Many small businesses focus on marketing, getting leads and sales. However, they forget that security of their data is also an important factor of success. The best antivirus software for small business is crucial for any type of data-driven business regardless if it relies heavily on website traffic, customer information of financial documents.
There are plenty of antivirus programs for small business, or small businesses that use antivirus. You can buy a subscription for this type of software at your local office supply store or from most PC manufacturers. Here is the list of best softwares:
[Best Overall]
Norton Small Business
Norton gives you uninterrupted experience with outstanding protection thanks to the exceptional features incorporated in the system. It is a multi-device antivirus with ten device capacity. This makes it great for a small business to run on a single account.
When your subscription is almost expiring, you get timely reminders for an automatic subscription.
This allows you to continue using the system for protection without the worry of silent expiry, as seen in other competitors.
This antivirus is packed with VPN, PC Cloud Backup & Dark Web Monitoring Powered by Life Lock, and thus offers the best seal for online threats and protects your online presence from detection using the VPN. Therefore browsing on public WI-FI is still safe.
Additionally, the antivirus is perfect for all your devices running on Android, Windows, Mac OS, and iOS. This is advantageous to you since you will add the available devices without worry about the operating system as the ones accepted are necessary and always available.
Installation is also a breeze, and once you install it on your device, you get a card with a product key code emailed to you. This ensures your installation is completed in less time, making it useful instantly.
This antivirus also supports real-time protection and guards the system against threats, existing malware, and viruses plus additional threats that might risk your devices. As much as the antivirus handles various threats on your devices, it won’t slow its operation.
It is easy to navigate through this cloud-based device management platform. This simplicity ensures you have full control of your antivirus and can add devices or remove them without ease. Plus, your employees can easily register via email, eliminating plenty of follow-ups when it comes to login issues.
Dark web monitoring is also another crucial addition to this antivirus. Unlike other competitors that don’t notify you when your information is on the dark web, this is up to date with every occurrence on the dark web and is brought to your attention.
The system also has a password manager where you create and store your password without the worry of access by unauthorized individuals. This means that your credit card credentials plus other online information are secure and safe.
Additionally, your webcam safety is secure, thanks to the PC SafeCam feature. You will get notifications when cyber criminals gain access to your webcam. The system will block them instantly and thus protect your online presence.
The system also features 75GB secure PC cloud backup storage where you safeguard essential files in case of data loss. This allows you to access the data in case your device is stolen or damaged.
As much as the renewal of your subscription is smooth, we didn’t like the idea that your card information is gathered for payment. However, you will still get excellent services and timely renewal of your plan to keep you protected.
Finally, this antivirus comes with reliable customer support making it the best antivirus for small businesses.
| Features |
| Supports up to ten devices, thus reliable |
| Multiple protection hence excellent if you need to get Antispyware , Antivirus, Malware & Ransomware protection in one software. |
| Features 75GB PC cloud backup for securing your documents |
| Features password manager to enable your remember passwords easily |
| Has parental controls to ensure the devices are safe for minors to use |
Norton Small Business Pros
- Easy to install and renew the subscription
- Great for more than five logins
- Runs on most of your devices operating systems
Norton Small Business Cons
- Collects card information for the renewal of your subscription
ESET is known globally for their effective, lightweight cybersecurity solutions designed to protect organizations of all sizes against the most sophisticated known and zero-day threats. ESET Endpoint Security is their cloud-based endpoint protection solution, which offers multiple layers of defense technologies, automation and centralized management. It protects computers, mobile devices, file servers and virtual environments against malware and fileless attacks. ESET Endpoint Security is available as a standalone product and as a part of a wider cybersecurity bundle, which also includes file server security, disk encryption, a cloud sandbox and EDR.
ESET Endpoint Security combines machine learning technologies and crowdsourced threat intelligence to detect targeted malware, ransomware and fileless attacks. It does this by monitoring and evaluating all executed apps for malicious content, based on their known behaviors. Its powerful intrusion detection capabilities mean that ESET’s solution has excellent detection rates before, during and after execution. ESET Endpoint Security also offers protection that focuses on the web browser, preventing users from downloading malicious files and enabling admins to white- and blacklist URLs.
Administrators can manage all ESET endpoints, including mobiles, via one cloud-based unified management console. This, along with automatic updates, makes ESET’s solution easy to deploy and maintain, with no need for extra hardware.
ESET Endpoint Security is extremely lightweight, but performs as well as any solid anti-malware engine. It’s also a highly flexible solution: ESET Endpoint Security is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux and Android operating systems, with built-in mobile device management for iOS and AndroidOS. Additionally, the console is available in 21 languages, and ESET offers localized support in 38 languages. This makes their solution ideal for SMBs with a diverse workforce and device fleet, who are looking for powerful antivirus software that won’t slow their systems.
