Best Antivirus for Business

Best Antivirus for Business

Running a business in 2021 can be difficult when it comes to digital security. It is important that antivirus software is considered essential when you calculate your business expenses. Businesses are big targets for cybercriminals.

Written by Ria du Plessis - Web Developer

Updated on September 2, 2021

Keeping your business data safe and secure is crucial for your business, your reputation, and your personnel. You don’t want someone to ruin the business you’ve been building for years, right? So, consider getting the best antivirus software for your business as soon as possible!

Choose An Antivirus For The Size Of Your Business

Antivirus for business is great for small to medium-sized businesses without IT departments. Instead of hiring people to manage your corporate cybersecurity, you can install the best antivirus for office use and have protection on a 24/7 basis. When choosing the best antivirus solution for business, don't make the mistake of using a program designed for home use. A program designed for home use won't give you the same level of security. The question is, how do you find the right antivirus for your business? What to look for?

We have selected the best antivirus software providers for business use. You can easily choose the best antivirus for business or continue to read more about business antivirus software.

Top 5 Antivirus Solutions for Business Clients

  • Multi-layered malware protection
  • Fast system scans
  • Secure web browsing
  • Enhanced security suite and advanced features
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  • Real-time malware protection
  • Advanced security features
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Value for money
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  • Firewall Security and VPN
  • Multi-device protection
  • Easy-to-access features
  • Advanced Malware protection
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  • Real-time malware protection
  • Around-the-clock support
  • Strong privacy protection
  • Safe web browsing
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  • Complete Protection For All Devices With a single License
  • Configurable Firewall
  • Virus Protection Pledge Or Full Refund Guarantee
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  • Game mode
  • Smartphone optimizer
  • Real-time monitoring of malware
  • Fast scanning
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How Could Antivirus Help Your Business?

So many businesses these days still use the more expensive older way of protecting their computers and important data. 

This means installing individual copies of antivirus software on every device or computer connected to the business' network.  With this, it is the responsibility of each employee to keep their antivirus programs up to date. This is not the most effective way to keep important company data safe from viruses and malware. All it takes is for one outdated version, and the entire company's data is vulnerable to hackers.

Luckily, these days there is multiple antivirus software available that is so much more secure. Managed antivirus software provides your business with consistent, reliable protection from viruses and malware. This will also lift the burden from your employees. Businesses need to adopt this new way of protection to keep valuable company information safe from hackers and cybercriminals. Everything is digital these days, and one hacker can leave you closing your business.

Business Antivirus

What To Look For In A Good Antivirus Solution For Business

It doesn't matter how big your business or organization is, what matters is to have a good and well-rated antivirus solution protecting your companies data. These days hackers and cybercriminals are increasingly targeting small businesses to steal customer credentials, financial accounts, and other sensitive information.

When you start to look at different types of antivirus solutions, you need to keep the size of your business in mind. This is what you should look for:

Small to Medium-Sized Businesses

It should not come as a surprise when we tell you that cybercriminals target smaller businesses. They see small businesses as the perfect opportunity to steal valuable information.  The problem is, too many small businesses use substandard antivirus software, and even more, don’t set up security measures like a firewall or real-time security software. Without these security measures, they are leaving their networks open for hackers and cybercriminals.

A lot of businesses don't use antivirus solutions because they sometimes seem too complicated to the average user. It's only natural that some business owners are hesitant to set them up, but keep in mind that your company data is not safe. You can even look at something like a password manager to start with, just to keep your information safe in some way. Without a reliable security solution, your business will eventually attract hackers.

Larger Organizations

So, how do you protect your information when you have a larger organization? Well, you’ll need the added protection of the right antivirus software for your larger business model and system configurations. It’s crucial that your larger organization has effective business antivirus software in place. 

An important part feature of the best antivirus for business especially like this is strong endpoint security. You should have strong endpoint security on all of your company devices, with a management portal that allows you to monitor and update your endpoints from anywhere, remotely. 

Antivirus for Companies

What Is A Hosted Endpoint Protection And Is It Good For My Business?

Endpoint Protection solutions will protect your business devices from malware, and investigate security incidents and alerts. Endpoint Protection solutions differ from commercial antivirus software as they allow admins to manage all devices from one endpoint. This allows admins to easily respond to security alerts.

Endpoint security software is a combination of cybersecurity and custom privacy controls for business computers. Endpoint security encompasses features like antivirus software, firewalls, malware removal, ransomware, and more.

