The relentless evolution of cyber threats and malware poses a constant challenge. Moreover, the consistent monitoring of your digital activities by ISPs and cybercriminals reinforces the need to prioritize comprehensive protection as a top priority. This means using a strong antivirus program to defend against malware and other threats, as well as a VPN to encrypt your traffic and hide your IP address.
While you can purchase antivirus software and a VPN separately, it’s often more convenient and cost-effective to get a bundle that includes both. This way, you can be sure that you’re getting top-notch protection for all of your devices, without having to worry about managing multiple subscriptions.
So, what are the best antiviruses with VPNs in 2023? Here are our top picks, based on our testing and the reviews of other experts.
What Makes a VPN Different From an Antivirus and Why You Need An Antivirus With A VPN?
Let’s break down the difference between an antivirus and a VPN, and why having both of them is essential for your online security.
Antivirus
Antivirus software is primarily designed to protect your computer or device from malicious software, such as viruses, malware, trojans, and other digital threats. It does this by scanning your system for known malware signatures and behaviors. When it detects a threat, it can either remove, quarantine, or alert you about the potential danger.
The main functions of an antivirus include:
Real-time Scanning: It continuously monitors your system for potential threats and immediately takes action when it detects something suspicious.
Malware Removal: Antivirus software can remove or quarantine malicious files to prevent them from causing harm to your device.
Firewall Protection: Some antivirus programs come with firewall features that can block unauthorized network access.
Regular Updates: Antivirus software is updated frequently to keep up with new malware strains and security vulnerabilities.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A VPN, on the other hand, is a tool that enhances your online privacy and security. It achieves this by encrypting your internet connection and routing your internet traffic through secure servers located in different regions or countries. This makes it incredibly difficult for third parties, including hackers, your ISP, or government authorities, to monitor or intercept your online activities.
Key features of a VPN:
Encryption: A VPN encrypts your data, making it unreadable to anyone who might intercept it, thereby protecting your personal information and online activities.
IP Address Concealment: By routing your traffic through remote servers, a VPN hides your real IP address and location, providing anonymity.
Access to Geo-Restricted Content: VPNs can help you access content and websites that might be blocked or restricted in your region by making it appear as if you’re connecting from a different location.
Security on Public Wi-Fi: VPNs are especially valuable when using public Wi-Fi networks, as they ensure that your data remains secure even on untrusted connections.
Why Do You Need Both? Why Do You Need An Antivirus With A VPN?
The key reason for having both antivirus and a VPN is that they serve different but complementary purposes. Antivirus protects your device from malware and threats that can infect your system, while a VPN safeguards your online privacy and data during internet usage.
By combining both tools, you create a robust defense against a wide range of online risks. Antivirus keeps your device secure, and a VPN ensures that your online activities are private, making it much harder for cybercriminals or eavesdroppers to compromise your data or identity.
In summary, an antivirus and a VPN are not substitutes for each other; they work together to provide comprehensive protection for your digital life. Using both tools is a wise choice in today’s interconnected world, where online threats and privacy concerns are ever-present.
Exploring the Best Antivirus with VPN: A Double-Edged Sword
1. Bitdefender Total Security: The Best Antivirus with VPN
Bitdefender Total Security is the best antivirus with a VPN if you’re looking for the most comprehensive protection. It offers excellent malware protection, a wide range of VPN features, and several other security features, such as parental controls and webcam protection.
Bitdefender Total Security uses a variety of advanced technologies to protect your devices from malware, including real-time scanning, ransomware protection, and phishing protection. It also includes several useful features, such as a password manager, ad blocker, and file encryption. It’s VPN is also very good. It offers unlimited bandwidth and data, and it has servers in over 60 countries. It also supports a variety of VPN protocols, including WireGuard.
Here’s what Bitdefender Total Security offers:
- Anti-malware protection.
- Ransomware protection.
- Phishing protection.
- Built-in VPN
- Reliable performance.
