Best Antivirus Software Australia 2024 – Top Antivirus Software Compared

With countless harmful websites out there, antivirus software is essential. To keep your device safe from malware, viruses, and keyloggers, you need the best antivirus software in Australia. But how do you pick one antivirus over another? What important factors should you think about before purchasing an antivirus subscription?

In this guide, we’ll review the top 10 antivirus software for Australian users and analyze their speed, performance, pricing, and security features to help you choose the one that best aligns with your needs. 

The 10 Best Antivirus Software in Australia for 2024

While you should definitely protect your devices from cyber threats, you shouldn’t install the first antivirus software you come across. Some offer better protection than others and are fine-tuned for a particular device or operating system. We’ve put together a list of the top 10 antivirus software for Australian users so you don’t have to spend days scouring the web and comparing dozens of different antivirus providers. 

1. TotalAV — Overall, the Best Antivirus Software in Australia
2. Norton — Popular Antivirus With 30+ Years of Experience
3. Nord Threat Protection — Reliable Antivirus with 5000+ Servers
4. Surfshark One — Antivirus With a Clean User Interface
5. Avira — Best Free Antivirus in Australia
6. Intego — Best Antivirus for Mac
7. ESET — Great All-around Antivirus, but Overpriced
8. McAfee Antivirus Plus — Decent Protection, but Might Slow Down Your Device
9. Kaspersky Total Security — Best Antivirus for Windows 10
10. Avast One — All-in-One Protection for Your PC & Phone
11. Bitdefender Premium Security — Strong Antivirus With High Threat Detection Rate

The Top Antivirus Software in Australia Reviewed

Every antivirus software provider is going to advertise their program as the best in the industry. While the leading antivirus companies all offer similar levels of protection, there are quite a few variables to consider when purchasing antivirus software. Some might slow down your device, while others might constantly annoy you with pop-up notifications and unscheduled scans.

Here are in-depth reviews of the top 5 antivirus software for Australians, so you can see exactly what you’re getting for your money and how well each software performs on different devices. 

1. TotalAV — Overall, the Best Antivirus Software in Australia

TotalAV is simple, easy-to-use antivirus software that offers real-time protection from malware, spyware, viruses, and other cyber threats. It also blocks annoying ads and cookie trackers, so you can freely browse the web without being bombarded by advertisements or leaving traces of your online activity.

The best part about TotalAV is that it scans all new files — downloads, executables, and installs — for viruses, malicious code, and spyware — the moment your device interacts with them. In other words, if you download a .exe file that contains a virus, TotalAV will prevent your device from running it and inform you of the threat. 

Apart from these real-time scans, TotalAV can remove malware from your system that may have snuck in when you didn’t have antivirus protection. You can also use it to schedule smart scans to ensure your system is protected at all times. We recommend scheduling the scan for when you’re not using the device so it doesn’t slow down your system and interrupt your games, movies, TV shows, or browsing. 

On top of threat protection, TotalAV features data breach monitoring. The antivirus proactively monitors your email address and immediately notifies you if your data has been compromised.

TotalAV apps are available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iPhone. If you opt for the Total Security package, you’ll be able to utilize a secure VPN, ad blocker, and a password vault with your account. 

TotalAV also offers Total WebShield, a browser extension you can add to Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Edge as an extra layer of protection against online threats and malicious websites. 

Pricing

Cover up to 3 devices with TotalAV’s most basic plan, which will cost you just $29 for the first year. Note that it renews at $119/year, which is still at par with some of the most reasonably priced antivirus software on the market. 

That said, the basic plan doesn’t come with a VPN, plus you’ll be limited to 3 devices. Get protection for multiple devices plus a VPN with TotalAV’s Antivirus + Internet Security plan.

Don’t believe us? Try TotalAV for yourself. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it out risk-free.

2. Norton — Popular Antivirus With 30 Years of Experience

Norton is one of the veterans of the cybersecurity industry. It has been around since 1991 and continues to block millions of cyber threats to this day. With over 30 years of experience protecting users from all manners of cyber attacks, Norton offers the most robust protection with dozens of useful features on top of a powerful antivirus. 

The Norton 360 Standard Plan allows you to install the antivirus on up to three devices and protects them from malware, spyware, ransomware, keyloggers, trojans, and other online and offline threats. The company even offers a 100% virus protection promise, vowing to give you a full refund if you get a virus on your device that Norton can’t remove. 

On top of the antivirus, the Standard Plan features a smart firewall, a password manager, online threat protection, and 2 Gb of cloud storage. That said, the real value of Norton comes with the Select plan that features parental control, secure VPN, privacy monitor, Dark Web monitoring, stolen wallet protection, credit monitoring, and a bunch of other useful features. 