The great thing about endpoint security software is that it can protect your business's entire IT infrastructure. Rather than having to install software on every employee's computer, endpoint security protects all your devices from one place.

There's a lot of advantages compared to other software types in this space. With Endpoint security software you will be able to protect laptops, desktops, and mobile devices for Windows, Apple, Android, and Linux, all from a single dashboard!

Endpoint Security

How To Choose The Right Antivirus For Business Clients?

If you decide that protecting your business data is important, you need to buy a business antivirus solution that can protect you against as many threats as possible.

Take a look at what your antivirus should do:

  • It Should Scan your emails, attachments, and documents:

Your antivirus shouldn’t just protect you from downloading a virus from a website. It should include more than just scanning websites.

  • Centralized or Standalone?

If you’re a small business with less than five employees, you can get away with installing software separately on each PC. It’s easier to set up and costs less, but the tradeoff is more hassle. Each employee could disable their antivirus if they wanted to.

Centralized software gives you a single control panel to manage your data security across all machines. While it keeps your security uniform, it takes more technical expertise and costs more to maintain. But for companies greater than 5 employees in size, it’s the only real option.

  • How Much System Resources Will the Antivirus Use?

This is important. Some antivirus programs use so much memory they grind your performance to a halt. 

  • Full System Scans:

While important, the frustration with these is that they take a long time. They should happen weekly. But, you need to have the ability to schedule these during hours when users aren’t on their devices.

  • What’s the Company’s Privacy Policy?

Many antivirus programs take your personal information and resell it. You can talk to the company, or you might even talk to a lawyer.

  • What Payment Terms Work for You? - You have several options here:
  1. A one-time fee
  2. Monthly subscription
  3. Yearly subscription

If you think antivirus is too expensive for your business, think about what makes sense for the future of your business security. 

The Best Antivirus Solution For Business

#1 Bitdefender Business Security Solutions

Bitdefender pic

Bitdefender is the leading business-grade hosted endpoint protection solution. It works equally well on Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS platforms.

Top Features:

  • Network Attack Defense
  • Layered Protection for Endpoints
  • No need for hardware - Web-based security
  • Advanced Application Behavior Monitoring
  • Protection Integrated with Endpoint Risk Management
  • AI and Machine Learning
  • Huge Security Intelligence Cloud
ProsCons
  • Security for multiple devices
  • Good protection from viruses, spyware, etc. Good scanning abilities for files and web applications
  • Good password protection
  • Bitdefender has a good reputation for discovering viruses
  • There are some limitations to exclusions that can be a bit frustrating
  • If you have more than one admin, each one has to customize and set up their own reports, dashboards, etc. Each admin only sees their own tasks
  • The management interface can be improved

Bitdefender Specifications

Pricing PlanFrom $258.99 - $517.99
Subscription Options1-year, 2-years, 3-years

Overall, Bitdefender continues to be a great choice of antivirus software and has a well-thought-out policy management system.

If you need more info about this provider, read our full Bitdefender Review.

Bitdefender

Read our Bitdefender Product Review for Businesses

#2 Avast Business Antivirus Pro

Avast

Top Features:

  • Block viruses, spyware, and other threats in real-time
  • Advanced ransomware protection
  • Bank online safely from any device
  • Advanced firewall
  • Webcam Protection
ProsCons
  • Built-in patch management
  • Good threat detection capabilities
  • VPN and File Shredder included
  • Lacks mobile device management
  • Reporting still needs improvement

Avast Specifications

Pricing Plan$139.99
Subscription Options1-year

Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus is simple to use and offers a decent level of detection for unknown threats.

Visit our detailed Avast Review for more info about features, pricing and lab test results of this software provider.

Avast

Read our Avast Product Review for Businesses

#3 AVG Antivirus Business Edition

AVG

AVG Antivirus Business Edition protects your business from viruses, ransomware, and other online threats in real-time.

Top Features:

  • File Shield
  • Email Shield
  • Web Shield
  • Link Scanner
  • Behavior Shield
  • Firewall
  • File Shredder
  • Smart Scanner
  • SharePoint Protection
  • Free phone support
ProsCons
  • Third-party testing companies praise this antivirus for impressive performance during their tests
  • The interface is very simple; even your kid will be able to make sense of it
  • You are free to choose between various package features without having to pay for all of them
  • The clients for Windows, Mac, and the Android app are great
  • The users can customize AVG Antivirus to their liking
  • Fast, reliable, and “beats” 99% of malware without “melting” your computer
  • The free version offers only basic protection
  • Sadly, it’s not available on iOS. The mobile app for Android is great, though
  • The performance scans are pretty pointless
  • In many regards, this antivirus is the same as Avast and it’s not the winner in the Avast vs AVG battle
  • The top tiers are pretty expensive

AVG Specifications

Pricing PlanFrom $46.99
Subscription Options1-year,  2-years, 3-years

AVG Cloud Management Console allows you to quickly deploy antivirus to multiple endpoints, manage policies, monitor threats, schedule updates, and protect devices.

