Which antivirus and security software should a small business use?

Microsoft's own explanation of what Windows already includes at no cost: Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Windows Firewall and Smart App Control, giving real-time protection from first startup.

Stay protected with the Windows Security app

From support.microsoft.com by Microsoft Help article

• Every Windows PC already has real-time antivirus in Microsoft Defender.
• Check Windows Security shows no warnings before buying another product.
• Keep Windows Update on, since protection depends on it.

The independent German lab's latest round: 16 endpoint protection products tested through July and August 2026 on protection, performance and usability, including Microsoft Defender, Seqrite and eScan.

AV-TEST: best Windows antivirus for business users (August 2026)

From av-test.org by AV-TEST Test results

• Compare products on protection, performance and usability scores.
• Microsoft Defender, Seqrite and eScan were all in the August 2026 round.
• Use independent tests, not vendor claims, to shortlist.

CERT-In's own baseline for micro, small and medium businesses: install antivirus or endpoint protection, patch regularly, use multi-factor authentication, keep encrypted backups and report incidents to CERT-In within 6 hours of detection.

15 Elemental Cyber Defense Controls for MSMEs

From cert-in.org.in by CERT-In 11-page PDF

• Report a cyber incident to CERT-In within 6 hours of detection.
• Back up daily or weekly and keep encrypted copies.
• Enable multi-factor authentication for all accounts.

Microsoft's India page for Defender for Business: ₹250 a user a month paid yearly, GST extra, for up to 300 users and five devices each across Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, with endpoint detection and response; also included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium at ₹1,830.

Microsoft Defender for Business (India pricing)

From microsoft.com by Microsoft Product and pricing page

Microsoft Defender for Business on eChai Explore

• ₹250 a user a month covers up to five devices per user.
• It manages every laptop and phone from one console.
• If you need Office and email too, Business Premium bundles it.

The business security arm of Pune's Quick Heal: cloud-managed endpoint protection with detection and response and mobile device management, priced on enquiry.

Seqrite Endpoint Protection Cloud

From seqrite.com by Seqrite (Quick Heal Technologies) Product page

Seqrite Endpoint Protection Cloud on eChai Explore

• An Indian vendor with local sales and support.
• Managed from the cloud, so no server is needed in the office.
• Ask for a quote by number of devices.

EScan, from India's MicroWorld Technologies, sells internet security and total security suites for businesses and an enterprise EDR product that AV-TEST tested in August 2026.

eScan business security

From escanav.com by MicroWorld Technologies Product site

eScan on eChai Explore

• Another Indian-made option for business antivirus.
• Its enterprise EDR product appears in AV-TEST's business results.
• Buy through a local partner if you want on-site help.

Quick Heal's retail suite for a single PC or a few machines: ₹1,591 for one user for a year (MRP ₹1,909), with multi-user and three-year options on the same page.

Quick Heal Total Security

From quickheal.co.in by Quick Heal Product and pricing page

Quick Heal Total Security on eChai Explore

• One PC for a year costs ₹1,591.
• Fine for a shop counter PC; a team needs central management.
• Buy from the maker's page to get the licence directly.

The government's botnet cleaning centre lists free bot removal tools for Windows from Indian vendors including K7, Quick Heal and eScan.

Cyber Swachhta Kendra security tools

From csk.gov.in by CERT-In, Government of India Tools page

• Run a free bot removal tool on any PC you suspect is infected.
• The tools come from Indian antivirus vendors.
• Check whether your PC is 32-bit or 64-bit before downloading.