The one drawback of Norton is the fact that it has a dozen different pricing plans and products specifically designed for different devices and purposes. For example, on top of all the standard plans, you can choose Norton 360 for gamers, which includes game optimizers, DDoS protection, and Norton crypto. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that the Android and iOS apps are standalone, so you’ll have to pay an extra $15 per mobile device you want to install the antivirus on. 

Pricing

The most affordable Norton plan is the Antivirus Plus plan at $19.99 for the first year (renews at $59.99/year). Here, you’ll get 2Gb cloud backup, digital threat protection, a password manager, and more.

However, if you want to protect more than 1 device, you’ll have to look past the Antivirus Plus plan and move on to other Norton plans, the best of which, in our opinion, is the Select + LifeLock plan. It’ll also fetch you a VPN and dark web monitoring.

Not only does Norton give you a 7-day free trial but also a 60-day money-back guarantee so that you can try the tool to find out if it’s what you want without putting any money on the line.

3. Nord Threat Protection — Reliable Antivirus with 5000 Servers

Nord Threat Protection is an add-on to the popular and one of the best VPNs on the market, Nord VPN. The best part is that it’s completely free for all Nord users, i.e., for those who’ve already subscribed to the VPN service. 

One of our favorite things about Nord Threat Protection is how easy it is to set up. Once you have the Nord VPN app, all you’ve to do is go to the “Settings” tab and turn on the protection by pressing a button. 

The process remains the same for PC users. The only difference is that instead of going to a “Settings” tab, PC users will have to click on the “Shield” icon on the left of the screen to access this feature

To protect you from malware and other digital threats, Nord will scan every file you download. If it detects any anomaly in any of the files, it’ll discard it immediately. 

The same goes for websites too. Each website you visit is first scanned by Nord Threat Protection and then a connection is established. If it detects danger in the website, the connection will be blocked immediately and you’ll receive a warning message.

Another benefit of using Nord Threat Protection is its in-built ad tracker. Online ads aren’t only intrusive but might also contain links to harmful digital threats. By automatically blocking them, Nord ensures a safe and uninterrupted browsing experience for you. 

Pricing

Nord Threat Protection isn’t sold as a separate product and comes tied with NordVPN. But the good news is that NordVPN is one of the cheapest VPNs out there — it starts at just $4.19/month on its 2-year + 3 free months plans.

For more robust security features, including a data breach scanner and a password manager, get the Nord Complete plan.

Like TotalAV, NordVPN (or Nord Threat Protection), too, comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. No risk. Get a full refund if you don’t like it.

4. Surfshark One — Antivirus With a Clean User Interface

Surfshark takes online security seriously and offers its users a powerful antivirus, a best-in-class VPN, a secure search, and real-time alerts. 

This 360-degree protection safeguards your device, ensures safety and anonymity while browsing the web, and notifies you the instant one of your accounts gets compromised — all with a single Surfshark One account. The best part about Surfshark One is that you can install the antivirus and the VPN on an unlimited number of devices. 

Surfshark Antivirus is an excellent choice for both new users who have no previous experience with antivirus software and tech-savvy individuals who are looking for a lightweight yet strong antivirus. 

The user interface (UI) is simple and clean, so you won’t have to navigate twenty different tabs and mess around with a dozen different settings. You can turn on (or off) real-time protection and notifications with a single click, as well as run a Quick Scan or a Full Scan whenever you choose. 

Surfshark Antivirus also allows you to scan specific files or folders. This is crucial when downloading files from websites you don’t fully trust, as well as when torrenting games, movies, and TV shows. 

The antivirus was created with performance in mind, so it never slows down your device or eats your RAM. You can leave it on at all times, and it will seamlessly work in the background, or you can turn it on once every few days and run a full scan to ensure your device is 100% safe.

Pricing

Presenting to you the cheapest antivirus software with no renewal hikes — Surfshark. You can get started with it at just $2.49/month with its 24 + 2 free months plan. 

Need a shorter commitment? Get the annual plan at $3.99/month. Try it risk-free for a full month, thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee.

5. Avira — Best Free Antivirus in Australia

Avira is a great antivirus that you can download and install for free on your PC, laptop, tablet, and mobile devices. Digital privacy and online security are at the core of Avira’s beliefs, so the company promises to always offer a free version of the software to its users.

The Avira Free Security antivirus offers great real-time protection from viruses, malware, trojans, worms, ransomware, and other modern cyber threats. On top of real-time threat protection, Avira features a PUA Shield that protects you against potentially unwanted applications disguised as legitimate software. 

Apart from scanning for and eliminating viruses, Avira’s software includes superb repair functionalities, allowing you to fix and restore corrupted files, so your device can continue to run perfectly without needing a full system reboot. 

