With the rise of AI, online scams and phishing attacks are getting more and more advanced every year. On this page we explain how to protect against them.
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Antivirus can help block malicious links, fake sites, dangerous downloads and some scam messages, but the protection varies considerably between products and devices. Surfshark One is my overall pick when you want antivirus, scam tools and a full VPN together; Bitdefender suits malware-first buyers, Norton families, McAfee identity and recovery needs, and ESET people who want more control.
I compared the five packages using our existing experience, independent antivirus results and checks of their included scam features. The most useful differences weren’t the longest feature lists, but which scams each plan can actually help with and where you still need to stop and verify.
These are the five packages I’d shortlist for different security needs. Start with where suspicious requests reach you and the devices you need to protect, then use the provider sections to check the limits.
Antivirus protects your device from harmful software, often called malware. That includes programs that steal information, damage files or lock a device and demand payment.
Scam and phishing protection deals with a different part of the problem. Phishing is when somebody pretends to be a trusted person or company to make you reveal a password, payment detail or security code. The danger may be a fake website, a dishonest advert or a convincing message rather than a harmful file.
I’d choose a product that handles both if you shop, bank, travel or manage important accounts online. Ordinary antivirus still matters, but many current scams try to persuade you to hand information over voluntarily. There may be no virus for traditional antivirus to catch.
Malware blocking, phishing warnings and message analysis protect against different parts of a scam. This table separates them so you can see which named plan covers your email, browser or phone, and which protections require another tier.
| Provider | Best for | Malware protection | Malicious-site/phishing protection | Scam-specific tools | Email/message checking | Identity layer | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfshark One | VPN users replacing separate security subscriptions | Windows, macOS and Android antivirus | Dangerous-site blocking; Antivirus Web Protection on Windows | Email analysis, SMS protection and Alternative ID | On-demand Gmail check in Chrome; supported SMS | Breach alerts | No automatic all-inbox scan; protection differs by device |
| Bitdefender Total Security | Specialist antivirus with mobile scam coverage | Desktop antivirus and supported mobile security | Anti-phishing and malicious-site protection | Mobile Scam Protection; free Scamio separately | Supported mobile SMS/chat checks; Pro email monitoring costs more | Broader identity tools require another tier | Limited included VPN; Scam Protection Pro isn’t included |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | Families wanting scam guidance and parental tools | Antivirus across up to five supported devices | Safe Web for dangerous or fake sites | Genie assistant and supported deepfake checks | Safe SMS; manual content checking with Genie | Dark-web monitoring; restoration requires a higher plan | Safe Email isn’t in UK Deluxe; substantial renewal jump |
| McAfee+ Advanced | People needing identity monitoring and recovery support | Protection across supported household devices | Dangerous-link and website protection | Scam Detector and supported video checks | Supported texts and connected email; on-demand checks | Country-specific monitoring and restoration | Check local benefits and renewal; SMS isn’t every messaging app |
| ESET HOME Security Premium | Experienced users who’ll use detailed security controls | Configurable antivirus; features vary by platform | Anti-phishing plus Safe Banking & Browsing | Security controls rather than a general scam assistant | Supported Windows email-client protection and antispam | Not the main reason to choose this plan | Fewer message-analysis tools; banking mode can’t verify a seller |
Coverage describes the named plans, not every feature sold under each brand. Mobile permissions, compatible browsers and local plan availability matter; see each provider section for the practical limits.
Surfshark One comes first because it handles both sides of the problem well. It combines antivirus with a VPN, warnings about dangerous websites, alerts when personal information appears in a known data breach and tools aimed at suspicious messages and links.
Surfshark has been consistently reliable for me over time, which is part of why I was interested in One as a wider security package. It’s straightforward to use, and I like having the main tools under one account rather than opening several separate apps whenever I want to check something.
Independent testing gives me more confidence in the antivirus too. In AV-TEST’s June 2026 Windows assessment, Surfshark Antivirus scored 6 out of 6 for protection and usability. Its performance score was 4.5 out of 6, which means it had a greater effect on device speed than Bitdefender, Norton, McAfee and ESET in the same comparison. I wouldn’t call it the lightest antivirus here.
The overall package earns first place. The antivirus is available on Windows, macOS and Android. Surfshark’s Antivirus Web Protection currently applies to the Windows version, so I wouldn’t assume every device gets exactly the same protection. Its Email Scam Checker works through the Surfshark browser extension in Chrome with Gmail rather than scanning every inbox automatically.
