Best Antivirus for Gaming PC [Fastest to use in 2024]
Have a look to our handpicked tools to safeguard your gaming PC
- Antivirus software is essential to keep your data and devices protected from digital attackers.
- However, some antivirus can be intrusive and hence not useful for your gaming performance.
- The list below provides the best virus protection for gaming PC that keeps you fully protected against viruses.
- You can thus take into consideration secure antivirus programs to obtain the best security for your gaming PC.
Running your system without an antivirus is quite risky even if you are not connected to the Internet. You can still get a virus via Steam, Origin, or Uplay exploits.
Also, if you download games from suspicious sources, there is a high risk that they come with injected malware.
They might cause the addition of new toolbars to your browser and sometimes even steal your passwords from your social media accounts.
Nowadays anybody can be the victim of serious cyberattacks, and gamers are not excluded. Actually, they are more exposed to malicious viruses like worms or trojans, thus strong antivirus software is imperative.
Hence, considering powerful antivirus software will offer you protection against critical viruses, plus it may improve your gaming experience with Game Mode functionalities.
To prevent this, consider enhancing your protection with good antivirus. Check out these best antivirus software for gaming PCs and make your pick according to your needs.
| Antivirus | Best for | Top Features |
| ESET Internet Security | Lightweight PC usage | – Firewall and network security – Smooth PC performance – Parental Control |
| Bitdefender Antivirus Plus | Game Mode optimization | – Reliable security against viruses – Network threats defense – Web attack shield |
| Total AV | Real-time data security | – Multi-device compatibility – Blocking cyberthreats |
| Kaspersky Standard | Awarded identity protection | – App management and cleanup – Safe Money for online payments |
| Webroot Antivirus | Exhaustive security on multiple platforms | – Lightning scans – Identity thief protection |
| Avira Antivirus | Top PC speed-up tools | – Block malicious websites – Free VPN usage – Speed boosting |
| Avast Free Antivirus | Complete browsing privacy | – Remote access attacks defense – Phishing attempts block |
| Max Secure Internet Security | Multi-layered security for games | – USB guarding tool – Quarantine and ransomware monitor |
What is the best virus protection for a gaming PC?
ESET Internet Security – Best advanced security features
ESET protects against any type of malware, including viruses, ransomware, worms, and spyware. So it will be your best shot if you want a lightweight and unintrusive antivirus for your gaming PC.
The software’s efficiency has been demonstrated in numerous industry tests and the tool ranks among the top antivirus developers for more than 20 years.
With ESET, your gaming experience is safe and the tool’s permanent background activity won’t interfere with any of the ongoing system processes.
Moreover, this antivirus software can provide complex security services and lock your PC against online threats. Hence, your games can run smoothly without being affected by background running apps.
It’s also desirable to benefit from this antivirus program to secure all your devices and thereby enjoy your games from Windows, Mac, or Android OS.
ESET’s best key features are:
- Gamer mode feature
- Password vault and manager
- Webcam protection
- Sensitive data encryption
- Real-time protection against any threats
Thus you can get a professionally verified antivirus to protect your PC from online malware and enjoy your gameplay without trouble.
ESET Internet Security
Protect your gaming PC and stay away from cyber-attacks, plus secure your home network with ESET.Bitdefender Antivirus Plus – Best virus prevention and protection
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is the best full-featured security antivirus, but you should be aware that such a high level of protection doesn’t come cheap.
This is the robust and silent type of protection, and after installation, it goes into Autopilot mode by default, making all security-related decisions for you while you enjoy your favorite games.
The program will never bother you with alerts and pop-ups, and it won’t ask you to go through and configure its behavior.
Thousands of users trust this antivirus program because of the experience they’ve had with it throughout the years.
All tests have proven that it can detect every single threat including 213 zero-day malware samples and more than 20,000 widespread and prevalent malware discovered lately.
In addition, if you choose this performant antivirus solution you secure multi-layered protection from online threats, anti-phishing, or fraud actions. It also provides a Game Mode that will ensure your uninterrupted gaming sessions.
Let’s quickly look at its key features:
- Can scan for vulnerabilities such as out-of-date software
- Can also check for missing Windows updates and analyzes the strength of your passwords
- Provides detailed reports about the vulnerabilities and specific security threats it has detected
- Includes a Safepay option for conducting online transactions, which comes in very handy when you buy games
- You can call up Bitdefender’s virtual keyboard to protect your system from keyloggers
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
Enjoy gaming with no interruptions while Bitdefender silently protects you in the background.Total AV – Best system maintenance and browsing security
TotalAV is an antivirus program that provides real-time protection against any threats and attacks on your computer. Enhance your privacy, remove all viruses, and optimize your PC with one software.
With a built-in VPN which you can use to browse the web anonymously, it can also be used to connect to a different region via a different server in case your game lags or the server you are playing on is under maintenance.
You are safe every time you change your IP location and your connection will be encrypted to avoid exposure to online risks.
There’s nothing that bypasses your antivirus as they are scanned every time you try to access them. It also protects your PC from any attempts to steal your data. Downloads and executable files are checked before malicious scripts can infect your computer.
TotalAV will get rid of all those pesky ads and pop-ups that show up every time you browse the web or access a site.
Some of the best key features of TotalAV are:
- Threat protection in Real-time
- Password vault and manager
- VPN and ad blocker
- Enhance system performance by using built-in tune-up tools
- Increased browser security via the WebShield feature
Total AV
Enjoy faster and smoother browsing with a great antivirus with amazing features.Kaspersky Standard – Best malware removal and security
Kaspersky Total Security is packed with some handy utilities, and it’s worth the money.
