Updated on: November 18, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best antivirus with keylogger protection in 2024:
- 🥇 Norton : Uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and block advanced malware, including even the most well-disguised keyloggers. Also includes a wide range of security tools like anti-phishing protection, a VPN, a password manager, web camera safety, and lots more.
I tested all of the antiviruses on the market to find which ones provide the best protection against keyloggers and other types of advanced malware in 2024.
Keyloggers can be very well hidden and therefore difficult to detect — but nonetheless I was disappointed to see that some antiviruses were really bad at identifying and blocking keylogging malware, and others didn’t offer protection against it at all.
However, I did manage to find several antiviruses that are extremely effective. They excelled at detecting, blocking, and removing keyloggers — as well as other advanced malware threats. I wasn’t surprised to find that the most reliable anti-keylogging protections are found inside comprehensive internet security suites, which not only offer advanced malware scanning but also include things like real-time protection, firewalls, VPNs, password managers, web protection, and much more.
Norton is my #1 favorite antivirus for keylogger protection, but any product on my list will do a great job keeping you safe from this kind of malware.
Quick Summary of the Best Antiviruses With Keylogger Protection in 2024
🥇1. Norton 360 — Best Antivirus With Keylogger Protection in 2024
Norton 360 is my favorite antivirus with keylogging protection in 2024 — its powerful anti-malware engine uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to combat all kinds of sophisticated cybersecurity attacks before they damage your system.
Norton managed to detect, block, and remove all the keylogger malware that I put on my test PC — even files that were hidden in hard-to-detect areas of my system’s hard disk. Norton also scored a 100% detection rate against a variety of other malware files, including ransomware, trojans, and spyware.
Norton’s 360 package also has a wide range of extra features, including:
- Firewall.
- Anti-phishing protection.
- Password manager.
- VPN with unlimited data on all plans.
- Parental controls.
- Secure browser.
- Webcam protection.
- Automatic software updater.
- Device optimization tools.
- Identity theft protection (US only).
- And a lot more…
I was particularly impressed with Norton’s full-featured password manager, which generates, stores, and automatically fills passwords into online login fields, removing the need for users to manually type passwords so keyloggers cannot steal them (Norton also ranks #1 for best antivirus with a password manager).
Norton’s VPN is also decent for a bundled VPN — it provides fast, encrypted access to servers in 30+ countries worldwide, has good security, is easy to use, and works with some popular streaming services, including Netflix (which is why Norton is among the best antiviruses with a VPN in 2024).
Norton’s secure browser is a solid choice for those wary of keyloggers. While not significantly superior to Chrome, it comes with built-in security extensions, providing an added layer of protection against keylogging malware right out of the box. This feature, coupled with Norton 360‘s keylogger protection, makes for a more secure browsing experience, ensuring your keystrokes remain private as you navigate the web.
I also love Norton’s webcam security protection, which prevents hackers from spying on users through webcams, and its automatic software updater, which is a useful way to ensure all your apps and programs are the latest versions (making them less vulnerable to potential hackers).
Norton 360 Standard ($39.99 / year*) includes all of the mentioned features and coverage for 3 devices, but Norton 360 Deluxe ($49.99 / year*) offers extra features like parental controls and coverage for 5 devices. Also, Norton 360 with LifeLock Select ($99.99 / year*) is a great option for US-based users who want access to advanced identity theft protections and support.
Bottom Line:
Norton 360 offers excellent protection against keyloggers and all other types of malware. All of Norton’s 360 packages offer a wide range of internet security protections, including a password manager, a VPN (with unlimited data), webcam security protections, a firewall, cloud storage, and lots more. You can try all of Norton’s 360 packages risk-free for 60 days using its money-back guarantee.
🥈2. Bitdefender Total Security — Excellent Real-Time Malware & Keylogger Detection
Bitdefender is a very fast and accurate antivirus. It provides excellent protection against a wide range of malware, including really well-hidden keyloggers. Its real-time malware protection engine is one of the best I’ve ever tested — blocking all kinds of malware attacks, including malicious scripts that attempted to make my system vulnerable to keyloggers and other kinds of sophisticated spyware. I also tested Bitdefender’s ransomware protections and they managed to safeguard all of my data even when I tried to launch very aggressive ransomware programs.
Bitdefender also offers a wide range of additional features, including:
- Secure web browser for safe online payments.
- Password manager.
