Don’t just think of antivirus for Windows: it’s important to protect your phone, too Many security suites also come with a built-in VPN, password manager, parental controls and have optimisation tools to speed up your device and free up storage. Even if you don’t want or need those, antivirus software is still essential, especially if you have Windows and Android devices. The risk of your computer becoming infected – and stealing your data or holding it to ransom – is simply too great not to use it. So if any of your devices aren’t protected by up-to-date antivirus software, now’s the time to sort that out. And hopefully that’s why you’re here, looking for the best deals available this month. The best deal for you will depend upon how many devices you need to protect as subscriptions cover a certain number of them: you can’t just install the app on as many as you want. Some providers offer different discounts for different numbers of devices and, in some cases, you can even sign up for two years to get a bigger discount. It’s not simply about getting the lowest price, either. Features do vary across packages, as does the level of protection, so it’s worth reading our antivirus reviews to find out more about how well they defend your devices – and you – from the latest threats. Remember that these are subscriptions: you can cancel them after the deal period ends, but they will renew (often at higher prices) if you forget to cancel. Note: Authorities such as the FCC and BSI currently discourage the use of Kaspersky products, and Tech Advisor owner Foundry has also suspended its business partnerships with Russian companies. Although we haven´t removed the content about Kaspersky from our websites, you won´t find any purchase links for these products.

Best antivirus deals

Antivirus deals: What to look for

Antivirus software detects, and then prevents, disarms or removes malicious programs and malware, often referred to as ‘viruses’. But as we’ve said, security software is no longer just about countering viruses. It’s also about the security of personal data and protection from ransomware. Was: $104.99 / £84.99 Now: $49.99 / £19.99 ($55 / £65 off) Norton is one of our top antivirus picks, so it’s good news that you can get the first 12 months for only $49.99. In the UK, that’s just £19.99 until 5 January. And speaking of that, do note that the renewal price is $104.99/£84.99 after that first year.There’s also the option of a two-year subscription and get two years for $89.99/£89.99 ($44.99/£44.99 a year) which sounds like a worse deal, but don’t forget you’re getting a discount on both years, not just the first, so it is cheaper overall. Read our review: Norton 360 Deluxe review Was: $79.95 / £49.95 Now: $29.95 / £19.95 (62% / 60% off) Trend Micro’s online protection for up to three devices is 60% off the first year for those in the UK and there’s a slightly higher 62% discount if you’re in the US (get the deal here). In AV-Test’s latest report, Trend Micro earns maximum points for protection, usability and performance, making this not just an affordable deal, but top-notch protection as well. Was: $159.99 / £159.99 Now: $69.99 / £69.99 ($90 / £90 off) McAfee’s current deals allow you to get a discounted subscription for either one or two years, and for five or 10 devices.You can pick which deal you want on the website, but we’ve listed the price for the two-year, five-device deal. You can use the software on laptops, phones, Macs and any other supported device. It you were to go for the 10-device deal and use all the licenses, you’ll be paying just $3.99 / £3.99 per device for each year of this two-year deal.Usually, only the first year is discounted and there’s no option to get that price for two years. Was: $47.99/£29.99 Now: $23.99/£17.99 (40% off) Panda Dome Essentials includes top-rated antivirus protection, plus a VPN (albeit with only 150MB of data to use per day).   Was: $94.99 / £74.99 Now: $34.98 / £29.99 (63% / 60% off) Bitdefender is consistently rated as one of the best options for protecting your Windows, macOS, iOS and Android devices, and this deal allows you to use your subscription on five computers, phones or tablets. It’s rated Advanced+ (the top score) by AV-Comparatives and gives you excellent anti-malware protection against the latest threats. This deal gives you money off for the first year and after that the price charged will be the original price shown above. Was: $139.99/£99.99 Now: $49.99/£49.99 ($90 / £50 off) Was: $99.99 / £79.99 Now: $39.99 / £31.99 (60% off) Avast’s One security suite is fantastic. Not only does it provide excellent protection, it has a welcoming, fresh interface that’s easy to understand and use. Better still, Avast One Essential is free, which is the best price of all. However, the Essential package (as opposed to the fully featured Avast One) does come with a few limitations such as not being able to choose a country when using the VPN service and no email monitoring for ID protection. Those are unlocked along with other advanced features when you pay for Avast One, and this deal means you pay considerably less than full price for the first year. Check that the antivirus software you’re buying has ransomware protection built-in, and it’s also worth looking out for the ability to detect malware is so new that it hasn’t yet been analysed by security companies. This may be bolstered by a cloud element or artificial intelligence, which can really help to ensure that even the most sophisticated attacks get nowhere near your devices. Remember that you can pay less to protect fewer devices: there’s no point in paying for a 10-device subscription if you only have one laptop and a phone.

Antivirus student deals

If you’re a student, be sure to check out Tech Advisor’s Student Beans page. There, you can benefit from massive discounts from some of our favourite antivirus brands for school, college or university.

Do you really need antivirus on Windows?How to remove a virus from WindowsBest antivirus software for Windows (plus free options)Best antivirus software for AndroidBest VPN services (plus free options)Best VPN deals

Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.