Visit our AVG Review for a detailed overview of this software provider. 


AVG

Read our AVG Product Review for Businesses

#4 McAfee Endpoint Protection

McAfee

McAfee Endpoint Protection for businesses ticks a lot of feature boxes on and is a significant update to its old business endpoint protection product.

Top Features:

  • Excellent malware protection
  • Established solution
  • Deals with all malware
  • Deep scanning
  • Daily updates
  • Comes with Adwcleaner
  • Free version available
ProsCons
  • Excellent scores in our hands-on malware protection and malicious URL blocking tests
  • Includes exploit protection, ransomware protection, behavior-based detection
  • Few and poor independent lab test scores
  • Phishing protection ineffective
  • Ransomware detection results mixed

McAfee Specifications

Pricing PlanFrom Free - $59.98
Subscription Options1-year or 2-years

Overall, McAfee Endpoint Protection is good. It is highly flexible and configurable with top-notch reporting capabilities. It feels and functions as an enterprise product should.

For more info about features, rating and lab test results of McAfee, visit our full McAfee Review.

McAfee

#5 Webroot Business Endpoint

Webroot

Webroot Business Endpoint is specifically designed for small businesses. It is an easy-to-use IT security platform with the key features needed to protect your company’s endpoints from common cyberattacks.

Top Features:

  • Excellent malware protection
  • Established solution
  • Deals with all malware
  • Deep scanning
  • Daily updates
  • Comes with Adwcleaner
  • Free version available
ProsCons
  • Excellent scores in our hands-on malware protection and malicious URL blocking tests
  • Includes exploit protection, ransomware protection, behavior-based detection
  • Few and poor independent lab test scores
  • Phishing protection ineffective
  • Ransomware detection results mixed

Webroot Specifications

Pricing PlanFrom Free - $59.98
Subscription Options1-year or 2-years

Webroot Business Endpoint Protection stands out from other IT endpoint security software vendors. The software stands out by tailoring its solutions to the needs of the businesses.

For more info about various products and packages of Webroot, visit our full Webroot Review.

Webroot

Other Important Ways To Secure Your Business

As we mentioned before, your business computers are one the most crucial tools when running a business and are used by people daily. It will be catastrophic when one of your business computers gets infected by a virus. Luckily, there are numerous ways that you can protect your business computers from viruses. 

Be Cautious

First of all, it's important to always be cautious. Nevermind what. Be as cautious as possible, especially when it comes to odd emails and leaving your Internet on. Emails can easily infect your computer. When you receive an email that is misspelled, or that contains links and seem to be sent from someone you know, this should raise a red flag. Do not open them. 

Pirated or Bootlegged

If you are looking to purchase antivirus software, avoid purchasing bootlegged or pirated antivirus software. While you may be tempted to buy these types of antivirus deals due to the low prices, resist the temptation. These versions contain viruses within them.

Updates And Backups

If you have antivirus software on your business computers, make sure to update it whenever possible to ensure it is working as it should.

Internet Safety

Bottom Line

No organization can do without antivirus and anti-spyware software. New threats are emerging all the time, so you should always download up-to-date definitions from your software provider. While nothing is a guarantee against infection, antivirus and anti-spyware software can go a long way towards helping protect your organization.

Finally, using antivirus and anti-spyware software is only part of a comprehensive security plan. The additional resources listed below can help you dig deeper.

FAQ

1. Which antivirus is the best for office use?

We have recommended various best antivirus for office use. Which one is the best for you will depend on your business needs and the size of your business.

2. Where should businesses install antivirus software?

It is recommended for businesses to install antivirus solutions on one dashboard. This will allow IT departments to manage your business computers from one place. Is it recommended to use cloud antivirus for business?

3. Does my business need extra protection from spyware and malware? 

Not necessarily. A good antivirus solution for your business will include good spyware and malware features.

4. Is it recommended to use cloud antivirus for business?

Yes, it is recommended to use cloud-based antivirus solutions. This way your business data will be more secure.