Our Recommended Security Software for 2022
PLEASE NOTE THIS ARTICLE IS NOW ARCHIVED AND THE LINKS DO NOT WORK. TO SEE OUR CURRENT EDITOR’S CHOICE SECURITY SOFTWARE, CLICK THIS LINK.
With the continued rise in malware threats like ransomware and a surge in phishing scams spreading through email and even text (SMS) messages, it’s important that we protect all of our devices.
As usual, we evaluated all of the current solutions available at the start of the year and pick our favourite in terms of performance and value to you.
Our top recommendation for security software in 2022 is Bitdefender Total Security.
Bitdefender Total Security provides exceptional malware detection, anti-phishing protection and comes included with 5 licenses, meaning you can install it on 5 different devices including Android phones and tablets, PCs, laptops, Macs and iPhones/iPads. (You can upgrade to 10 devices.)
(Want security only for a PC? Click here. | Want security only for an Android phone? Click here.)
Outstanding malware detection ratesWeb protection to scan and detect phishing websitesReal-Time protectionWorks on 5 devices including Android and iOS smartphonesSocial network protectionLots of extras (we recap many in the review below.)
Get Bitdefender Total Security here.
For UK pricing click here.
Or read our full analysis below.
Bitdefender has been our PC security choice since 2019 both in terms of value and performance. The software has bagged a number of different accolades including PCMag’s Editors Choice and TechRadar’s Editors Choice. It provides the best malware detection and comes bundled with a number of outstanding extras which we take a look at below.
Anti-Phishing
Firstly we highlight phishing, because it’s these scams that have been on the rise during 2020 and 2021, especially through email and SMS messages. Total Security evaluates websites before you enter information into them, looking for known phishing sites and suspicious activity. This helps it block any spoof websites looking to steal your data by masquerading as legitimate organisations. While no security software can block 100% of spoof websites, Total Security does block a good number of them. (Of course there is no substitute for learning how these scams work, and for that you can click here.)
Malware
Of course we get security software to protect us against malware, so we won’t dwell too much here other than to say that Bitdefender security products have among the best malware detection rates in the industry. It searches for all known and current threats and types of malware. It also has defences against the prolific ransomware and can help to protect against ransomware encrypting your important documents.
Real-Time Protection
Total Security is constantly monitoring active programs and apps using a technique called behavioural detection. This allows it to prevent attacks as they happen.
5 Devices
When you get the Total Security package it comes with five licenses for five difference devices. You can upgrade this to 10 using the same link. This can be any five devices including PCs, laptops, Macs and any Android or iOS device such as tablets and smartphones.
This is great for those looking for protection for their phones as well. The Android mobile app will include Anti-Theft to help lock or wipe lost or stolen devices, App-Lock so you can add a PIN to sensitive apps, anti-phishing to help with SMS/email phishing scams and of course malware detection.
If you’re not interested in multi-device protection and are looking to protect one PC only, click here instead.
Webcam Protection
A nifty little feature provides an extra layer of security to your webcam. As threats like “extortionware” increase, we can imagine keeping prying eyes away from the webcam is a pretty big priority. Webcam Protection notifies you when any software tries to access your webcam and lets you block suspicious attempts.
Social network scanning
Total Security scans search results in search engines for malicious websites, and it also scans links posted on social media sites like Facebook too. Again this isn’t 100% effective (no security software can be) and it’s important you learn how to spot suspicious links before you click on them.
A ton of other extras
Decent enough parental controls, a password manager (last time we checked this didn’t support two factor authentication though), a secure browser for online banking, a firewall, Wi-Fi Security Advisor to give you security info on whatever Wi-Fi network you’re connected to, a free VPN to encrypt traffic coming to and from your device (200MB limit a day), a microphone monitor, anti-spam (which works on the Outlook and Thunderbird email clients), and a secure file shredder (for those files you want gone gone) are some of the extras that you may or may not want to use.
Get Bitdefender Total Security here.
Want Bitdefender for just for a PC?
The Total Security package comes with 5 devices by default, but if you’re just looking to protect a PC then you’re probably better off with the standard Internet Security package. It’s the same software with the same features (obviously without the licenses to protect Android/iOS devices.) You can get Internet Security here, and it can be used on up to three PCs (or Windows laptops.)