information through your internet connection without your knowledge — often for advertising purposes.
- Rootkits. Malware that’s designed to gain unauthorized access to a computer. It can hide the existence of certain processes or programs from normal detection methods.
- Adware. Unwanted software designed to issue advertisements on your screen, often in a web browser, and sometimes based on your browsing habits.
- Zero-day attacks. Attacks that exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities in software or hardware, making them particularly difficult to guard against without regularly updated security software.
- Botnets. Networks of private computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the owners’ knowledge, e.g., to send spam messages or launch denial-of-service attacks.
- DDoS attacks. Distributed Denial of Service attacks involve overwhelming a website or online service with traffic from multiple sources, making it unavailable to legitimate users.
- Keyloggers. Spyware that records the keys struck on a keyboard, typically concealed so that the person using the keyboard is unaware that what they’re typing (including sensitive info like their passwords and credit card numbers) is being monitored.
- Man-in-the-middle attacks. This occurs when an attacker secretly relays and possibly alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Comodo. Comodo offers a variety of advanced settings for experienced users. But during my tests, Comodo missed some malware files that the brands on this list all detected. Plus, Comodo significantly slowed my computer down.
- ESET. ESET is a lightweight internet security suite with pretty good malware protection. However, ESET’s parental controls aren’t the best, and you have to spend tons of money to get the VPN.
- Sophos. Sophos is a good cybersecurity suite that includes protection for up to 10 Macs or PCs and unlimited mobile devices. However, it’s missing many of the additional features that make the antiviruses on this list so useful, plus its desktop app is disappointingly basic.
- G Data. G Data offers a strong set of features like anti-ransomware and behavior monitoring. However, it falls short in a few key areas. During my tests, G Data had noticeably longer scan times compared to top-tier competitors. Additionally, its user interface isn’t as intuitive as those of the top-ranked competitors, resulting in a less user-friendly experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is internet security important?
Internet security is important because of the huge amount of valuable data most of us keep online and the increasing number of hackers targeting unprotected online accounts. Hackers are using increasingly sophisticated malware and social engineering tactics to get access to financial information, online logins, and browsing data.
Without proper internet security protection, you could fall victim to one of these hacks. Your financial details could be leaked, your social media accounts could be compromised, and ultimately, you could become a victim of identity theft and fraud.
What’s the difference between “antivirus” and “internet security”?
Antivirus software protects against computer-based malware like viruses and trojans, while internet security software protects against network-based malware like spyware and ransomware. That said, today, many internet security suites (like all on this list) offer both an antivirus engine and internet security protection in the same product.
Many antivirus/internet security packages have:
- Phishing, spyware, and ransomware protection.
- Secure browser extension.
- Identity theft insurance.
- VPN.
- Firewall.
- Parental controls.
- Dark web monitoring.
- Password manager.
- Encrypted cloud storage.
- And a lot more…
My favorite internet security suite of 2026 is Norton 360 Deluxe. It’s got 100% malware protection, a fast VPN, 50 GB of cloud storage, a highly secure firewall, and excellent parental controls.
Are there any free internet security programs?
Free internet security software usually has severely limited functionality, major product flaws, or notifications that prevent you from using your device normally. Alternatively, it might have a secret agenda, like stealing your data. That said, not all free security software is bad. In fact, I think there are some good free antiviruses out there — but none are as good as the brands on this list, and most are limited to detecting malware.
It’s always better to spend a couple of bucks a month on a premium internet security suite like Norton 360 than it is to deal with the hassles and limitations of a free antivirus.
Are Google Chrome’s internet security protections any good?
Internet security protections from Google (and Apple and Microsoft) have come a long way, and Chrome’s built-in phishing protections have generally performed well in my tests. However, they are not as good as those offered by major cybersecurity brands like Norton, and they don’t include a VPN. Most antivirus software in 2025 offers far better protection than anything found in Google Chrome.
What’s the best antivirus with internet security?
My favorite antivirus with internet security is Norton 360 Deluxe. It has perfect malware detection rates, plus a ton of great internet security features including a firewall, a VPN with unlimited data, a password manager, parental controls, dark web monitoring, cloud backup (Windows only), and more.
Is Windows Defender good enough?
Windows Defender (now called Microsoft Security) offers a decent level of protection, but it’s no match for a comprehensive internet security suite. Although it provides basic antivirus and anti-malware functionality, it lacks several crucial features that suites offer, like VPNs, advanced firewalls, anti-phishing tools, and parental controls.
Overall, opting for a full-featured security suite like Norton 360 Deluxe will get you better protection against a wider range of threats.
Will an internet security suite slow down my PC?
No, it shouldn’t if it’s designed well. Modern security software is built to be efficient and lightweight, causing minimal impact on system performance. However, you may notice slight slowdowns during intensive tasks like full system scans.
If your PC is older or has limited resources, you might experience some performance decrease. To mitigate this, you can always consider scheduling scans for times when you’re not actively using your PC. Products like Norton make scan scheduling super easy.
What should I look for in an internet security suite?
You should look for an internet security suite that offers comprehensive protection and a range of tools that will be useful for you. The software should defend against a range of threats like viruses, malware, ransomware, phishing, and spyware, and the interface should be user-friendly and easy to navigate, even for beginners.
Reliable customer support is another consideration, ideally through multiple channels such as email, phone, or live chat. Finally, ensure the suite offers good value for money, delivering excellent protection at a reasonable cost. Top brands like Norton and Bitdefender offer all this and more.
Do I need both antivirus and internet security?
Antivirus and internet security software protect you against different things, so you need both to ensure complete protection. Antiviruses find and remove malware on your device and stop malware from being installed on your device in the first place. Internet security software protects you from online threats by identifying phishing sites (which try to steal your personal information), encrypting your data (with a VPN), stopping cyber attacks, and more.
Because they complement each other so well, many internet security suites include both. All of the recommendations on this list come with both an antivirus and internet security.
The best internet security suite in 2025 is Norton 360 Deluxe. It has 100% malware-detection rates and offers comprehensive protection from cyber threats with features like a firewall, a VPN, a password manager, dark web monitoring, cloud backup, and more.