- VPN.
- Fire shredder.
- Parental controls.
- Webcam and microphone protection.
- System optimization tools.
- And much more…
Most of Bitdefender’s extra features are excellent. The system optimization tools are very useful, the parental controls are highly customizable and even include location tracking, and I really like that Bitdefender has a file shredder that removes files off a user’s hard drive without a trace, so cybercriminals can’t use file restoration methods to view sensitive deleted files.
Bitdefender also has a good password manager that auto-saves and auto-fills all of your passwords, making it almost impossible for keyloggers to get a hold of your passwords. And its VPN is also one of the best VPN add-ons on the market — it’s very secure, very fast, works with several streaming services, and is very easy to use. However, unlike Norton’s VPN which includes unlimited data on all plans, Bitdefender only includes unlimited VPN data on its top-tier Premium Security plan; all other plans are limited to 200 MB/day/device.
Bitdefender has a range of plans to choose from. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is the cheapest plan at $24.99 / year and includes all the main security features as well as the password manager and limited VPN, but it only covers 1 Windows PC. Bitdefender Internet Security ($37.99 / year) adds on the parental controls, firewall, and webcam protection for up to 3 PCs, and Total Security ($40.99 / year) includes the same features but for up to 5 devices across all operating systems. The top-tier Premium Security ($63.99 / year) then includes the unlimited data VPN and covers up to 10 devices. All Bitdefender purchases are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Bitdefender is very fast and accurate at detecting a huge range of malware, including keyloggers and other data-stealing spyware. Its Total Security plan is an excellent value if you’re looking to cover a few different devices and don’t need a lot of VPN data, while the Premium Security plan is a truly comprehensive internet security suite for a great price. You can try all of Bitdefender’s features risk-free using a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Bitdefender review >
🥉3. TotalAV Total Security — Great Antivirus With Easy-to-Use Features
TotalAV is an easy-to-use antivirus with good anti-keylogger protection and a great range of additional features. Both its antivirus scanner and extra tools are easy to understand and access, making TotalAV a particularly good option for non-technical users who don’t have much experience with antiviruses.
TotalAV performed really well during my malware tests — I tested both its antivirus scanner and real-time protections against the same keyloggers and malware samples as the other brands on this list, and TotalAV stopped 99.6% of all of the malware, failing to catch only a couple of zero-day malware attacks that I simulated on my test PC.
TotalAV’s additional features include:
- Website safety extension.
- Firewall.
- VPN (with unlimited data).
- System cleanup and optimization tools.
- Password manager.
- Data breach monitoring.
- And more…
I like TotalAV’s website safety extension, WebShield — it seamlessly integrates into a user’s web browser and shows whether a website is safe or malicious. When testing the extension, it alerted me to the majority of phishing websites that are built to track a user’s keystrokes and steal important information like bank account logins and social media accounts.
TotalAV’s system optimization tools are some of the best I’ve ever used, with even more optimization options than Norton or McAfee, and its VPN is also good — it’s fast, secure, and comes with unlimited data on all but the cheapest plan. Total Password also stands out as one of the best antivirus-bundled password managers I’ve tested.
TotalAV offers a range of packages, starting with the Antivirus Pro package that covers 5 devices for $19.00 / year. TotalAV Internet Security then covers 6 devices and adds the VPN with unlimited data for $39.00 / year, while the Total Security package covers 8 devices and includes an ad blocker and the password manager for $49.00 / year.
Bottom Line:
TotalAV offers a great level of protection against the latest malware and cybersecurity threats. Its intuitive interface makes it a good option for non-tech-savvy users, as all features are very easy to understand, access, and use. All of TotalAV’s plans are competitively priced, but the mid-range Internet Security is the best value plan in my opinion.
Read the full TotalAV review >
4. McAfee Total Protection — Reliable Malware Protection & Secure Web Browsing
McAfee has an advanced antivirus scanner, is really good at detecting keyloggers and other kinds of malware, and includes excellent web protections. I put McAfee to the test against advanced threats, including keyloggers, spyware, and ransomware samples — and it managed to block all of them. McAfee also performed really well against zero-day malware attack simulations.
However, I did experience some slowdown during the full system scan, which is annoying. Antiviruses like Bitdefender and Avira have cloud-based scanners, which means they have zero impact on your device’s performance. That said, you can schedule McAfee to run scans overnight or at other times when you’re not using your computer, so it doesn’t have to interfere with your activities.
