AV-Comparatives, a prominent independent cybersecurity testing organization, has unveiled the results of its Real-World Protection Test, which spans from February to May 2026. This comprehensive evaluation scrutinized 20 consumer security products, simulating the everyday threats that home users face, including malicious URLs.
Key Findings
- Twenty home-user security products were assessed against real-world internet threats in controlled test conditions.
- Seven products achieved the prestigious ADVANCED+ award, indicating their consistent and reliable protection capabilities.
- The complete test report is available for free at av-comparatives.org, with no registration or fees required.
The relevance of independent consumer security testing has never been more pronounced. Earlier this year, AV-Comparatives researchers identified MEL/Vacphage.A, a Python-based worm hidden within Autodesk Maya Binary files, which were being distributed via Epic Games’ Fab.com—a platform widely trusted by both professionals and hobbyists. This discovery was responsibly communicated to the Epic Games security team prior to publication.
This incident underscores a growing trend: attackers are increasingly embedding malware in files shared through platforms that users typically trust. Andreas Clementi, Founder and CEO of AV-Comparatives, remarked, “Our Fab.com discovery is a reminder that malware does not always arrive via suspicious links or shady downloads. It can come from a platform a professional or enthusiast visits every day. The Real-World Protection Test is designed precisely to evaluate how security software performs when the unexpected happens.”
Test Methodology
The Real-World Protection Test was conducted from February to May 2026, evaluating 20 widely utilized home security products. Each product was tested against a carefully curated set of real-world internet threats, with the primary focus on whether these threats could compromise the test system. Additionally, all products underwent a false-positive assessment to gauge their ability to correctly identify legitimate files without generating unnecessary alerts. Products that exhibited higher false alarm rates had their award levels adjusted accordingly.
The evaluated products included:
- Avast One Free Antivirus
- AVG AntiVirus Free
- Bitdefender Total Security
- ESET HOME Security Essential
- F-Secure Internet Security
- Fortect PC Suite
- G DATA Total Security
- K7 Total Security
- Kaspersky Premium
- Malwarebytes Premium
- McAfee Total Protection
- Microsoft Defender Antivirus
- Norton Antivirus Plus
- Panda Free Antivirus
- Quick Heal Total Security
- Sophos Home Premium
- Total Defense Essential Anti-Virus
- TotalAV Premium
- Trend Micro Internet Security
- VIPRE Advanced Security
Award Recipients
Seven products distinguished themselves by earning the ADVANCED+ award, the highest accolade within the AV-Comparatives consumer testing framework. These products, listed alphabetically by vendor, are:
- Avast
- AVG
- Bitdefender
- Kaspersky
- Microsoft
- Norton
- TotalAV
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the test report available to the public?
Yes. AV-Comparatives provides open access to all test reports without requiring registration or payment. The full Real-World Protection Test report for February to May 2026 can be found at av-comparatives.org.
What does the ADVANCED+ award indicate?
The ADVANCED+ award signifies that a product demonstrates consistently high protection against real-world threats while maintaining low false alarm rates.
How often does AV-Comparatives publish Real-World Protection Test results?
The Real-World Protection Test is part of the ongoing Consumer Main-Test Series and is conducted throughout the year. This report covers the first half of 2026.
The complete Real-World Protection Test report for February to May 2026 is accessible free of charge, without registration, at av-comparatives.org.
About AV-Comparatives
AV-Comparatives is the leading independent cybersecurity testing organization, evaluating security solutions that have evolved beyond traditional antivirus software. Their systematic testing encompasses modern endpoint protection, threat detection, and mobile security across multiple platforms, including PC, Mac, Android, and IoT devices. Utilizing one of the world’s most relevant and sophisticated threat collections, they create real-world testing environments for thorough evaluations. Test results are freely accessible globally, and AV-Comparatives certification serves as a recognized seal of approval for proven cybersecurity performance.
Press Contact
AV-Comparatives
Grabenweg 68, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
www.av-comparatives.org