Short on time?
The first (and hardest) step is to choose an antivirus plan.
In any case, you oughta begin by downloading the app.
Once thats done, its time to drop in the antivirus.
hit the file youve just downloaded, and the process will start.
Youll have to click through a few prompts before the program can finish installing.
With your antivirus installed, youre ready to go.
Some antiviruses will give you a quick virtual tour to show you how they work.
Once thats done, youll be ready to run a scan to check whether your gear is infected.
All in all, most antiviruses these days are very easy to install.
Read on for a step-by-step guide covering how to install and use an antivirus in 2025.
If you already know which antivirus program you want to use, follow the steps below.
Step 1.
Ill get into more detail later, but there are a few things to consider when choosing an antivirus.
Beyond that, consider which features you need.
VPNs, password managers, and optimization tools are common extra features youll want to look out for.
Once youve settled on an antivirus plan, you may need to make an account.
Norton requires you to do so before downloading the antivirus, but this isnt the case with every product.
Its super easy to do anyway, because you create your account as you check out.
Youll also have to provide your payment information if youre getting a premium antivirus.
Norton also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Step 2.
Download the Antivirus
The download process shouldnt take very long.
Mac users may have to clickAllowbefore the download can begin.
Now youre ready to install your antivirus.
If youve chosen a reputable antivirus like Norton, go ahead and clickYes.
Your antivirus will then lead you through the rest of the process.
Youll have to click through a few boxes, but this should only take a short time.
I recommend reading each dialog box and doing a custom or advanced installation if such an option exists.
If you choose this throw in of installation, youll have the choice to install only what you need.
Once the installation is finished, Mac users may be asked to restart their rig.
If you see such a notification, follow the instruction immediately.
The tour will consist of dialog boxes telling you how to access different features.
Theyll instruct you to click somewhere and once you do a new box will open with additional information.
There are tons ofgreat antivirus products, so it would be impossible to cover them all here.
The process is more or less the same whichever antivirus you choose.
Once complete, you could start using your antivirus.
Once Installed, Scan for Viruses!
Once youve installed your antivirus, youll need to scan for threats.
Most security suites offer 4 scan options, each providing a different level of coverage.
Some programs will initiate a full scan automatically as soon as the antivirus is installed.
In other cases, youll have to run one yourself.
Regardless of which key in of scan you run, your antivirus will provide a report once its finished.
Norton provides lots of details about any threats detected and which files were scanned, while others products dont.
In any case, you should see a list of any malware files it detected.
False positives are always a possibility, but with some antiviruses theyre more of a problem.
But most users should just trust their antivirus and remove every threat it detects.
Here are the most common types of scan:
1.
This allows the scanner to bypass most of your system, vastly decreasing the duration.
Its the only way to ensure that your rig is 100% free of malware.
This will check every aspect of your system to ensure there are no viruses lurking in dark corners.
Depending on your antivirus and your gear, the duration of a full scan can vary widely.
Scheduled Scan
Norton and many other antiviruses will let you schedule full scans in advance.
As long as your setup is turned on, the scan will automatically execute at the appointed time.
I recommend scheduling weekly scans.
Custom Scan
Finally, we come to the custom scan.
This is easier said than done; a lot of antiviruses dont meet this bar.
High-quality security programs will guarantee protection for over 99% of threats.
Performance
Your antivirus should operate without you noticing its there.
It shouldnt cause any noticeable slowdowns while running in the background and full scans shouldnt render your machine unusable.
Cloud-based programs likeBitdefenderare a great option if this is the case for your unit.
In the same vein, youll want an antivirus that works well with your operating system.
Some programs create conflicts when interacting with the Windows or Mac ecosystems, so theyre best avoided.
You certainly dont want an antivirus thats liable to crash and leave you unprotected.
Price
You should choose the most affordable antivirus solution that provides the features and protection you need.
The top antivirus programs offer top-notch protection and excellent features at reasonable prices.
I recommend doing research about the benefits of a given feature to determine whether its something you need.
If you find something that you think youll benefit from, double-check your antivirus includes it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I install an antivirus?
Go to the antivirus providers official website anddownload the program.
Once the installer has finished downloading, hit the file and the installation will commence.
All in all, this process should only take a few minutes.
Which antivirus should I install?
There area few factors to considerwhen choosing an antivirus.
Ultimately, the right choice will vary depending on your circumstances.
How can I install an antivirus on a laptop?
The process of installing an antivirus is the same regardless of whether you use a desktop or laptop computer.
Therequired stepsare fortunately pretty simple.
