Popular antivirus software for gaming PCs

Gaming PCs usually have better hardware specs, such as a faster CPU, a dedicated graphics card, and more RAM, which help them run games smoothly. However, like regular PCs, they too are at risk of viruses, spyware, malware, and other cyberthreats. That’s why installing antivirus software is necessary. While users can select any antivirus solution, they should ideally consider options that are more suitable for gaming PCs. These offer protection without affecting the gaming performance.
McAfee+ Premium Individual
McAfee is one of the most popular antivirus providers for computers. Its McAfee+ Premium Individual plan, which costs around $50 after a discount, is a value-for-money product. This antivirus has a powerful scam detector that identifies risky texts and emails and blocks harmful websites, even when users accidentally click on them. It also has a personal data cleanup feature that prevents sites from storing and selling users’ data. McAfee uses advanced machine learning and AI to detect sophisticated threats and keep gaming PCs safe.
TotalAV Premium
The Premium plan of TotalAV offers real-time protection against viruses, ransomware, adware, phishing scams, and other online threats that can affect gaming PCs. It runs automatic checks on all downloads, installed software, and executables to ensure they are safe and do not harm the system. Users can also schedule smart scans at a desired time if required. TotalAV’s Premium plan costs $19 for the first year and then automatically renews at $99 per year. Users can also check out the provider’s Internet Security and Total Security plans, which are a bit pricier but more feature-rich.
Norton 360
This holistic data protection tool has an AI-based anti-scam feature that protects users from even the most advanced online scams. Norton 360 is available in four plans: Plus, Standard, Deluxe, and Premium. The Deluxe option covers up to five devices and costs $50 for the first year. It offers a VPN, dark web monitoring, 50 GB cloud backup, anti-spyware, a password manager, malware and ransomware detection, cloud security, and parental controls. This tool is also renowned for its 24/7 live customer support and its sheer ease of use.
Surfshark One
Surfshark One is a comprehensive bundle of security features that PC gamers can purchase for $2.19 per month. Surfshark Antivirus is a basic component in this bundle that secures gaming PCs, connected webcams, and confidential files stored in the system. Then there’s the Surfshark Search engine, which enables ad-free browsing without leaving behind digital footprints. The other features include Surfshark Alert, which plugs data leaks; Alternative ID, which generates a new online identity using a proxy email ID; and CleanWeb, which blocks ads and pop-ups, including cookie consent requests.
Bitdefender
This tool is competitively priced, making it a top choice for those looking for gaming PC antivirus solutions on a budget. For just $9.99 per year, users can get Bitdefender Plus, which has a suite of safety features that protect PCs against adware, malware, web attacks, and ransomware. That said, this plan only works on Windows PCs, so those who own other operating systems need to consider the Total Security or Premium Security plans. These options work seamlessly across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. In addition, they provide extensive privacy protection for webcams and microphones and parental controls. The Premium Security plan, in particular, provides VPN support for up to ten devices and a strong password manager.