[Best For The Money] McAfee Total Protection
4.8/5
McAfee Total Protection is intended to protect your business against impending attacks, viruses, malware, and other online threats that continue to bring companies down.
It is a light software that will not lag your device once it installs. This also improves the boot time of your device system.
By taking little space, you are certain to use it promptly as it opens fast and scans.The real-time defence is also another gain this antivirus has for you.
The protection offers a 24-hour guard for your files and other online stuff so worry little when your internet goes off as the system will still work offline to detect and block malware.
Moreover, McAfee small business security has a timer where you can schedule the scanning time and start the scan when no one uses it. This is an advantage since you run your daily errands uninterruptedly.
Once the scan is complete, McAfee gives you a detailed report of the issues detected on your device. This helps you to fix them instantly and run your device safely.
Furthermore, the McAfee software is easy to download and compatible with Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7, Mac OS X, Android, and iOS. This expands the use.
Another essential feature of this antivirus is the ability to manage your passwords and ensure a safe login. The browser-based password manager memorizes the login password and gives you a warning to the insecure sites.
It also supports file lock, making it a privilege for you if you prefer safety file locking. This is also backed with the 256-bit file encryption for added security.
Unlike other Antivirus units that limit you to several devices, this offers unlimited device use even though you can still choose the limited number unit and still get the best protection.
The safe family parental controls ensure your kids grow up knowing the good digital habits. This promotes secure browsing for the entire family and the small business.
As much as this is a 29-time winner antivirus, you will still feel the pain of subscription since it is expensive but accessible online.
Finally, you get free access to customer care support with your annual subscription. This allows you to get issues resolved with ease hence a reliable business internet security.
| Features |
| Unlimited access, making it great for all your devices |
| First time purchase and installation is cost-effective |
| Works with primary OS including Windows and Mac |
| Offers real-time defense and good time responses |
| Light software thus takes little space on your disc |
| Has parental controls to safeguard kids usage |
| Award-winning software, therefore, tested and proven to be legit |
McAfee Total Protection Pros
- Easy to download and install
- Cost-effective
- Protects against different threats and attacks
- Offers unlimited use on devices
McAfee Total Protection Cons
- Small viruses can still have their way into your computer, but it defends the significant threats well
Trend Micro offer a range of cybersecurity solutions that are founded on three principles: simplicity, safety and trust. With 30 years of experience, they are recognized as being a market leader in endpoint security. Trend Micro’s Worry-Free Business Security is a cloud-based “all-in-one” solution that provides endpoint, web and email protection in one bundle. It’s compatible with desktops, laptops and mobile devices.
Trend Micro’s Worry-Free Business Security leverages a combination of threat protection techniques to close security gaps. These include machine learning, behavioral analysis, application control and good-file check. Because of this, it has a good detection rate of binary and scripted threats, and strong anti-phishing capabilities and exploit detection. However, the solution does miss some types of advanced cloaked attacks. Trend Micro’s Worry-Free Business Security’s automatic updates and 24/7 support make it easy to deploy and just as easy to run. There is very little that the security team have to maintain. Additionally, admins can manage the software online from a remote console.
However, it performs well in detecting known, yet still dangerous, phishing and scripted threats. Additionally, Trend offer a wide range of security solutions, including email and web security, which can be stacked and implemented as an extremely effective security suite.
Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus
4.7/5
We included Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus on our list since it has had a successful run for the last 30 years as the best firewall for business. With continued innovation and advancement in technology, most enterprises are trusting in the way this antivirus protects online and offline presence.
The award-winning antivirus is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Android, and iOS systems. This makes Avast for business premium endpoint security the best on the market.
Additionally, this antivirus detects and blocks malware and other threats in real-time. This keeps your data safe and secure. Besides, it delivers reposts instantly so that you can analyze and resolve the issues on your devices.
Also, it scans for WI-FI security weaknesses and finds intruders to your network. This eliminates the ease of hacking by the intruders. It is a great way to avoid fake shopping sites that trick you into losses.
Furthermore, the antivirus is packed with Avast SecureLine VPN. This hides your presence online and keeps all your plans private. The plan is available for PC only.
The antivirus has a password notification so that you get information in case your password leaks. This protects your information from unauthorized access.
It also has the permanent shed files system where you delete files so that nobody recovers them. This ensures the sensitive documents are out of reach.
All the protocols on this antivirus run on artificial intelligence technology that quickly identifies, destroys any threat & predicts future ones. This keeps you secure all the time.