McAfee also has a decent range of extra features, including:
- Firewall and Wi-Fi network protection.
- VPN (with unlimited data).
- Safe web browsing extension.
- Password manager.
- System optimization tools.
- File shredder.
- And a lot more…
I’m a big fan of McAfee’s safe web browsing extension — it highlights dangerous websites and corrects you if you type a web address incorrectly, so you don’t accidentally access scam websites that use slightly different web addresses to official sites. It blocked all of the phishing and exploit attacks in my tests, even catching some that Chome and Firefox’s built-in protections missed.
McAfee’s password manager is also pretty good, but it doesn’t include useful features like vault auditing or password sharing, so it’s not quite as good as Norton or Avira’s. McAfee’s VPN is also decent — it kept my IP address and all of my online browsing traffic encrypted and anonymous, and it has great speeds. Like Norton’s, it also comes with unlimited data on all plans (so long as you have auto-renewal activated).
McAfee Total Protection Essential ($39.99 / year) covers up to 5 devices, whereas the Total Protection Premium plan (starting at $49.99 / year) covers an unlimited number of devices and also includes useful parental controls.
Bottom Line:
McAfee offers excellent and reliable protection against keyloggers, spyware, and many other types of malware. The Total Protection package includes a wide range of additional tools, including a VPN with unlimited data for private browsing, a browser extension to protect against dangerous websites, system optimization tools, a password manager, and encrypted file storage. You can try McAfee Total Protection commitment-free using a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Avira Prime — Cloud-Based Antivirus With Privacy Optimization
Avira has one of the fastest and most effective antivirus engines out there — it operates completely in the cloud, is able to detect and block the most advanced and emerging threats (including keyloggers), and doesn’t slow down a system even during a full-system scan.
In my tests, Avira successfully detected every malware sample on my PC, including advanced keyloggers, spyware, and ransomware. I also tested Avira’s real-time protections by simulating several zero-day attacks, and it instantly blocked every single attack.
Avira Prime also includes:
- Privacy settings optimizer.
- Automatic software updates.
- VPN (with unlimited browsing data).
- Password manager.
- System cleanup tools.
- Performance optimization.
- And lots more…
I really liked Avira’s privacy settings optimizer, which found 17 issues with my PC’s privacy settings that could make my data vulnerable to malware or shady third-party programs. The automatic software updater is also very useful — just like Norton’s similar feature, it keeps your apps and system drivers up-to-date, so hackers can’t exploit vulnerabilities in outdated versions to gain access to your system.
Avira has one of the best antivirus-bundled password managers, second only to Norton’s. It has an excellent security status monitor that checks all passwords and online accounts for security weaknesses and breaches. I’m also a fan of Avira’s VPN, which is fast, safe, and very easy to use — however, it only comes with unlimited data on its top plan, Avira Prime, with a very limited 500 MB/month on all other plans. Bitdefender also only includes unlimited data on its top plan, but it offers a much more generous (and useful) 200 MB/day/device on its other plans.
Avira has a handful of plans, including a very good free version that offers the majority of Avira’s core security features. Avira Internet Security adds the password manager and software updater for just $34.99 / year, but it only covers 1 device. Avira’s Prime package ($59.99 / year) is the best value plan — it covers 5 devices across all operating systems and offers complete malware and internet security protection with unlimited access to all of the mentioned features, unlimited VPN data, and a lot more.
Bottom Line:
Avira has a fast cloud-based antivirus engine, which is effective against even the most advanced malware and keylogging attacks. I really like Avira’s privacy settings optimization and software auto-updater, both of which ensure there are no security flaws in a user’s system that can be exploited by hackers and malware. Avira also has a VPN, a password manager, device optimization tools, and more. While Avira’s free plan is good, the Prime package offers complete system protection for a great price, and you can try it risk-free using a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Bonus. Panda Dome Premium — Good Malware Protection & Keylogger Protection Tools
Panda Dome’s antivirus scanner performed really well during my tests — detecting 95% of all keylogger, spyware, and other malware samples that I’d hidden on my test PC and blocking 100% of the malware I attempted to upload in real time.
However, I did find Panda a bit more resource-intensive during antivirus scans than the likes of Bitdefender and Avira. Although Panda includes a separate, more lightweight cloud-based virus scanner, I think it would be best if the company incorporated cloud virus scanning into the main antivirus engine to prevent system slowdown.
