In the realm of cybersecurity, the primary role of any antivirus software is to thoroughly examine your computer for existing malware and to safeguard against future threats. TotalAV Antivirus Pro, while fulfilling this essential function, also offers a suite of additional features such as backup, system tune-up, and ad-blocking capabilities. Unlike its free counterpart, TotalAV Pro includes real-time protection, a crucial aspect for comprehensive security. However, in recent evaluations, its performance has been deemed satisfactory but not exceptional. In contrast, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus stands out with excellent lab scores and an array of bonus features, while Norton AntiVirus Plus consistently achieves top marks in both lab and practical tests. Although TotalAV is making strides in improvement, it has yet to surpass these two Editors’ Choice selections.
What’s the Price of TotalAV Antivirus Pro?
TotalAV Antivirus Pro is priced at per year for protection across five PCs, an improvement from a previous offering of three licenses at the same cost. While this adjustment makes it a more attractive option, it still remains on the higher end compared to competitors. For instance, Norton charges .99, Malwarebytes Premium Security is available for .99, and ESET offers a competitive rate of .99 for five licenses. G Data provides a five-license subscription for just .95 annually, which is approximately half the cost of TotalAV.
Unlike some competitors, TotalAV does not present various pricing tiers; instead, users seeking additional licenses must opt for a more advanced application. The TotalAV Internet Security package includes VPN protection and six licenses for 9 per year, while the Total Security version raises the count to eight licenses and incorporates a password manager for 9 per year. These figures represent list prices, and potential customers may find discounted rates during their purchase, a trend that has persisted even for renewals.
Getting Started With TotalAV Antivirus Pro
To initiate the installation of TotalAV, users can either begin with a free trial or directly register their purchase online to download the Pro edition. The installation process, however, is notably lengthy. The free version automatically conducts a combined malware and performance scan post-installation, which is a necessary step given its lack of real-time protection. Conversely, paying customers have the option to bypass this initial scan.
The interface defaults to a dark mode, though users can switch to light mode or synchronize with their system’s theme. A streamlined menu featuring three icons allows navigation between Home, Total Security, and Settings. The Home section is where users will spend most of their time, while the Total Security page primarily focuses on upgrade options.
Good Scores from Independent Labs
Independent lab testing plays a pivotal role in evaluating antivirus efficacy. TotalAV has been included in reports from two prominent labs, where it has received commendable ratings. The AV-Test Institute assesses antivirus applications based on their ability to protect against malware, system performance impact, and accuracy in avoiding false positives. In its latest evaluation, TotalAV scored a total of 17.5 points, earning it the designation of Top Product.
In addition, AV-Comparatives conducts a variety of tests, and TotalAV has achieved Advanced certification across the board. Although these scores are respectable, several competitors have outperformed TotalAV, achieving higher ratings in various categories.
Good Scores in Hands-On Tests
In practical testing, TotalAV demonstrated its capability by effectively neutralizing malware samples upon access. It successfully eliminated 72% of the samples immediately, a figure that falls short compared to competitors like UltraAV and Malwarebytes, which achieved higher detection rates. When assessing the remaining samples, TotalAV ultimately detected 97%, a commendable result but still below the top performers.
Furthermore, TotalAV’s WebShield component effectively blocked 82% of verified malware-hosting URLs, contributing to an overall detection rate of 88%. While this is a solid performance, it remains below the median benchmark for this test.
Very Good Detection of Phishing Sites
Phishing attacks pose a significant threat, and TotalAV’s WebShield is designed to combat these fraudulent schemes. In recent evaluations, TotalAV achieved a 96% detection rate for phishing sites, a notable improvement from previous assessments. This performance surpassed the built-in protections of popular browsers, reinforcing TotalAV’s effectiveness in safeguarding users against phishing attempts.
Scans and Scheduling
TotalAV’s user interface includes a dedicated section for scans, allowing users to choose between quick, full, or custom scans. The initial full scan on a clean system was completed in 53 minutes, which is notably efficient. Scheduled scans are set to occur weekly, with options to adjust the frequency, although quick or custom scans cannot be scheduled.
Most Privacy Features Require an Upgrade
The Privacy section of TotalAV includes several features, most of which necessitate an upgrade. While the Breach Scan utilizes data from HaveIBeenPwned.com to alert users of potential breaches, other features like Total VPN and Total Password require additional purchases. The free edition does include Total Adblock, an extension designed to enhance browsing security.
Clean-Up Scan and Uninstaller
TotalAV also incorporates a Clean-up Scan feature that targets junk files, tracking cookies, and startup programs, promoting overall system performance. While some of its functionalities overlap with standard Windows tools, the Clean-up Scan consolidates various maintenance tasks into a single, user-friendly interface.
Additionally, the Application Uninstaller feature allows users to remove multiple applications simultaneously, streamlining the uninstallation process.
The Total Security Page
Within the Total Security page, users can explore available features and add-ons, many of which require an upgrade. Notably, Total Drive offers a basic online backup solution, providing 2GB of storage for important files, with an option to upgrade for unlimited storage.
