AV-Comparatives Archives

Tech Optimizer

September 3, 2026

Bitdefender vs Norton 2026: Which Antivirus Wins?

Norton and Bitdefender both have a malware detection rate of 99.8%. Norton excels in phishing protection, blocking 95% of phishing attempts compared to Bitdefender's 89%. In terms of system impact, Bitdefender uses 11% CPU and 183 MB RAM during scans, while Norton uses 23% CPU and 384 MB RAM. Norton offers features such as cloud backup, parental controls, and unlimited VPN, whereas Bitdefender lacks cloud backup and has a limited VPN. Pricing for both is competitive, but Bitdefender generally has cheaper renewal costs. Norton provides faster customer support response times. In a comparison of nine categories, Norton won five and Bitdefender won three. For users needing backup and parental controls, Norton is preferred; for those with older laptops, Bitdefender is recommended.

Tech Optimizer

September 1, 2026

NordVPN’s antivirus tool blocks 94% of phishing sites in latest independent test

NordVPN's next-generation antivirus achieved a 94% detection rate for phishing threats in an evaluation by AV-Comparatives, tested against 250 active phishing URLs and recording zero false positives. The antivirus also demonstrated a 92% block rate in similar independent testing and ranked third overall in speed and malware protection behind Avast and Norton. It is included in NordVPN's Complete subscription tier and operates alongside the standard VPN tunnel to block trackers, ads, and malicious sites in real-time. Users are advised to maintain vigilance and practice strong digital hygiene, including scrutinizing URLs and enabling two-factor authentication for added security.

Tech Optimizer

August 27, 2026

Norton vs McAfee 2026: 8 Rounds, One Winner

Norton outperformed McAfee in several categories, including malware detection (99.8% vs. 99.71%), phishing blocking (95% vs. 94%), and speed of full scans (13:22 vs. 16:47). Norton also offers a cloud backup feature, while McAfee provides unlimited device coverage on two of its plans. In terms of support, McAfee has faster response times (40 seconds vs. 2 minutes). For households with more than three devices, McAfee's plans may be more economical, as Norton has a device limit of 10. Both brands significantly increase renewal prices, with Norton 360 Deluxe rising by 150% and McAfee's plans by 200%.

Tech Optimizer

August 26, 2026

AVG Antivirus Review 2026: Is the Free Version Enough?

AVG AntiVirus Free has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, with specific scores of 4.7 for protection, 4.3 for performance and features, and 3.5 for customer support. The software is available for free or can be purchased starting at .88 for the first year, with pricing verified in August 2026. It achieved a 99.77% malware detection rate with only four false alarms and offers features such as real-time protection and Ransomware Protection. However, customer support is rated lower, and there are upselling prompts after scans. AVG is owned by Gen Digital and has been in operation for over 35 years, originally founded as Grisoft in the Czech Republic. The free version includes essential features like File Shield, Behavior Shield, Web Shield, Email Shield, and Ransomware Protection, while some features like Enhanced Firewall and Fake Website Shield are exclusive to paid versions. AVG's performance on Windows 11 has been validated by independent tests, scoring 6/6/6 in AV-TEST and achieving a 96.3% offline detection rate in AV-Comparatives. The software is available across multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. AVG's customer support includes email and phone options, with a reasonable response time. The software is safe to install when downloaded from official sources, and it has been recognized for its effectiveness in malware detection.

Tech Optimizer

August 24, 2026

Malwarebytes Review 2026: Safe, But is Free Tier Enough?

Overall Rating: 4.3/5 ⭐ Protection: 4.3 ⭐ Performance: 3.9 ⭐ Features: 4.4 ⭐ Support: 4.8 ⭐ Value: 4.2 ⭐ Pricing starts at .99 for the first year, verified August 2026. Malwarebytes earned the AV-TEST TOP PRODUCT award in March-April 2026, scoring 17.5 out of 18 points. It successfully removed all infections in remediation tests and had no false detections across 1.5 million legitimate samples at AV-TEST. The software can coexist with other antivirus solutions and offers a free version with limited features. The free version lacks ongoing protection after 14 days, while the paid version provides real-time protection. Malwarebytes has a privacy policy stating it does not sell customer data and collects only necessary identifiers. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, having raised a total of 0 million, including a recent investment from Vector Capital in September 2022. It acquired AzireVPN in November 2024. Malwarebytes offers various plans, including Standard, Plus, and Total, with consistent renewal pricing. The Windows version includes comprehensive features, while the Mac version targets adware and browser hijackers. The Android app provides scanning capabilities and phishing protection, and the iPhone app focuses on scam text filtering. Customer support is efficient, with quick responses.

Tech Optimizer

August 18, 2026

Avira Antivirus Review 2026: Plans, Test Results, and Alternatives

Avira has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, with specific ratings as follows: Protection: 4.2/5, Performance: 3.9/5, Features: 4.6/5, Support: 4.0/5, and Value: 4.3/5. Pricing starts at .99 for the first year. Avira's detection rate is 99.96%, but it has a slower full scan time of 18 minutes and 14 seconds and flagged 12 false positives during testing. The software includes a free tier with a VPN, password manager, and software updater, while the paid version, Avira Prime, covers up to five devices for .99 in the first year. Avira Operations GmbH, based in Germany, was acquired by NortonLifeLock in 2021, forming Gen Digital. The software is considered safe and trustworthy, with a clean installation process and detailed privacy policy. Avira's free version offers real-time protection, web safety features, a firewall, and a limited VPN service, but lacks automatic patching and unlimited VPN data.

