Non-size-bound cyber attacks mean that any enterprise operating today is susceptible to malware, viruses, ransomware, and phishing scams, to mention but a few of the countless threats which may lead to data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage. In the following section, we discuss 12 of the best antivirus software for business. We also explain why an antivirus is particularly crucial for the protection of operations.
What is Antivirus Software?
Antivirus software for business is supposed to detect and eliminate malicious software that bears malware and other programs designed with the capacity to gain access into a computer system and network. Among these forms include viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, adware, and ransomware. It scans through all files and running applications in the system to look for signatures and suspicious activities regarding malware. Once it has detected the threat, the antivirus will eliminate it or even quarantine it to prevent further impact.
Why Businesses Need Antivirus
Cyber attacks change every day, so once your systems have even a small loophole left in them, it becomes a devastating attack. Here are some of the reasons why your business needs antivirus software:
- Prevent Malware attacks: Malware Attacks will result in loss of information, system crashes, and wastage of too much time. Using antivirus with real-time scanning would remove evil programs before they could get a chance to create some damage.
- Safeguarding Secret Information: Business deals with sensitive information comprising huge details of customers, accounts, and proprietary business information. Best Antivirus software for business will safeguard such information against hacking and misappropriation by hackers.
- Protection against Ransomware Attacks: It is the kind of malware that pushes users out of their systems unless the ransom is paid. Such malware can be disastrous for a business. A good antivirus software package will provide specific protection against ransomware, so that such attacks never even take place.
- Phishing and Fraud: the phishing will expose the employees’ confidential information or secret key to the company’s business systems. Most antivirus programs include email scanning and fraud detection, which will protect users from phishing.
- Compliance: Given that data legislation cuts across most sectors, data needs to be protected; antivirus ensures that business meets its law obligation of keeping data safe as practiced under GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
- Efficiency: Given that malware interferes with devices and makes devices run slowly, work interferes with employees; thus, antivirus ensures that systems function without an attack of malware.
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Key Features of Antivirus Software for Business
With this in mind, we consider some of the top features that distinguish the two in terms of quality and reliability in protection delivery:
1. Real-Time Threat Detection
Any antivirus must include real-time threat detection. Files you open, emails you check, and websites you visit are scanned real-time. Threats then surfacing are immediately detected and removed. Failure to have this feature may mean you already have malware plugged into your system, but you might not know it.
2. Cloud-Based Management
This means that many businesses have more than one device in many locations, and by using cloud-based management antivirus software, you can view and protect all your devices from a single, centralized, remote dashboard. This is very useful to many businesses with remote workers or multiple offices.
3. Protection against ransomware
Since ransomware attacks have been increasingly surging, the proposed program should be combined with antivirus software featuring some technology especially designed to detect and block ransomware. This feature usually comes with behavior-based detection that may detect even unknown ransomware threats long before they can execute.
4. Integration of Firewall
A firewall is one form of first line of defense in cyberspace because it does monitor incoming and outgoing traffic while preventing malicious breaches from entering or leaving the system.
5. Sandboxing
In essence, this feature is pretty much an advanced tool given to any antivirus software for business, almost an operating mode wherein possibly malwares are allowed to run under controlled circumstances. Impossible for the file to damage your system because it analyzes and quarantines before causing anything.
Top 12 Antivirus Software for Business in 2024
1. Bitdefender GravityZone
This security solution, Bitdefender GravityZone, is an enterprise-level security solution bringing layers of protection together. The tool uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to provide advanced security features to its user for comprehensive endpoint protection on several OS and devices, thus fitting any business size. Their cloud-native architecture aids easy deployment and management into distributed workforces across dispersed forces, and their advanced threat intelligence network allows constant monitoring and adjustment to new cyber threats.
Key Features:
- Advanced Threat Defense using AI
- Risk Analytics and Hardening
- EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response)
- Cloud workload security
- Network Attack Defense
- Full Disk Encryption Management
- Patch Management
Pros
- High level of Malware Detection
- System Resources usage is Low
- Good amount of security features
- Elegant user-friendly management console
- Completely cloud-integrated
Website:
www.bitdefender.com/
2. ESET PROTECT
ESET PROTECT provides organization-class protection with its heuristic-based detection at the top class and advanced, cloud-based threat intelligence capabilities. This solution provides maximum performance along with comprehensive security due to its multiple-layer defense against known and zero-day threats. It can respond immediately to all the security incidents by giving real-time visibility to all the endpoints via its unified management platform. Proper research and development of the ESET have made it highly effective against emerging threats.
Key Features
- Heuristic detection
- Remote control and monitoring
- Cloud sandbox analysis
- Full encryption of disk
- Multi-platform capabilities
- Mobile management of devices
- Automated reporting
Pros
- Minimum system footprint
- High detection rates
- Easy installation process
- Customizable security policies
- Very high technical support
Website:
www.eset.com/business
3. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is thought to be the ultimate security solution particularly for small and medium-sized organizations, giving enterprise-level security without being complex. The software hence combines advanced algorithms related to the identification of threats and pairs them with behavioral analysis for the prevention of multi-layered security protection of diverse cyber threats. More other innovative features of the software include the real-time protection against ransomware, advanced threat defense, and web attack prevention.
