Battle Looking for New Internet Security Suite

[Lavamate]

Looking for a New Internet Security Suite – Recommendations Welcome!


Hi everyone,

My current internet security license is about to expire, and Im looking into switching to a different company. Right now, Im using F-Secure, but after reading @Shadowra recent review and seeing their switch to the Avira engine, Ive decided not to renew.


Im currently considering the following options:

• Bitdefender
• Avast Ultimate
• McAfee Total Protection

ESET also caught my attention – it seems like a solid product, but the licence is quite pricey.

Im looking for a solution that supports at least 6 devices (3 Windows PCs and 3 iPads/iPhones) Im also open to suggestions outside the list above, as long as they offer good value and solid multi-device support.

My main priorities are:

• Reliable real-time protection
• Low impact on system performance
• Good cross-platform support (Windows + iOS)
• Built-in VPN would be a great extra

Would love to hear what you all are using and what you'd recommend in 2025. Appreciate any feedback!


Thanks

 

[Bot]

Hi,

Based on your requirements, Bitdefender Total Security could be a good fit. It offers excellent real-time protection, has minimal impact on system performance, supports multiple platforms, and includes a VPN. However, the VPN has a daily limit unless you upgrade.

Avast Ultimate also meets your criteria, but some users have reported it to be a bit heavy on system resources.

McAfee Total Protection is good, but its iOS support isn't as robust as the other two.

ESET is indeed a solid product, but as you noted, it's pricier.

For a different suggestion, consider Norton 360 Deluxe. It ticks all your boxes and includes unlimited VPN usage.

Remember to take advantage of free trials to see which one works best for you.

Good luck!

 

[Marko :)]

How many times did F-Secure block threats during your license period?

 

[marg]

It has bees said that McAfee & Norton are heavy on system resources.
Avast free has around 37% memory usage on my P.C.

 

[Shadowra]

Bitdefender, Eset (reseller)

 

[Captain Awesome]

For protection go with ESET Smart Security Premium or for overall balance You can try K7 Ultimate which has infinity edition gives you lifetime lic. for 56 usd for 1 time pay.

 

[Nautilus]

For protection go with ESET Smart Security Premium or for overall balance You can try K7 Ultimate which has infinity edition gives you lifetime lic. for 5-6 usd for 1 time pay.

Where can you buy a k7 ultimate security infinity edition for 6 usd ? Can you share a link please?

 

[Captain Awesome]

Where can you buy a k7 ultimate security infinity edition for 6 usd ? Can you share a link please?

For protection go with ESET Smart Security Premium or for overall balance You can try K7 Ultimate which has infinity edition gives you lifetime lic. for 5-6 usd for 1 time pay.

Typo, not 6 usd only its 56 usd, during sales its price much less.

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

Looking for a New Internet Security Suite – Recommendations Welcome!


Hi everyone,

My current internet security license is about to expire, and Im looking into switching to a different company. Right now, Im using F-Secure, but after reading @Shadowra recent review and seeing their switch to the Avira engine, Ive decided not to renew.


Im currently considering the following options:

• Bitdefender
• Avast Ultimate
• McAfee Total Protection

ESET also caught my attention – it seems like a solid product, but the licence is quite pricey.

Im looking for a solution that supports at least 6 devices (3 Windows PCs and 3 iPads/iPhones) Im also open to suggestions outside the list above, as long as they offer good value and solid multi-device support.

My main priorities are:

• Reliable real-time protection
• Low impact on system performance
• Good cross-platform support (Windows + iOS)
• Built-in VPN would be a great extra

Would love to hear what you all are using and what you'd recommend in 2025. Appreciate any feedback!


Thanks

On iOS just use DNS.eu , quad9 is enough and iOS doesn't have enough permissions to allow av software to work and it's against apple tos anyway so you need to cover only 3 windows devices

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

It has bees said that McAfee & Norton are heavy on system resources.
Avast free has around 37% memory usage on my P.C.

Norton and avast is the same codebase nowadays you can check the binaries , API requests, version naming and see for yourself

 

[Lavamate]

Thanks for your tips.

I have been using F-Secure for 3 years now and the only thing it ever found was malware on an old backup disk of mine. Otherwise, the web protection has blocked everything questionable so far. And the VPN is not for me, but for someone who uses his Ipad and notebook with the university wifi, i myself am happy with just a "Secure DNS" like Quad9, even in DoH mode of course.