Those limits are important, but they don’t undo the value of the package. I’d choose Surfshark One if I wanted capable antivirus, safer browsing, a VPN and warnings about exposed personal information in one subscription.
The tools do different jobs. Antivirus catches harmful software on the device; dangerous-site blocking targets risky destinations; and the Email Scam Checker analyses a Gmail message’s content and sender when you click to check it in Chrome. That last step is genuinely scam-specific: it looks for manipulation as well as suspicious links, but it won’t automatically monitor Outlook or every message in your inbox.
One and One+ also include supported SMS protection, while Alternative ID helps reduce exposure by letting you use an email alias instead of your real address. An alias doesn’t decide whether a message is honest, and the VPN protects the connection rather than making a fake shop trustworthy. Surfshark wins overall for me when those tools replace subscriptions I’d otherwise use; I’d choose Norton for parental tools and family scam guidance, or Bitdefender when specialist malware protection matters more than the VPN.
Recent user discussions broadly matched what I’ve seen myself. People often liked how easy Surfshark was to use, the fact that it could run quietly in the background and the value of having several tools in one subscription.
The main complaints I found were slower performance on some devices, occasional problems with websites while the VPN was connected, and people who still preferred a dedicated antivirus such as Bitdefender or ESET.
That broadly matches my view. Surfshark One is here for the strength of the whole package, rather than because it beats every specialist antivirus in every area.
NordVPN Complete is the alternative I’d compare if I already wanted NordVPN’s privacy tools. I’ve found its VPN reliable in everyday international use, and Complete adds antivirus on supported Windows and Mac devices alongside dangerous-site and download protection. Bundle names and coverage vary by country, so compare the local NordVPN Complete plan with Surfshark One rather than treating every NordVPN subscription as an antivirus package.
What I liked:
What can be improved:
Bitdefender is the one I’d choose if catching harmful software with the least possible fuss was my main priority. It has a long record of strong independent protection results and gives you clear warnings when a website is dangerous or trying to steal information.
Its scam protection is useful too, particularly on supported mobile devices, but the traditional antivirus remains the main reason I recommend it. Bitdefender also includes ransomware protection, which helps stop harmful software from locking or encrypting your files and demanding payment.
I found its warnings easier to understand than the vague alerts some security products produce. A clear warning gives you a usable next step: leave the page, remove the file or secure the affected account.
The basic VPN allowance is limited, and some privacy features require another subscription. If you already pay for a separate VPN, that may not bother you. If you want one package for antivirus, travel privacy and broader scam tools, Surfshark One is the better fit.
Total Security combines malicious-site and anti-phishing protection with mobile scam tools. Its included Scam Protection layer covers supported SMS, chats, notifications and calendar invites, with different features on Android and iOS. That gives it a stronger reason to be here than malware detection alone: a fake delivery text can be a problem before you download anything.
The distinction I’d check before paying is Scam Protection versus Pro. Total Security doesn’t include Pro’s connected-inbox email protection or Scamio Pro assistant; those require Premium Security or above. The separate free Scamio service lets you submit suspicious content, but it isn’t automatic inbox monitoring. I’d choose Bitdefender over Surfshark for specialist malware protection and supported mobile scam coverage, while Surfshark is easier to justify when its full VPN replaces another subscription.
I’d check the workflow as well as the feature list. Bitdefender’s supported mobile scam checks can help when suspicious delivery texts reach your phone; Surfshark’s Gmail checker needs you to request a check in Chrome. Connected-inbox protection requires a higher Bitdefender tier. A feature you won’t enable or use won’t help when the next convincing request arrives.
What I liked:
What can be improved:
Norton 360 Deluxe combines strong antivirus with features that are easier to place in everyday family use. It covers up to five devices and includes a VPN, parental controls, password management and monitoring that can warn you if personal information appears in known breach databases.
Norton’s Scam Protection can check supported messages, links and online content for signs of fraud. Its deepfake protection is also relevant now that generated or altered video and audio can make impersonation scams more convincing. It won’t prove that every person or video is genuine, but it can give you another reason to stop and check.
I’d consider Norton when several people and devices need protection and you want more guidance around suspicious messages. If you need broader family tools as well, compare our best online safety apps for families. The biggest drawback is billing. The UK offer I checked was £29.99 for the first year, then £89.99 a year on automatic renewal unless cancelled. That jump is large enough that I’d put the renewal date in my calendar as soon as I subscribed.