That said, Panda does offer a decent range of features, including:
- Virtual keyboard.
- VPN.
- Password manager.
- File encryption.
- File shredder.
- Performance optimization tools.
- And more…
I really like Panda’s virtual keyboard – unlike a real keyboard, the virtual one’s specifically programmed to not be tracked (so when you enter passwords, they won’t be logged), which prevents keyloggers from tracking keystrokes. I also like that Panda includes file encryption and file shredding tools.
However, Panda’s VPN is disappointing. It really slowed down my connection during my tests, it’s missing some essential features like a kill switch, and it only includes 150 MB/day on all plans except the most expensive. If you’re looking for a VPN in addition to keylogging protection, Norton, Bitdefender, or any of the others on this list offer a better value.
Panda is a bit expensive compared to the other programs on this list, especially when comparing the quality of its various features. Panda Dome Essential ($22.50 / year) is the cheapest plan, but it only includes malware protection, the limited VPN, and Wi-Fi protection. Panda Dome Advanced ($27.00 / year) and Panda Dome Complete ($40.50 / year) are the two mid-tier plan options, each offering a few more features than the one before, and Panda Dome Premium ($63.00 / year) is the top-tier, most feature-rich plan (and the only one to include unlimited VPN data). Ultimately, given the lack of any really stand-out features, other brands like Norton and Bitdefender offer a better overall value.
Bottom Line:
Panda Dome provides effective antivirus and anti-keylogging protection, but it didn’t catch 100% of the malware samples in my tests, and it can be pretty heavy on system resources during full system scans. Panda includes a wide range of features, like a virtual keyboard that hides keystrokes from keyloggers, a VPN, a password manager, and a file shredder. Some of Panda’s packages are expensive in comparison to other brands, but you can try all of Panda’s plans risk-free using a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Panda Dome review >
Bonus. Kaspersky Premium — Effective, Easy-to-Use Malware Protection
Kaspersky Premium has an excellent antivirus scanner, effectively protects against keyloggers, and is very easy to use. Its malware engine caught 100% of the malware samples during my tests, and it uses a cloud-based scanner, meaning there wasn’t any noticeable slowdown on my device during scans.
Kaspersky also comes with a decent range of additional features, including:
- Anti-phishing protection.
- Secure browser and virtual keyboard.
- Password manager.
- VPN (with unlimited data).
- System clean-up tools.
- Rescue disk.
- And more…
I like Kaspersky’s web protections — the secure browser and virtual keyboard help prevent keyloggers from tracking keystrokes, and the anti-phishing protection is also effective.
But I’m not a huge fan of the VPN or password manager. The VPN comes with unlimited data, but there are better antivirus-bundled VPNs out there, and the password manager is also extremely limited (to the point of being pretty useless), even on the more expensive plans. Norton and Bitdefender offer far superior versions of these features, for much better value.
However, Kaspersky’s parental controls are some of the best available as part of an antivirus suite, and I really like the Rescue Disk feature, which helps you clean up a computer that’s been infected with malware.
Kaspersky Premium ($38.99 / year) is the best value of Kaspersky’s 3 plans. It covers 20 devices and includes every feature on offer, including the VPN and parental controls. Kaspersky Plus ($33.99 / year) covers up to 10 devices, and while it includes the VPN, it’s missing some important features, like identity protection. Kaspersky Standard ($27.99 / year) only offers basic protection for up to 10 devices. Every plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, it’s worth noting that, due to regulatory restrictions, Kaspersky cannot be sold in the US.
Bottom Line:
Kaspersky offers excellent protection against keyloggers and other malware. It also has a good range of additional features and a very intuitive and user-friendly dashboard. The limited versions of the features in the lower-tier plans make them less useful in some cases, but overall Kaspersky provides a good value option for quality antivirus protection. All of Kaspersky’s plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.
Read the full Kaspersky review >
Quick Comparison Table
How to Choose the Best Antiviruses with Keylogger Protections in 2024
- Look for great protection against malware. Opt for an antivirus that has a proven ability to identify and eradicate all kinds of malware — including the most sophisticated and current threats. Your antivirus should also provide real-time protection to stop new threats from compromising your devices. I tested all the products on this list, and each one possesses excellent malware-detection and real-time protection capabilities.
