With the increased sophistication and frequency of modern cyber attacks, it is more important than ever for your small-to-medium-sized business to invest in secure and robust antivirus software protection. With so many large organizations like EasyJet, Marriott, Zoom, and Solarwinds making headlines for failed security in 2020, you may be tempted to think that data breaches are meant for only large enterprises.

A report by BullGuard revealed that close to 60% of SMBs believe they won’t be a target for hackers. Unfortunately, cyber criminals tend to see SMBs as easy targets when it comes to stealing financial accounts, customers’ personal credentials, and other sensitive information.

It’s easy to understand why: SMBs can tend to use substandard antivirus software and fail to set up standard security measures such as a firewall, thus leaving their networks open for attackers more than their enterprise counterparts.

Additionally, SMBs are less likely to keep their security systems updated. Given the enormous damage and expense that a cyber attack can inflict on a business, choosing the right antivirus software program for your business is a crucial step in planning for your cybersecurity strategy.

The 6 Best Antivirus for Small to Midsize Businesses

To find the best antivirus software for your business, start by thinking about what your company needs in terms of security. It might help to discuss with your managerial team to see what type of needs each department has. Does your office use a variety of devices to get work done? Do you need security for mobile devices? Does your company need a firewall or VPN? Are there any known security gaps that urgently need to be filled?

Next, test out a few anti-viruses to see which one fits your business’ workflow. Most anti-viruses will offer a free trial period; use this time to test out the anti-virus’ performance and ease of use. Is it easy to install? Is there a user-friendly control panel? Does the anti-virus affect the performance of devices people are using in the office?

Here are the top 6 antivirus solutions you can consider to secure your SMB from cyber threats:

1. Malwarebytes for Business

Malwarebytes is a full suite security solution that proactively protects businesses and their workers against advanced malicious cyber threats, including ransomware. Malwarebytes solutions come with clear-cut threat detection and threat blocking, as well as integrated end-to-end protection that blocks bad behavior and stops malware.

Key Features of Malwarebytes for Business

• Uses a single, low-footprint agent that quickly pinpoints and blocks malicious code from running without impacting device performance.

• Web protection technology proactively prevents users from accessing malicious sites, malvertising, scammer networks, and suspect URLs, as well as downloading potentially unwanted programs and potentially unwanted modifications.

• Behavior-based analysis provides near real time identification of behavior that is undeniably hostile and automatically blocks the threat.

• Instead of training on malware, the Malwarebytes model is trained to recognize goodware—properly signed code from known vendors.

Capterra Rating: 4.4/5 (111 Reviews)

2. Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security is a convenient antivirus solution with a full free trial. The fully automated software provides protection against all types of malware, including spyware, Trojans, and viruses. Additionally, it’s useful in combating attacks pointed towards data theft and network systems.

Bitdefender uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to monitor your network as well as find possible problems frequently. Since much of that intelligence emanates from the cloud, it informs the other user’s systems to look out for the same problems whenever it finds problems anywhere.

Key Features of Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security

• Machine learning anti-malware techniques use well-trained machine models and algorithms to predict and block advanced attacks.

• Exploit prevention technology protects the memory and vulnerable applications.

• Network based security that blocks threats like Brute Force attacks, Password Stealers, Network Exploits, lateral movements before they can execute.

• Bitdefender Global Protective Network performs 11 billion queries per day and uses machine learning and event correlation to detect threats without slowing down users.

Capterra Rating: 4.7/5 (142 Reviews)

3. Sophos Intercept X

Sophos is an antivirus security solution that uses powerful artificial intelligence to detect both known and unknown malware, ransomware as well as other dangerous exploits. Sophos works across all laptops, servers, desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. Additionally, it is compatible with all major operating systems making it possible for you to use with much ease.

Key Features of Sophos Intercept X

• Deep learning AI in Intercept X excels at detecting and blocking malware even when it hasn’t been seen before.

• Includes advanced anti-ransomware capabilities that detect and block the malicious encryption processes used in ransomware attacks. Files that have been encrypted will be rolled back to a safe state, minimizing any impact to business productivity.

• Utilizes proven traditional techniques and features include application lockdown, web control, data loss prevention and signature-based malware detection.

• Anti-exploit technology stops the exploit techniques that attackers rely on to compromise devices, steal credentials and distribute malware.

Capterra Rating: 4.4/5 (177 Reviews)

4. Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus

Holding the second-largest share of the market globally for Windows anti-malware application vendors, Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus is the ideal antivirus software that can help you successfully run your SMB securely. Its reliability, as well as agility, makes it suitable for use in diverse business environments. This software also has a 30-day free version, which gives you a chance to know what you are getting into before investing your money.

Key Features of Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus

• Features 7 layers of deep protection. Combines artificial intelligence, behavior-based machine learning, and cloud threat lab analysis capabilities to detect known and unknown malware, ransomware, and other cyberthreats in real‑time.

• Easily manage, maintain, and update thousands of third-party applications, all from a single platform.

• Connect remotely to a user’s device, access files and applications, and help troubleshoot technical issues in real time.

• Easily manage and deploy your Avast Business security solutions from one platform.

Capterra Rating: 4.4/5 (791 Reviews)

5. Kaspersky Small Office Security

Kaspersky Small Office Security provides complete SMB protection against the current cyber threats, including file-less security breaches. The program utilizes its outstanding endpoint hardening feature designed to help minimize your organization’s exposure to cyber-attacks. The antivirusis also performance-oriented, enabling it to provide maximum protection without having to slow down your PC. Kaspersky Endpoint provides agile protection with its first-class security.

Key Features of Kaspersky Small Office Security

• Advanced ransomware protection and rollback to avoid someone’s accidental click makes computers locked down.

• File Encryption and Backup to secure your intellectual property and trade secrets.

• Safe Money to pay bills and taxes online with confidence.

• Android device protection so your employees can work safely from their personal smartphones and tablets.

Capterra Rating: 4.4/5 (838 Reviews)

6. F-Secure Protection Service for Business

F-Secure is mostly known for its patch management. This tool monitors any patches released by Microsoft for your operating system and naturally installs them. This antivirus also works to protect your employees’ devices as well as provides extra tools to secure your servers, which are crucial to the workings of any business. With F-secure, you can monitor everything from your online portal and remotely tap into devices to adjust settings, conduct virus scans, or deploy software updates.

Key Features of F-Secure Protection Service for Business

• Advanced anti-malware and patch management capabilities keep installed software safe to use and without disrupting the user’s experience with constant prompts.

• Prevent the destruction and tampering of your data and ensure your employees won’t get locked out of their devices. Adds an extra layer of security for any attempts to lock you out of your most valuable information.

• Secure your endpoints against yet unknown security vulnerabilities also known as “zero-day attacks” through industry leading protection.

• Block up to 80% of attacks by automatically patching Windows and 3rd party software vulnerabilities.

Capterra Rating: 4.4/5 (44 Reviews)

There is no excuse for leaving your organization susceptible to cyber attacks in a world where nefarious individuals are continually inventing new malicious attack methods. Remember, no organization is completely immune to a data breach. Therefore, it is imperative to invest in a well-layered antivirus program as a crucial first step to help avoid the potential ramifications at a later date.

That’s why Electric is here to help you out. We will work closely with your organization to find the best software and programs to support your specific business needs so you’re not wasting any time or money.