Read Also: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2023, Affordable & Best Antivirus for Windows PC
2. Kaspersky Total Security with VPN
Kaspersky Total Security with VPN is a comprehensive security solution that protects your devices from malware, ransomware, and other online threats. It also includes a VPN (virtual private network) that encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address, keeping your online activity private and secure.
The malware scanner in this software combines a database of known viruses with cloud-based machine learning to detect and remove malicious software. These include the ability to filter content for both applications and websites, set usage limits across all your devices, and track the location of mobile devices.
Kaspersky provides a free VPN for iOS and Android devices, but it comes with a daily data limit of 300 MB. If you require unlimited VPN usage on both mobile and desktop, you’ll need to consider the Kaspersky Premium or Plus plans.
Here are some of the key features of Kaspersky Total Security with VPN:
- Malware scanner.
- Web protection.
- Password manager.
- 2000 plus VPN servers in 30-plus countries.
Read Also: Kaspersky VS T9 Antivirus | Ultimate Comparison
3. Norton 360 with VPN
Norton 360 is a great option for an antivirus with a VPN if you have a family. It offers excellent malware protection and a good VPN service, as well as several features that are specifically designed for families, such as parental controls and a dark web scanner. Norton 360 uses a variety of advanced technologies to protect your devices from malware, including real-time scanning, ransomware protection, and phishing protection. It also includes many useful features, such as a password manager, ad blocker, and file encryption. Norton’s VPN is also good for most users.
Here’s what Norton 360 with VPN offers:
- Antivirus protection.
- Firewall protection.
- VPN service.
- No-Log policy.
- Global server coverage.
Read Also: Norton 360 Antivirus Review (2023): Is it the Best Security Software?
4. TotalAV
TotalAV is a relatively new antivirus company, but it has quickly become one of the most popular and well-respected antivirus programs on the market. It offers a comprehensive suite of security features, including real-time antivirus protection, ransomware protection, phishing protection, and a VPN. It is one of the best antivirus VPNs available. It offers unlimited data and servers in over 35 countries. It also uses AES 256-bit encryption, the strongest encryption standard available.
TotalAV is a great choice for users who want a comprehensive antivirus solution with a VPN. It is also a good choice for users who are on a budget, as it is one of the most affordable antivirus programs on the market.
Here are some of the reasons why TotalAV is considered to be one of the best antiviruses with a VPN:
- Comprehensive security features.
- Effective antivirus protection.
- OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols.
- No-logs policy.
- A good network of servers.
For more information check out TotalAV
Read Also: 11 Best Anti-Spyware Software
5. McAfee Total Protection
McAfee Total Protection is a great option for an antivirus with a VPN if you’re on a budget. It offers good malware protection and a decent VPN service at a very affordable price. McAfee Total Protection uses a variety of technologies to protect your devices from malware, including real-time scanning, ransomware protection, and phishing protection. It also includes several useful features, such as a password manager, ad blocker, and dark web scanner.
McAfee’s VPN is also good for most users. It offers unlimited bandwidth and data, and it has servers in over 70 countries. It also supports a variety of VPN protocols, including WireGuard. It also includes features like Wi-Fi protection and a kill switch to ensure your internet traffic is always secure.
Here’s what McAfee Total Protection offers:
- Antivirus Protection.
- Firewall
- VPN service.
- Wi-Fi protection.
- Kill switch and no-log policy.
For more information check out McAfee Total Protection.
Read Also: Best Antivirus Software for Windows 10,11
Best Antivirus with VPN Options for You in 2023
In a digital landscape fraught with threats and privacy concerns, combining the best antivirus with a VPN is a strategic move. Together, they create a formidable barrier, protecting your devices and data from malicious software and prying eyes. Antivirus and VPN bundles offer a great way to protect your devices and online data from malware, hackers, and other threats. When choosing an antivirus and VPN bundle, be sure to consider the factors listed above, such as malware protection, VPN performance, security features, and ease of use.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about antivirus and VPN bundles and choose the right one for your needs.
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