- Look for good keylogger protection. Not all antiviruses can prevent all types of malware, so make sure that keylogging protection is provided by the antivirus you’re interested in. If this information isn’t readily available on the provider’s site, reach out to its customer support team. Alternatively, all the products recommended on this list are effective against keyloggers.
- Choose an easy-to-navigate antivirus. An antivirus should be intuitive to set up and use. If you pick an antivirus with a confusing interface, you might be put off using it at all. Fortunately, the products on my list have all been vetted for usability, and their money-back guarantees mean that you can try them out risk-free and take time to see how they work.
- Shop around for good value. All antiviruses offer a range of plans that vary in price and features, so there will always be something that suits your budget. Make sure you check out all of the different features available with the different antivirus products, as the comprehensive internet security suites come with additional features such as VPNs, password managers, parental controls, ID theft protection, and so much more, that can make them an extremely good value depending on your needs.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Trend Micro — Trend Micro’s malware scanner and real-time protection are pretty good at defending you from keyloggers. However, unlike some of the other antiviruses on my list, it doesn’t include any extra keylogging protections, such as an on-screen keyboard. Some of its additional features, such as its system tune-up tools, VPN, and password manager, are also pretty basic compared to top competitors.
- Malwarebytes — Malwarebytes is a decent, simplistic, and easy-to-use antivirus, but it only detected 90% of the malware in my tests, which is lower than all other products on this list. It also has far fewer additional features.
- Intego — Intego is an excellent antivirus designed exclusively for Mac computers. It also has very effective keylogger protection. As there is more keylogger malware aimed at Windows than Macs, I have focused this list on products that cover PCs (although most also cover Macs). However, if you are looking for a full-featured antivirus suite specifically for a Mac computer, Intego is my top choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a keylogger and how do keyloggers get onto computers?
Keylogger malware is a type of software that secretly tracks your keystrokes. If it infects your device, it can steal important information like email account passwords, online banking details, and credit card numbers.
The main aim of keylogging malware is to capture and steal a user’s personal data, which the hacker behind it will then use to commit identity theft and other cyber-related crimes.
Keyloggers usually end up on a computer when users accidentally install keylogging malware disguised as a legitimate program — usually a program downloaded from a sketchy website or via a link in a scam email. But some malicious websites can also exploit users who don’t have proper web protections in place, by discreetly installing keystroke-tracking scripts on their devices.
All of the antiviruses on this list protect against and remove keyloggers from computers and mobile phones. Norton 360 offers an advanced antivirus scanner as well as additional features to protect against even the most well-hidden keylogging malware.
Can an antivirus program detect and remove hidden keyloggers?
Yes, all of the antiviruses on this list can find and remove hidden keyloggers. These programs also offer effective web protection to stop dangerous websites from using malicious scripts to secretly install keyloggers onto a user’s system. Web protection is also essential for stopping fake websites disguised as legitimate sites from tracking keystrokes and stealing a user’s personal details, like online banking information and credit card details.
Norton 360 is my favorite antivirus with keylogging protections — it has the best anti-malware scanner on the market and comes with excellent internet security tools, including anti-phishing and malicious website protections.
What should I do if I find a keylogger on my computer?
If you find a keylogger on your system, you should immediately remove it. You can remove even the most hard-to-detect keyloggers using an antivirus program that works against keylogging malware.
Once you have found and removed keylogger malware, you need to think back to what you have used your computer for. If you regularly bank or shop online, or if you’re always logging into online accounts that contain sensitive information, you need to change your online passwords immediately. A good password manager can help secure all of your passwords.
You may also need to perform identity theft checks, which can be done using comprehensive antivirus software like Norton 360 with LifeLock Select (includes an identity theft restoration service, but for US-based users only), or McAfee (offers identity theft tools for the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, Japan, NZ, and most of Europe).
What tools do I need to prevent keylogging websites from stealing my details?
You need an antivirus program that detects and blocks malicious websites. All of the antiviruses on my list help to prevent and block malicious keylogging sites from tracking your keystrokes, stealing your data, and planting keyloggers and other spyware onto your device via malicious scripts.
Some antiviruses actually include extra tools to prevent keyloggers tracking keystrokes, such as Panda Dome’s virtual keyboard — which is an on-screen popup keyboard that can’t be tracked by keyloggers, so you can enter your online passwords and payment card details without worrying.
