Cyber criminals get savvier and more dangerous by the day, finding workarounds for security measures and making their way into secure networks

6. ESET Smart Security Premium

Very good protection with a very light touch.

SPECIFICATIONS

Anti-theft: Yes

Backup software: No

Firewall: Yes

Game mode: Yes

Hardened browser: Yes

Parental controls: Yes

Password manager: Yes

Ransomware rollback: No

Webcam protection: Yes

Virtual keyboard: No

VPN: No

TODAY'S BEST DEALS

ESET Smart Security Premium

$59.99

/year

VISIT SITEat ESET

REASONS TO BUY

+Very good protection+Remarkably little system-performance impact+File encryption, hardened browser, webcam protection

REASONS TO AVOID

-Lacks file shredder or VPN-Can get expensive

ESET is one of the biggest antivirus names in Europe, with a very small system-performance load and fast scans. Its malware-detection rate used to be kind of meh, but has improved markedly in recent lab tests. 

The entry-level ESET NOD32 Antivirus is easy to use, but has few useful extra tools. ESET Internet Security adds webcam protection, parental controls and a browser-hardening extension, as well as ESET security-software licenses for Mac, Android and Linux devices.

The top-billed ESET Smart Security Premium tosses in file encryption and a password manager. However, there's no VPN client, backup software or file shredder.

ESET's pricing is per device, which is optimal for users who might have more than a few devices to protect. But if your device count gets into double digits, ESET's costs can add up.