The antivirus is regularly updated through the cloud, ensuring protection against ever-evolving cyber attacks and newly emerging threats. Another major advantage of Avira is the small engine size that allows it to efficiently scan for threats without slowing down your device or hogging your RAM memory.

Avira Free Security is also extremely simple to use, so you don’t have to be particularly tech-savvy to enjoy superb cyber threat protection. Advanced users who want access to additional features can opt to upgrade to Avira Pro or Avira Prime and take their protection to the next level.

6. Intego — Best Antivirus for Mac

Intego is a widely accredited antivirus software designed to protect macOS users from cyber threats. The company boasts that its software eradicates 100% of Mac malware, and this bold claim is backed up by multiple independent tests from reputable cyber security firms.

Intego’s antivirus offers real-time protection and lets you scan your Mac for malware and viruses with a single click. You can even connect an external drive or your iOS devices to your laptop and have Intego scan them for viruses as well.

Apart from Mac-specific malware, Intego also protects your device from phishing attacks, unknown apps, and third-party devices that might try to access your Mac through your Wi-Fi connection. 

The Mac Premium Bundle X9 pricing plan adds additional security features to your account, such as parental control, system performance enhancement, and duplicate file removal. 

That said, although Intego does offer excellent cyber threat protection, there are a few drawbacks that you should be aware of. For starters, there is no iOS app, so you’d have to hook up your phone to your laptop in order to scan it for malicious software. Secondly, Intego offers six different apps for different tasks, so it can be a bit overwhelming.

Finally, all of its pricing plans are limited to a single Mac device, making it a lot pricier than other entries on our list. 

Best Australia Antivirus Software Compared

What is Antivirus Software?

Antivirus software is a computer program specifically designed to detect and remove harmful programs and malicious code from your device. It relies on an algorithm to compare the signature of known viruses and cyber threats against the files on your system and quarantines or removes files and programs it recognizes as potentially dangerous. 

Antivirus software features an extensive database filled with signatures of malicious software and is typically automatically updated to ensure protection against evolving and newly emerging cyber threats. 

The best antivirus software in Australia, like Surfshark One and Norton, provides real-time protection against worms, trojans, spyware, malware, adware, ransomware, keyloggers, and dozens of different unwanted applications and programs. 

The antivirus automatically scans all incoming files that pass through your network traffic and immediately notifies you if the file you download is unsafe. On top of that, an antivirus can scan all of the existing files and folders on your device and detect any unusual activity, such as programs that have root privileges and may take control of your device or keyloggers that track, store, and send your passwords to third parties. 

The internet is full of malicious websites and shady individuals who want to gain access to your sensitive data. An antivirus is a necessity if you want to ensure nobody can mess with your device or gain unauthorized access to your online accounts.

Why You Need Antivirus Software

An unprotected connection to the internet is a recipe for disaster. Whether you’re visiting obscure websites, torrenting movies and games, or simply browsing the web, a single click on a shady banner or a download button can lead to viruses infecting your device. 

If you’re still not convinced, here are the top reasons why an antivirus is crucial. 

Malware and Virus Protection

Malware and viruses can wreak havoc on your system. A single malicious file can burrow deep into your system, slowing down your device, cracking weak passwords, and disrupting the normal use of your PC, laptop, or phone. 

This is both annoying and dangerous since viruses can corrupt your data, so you may lose access to all of the files saved on your device. Some malware and viruses can stay on your device for years and feed data to hackers and cybercriminals, while others might work faster and crash your system.

Without an antivirus, the only way to get rid of these pesky, malicious programs is to completely wipe the device and reinstall the operating system. 

Protection Against Data Theft

Spyware and keyloggers are especially dangerous since they can track your keystrokes, save your passwords, and send them over to the cybercriminals that created them. If you’re shopping for anything online or using your sensitive information (credit card info, social security number, etc.) on any online website, your data might get compromised. 

It’s truly a nightmare scenario to receive a phone call from your bank one day informing you that you’ve been a victim of a scam or a cyber attack and that all the funds in your account are gone. 

An antivirus prevents this from happening by scanning both the websites that ask for your personal information and the files you’re downloading and installing on your device. If an antivirus detects spyware, keyloggers, or similar programs on your device, you should immediately update all your passwords and turn on two-factor authentication so no third party can access your accounts.

Block Tracking and Spam

We’ve all seen those ‘90s laptops with a dozen pop-ups on their screen and scantily clad ladies dancing in the corner. While these types of viruses aren’t that common today, they’ve been replaced by something even worse. 

Hackers have become more sophisticated over the years and have developed trackers and other spam programs that can infect your device and work in the background. Without your knowledge, these programs can track your online activity, allowing hackers to sell your data to shady companies and advertisers. 