Safe Web targets risky sites, Safe SMS checks supported texts, and Genie lets you submit a suspicious message or link for an explanation. I’d choose this over Surfshark for a family that needs help deciding what to do with a fake shopping advert or a delivery message sent to an older relative. Parental controls add another reason for Norton’s third-place ranking when children’s devices also need managing.
The Deluxe feature list doesn’t include Safe Email’s automatic inbox scanning or Safe Call; those sit in the UK Advanced plan. Deepfake checking also has compatible-PC, language and platform restrictions, so it isn’t a universal check on every video call. For a household that mainly wants identity restoration, I’d compare McAfee’s country-specific recovery benefits; for one person who chiefly wants a VPN, Surfshark is a more focused purchase.
Norton has the stronger case when someone in the household needs help interpreting a suspicious request, rather than simply another app blocking a website. Genie’s explanation gives them a next step. Surfshark is easier to justify for a solo user who’ll use the VPN regularly; paying for family tools you won’t use doesn’t improve your protection.
What I liked:
What can be improved:
McAfee+ Advanced makes most sense when you want device protection alongside help with identity and financial risks. Its antivirus deals with harmful software, while Scam Detector checks supported text messages, emails and links for signs of fraud.
McAfee also offers tools that look for exposed personal information and help with recovery if somebody misuses it. Availability varies by country, so I’d check the plan carefully rather than assume every US identity feature is included in the UK.
The current UK price I verified was £6.25 a month for the first year, charged as £75 upfront. It then renews at £159.99 a year unless cancelled. That makes McAfee one of the more expensive options after the introductory period.
I’d pay that price when the identity and recovery tools were a real part of what I needed. For antivirus and dangerous-site protection alone, Bitdefender or Surfshark One is easier for me to justify.
Scam Detector is included in McAfee’s core plans, so Advanced’s higher price isn’t simply the price of getting scam checks. Supported SMS and connected email protection can flag suspicious content, while an on-demand check lets you submit messages, screenshots or links. Android SMS scanning and iPhone filtering work differently; don’t assume automatic SMS coverage means every WhatsApp or iMessage conversation is being monitored.
That distinction is why I rank Advanced for identity and financial protection rather than ordinary antivirus. Norton Deluxe is easier to justify for parental controls and family guidance, and Surfshark for a VPN-centred setup. McAfee becomes the more useful choice when you would use the local plan’s monitoring and restoration support after account information is exposed. Those services aren’t a guarantee that a bank transfer will be refunded, so I’d check the recovery terms as closely as the scanner.
The dashboard I worked with was clean and readable, making real-time protection straightforward to set up. The wider collection of identity and privacy tools can still take time to learn, so I’d start with the protections I need rather than assume every included feature is already running.
I also found the browser extension’s search-result safety ratings useful. WebAdvisor’s ratings give you a warning before opening a result, which is useful when a search leads to an unfamiliar shop or download site. A favourable rating still isn’t proof that the seller will deliver what you pay for.
I’d decide based on whether I need help preventing a scam or recovering after identity misuse. Surfshark’s privacy tools suit everyday browsing, while McAfee Advanced adds country-specific restoration services for the work of recovering from misuse. That difference is more useful than simply counting how many features each suite includes.
What I liked:
What can be improved:
ESET suits somebody who wants strong antivirus and more control over how it behaves. It gives experienced users detailed settings without forcing them to accept constant interruptions, and its independent protection results remain strong.
Its browser and payment protection can help keep financial activity separate from a normal browsing session. ESET also blocks known dangerous websites and checks files for harmful software.
It has fewer dedicated scam-checking tools than Surfshark, Norton or McAfee. That keeps it fifth on a list about scams as well as malware: its controls suit an experienced user, but Norton’s message-checking guidance is a more useful fit for someone deciding whether to trust an unexpected request.
I’d still choose it over a more complicated security bundle if I wanted dependable antivirus, good control and fewer extras. Pricing changes with the number of devices and the subscription term, and the official site offers a 30-day trial.
ESET’s Windows protection checks web traffic for malicious and phishing sites, while Safe Banking & Browsing provides a secured environment for online payments. Email-client protection checks supported POP3 and IMAP traffic, with antispam for compatible clients. That makes it useful for someone concerned about a fake banking login or harmful email attachment, even though it doesn’t offer the same message-analysis workflow as Norton’s Genie.
