Determining what qualifies as a small business can be somewhat subjective, but a practical guideline suggests that if you can personally name all your employees, your business likely falls into that category. Typically, this means a workforce of just a few dozen. Licensing options for small business IT protection generally align with this scale. For instance, Malwarebytes offers coverage for up to 20 devices, while Norton allows enrollment for up to 20 employees and protection for as many as 40 devices. ESET provides subscription plans that range from five to 25 devices, and Bitdefender offers flexibility with options for three, five, ten, or 25 users. Notably, Bitdefender, like Norton, supports double the number of devices compared to the number of enrolled employees, enabling installations on 6, 10, 20, or even 50 devices. In contrast, Avast and AVG present a more expansive offering, allowing licenses for anywhere from one to 999 devices, with a maximum license costing over ,000.
Cross-Platform Security Coverage: Windows, Mac, and Beyond
When envisioning a small business computer, a Windows PC often comes to mind. Fortunately, all the security suites highlighted here provide robust support for Windows systems. However, it’s essential to recognize that Macs are also personal computers, and with the exception of AVG, all these suites can effectively manage Mac devices as well. The landscape becomes more complex with mobile devices. Businesses must decide whether to issue company phones or require employees to install security software on their personal devices. Avast and AVG take a more straightforward approach by not supporting mobile devices, while the other four suites offer protection for Android devices and, in most cases, extend coverage to iOS as well. Additionally, for businesses utilizing Windows Server, it’s worth noting that while standard Windows PC security can be applied, dedicated server editions are available from Bitdefender, ESET, and Norton, whereas Avast and AVG allow for individual policy definitions for servers.
Remote Control: Admin Tools That Save You Time
Installing a security suite across all company servers can seem overwhelming. While Avast and AVG provide a beta feature for remote installation, its reliability may vary. All suites allow administrators to send installation links via email to employees, and manual installation remains an option for IT specialists. Each suite enables administrators to log in and view the list of protected devices, with most offering status indicators. For instance, if an employee inadvertently disables the security suite, ESET and Norton will alert the administrator through their online console, facilitating remote resolution. Beyond basic monitoring, Avast, AVG, and Bitdefender enhance remote management capabilities, allowing actions such as triggering malware scans, performance optimizations, and system reboots.
Comprehensive Defense: What’s Actually Protected
Every suite discussed here installs a local security application on company computers, with the exception of AVG, which does not include a full-featured VPN. All options boast award-winning antivirus protection and have received high marks from independent testing labs. In hands-on evaluations, they generally perform exceptionally well, with minimal hiccups. The local protection offered by Bitdefender, ESET, and Norton closely resembles their consumer counterparts, while Avast, AVG, and Malwarebytes may omit some features found in their consumer versions. Notably, Norton stands out by providing backup solutions and 500GB of shared hosted storage across all devices, while Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, and Norton also include performance-enhancing features. Firewall protection is standard across all but Malwarebytes.
Lock It Down: Managing Lost Devices and External Threats
Employee care for company laptops can vary, leading to potential risks if a device is lost or stolen, especially if it contains sensitive information. To mitigate this risk, Bitdefender and ESET offer centrally managed anti-theft systems, enabling remote locking, locating, and data wiping of missing devices. Additionally, organizations must be vigilant about external threats, such as malicious USB drives left to entice employees. Both ESET and Avast incorporate measures to prevent unauthorized device access, with Avast allowing for policy-based control over removable drives and ESET providing a broader range of configuration options.
Extras That Make a Big Difference for Small Businesses
When relying on a security suite, technical issues can be a significant concern. To address this, Malwarebytes and Norton offer 24/7 priority support, with Norton additionally providing five VIP support incidents annually for various technical challenges. Some business suites may exclude personal identity protection features found in consumer versions; however, Bitdefender’s Business Assets Exposure Scan adapts this technology for business needs, while Norton offers dark web monitoring tailored for sensitive company information. Furthermore, with the increasing threat of spyware, which can compromise webcams and microphones, Avast, Bitdefender, and Norton include software that alerts users whenever unauthorized access attempts occur, safeguarding against potential corporate espionage.