Key Features
- Multi-layered ransomware protection
- Online Banking feature for safe banking
- Wi-Fi security advisor
- Password manager
- File shredder
- Anti-tracker
- VPN
Pros
- Excellent malware detection
- Feature rich
- Easy-to-use interface
- Continuous automatic updates
- Low performance impact on the CPU
Website:
www.bitdefender.com/solutions/antivirus.html
4. Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is an integrated endpoint protection product that brings the power of multiple detection engines to fight against malware, ransomware, and zero-day exploits. This product comes with remediation capabilities and will work well in conjunction with other security solutions, making it a great add-on for enterprise users wanting layered security. The actual time insight that the cloud-based management console offers on the threats occurring in the organization helps significantly in uplifting the burden from the shoulders of IT teams during this period.
Key Features
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware rollback
- Exploit mitigation
- Asset management
- Cloud-based console
- Endpoint isolation
- Brute force protection
Pros
- Excellent remediation abilities
- Compatibility with other security products
- Scan fast
- Easy to deploy
- It now receives new threats continuously
Website:
www.malwarebytes.com/business
5. Avast Business Antivirus
Avast Business Antivirus offers enterprise-class security with its advanced threat detection engine and provides a complete suite of security capabilities. The solution thus provided gives top-notch protection against all the forms of cyber threats and maintains optimum performance from the system since it just happens to be the light one.
It controls all the checkpoints in the organization with its centralized management solution which has a single view. It also provides IT administrators with an overview of all the points in the organization. They can track and enforce security policies at every point in the organization.
Key Features
- Advanced Malware Protection
- Behavior Shield
- Web Shield
- Email Shield
- Smart Scan
- Data Shredder
- Software Updater
Pros
- In-built protection suite
- Control interface is manageable
- Feature updates automatically
- Deployable through multiple means
- Such a program is reasonably priced
Website
www.avast.com/business
6. Avira Antivirus Pro Business
It is a comprehensive package of strong protection solutions equipped with cloud-based management that ensures all-round security in business setups. It employs highly advanced AI and machine learning algorithms that detect and inhibit known threats as well as unknown threats. All this with minimal system impact as the system offers robust protection capabilities.
The management console of the cloud-based platform is central, controlling all endpoints for effective policy management as well as threat response. Its protection abilities also include web, email, and network traffic protection that cuts across various attack avenues.
Key Features
- Real-time cloud protection
- Device control
- Network protection
- Email protection
- Updater for software
- Password manager
- Central remote management
Pros
- Very high detection rates
- System impact low
- Easy to deploy
- Regularly updated
- Well worth the value .
Website:
www.avira.com/business .
7. Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security
The Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security product has enhanced its capability for the threat detection and response of small and medium-sized businesses with overall protection. This product combines best-of-breed mainstream antivirus, most advanced AI-powered ransomware, malware, and other superior threats’ protection. With its cloud-based architecture, it allows effective endpoint security management with outstanding performance.
The behavioral analysis engine of its platform always learns and improves with new threats so that zero-day attacks and other emerging threats can proactively be prevented.
Key Features:
- AI-based protection
- Protection against ransomware
- URL filtering
- Device control
- E-mail protection
- Cloud-based console
- Auto-updates
Pros
- It is considered to offer robust ransomware protection.
- It is very easy to install.
- It requires minimal maintenance
- There is good technical support
- There are consistent threat updates
Website:
www.trendmicro.com/business
8. AVG AntiVirus Business Edition
AVG Business Edition equips advanced protection to Android devices in corporate environments with rich protection features and central management. The product provides real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and other mobile threats while preserving device performance. Its management console provides keen visibility into the security status of all managed devices in order to respond really fast to security incidents. It gives protection features to the mobile device that includes the scanning of apps, features for anti-theft protection, and its web protection.
Key Features:
- Scan Apps on Real Time
- Web Shield
- Anti Theft
- File Scanning
- Lock Apps
- Performance
- Remote Management
Pros:
- Best mobile protection
- Easy interface
- Low resource
- Regular update
- Very cost-effective
Website:
https://www.avg.com
9. Surfshark One
Surfshark One is an entire security package, with both antivirus and anti-malware protections. Surfshark One also comes equipped with the privacies-driven features. It offers malware, viruses, and many other cyber threats prevention capabilities. Besides that, it offers VPN services and data leak detection. It possesses a real-time scanning engine that never stops scanning. That provides protection against emerging threats while the cloud-based architecture offers easy updating and managing.
Key Features:
- Live virus protection
- Free VPN
- Data leak discover is visible
- Stealing identity is protected
- Advertisement blocker
- Cookies pop-up is blocked
- Safe search
Pros:
- Safety package in the bundle
- Security features are security-type.