The viruses can also damage your files or gain access to the sensitive data stored on your device. The best antivirus software for Australian users, like Surfshark One and Norton, feature built-in ad-blockers and prevent third parties from tracking your online activity and gaining unauthorized access to your device or files. 

Parental Control

Leading antivirus providers offer many useful features on top of malware and virus protection. One such feature that’s crucial for parents of underage children is parental control. The internet has many dark corners and a ton of content inappropriate for kids. 

With parental control, you can choose which websites your children can access and interact with. This will ensure a safe online experience for your kids without you having to constantly look over their shoulders and keep tabs on what they’re doing on the internet. 

Peace of Mind

Arguably the most important benefit of the best antivirus software for Australian users is peace of mind. With an antivirus on, you don’t have to worry about accidentally stumbling across shady websites or clicking the wrong link in an email. 

The best antivirus software offers real-time threat protection and allows you to schedule full device scans, so you can browse the web stress-free. 

What is the Safest Antivirus Software in Australia?

There are many excellent antivirus software solutions for Australian users. In our opinion, Surfsark One is the safest and provides the best value for money. On top of a world-class antivirus, you’ll get access to a powerful VPN, secure search, and real-time alerts with your Surfshark One account.

This 360-degree protection ensures that nobody can monitor or trace your online activity and that all your devices are protected against cyberthreats. In the unlikely event that any of your online data gets compromised (e.g., through a breach on one of the websites you’re using), Surfshark will immediately notify you and give you a chance to update your passwords before cyber criminals can abuse your accounts.

Free Antivirus Software vs Paid Antivirus Software

Many people gravitate towards free antivirus software, and we completely understand why. An antivirus is an additional expense, and you’d rather not pay for it if you don’t have to. 

While there are a few great free antivirus software, like Avira Free Security that we covered earlier in this guide, they’re generally not as powerful as paid alternatives. 

Free antiviruses are usually limited in terms of the protection they provide, and they don’t offer any extra security features or useful add-ons. Even Avira itself constantly nudges free users and tries to get them to upgrade to a paid plan by advertising online and email protection as must-have features.

Another thing to understand is that paid antivirus software doesn’t have to burn a hole in your budget. Surfshark One — the best antivirus in 2024, in our opinion — starts from just $3.98/month. That’s a third of the cost of a monthly Netflix subscription. 

If you want to ensure that your devices are fully protected against viruses, malware, spyware, and other malicious programs, paid antivirus software is essential. 

How to Get an Antivirus Software in Australia

Most antivirus software is built for the average user, meaning it’s easy to set up and use. Here’s a step-by-step guide for downloading and installing the Surfshark Antivirus on your device.

Step 1: Get Surfshark Antivirus

Navigate to Surfshark’s official website, select the Surfshark Antivirus under products, click the ‘Get Surfshark Antivirus’ button, and choose one of the three available pricing plans. 

Step 2: Complete the Payment and Create Your Surfshark Account

Enter the email address that you want to use for your Surfshark Account and choose a payment method. 

Step 3: Download Surfshark Antivirus on Your Device

After you complete the payment, you’ll be automatically redirected to your Surfshark account. 

Navigate to ‘Apps & Extensions’ and choose the appropriate download file, depending on the device you want to install the antivirus on. 

Step 4: Run Your First Scan

After downloading and installing the Surfshark Antivirus, start the app and select the Antivirus tab. Then, choose either a Quick Scan or a Full Scan and sit back while Surfshark works its magic. 

Wait for Surfshark Antivirus to finish the scan and remove any discovered threats. 

That’s it — your device is now fully protected by Surfshark Antivirus! 

Conclusion: What is the Best Antivirus Software Australia?

Browsing the web and downloading files from the internet is incredibly dangerous if your device isn’t properly protected. The built-in protection on Windows and macOS can’t stand up to modern cyber threats, so malware and viruses can easily slip through the cracks of the Windows Firewall and Mac’s XProtect. 

A single infected file can completely destroy your system, corrupt your files, or even gain access to sensitive data like passwords and credit card information. 

An antivirus acts as a much-needed line of defense against malware, viruses, worms, spyware, keyloggers, and other malicious programs. It proactively defends your device from any form of cyber attack, blocks annoying ads and trackers, and gives you peace of mind. 

If you want to protect all of your devices and ensure no third party ever has access to any of your data, we strongly recommend Surfshark Antivirus. It’s light, fast, affordable, and has a superb threat detection rate. 

If you want to elevate your online security even more, go for Surfshark One, which includes the antivirus, a powerful virtual private network (VPN), secure search, and real-time alerts. At just $3.89/month, Surfshark One offers 360-degree protection, ensures complete online security and anonymity, and provides an ad-free online experience. 

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