The detailed controls are its main distinction from the products above. An experienced user can adjust firewall and behaviour rules or inspect file reputation instead of choosing a larger bundle for its extra services. I’d put Bitdefender ahead for a simpler specialist-antivirus recommendation, and Norton ahead for a family that needs explanations of suspicious messages. ESET earns its place when you’ll use those controls, but a secure banking browser cannot establish that a seller or investment is genuine.
During my earlier evaluation of ESET Smart Security Premium, its low impact on everyday use and configurable scan schedules were part of the appeal. I also found the webcam protection particularly valuable for privacy. On supported Windows devices, Webcam Protection lets you control applications trying to access the camera. That addresses unwanted camera access, a different risk from a phishing link, and gives me another reason to choose ESET when device control matters more than an extra scam assistant.
What I liked:
What can be improved:
I compared the named plans using our existing product experience, independent malware results and checks of their included phishing and scam features. I treated malware detection, site blocking and message analysis as separate protections: a strong antivirus score doesn’t show whether a product can recognise a convincing request for money.
That meant considering:
AI is making scam messages, copied sites and impersonation attempts easier to create and harder to spot. I’m therefore giving more weight than I would have a few years ago to what happens before you hand anything over, not only how well the antivirus catches harmful software.
Choose protection for both the destination and the request: browser or web protection checks sites and links, while email and message tools inspect supported content or attachments. The right combination depends on whether scams usually reach you through search results, your inbox or your phone.
I come across scam pop-ups at least twice a day while browsing. Fake antivirus alerts can pressure you to install the very software you need protection from, so the warning itself needs checking before you download anything.
Browser protection checks the pages you open and can warn you before a known dangerous site loads.
Web protection is a broader term for checking links, websites and some downloads. The exact coverage depends on the device and product.
Email scam checking may inspect supported messages or let you submit suspicious content. It doesn’t necessarily scan every inbox. For example, Surfshark’s current Email Scam Checker works through its Chrome extension with Gmail.
Data-breach alerts warn you when an email address, password or other monitored detail appears in a database of information exposed in a known breach. They don’t remove the information, but they give you a reason to change passwords and secure the account.
If you’re looking for antivirus for email, separate three jobs: scanning harmful attachments, recognising phishing links and judging the message itself. A file scan won’t necessarily spot a plain-text request to transfer money. Connected-inbox protection, supported desktop email-client scanning and a checker you submit messages to are different features, so choose around the email service and device you actually use.
Free anti-phishing protection is a useful starting point. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen in Edge checks for phishing sites and malicious downloads, while Bitdefender’s free Scamio lets you submit suspicious content. I’d pay for a suite when its supported message checks, device protection or family tools cover gaps I actually have, rather than assume a paid subscription is necessary for every browser warning.
Dark-web and breach alerts are a bonus I appreciate because they give you a reason to act after information is exposed. They don’t remove leaked details or reverse a theft. Change reused passwords, secure the affected accounts and compare recovery support separately if you need help dealing with misuse.
Antivirus alone isn’t enough because a phishing scam may persuade you to reveal a password or make a payment without installing harmful software. No product here can tell you with certainty that every message, person, voice, image or investment is genuine.
AI-powered phishing can copy a company’s tone and use convincing images, video or audio. A spelling mistake is no longer a dependable warning sign. Surfshark’s Gmail checker and Norton’s Genie assess suspicious content; Bitdefender and ESET add phishing and malicious-site protection; McAfee offers supported message, email and video checks. These are different layers, and none makes every request trustworthy.
A scam may arrive as plain text with no dangerous link or file. A caller may clone somebody’s voice. A fake account may use a real photograph. Security software can assess the technical clues it understands, but it cannot know the full story behind every request.
If you protect a team or small business, software works best alongside a clear cybersecurity policy.
I use these tools as another layer of protection, not as permission to stop checking. Pause when a request creates urgency, contact the person or company independently and never share a one-time security code with somebody who contacted you unexpectedly.
DNS hijacking is another example covered in our earlier review: tampering with the system that directs a web address to its destination can send someone to a copied login page. Cloudflare’s explanation shows why even a familiar address can be misleading in this type of attack. I wouldn’t treat a padlock, a recognisable design or the absence of an antivirus warning as proof that entering credentials is safe.
