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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Technology
Jennifer Allen

Best cheap antivirus software in 2026, trusted by an expert

The best antivirus is easy to use, effective, and doesn’t bloat or slow your PC down - (Mcafee/Surfshark/The Independent)

Your PC is home to a lot of valuable information about you. Much like you want good security for your home, you want good security for your PC too. If something goes wrong, such as a virus or malware infection, you could run the risk of losing crucial data or, worse, handing it over to a nefarious source. Windows 11 has Microsoft Defender built in, which provides a strong baseline level of protection, but many people will feel more comfortable supplementing it with additional antivirus protection.

I’ve spent significant time using many different antivirus packages. There are plenty of useful products out there, but you want something that’s easy to use, effective and doesn’t bloat your PC or get in the way. Often, antivirus software also includes extra features such as a VPN or identity theft protection, further enhancing your security. I’ve looked at these packages too.

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