- Constant updates
- Strong value proposition
- Easy interface to access
Website:
www.surfshark.com/one
10. Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business
Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business provides enterprise-class protection through a multi-layered approach and capability for leading-edge threat detection. The solution brings together traditional antivirus features with new-age technologies, like machine learning and behavioral analysis, to provide complete protection against vast kinds of cyber threats. It has an integrated management console to consolidate security policies and incident responses within an organization in a centralized way.
The adaptive security provided by this platform alters the type of protection based on an evolving threat environment while providing the finest levels of security without any loss in performance.
Key Features:
- Advanced Threat Protection Controls
- Cloud-enabled Mobile Security Systems Management Encryption management
- EDR capabilities
- Network controls
Pros:
- Detection rates are excellent
- Organizations have robust management tools
- Endpoint protection
- Updates in regularity
- Scalable solution
Website:
www.kaspersky.com/small-to-medium-business-security
11. Sophos Intercept X Endpoint
Sophos Intercept X Endpoint embeds endpoint protection with EDR capabilities to help businesses get wholesome security in the business environment. Deep learning AI is used here in the detection of known and unknown threats. Its Anti-Ransomware Technology is used to keep away file-encrypting malware. The security approach of this platform is synchronized, considering the automatic occurrence of incident response and threat remediation across the network. Its cloud-based management console delivers real-time visibility into security events and thus enables fast response to possible threats.
Key Features:
- Deep learning AI
- Anti-ransomware
- Exploit protection
- EDR capabilities
- Root cause analysis
- Cloud management
- Synchronized security
Pros:
- Good ransomware protection
- Sophisticated AI capabilities
- In-depth reporting
- Easy management
- Strong support
Website:
www.sophos.com/products/endpoint-antivirus
12. CrowdStrike Falcon
CrowdStrike Falcon is the next-gen endpoint protection platform that, besides rich enterprise endpoint detection response, also integrates advanced threat prevention capabilities. The product is natively cloud architecture, so they are easily deployed. It can offer patch updates without having to affect the performance of endpoints. This will be easy to carry out while being smooth and seamless.
This solution product is the only one in its class in terms of threat detection with the inclusion of machine learning, behavioral analysis, and threat intelligence for holistic protection of complex attacks.
Key Features:
- Threat hunting
- Incident response
- Intelligence automation
- Device control
- Firewall management
- Cloud security
Pros:
- Advanced Threat Protection
- Light agent
- Real-time visibility
- Rapid deployment
- Comprehensive reporting
Website:
www.crowdstrike.com
How to Choose the Best Antivirus Software for Business
If you want the best antivirus software for business, here are a few key things that you should consider in order to protect your data and systems properly.
1. Comprehensive security features
A good antivirus should be much more than virus scanning. It should also include real-time threat scans, antivirus scanning for ransomware, email filtering against phishing attempts, full firewall integration, intrusion detection, and a secure VPN for remote workers.
2. Scalability and Coverage of the Device
Best antivirus software for business has to scale along with your business to protect more than one device. Whether this is five desktops or hundreds spread across different locations, the antivirus needs to be compatible for protection purposes in various endpoints: PCs, laptops, mobile devices, or even servers.
3. Usability and Management
The software must be easy to install, configure, and administer. Best antivirus software for business doesn’t have a dedicated IT team. It should be intuitive enough for a non-technical user. You need to have centralized management tools providing an overview of all the devices connected and automatic updates so your protection stays up-to-date without manual intervention.
4. Performance Impact
The antivirus tool should detect all threats and block them. It should not consume so much of the resource and cause your system to slow down. Analyze reviews on how the antivirus software operates when doing full system scans or handling multiple endpoints before making any kind of decision.
5. Customer Support and Help
In case the system faces a cyberattack or technical problem, a company with quality customer support is required. Choose a provider that offers support 24/7 over telephone, email, and live chat. Almost all vendors provide priority support to their business customers that can be very helpful when your business is facing a critical security breach.
6. Cost vs. Value
Although cost will likely play a significant role in any business decision, it should not be the determining factor. The best antivirus software for business is probably going to be the one that offers you the best value based on features and support.
Conclusion
You have to choose the best antivirus software for business, but it has to depend on the needs of your organization-number of devices needed to be protected, the protection level being required, how easy it is to use, and the quality of customer support. High-end antivirus solutions include real-time detection, scalability, and full security tools meant to help protect business against the ever-changing cyber threats.
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FAQs
1. What is the most prominent feature in antivirus software for business organizations?
Real-time malware and ransomware protection which erases the threat the moment it detects one.
2. Do I really need antivirus software for a small business?
Yes. The cyber attacks are no less for small business businesses. Along with securing your business data and information about the customer, your antivirus software does that for you also.
3. Does antivirus software slow down my systems?
It varies, depending on the antivirus. Some antivirus slows down systems during full scanning, but most good ones optimize their solutions to have the least impact on performance.
4. What role does customer support play in choosing your antivirus software?
Yes, responsive customer support is important in case of breach or technical glitch that may require urgency.