For these reasons it's important to assess your individual security needs and evaluate the effectiveness of different programs to determine the best protection for your devices. Additionally, free programs may come with limitations such as fewer features, fewer updates, or a lack of customer support. They can offer basic protection against common threats, but they may not provide the same level of comprehensive protection as paid versions. There are a number of free antivirus and anti-malware programs available which we list throughout this guide. What are the Best Antivirus and Anti-Malware Programs Available in New Zealand?.

Do Free Antivirus Programs Offer Sufficient Protection?.

What Should I Consider When Choosing an Antivirus Program?.

To help you select the best antivirus software for you, our guide covers:

Apart from running anti-malware and antivirus software, we outline some good online safety habits you should take into account, like using a password manager, keeping your software up to date and only downloading content from trusted sources.

While PCs and Android devices are more at risk, Apple devices are not exempt from online threats and should also have antivirus software installed.

The best prices for antivirus software can be found in plans that cover multiple devices for a long period of time (more than one year) and subscriptions that bundle various services into one, for example, antivirus, device performance monitors, password managers and VPN.

We outline the ones we consider the best, as well as free programs and free limited-time trials.

Many free and low-cost antivirus and anti-malware programs can keep you safe online.

Antivirus software can detect and remove malware that may otherwise go undetected, and it provides real-time protection to prevent malware from infecting your device in the first place.

While it is possible to use a computer or other electronic device without antivirus software, you do so at some risk.

The best anti malware software