Staying Secure in 2025: What to Look for in Antivirus for Windows
As Windows systems evolve and threat actors grow more sophisticated, choosing the right antivirus software is more critical than ever. By October 2025, standout antivirus suites for Windows combine strong malware detection, minimal performance impact, and modern features like ransomware protection, firewall integration, VPNs, web protection, and threat-intelligence feeds.
Independent labs such as AV-TEST routinely assess products on detection rates, false positives, and performance impact. For example, in the Windows 11 tests from April 2025, Kaspersky Premium, McAfee Total Protection, and Microsoft Defender all earned top certifications. AV-TEST
Meanwhile, testing and editorial reviews consistently rank certain suites as leaders in 2025. All About Cookies+3Tom’s Guide+3TechRadar+3
Below is a roundup of some of the strongest antivirus options for Windows users in October 2025.
Top Picks for Windows Antivirus (October 2025)
- Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
- Frequently named “best overall” in 2025 reviews, Bitdefender offers excellent malware protection, multi-layered ransomware defense, VPN access, and low performance overhead. TechRadar+2Tom’s Guide+2
- Norton 360 Deluxe
- Norton is a perennial favorite. It offers a full security suite: antivirus, firewall, identity and web protection, VPN, and backup. It scores near-perfect in many lab tests. Security.org+3Cybernews+3Tom’s Guide+3
- McAfee Total Protection
- A strong option for users needing to protect many devices. McAfee also often earns top ratings in independent tests. AV-TEST+1
- Malwarebytes Premium
- Known for strong remediation and real-time protection, it’s often used alongside other tools. It is lightweight and excellent at catching sophisticated threats.
- Avast Premium Security
- A long-standing name in consumer protection. It offers solid detection, ransomware shields, and useful extras, though in 2025 reviews it sometimes lags behind leaders in feature breadth. Tom’s Guide
- TotalAV
- A budget-friendly choice with solid protection and web security components. Many reviews in 2025 highlight it for value. Security.org+1
- Webroot Antivirus Protection
- Uses cloud-based scanning to reduce local resource usage. Good for lighter machines or users wanting minimal impact.
- AVG Internet Security
- A well-known name with a mature product. In 2025, it still offers a robust baseline of protection and features.
How to choose the right antivirus for your needs
| Feature | Why It Matters | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Detection & Threat Intelligence | You want high catch rates for new/mutated malware and zero-days | Look for certifications (AV-TEST, SE Labs, etc.), recent lab results |
| Performance Impact | An antivirus that slows your PC is often disabled | See resource benchmarks and “light mode” or gaming modes |
| Ransomware & Behavior Protection | Modern threats often use file encryption or stealth behaviors | Look for rollback features, controlled folder access, behavior monitoring |
| Firewall & Network Protection | Network exploits and lateral movement are common attack vectors | Integrated firewall, intrusion prevention, network scanning |
| Web & Phishing Protection | Many attacks begin via links or fake sites | URL filtering, sandboxing, anti-phishing agents |
| Extras (VPN, Password Manager, Backup, Identity Monitoring) | Useful features that may reduce the need for extra subscriptions | Balance features vs. cost |
| Cross-Platform & Multi-Device Support | Many users work across Windows, macOS, mobile | Licensing flexibility across devices matters |
| Ease of Use & Support | A strong UI and good support make recovery easier | Check for helpdesk, community, and documentation quality |
Antivirus Comparison Table (≈ 2025)
| Product | Real-World Protection Rate* | Award / Ranking (Real-World) | Malware Protection (Blocking)† | False Positives / Notes | Performance Impact / Overhead‡ | Comments / Strengths & Caveats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitdefender Total Security | ~ 99.8 % | ADVANCED+ (Feb-May 2025) (AV-Comparatives) | ~ 99.97 % (Malware Protection Test, Mar 2025) (AV-Comparatives) | Low false positives in tests | Among better performers in AV-Comparatives April 2025 performance test (AV-Comparatives) | Strong all-rounder, consistently high ranks |
| Norton / Norton 360 | ~ 99.5 % | ADVANCED+ (Feb-May 2025) (AV-Comparatives) | ~ 99.96 % (Malware Protection Test, Mar 2025) (AV-Comparatives) | Moderate false positives | Improved relative performance; seen as more competitive in recent performance tests (Reddit) | Good feature set and balance |
| McAfee Total Protection | ~ 99.3 % | ADVANCED+ (Feb-May 2025) (AV-Comparatives) | ~ 99.96 % blocked in Malware Protection Test (AV-Comparatives) | Slightly higher false positives than top contenders | Historically heavier, but reports suggest performance has improved (Reddit) | Strong in multi-device setups |
| Microsoft Defender (Consumer / Built-in) | ~ 99.1 % | ADVANCED+ (Feb-May 2025) (AV-Comparatives) | ~ 99.94 % (Malware Protection Test, Mar 2025) (AV-Comparatives) | Very low false positives in independent AV-TEST runs (6/6/6) (AV-TEST) | Minimal overhead (native integration) | Excellent value, solid baseline defense |
| Malwarebytes Premium | ~ 99.5 % | ADVANCED+ (Feb-May 2025) (AV-Comparatives) | — (not always scored in standalone malware test) | In Real-World tests grouped with Avast etc. (421/423 blocked) (AV-Comparatives) | Moderate overhead | Often paired with other AV solutions; strong remediation / behavior detection |
Final Thoughts & Recommendation
In October 2025, Bitdefender Total Security and Norton 360 Deluxe remain top-tier choices for Windows users, thanks to their consistent performance and comprehensive feature sets. McAfee Total Protection is strong for multi-device coverage, while Malwarebytes offers a particularly good balance for users wanting a lightweight, powerful tool.
No matter which solution you choose, keep these practices in mind:
- Always keep virus definitions up to date.
- Enable automatic scanning and real-time protection.
- Maintain secure backups (offline or immutable).
- Use good practices — avoid suspicious links, keep software patched, and enable OS hardening.