Compare the full amount charged upfront, renewal and the features included in the named plan. A low monthly equivalent can hide a long commitment, while an upgrade for email or identity protection can change the value of the offer.
| Provider | Current price or offer | Billing and renewal | Trial or refund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surfshark One | Monthly, annual and longer-term plans available; confirm the current local monthly price | The full 1-, 12- or 24-month term is charged upfront and renews unless cancelled. Check the checkout for the exact total and renewal. | 30-day refund on eligible purchases; some app purchases may offer a 7-day trial |
| Bitdefender Total Security | Promotional price varies by country, term and device count | Auto-renewal applies when selected. Check the renewal price shown at checkout. | 30-day trial without a card; 30-day refund for eligible direct purchases |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | UK: £2.50/mo equivalent*, billed £29.99 for the first year for five devices | Renews automatically at £89.99 a year unless cancelled; price can change | Check the current Norton cancellation and refund terms at purchase |
| McAfee+ Advanced | UK: £6.25/mo equivalent*, billed £75 upfront for the first year | Renews automatically at £159.99 a year unless cancelled | Refund requests within 30 days of the initial purchase and 60 days of an eligible annual renewal |
| ESET HOME Security Premium | Varies by device count and subscription length | Renews at the regular price when automatic renewal is enabled | 30-day trial and a 30-day return policy for eligible direct purchases |
*Monthly equivalents for annual subscriptions aren’t monthly billing. Introductory offers change regularly, so compare the amount charged today with renewal and the number of supported devices. Surfshark’s offers vary by country, currency, term and applicable tax; use the local checkout total when comparing costs.
Surfshark offers the best value here when its VPN replaces a subscription you already want. Norton’s family extras are worth more when you’ll actually use them, while McAfee Advanced’s premium needs to earn its keep through the local identity and recovery benefits. In the UK offers above, McAfee has the larger cash renewal increase (£84.99 versus Norton’s £60), while Norton’s price roughly triples. Those figures don’t establish the cheapest long-term product across all five plans.
Surfshark One offers the best overall balance here if you want antivirus and practical scam protection in the same subscription. The antivirus performs well, and the VPN, dangerous-site protection and data-leak alerts cover more of the risks I meet in ordinary browsing and travel.
Whichever you choose, match the protection to where scams reach you. An email checker you never open or mobile protection that isn’t enabled won’t help much, and no safe result should override an unexpected request for money or a security code.
These answers explain the practical limits of antivirus, scam checking and device coverage, so you can match the protection to the way you use it.
Antivirus detects harmful software on your device. Anti-phishing protection checks for fake websites, dangerous links and, in some products, suspicious messages. You may need both: a copied banking page can steal a password without installing a virus. Choose a suite that covers the browser, inbox and phone you use rather than assuming its malware protection includes every scam check.
No. Antivirus and web protection can block harmful files and known phishing destinations, but a convincing message may persuade you to share a code or make a payment without either. Don’t treat a clean scan or an absent warning as proof that a request is genuine. Contact the person or organisation through a trusted method before sharing information or moving money.
McAfee offers supported connected-email checks, while Bitdefender’s automatic Gmail and Outlook protection requires Premium Security or a higher eligible plan, not Total Security. Surfshark’s Gmail checker in Chrome is on demand; Norton Deluxe offers manual checking with Genie, while UK Safe Email requires Advanced. ESET’s supported Windows email-client protection is a different workflow again. Match the plan to your email service and check whether messages are analysed automatically or only when you submit them.
Free tools provide a useful starting point. Edge’s Microsoft Defender SmartScreen checks for phishing sites and malicious downloads, and Bitdefender’s free Scamio lets you submit suspicious content. A paid suite may be worth it when you need compatible automatic email or text checks, parental tools or protection across several devices. Pay for a specific gap in your setup rather than assume that every paid product catches more scams.
Windows Security provides built-in malware protection, and Microsoft Defender SmartScreen adds phishing-site and download checks, particularly in Edge. That isn’t the same as automatically assessing every email, text or payment request. Check your browser’s protection and the features available for your inbox. I’d consider a paid suite when its supported scam checks cover an actual gap, rather than replace Windows Security simply because it’s free.
Some suites offer supported text and chat protection, but coverage varies by operating system and messaging app. Bitdefender has supported SMS and chat checks; McAfee’s automatic SMS protection doesn’t mean WhatsApp or iMessage conversations are also monitored. Norton and Surfshark also have supported SMS features. Check the exact app, permissions and plan before paying, and use a manual scam checker where automatic coverage isn’t available.
Not necessarily. Your antivirus suite may already include a browser extension or web protection that covers the same sites. A specialist service such as Guardio can be useful if its supported browser and scam checks fill a gap, but it doesn’t replace full device antivirus. Compare the overlap before paying for two subscriptions; our Guardio review explains its browser-focused role.
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