The software is perfect for protecting gaming PCs. Most users will find that Kaspersky’s default settings are adequate, but if you are after some fine-grain control, you will find plenty of it in its various submenus.
You can also dig deeper by clicking on Advanced Settings to bring up even more options.
Let’s quickly look at its key features:
- Integrated file shredder that overwrites deleted files (making them impossible to restore)
- Encrypted folders to keep your valuable data secure
- Password syncing among more devices
- In-built PC clean-up tools
Of course, you can also find free alternatives to all these features, but having them all together in just a single place is more than convenient.
Kaspersky Total Security consistently performs among the best AV programs both in terms of identifying and blocking malware and having a minimal impact on system performance.
The only downside might be the fact that it can take several clicks to dig your way to a particular setting.
Kaspersky Standard
Get complete system security and maintenance package with this amazing antivirusWebroot AntiVirus – Lightweight and easy to use
Webroot Secure Anywhere installs in under one minute and uses very little RAM or storage space. Actually, it uses only 5MB of RAM when idle, and less than 15% CPU when it’s scanning your system.
If you’re looking for a lightweight antivirus for gaming, then Secure Anywhere is the perfect choice for you.
As a matter of fact, there is a special version of Secure Anywhere for gamers. This antivirus version comes with a dedicated system optimizer that detects system issues in real-time and wipes away all traces of online activity making deleted files unrecoverable.
The software is cloud-based, so it will work best when there is an internet connection involved. Secure Anywhere features a series of adjustable settings that you can customize depending on your needs.
Some of Webroot’s best features are:
- Lighting fast scans
- Threat protection in real-time
- Identity theft protection
- Password management via a third-party software
- Cloud-based with performance guarantee
Moreover, such an antivirus platform will comprehend all your security needs, from ransomware or malware attacks to phishing and identity full protection. It doesn’t promise a Game mode to boost your gameplay, but it will not slow down your system a bit.
Webroot AntiVirus
Lightweight system scans and usage with full security against threats.Avira Antivirus – Great free antivirus for basic protection
Avira is one of the best free antivirus software you will find. Its level of customization is very high, allowing you to customize many options.
You can configure how Avira scans for zero-day threats. However, if you select a high detection level, the risk of getting false positive reports increases.
More than 400 million people already downloaded Avira, and this fact alone confirms that this tool is a powerful and reliable antivirus.
The one thing that you will not get from the free version of Avira is a Game Mode. That’s why we strongly recommend that you go for Avira Pro.
Nonetheless, you can use this safeguard software to get valuable antivirus protection or anti-malware security in order to block viruses to infect your system.
Let’s check some of the key features of Avira:
- Scan downloads and files
- Blocks infected sites
- Verifies USB devices
- Detects PUA and offers priority cloud scanning
- No ads
Ready to pay a little extra money to secure your gaming experience?
Avira Antivirus
Your gaming device deserves the best anti-hacking protection and this is certainly a sturdy choice!Avast Free Antivirus – Great free antivirus with smart features
Avast antivirus tool comes with quite a lot of tools included in its free version, which makes it quite popular.
Regardless, like with all of the other entries, you get what you pay for, and upgrading to the premium version will indeed unlock this tool’s full potential.
Sporting real-time protection, frequent updates, and a pageant for stopping malware before it even has the chance to look at your PC, or the ability to detect Wi-Fi weaknesses, Avast Free Antivirus is truly a tool worth mentioning.
In case you opt for a premium version of the software, you’ll also get webcam protection, which might be useful in case you’re playing games on the network or on dedicated live streaming platforms.
Therefore, with Avast you’re all set regarding rounded online privacy and PC system optimization. If you also want extra safety there is a VPN Line service created for browsing freedom.
Benefits of using Avast:
- SecureLine VPN for your safety
- Premium cleanup
- Anti-track to hide your identity online
- Wi-Fi scanning and protection
- Avoiding fake and unsafe websites
Avast Free Antivirus
Best free choice of antivirus with great threat protection.Max Secure Internet Security – Easy installation and intuitive interface
The software provides an easy and quick installation process, and you will get immediate protection against emerging threats.
It is the most efficient protection against spyware, malware, adware, Key logger, and Rootkits and it offers Fast Scan Technology.
The Advanced Monitoring feature prompts warn you in case any program makes illegal entries in critical registry locations.
It offers a complete USB block for total safety from external devices and uninterrupted external Drive scan and notification, automated removal of Malware.
That being said, this licensed solution mostly covers every area of digital security, including parental control to prevent your children to access bad sites.
Let’s quickly look at its key features:
- AutoRun and Short-cut creation protection to minimize virus transmission to other PCs
- Advanced Emulation technology detects polymorphic viruses, packed files, and complex Malware.
- Heuristic Scanning for Zero-Day Virus Detection
- Easy Recovery of any quarantined file in case you need it
- Real-time Active Protection for Viruses and Rootkit in memory
- Automatic Self-Updating threat definition Database
⇒ Get Max Secure Internet Security
Yes, any computer can be vulnerable to malware or online threats and gaming PCs make no exception.
Most of the time, antivirus software will not interfere with your game so you should be able to play without lag.
According to different users, Norton can slow down your gaming sessions because it consumes a lot of RAM and other PC resources.
Finding the right level of AV protection for your PC is quite a personal thing. There are of course solutions that are much better than others.
Once you manage to separate the good from the bad, it will all come down to features, price, and other criteria that are important to you.
There is also the question if you really need to use a third-party AV program as long as you have the benefits of Windows Defender which is free and built into Windows 10.
The advantage of running a security suite is that it provides a more comprehensive solution in a tidy package.