To be honest, Eset and Bitdefender are the most interesting. I even used Eset before Fsecure and was happy with it. Bitdefender, on the other hand, I always found it annoying and a waste of resources, but my last experience with it is from the time (2020) when you still got 180 days licences for free

And the only reason why I have Mcafee and Norton on my watchlist is because of the ridiculously cheap Amazon prices.

 

[oldschool]

I know you listed Avast, but you can find cheap AVG licenses easy. Install only the features you want on multiple systems. Very good protection and flexibility. Check out the recent threads on the forum. Frankly, it checks all your boxes.

 

[Lavamate]

I know you listed Avast, but you can find cheap AVG licenses easy. Install only the features you want on multiple systems. Very good protection and flexibility. Check out the recent threads on the forum. Frankly, it checks all your boxes.

I also had them on my watchlist. But at the end of the day, aren't Avast, Avg and Norton all the same in different skins? It should also be possible with them to install only the features of interest or is it just a unique selling point of avg?

 

[Marko :)]

Thanks for your tips.

I have been using F-Secure for 3 years now and the only thing it ever found was malware on an old backup disk of mine. Otherwise, the web protection has blocked everything questionable so far. And the VPN is not for me, but for someone who uses his Ipad and notebook with the university wifi, i myself am happy with just a "Secure DNS" like Quad9, even in DoH mode of course.

And that's exactly the answer to your question. You should spend... 0,00€. No need to pay for a software that will basically sit in the background, doing nothing. Right?

If you answered "hundreds of times, and few times more recently", purchasing antivirus suite would be justified. But considering your F-Secure was bored and out of job, it means you know what you should and shouldn't do, hence any free suite will be more than enough for you.

So just take a free antivirus software you'd like (I always recommending going with Microsoft Defender as it was made by Microsoft and never causes a headache). Install some kind of web protection extension in your browser (honorable mention Osprey Browser Protection made by @Foulest as it uses multiple security vendors for checking websites), ad blocker, set up some Secure DNS and voilà.

There are so many good solutions today available for free that will protect you far better than a paid security software. I also wouldn't pay for VPN unless you need it specifically and free version of Proton VPN isn't enough for you. If VPN is a must, I'd rather buy it from a reputable company instead of an antivirus company as they keep logs.

 

[oldschool]

But at the end of the day, aren't Avast, Avg and Norton all the same in different skins?

Owned by the same company. I'm totally unfamiliar with Norton. Avast and AVG are most similar in terms of available packages, features, etc.,

It should also be possible with them to install only the features of interest or is it just a unique selling point of avg?

but I'm not sure if they each offer the same selection of installable tools and features, like VPN, etc., as I'm most familiar with AVG. Check out their websites for more info. Oh, AVG is hands down the best looking of all 3. If I used a paid suite, it would probably be AVG or Bitdefender.

Check this thread for more info, discussion & opinions.

New Update - Re-visit to AVG in 2025

AVG continues, to be in my opinion the best of the products out of all GEN Digital products. The application seems to be free of scareware Unlike Norton and Avast. AVG secure VPN also works for YouTube and is not blocked like Norton's VPN is. AVG in my opinion still seems to be a hidden gem that...

malwaretips.com

Regarding the back and forth about using common sense when on the web. Of course, common sense and web hygiene are essential for everyone.

 

[Jonny Quest]

Poor F-Secure, ain't gettin any love Understandably so

The sad part about it is what's happened to Kaspersky (as far as not even being included in the poll) especially over the last 3-5 years, politicly etc for the US. But as far as stability, protection and features, I would put it above Bitdefender, and did, in my own personal use. edit: and let's not get into a Kaspersky personal opinion battle, we should be able to mention it in a post without it becoming that.

 

[oldschool]

Kaspersky as far as stability, protection and features, I would put it above Bitdefender, and did, in my own personal use.

I bet most members would agree with that. I know I do.

I'm sure the OP had their reasons for not including K in their request. And it's none of our damn business.

 

[Jonny Quest]

I bet most members would agree with that. I know I do.

I'm sure the OP had their reasons for not including K in their request. And it's none of our damn business.

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