Apart from being able to help you catch intrusion much earlier on, antivirus software can also enhance your computer’s efficiency in many ways.

As for gaming PCs which are often loaded with all the high-end hardware possible, performance is often not the issue with these kinds of computers due to their specifications, however, the antivirus can also help situations of cyberattacks and most commonly, ransomware.

Gamers often stay online most of the time and that makes them prone to cyberattacks just like any other internet-connected individual.

Even when you’re downloading games and mods from legitimate websites online, chances are you might still end up installing malware on your computer without much notice.

According to reports, a gamer who has high-value collectibles and add-ons are often the primary targets of hackers, and some of the cyberattack tactics employed on targeted gamers include:

• Phishing — Which is when a hacker sends out a fake email disguising to being a legitimate entity. Entering your credentials such as username and password to their sites makes you vulnerable.
• Malware — A program that is made to take control or outright disrupt your computer. Some of them includes ransomware thatr encrypt your computer data and turn it to a hostage while requesting you pay a ransom before you can get access. Others, like Keyloggers, quietly sit in your system, capturing every keystroke and sending it back to the cybercriminals.

As you can see, there is literally no limit to what cybercriminals can do to your computer which is why it’s often important to install a reputable antivirus program to keep things well secured on your gaming PC.

What Are the Best Antivirus Suites for Gamers?

While most antivirus suites can protect your PC from these threats, these security utilities can be intrusive and hog system resources at times. Fortunately, security companies have tried to fix this issue by including game boosters or similar add-ons in their suite.

1. BitDefender Total Security

BitDefender Total Security is popular antivirus software for computers and the service extends to mobile platforms as well which means you can expect all-around security across your multiple devices.

The system also features an in-built VPN technology, password manager, video and audio protection, anti-tracking which can be used to block web trackers, and parental advisor features.

With BitDefender, you’re able to create and configure a custom profile for different scenarios such as gaming, movie, and public Wi-Fi.

The system also comes with a power management technology that can help conserve your device’s power by optimizing background services and postpone program updates while auto-adjusting power plans on your Windows PC.

While it’s the first on the list, it’s not the most expensive and costs just around US$44.99 and it can be used for up to 5 devices.

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2. Kaspersky Anti-Virus

Anyone that uses the internet will probably know about Kaspersky Anti-Virus because of the brand’s reputation and it can be a great alternative to BitDefender in case you’re seeking a more budget-friendly alternative that still offers value.

According to a review by independent antivirus testing organizations AV Comparative and AV-Test, the features of Kaspersky Anti-Virus are quite similar to those of BitDefender.

A good example of this would the System Watcher which helps protect your computer from ransomware and other crypto lockers while also having the ability to undo any changes caused by the antivirus.

It has a gaming mode that blocks notifications when you are playing games and it comes with power efficiency settings that let you enjoy your computer longer.

Subscription to Kaspersky Anti-Virus costs about US$29.99/year to get your computers secured.

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3. Malwarebytes Premium

While it’s a little more expensive compared to Kaspersky anti-virus, it’s one of the few interesting antivirus programs out there with interesting features.

Out of the box, it features standard cybersecurity features which include web protection, ransomware protection, and block hackers from exploring your computer.

It has “Play Mode” on the premium version which suspends notifications and updates when the selected apps are open.

You can as well manually add multimedia apps and games to the list in order to prioritize resources and combat invasive pop-up modals.

Malwarebytes also has a web browser extension for popular internet browsers for computers such as Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

Malwarebytes premium offer starts at about US$39.99 which unlike Kaspersky is US$10 expensive

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4. BullGuard Antivirus

BullGuard is another interesting alternative on the list offering interesting features such as a VPN to enhance your internet communication while keeping you completely offgrid.

There’s a Game Booster feature that enhances your gaming experience by auto-detecting and adding the game you’re playing to its index.

BullGuard Antivirus is a feature-rich AV with a dedicated game booster utility. At $29.99 a year, you can use it on one device with essential security features.

Other cool features include secured-internet connection, firewall, parental control, cloud-integrated backup, PC tune-up, and home network scanner.

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5. McAfee Gamer Security

Last but not least is the popular McAfee Gamer Security program which has a powerful Game Boost Engine that detects when you’re playing a game and then stop any unnecessary background process in order to optimize your computer’s resources for a better gaming experience.

With the App Manager, you can filter out-of-control processes and end them instantly. You can also install the WebAdvisor extension for your web browser to help block out trackers and phishing sites.

McAfee Gamer Security is the most expensive on the list with a US$59/year price tag for one PC.

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Windows Security is another free option that often comes bundled with Windows operating system.

One thing about antivirus is that they offer you total control of every part of your computer which is something you want if you’re a security-conscious individual.

They also have minimal impact on your computer’s performance but offer to speed things up since they’re made with gamers in mind.