Although it doesn't seem like, Windows 8.1 is a very different system than previous editions of Windows. Microsoft with Windows 8 in fact has greatly improved the security of the system, perhaps fed up with all the criticisms of the detractors, has enhanced the protections and also added an integrated basic antivirus protection.
In another article I have already explained why Windows 10 is safer than Windows 7 and XP thanks to the internal and hidden tools, the same that are also in Windows 8.1
Theoretically then you could use a Windows 8.1 PC without adding an antivirus, except that Windows Defender is absolutely insufficient.
It is therefore worth finding out which antivirus is the best for Windows 8.1 from the AV-Test rankings.
The independent test laboratory AV-Test has compiled the ranking of the best antivirus for Windows 8.1 based on the quality of protection, performance and usability.
As you can see, Windows Defender is considered basic, with a zero rating in the protection column.
The certainty therefore is that, whatever the choice, the important thing is to install another antivirus to protect the computer.
BitDefender and Kaspersky are the antiviruses with the highest score for all three factors, but they are paid protection suites.
Avira Internet Security (which is not the free version) and F-Secure Internet Security are immediately behind.
The best free antivirus for Windows 8.1 according to these tests is Panda Cloud Antivirus which beats the highly rated Avast Free Antivirus for quality of protection even if it remains weak on performance.
AVG Free Antivirus seems to guarantee the best balance between performance and protection.
It therefore seems clear that the choice to install an antivirus on Windows 8.1 must be forced for everyone that Panda, AVG and Avast are the most reliable choices (which is not a surprise).
In another updated article, the top 10 free antivirus in comparison .