The cloud-based serve means that you can get the required protection anywhere since everything is online. Plus, there is additional cloud storage so that you don’t lose the crucial information in case your device gets lost or damaged.
Installing the software on your device is a breeze. Once you have downloaded it, you will get a code sent to your email. You can input the code and run the software for instant use.
As much as the business edition is excellent for your devices, it still limits the number of devices you can use. The higher the number, the more you will pay for the plan. However, this is still an advantage for you to secure up to 25 users’ entire business.
Finally, this antivirus is the best business security service if you are set for an excellent protection system against all types of threats and malware. It is cost-effective, thus, a great deal for your business.
| Features |
| Real-time protection to guard against threats and malware |
| Multi-device for massive business use up to 25 users |
| Uses artificial intelligence to detect and destroy threats faster |
| Offers end to end protection for all in one protection |
| Compatible with Windows 10 / 8 / 7, Mac OS X for expanded use |
Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus Pros
- Easy to download the software and install
- Takes little space less than 7 MB
- Easy to renew with the affordable subscription
Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus Cons
- The cost goes high as the number of users increases
During your initial installation, you get a full free trial. With this, you can monitor the effectiveness of this antivirus then choose to purchase it.
The defender offers comprehensive security protection from malware to ransomware, threats to delays, and other random security issues such as phishing scams. This keeps your business protected all through.
The five device subscription for this antivirus runs you through one year while the ten device subscription gets you through two years. This allows you to choose the right package for your business.
Bitdefender is speed optimized and offers protection across all your devices with operating systems on Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android. This is an advantage as the systems are basic and readily available on your devices.
There is a new microphone monitor feature on this antivirus. It lets you know when apps have access to your device. Besides, an anti-tracker is tasked to keep your browsing data private and keep safe sites for secure browsing without harming your device.
This improved antivirus features parental controls making it secure enough for children browsing as you can filter data and limit screen time. Besides, you can easily track the location.
This antivirus also supports safe online banking and will never leak your pin or security password to your safe. This keeps the business transactions from access by unauthorized users.
The antivirus also uses smart behavioral detection technology for advanced threat defense. This monitors apps in real-time and delivers reports instantly.
Also, it features the WI-FI security advisor so you can easily access your WI-FI from any location and thus easy to monitor your business remotely. This feature is excellent for travelers and out of office workers.
Despite the best features, we still found the support system worse in reviewing the support ticket. This slows the process when responding to urgent matters.
In general, this antivirus offers comprehensive protection and privacy. Therefore, you can bank on it if you are set for the best small business antivirus.
| Features |
| Multi-device support to accommodate up to ten devices |
| Uses the smart behavior technology for advanced threat defense |
| Has Wi-Fi security advisor for remote access |
| Effective anti-theft and anti-loss tools for maximum protection |
| Compatible with Mac OS, iOS, Android, and Windows systems for wide use |
BitDefender Gravity Zone Business Security Pros
- Offers real-time protection
- Automatic updates and upgrades
- Packed with sophisticated parental control
- Easy to install and use
BitDefender Gravity Zone Business Security Cons
- The cost increases depending on the number of users
Check Bitdefender Gravity Zone
AVG Technologies, a subsidiary of Avast, offer a line of antivirus software to protect desktops and mobile devices against malware attacks and privacy threats. Known for their personal protection solutions, AVG have extended their offering to provide protection to SMBs. Their Business Edition software is quick to install and deploy across multiple endpoints, and administrators can manage all security components remotely with the help of the AVG Cloud Management Console.
AVG Business secures your network with cloud-based real-time outbreak and AI detection, which protects against the newest known malware threats. This is combined with behavioural tests and sandboxing to detect and eliminate threats quickly. A firewall adds an extra layer of protection against online security threats, and AVG’s Linkscanner checks webpages before users open them, displaying the safety ranking for each page in their search engine results. Additionally, their recently added CyberCapture feature protects against malicious files by sending a copy of any unrecognized downloads to their Threat Lab for analysis.
On top of its network security features, AVG Business includes anti-spyware to protect devices from spy- and adware that track personal information. It also includes a file shredder, which securely deletes files to prevent unwanted recovery. This is especially useful for systems that hold sensitive data.
AVG Business is a powerful antivirus software that works automatically behind the scenes, without distracting users from their work. The solution also comes with free email and phone support and automatic updates. This, along with its remote management system, makes AVG Business a great solution for small business owners managing devices off-site.
Conclusion
All of us are concerned about our online security, given the recent news about hacks, data breaches, viruses, worms, Trojans etc. The question is how do you secure your devices? How do you know that your antivirus software or firewall is capable enough of protecting you from all kinds of attacks? You need an antivirus software!