Tech Optimizer

August 17, 2026

Norton’s back-to-school deal ends August 27: $3.33/month for full family protection

Norton 360 Deluxe is a comprehensive subscription service that includes real-time threat protection, a secure VPN, a password manager, dark web monitoring, cloud backup, and parental controls. It supports up to five devices across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, all managed from a single dashboard. The service is available for .99 for the first year during a Back to School promotion from August 17 to August 27, which is a 68% discount from the standard rate. After the first year, the subscription renews at .99 annually. Norton offers a 60-day money-back guarantee for its subscriptions.

Tech Optimizer

August 16, 2026

Best Android Antivirus Apps 2026: Tested and Ranked

Bitdefender Mobile Security is rated as the best antivirus app for Android in 2026, achieving a 100% detection rate, 0.5% battery drain, and unobtrusive operation. The evaluation compared five antivirus applications on a Galaxy S26 Ultra, assessing detection rates, battery drain, scan speed, and permissions. Other notable antivirus apps include Norton 360 for Mobile, which is recognized for its features; Avast Mobile Security, known for its free version; McAfee Mobile Security, which excels in scam call and text filtering; and NordVPN Threat Protection, praised for web and Wi-Fi security. Most users may not need an antivirus app due to built-in protections like Google Play Protect, which automatically scans apps. However, specific scenarios warrant the installation of an antivirus app, such as sideloading apps, receiving scam texts and calls, assisting relatives, conducting banking and shopping on mobile, and using public Wi-Fi. The top five antivirus apps tested are: 1. Bitdefender Mobile Security: 100% detection, 0.5% battery drain, 31-second scan time. 2. Norton 360 for Mobile: 99.9% detection, 0.9% battery drain, 24-second scan time. 3. Avast Mobile Security: 99.9% detection, 0.7% battery drain, 26-second scan time. 4. McAfee Mobile Security: 99.78% detection, 1.0% battery drain, 34-second scan time. 5. NordVPN Threat Protection: 95.60% detection of web threats, 0.2% battery drain. Battery consumption varied, with NordVPN being the lightest and McAfee the heaviest. Permissions requested by each app also varied significantly, with Bitdefender requiring the most extensive permissions. Users are advised to check for legitimate antivirus apps by verifying the developer, installation count, update history, lab participation, and permission requests. Free antivirus apps like Avast and AVG offer effective protection but may lack some features of paid versions. Users should be cautious of fake security apps that mimic legitimate ones. If malware is suspected, users can run scans with Google Play Protect or other anti-malware apps and follow specific steps to remove malware if detected.

Tech Optimizer

August 16, 2026

Best Free Antivirus Software 2026

Over the past decade, free antivirus software has significantly improved, now competing with paid security suites in malware protection. Independent testing from 2026 shows that Avast and AVG have achieved top scores in protection, performance, and usability. Microsoft Defender is a reliable option for Windows users who prefer not to install additional software. The leading free antivirus options in 2026 include Avast Free Antivirus, AVG AntiVirus Free, Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Bitdefender Antivirus Free, Avira Free Security, and Malwarebytes Free. Avast Free Antivirus received perfect scores of 6/6 in protection, performance, and usability from AV-TEST in May and June 2026, totaling 18 out of 18. AVG AntiVirus Free matched these scores and also received an Advanced+ rating from AV-Comparatives. Microsoft Defender scored 6/6 in protection, 5.5/6 in performance, and 6/6 in usability, totaling 17.5 out of 18. Bitdefender Antivirus Free is recognized for its lightweight protection, while Avira Free Security offers additional utilities. Malwarebytes Free is noted for its effectiveness in malware removal. Antivirus software is essential in the current cybersecurity landscape, which includes threats like ransomware and phishing attacks. In 2025, the FTC reported approximately .8 billion in fraud losses, a 25% increase from the previous year. While antivirus software cannot eliminate all forms of online fraud, it plays a crucial role in preventing attacks from escalating to data theft or system compromise. Users should be cautious of counterfeit antivirus software and are advised to download programs from official vendor websites. Free antivirus solutions generally focus on malware detection, while paid options offer additional services. For Windows 11 users, Avast Free Antivirus, AVG AntiVirus Free, and Microsoft Defender are recommended options based on 2026 evaluations.

Tech Optimizer

August 11, 2026

Best Free Antivirus Software 2026: Tested and Ranked

Avast Free Antivirus is recognized as the best free antivirus software for 2026, having undergone rigorous testing and achieved a perfect score of 6/6/6 from AV-TEST in June 2026. It offers extensive features including real-time malware blocking, a Ransomware Shield, and Wi-Fi network scanning, all at no cost. The installation process takes approximately 2 minutes and 35 seconds, and it allows for unlimited installations across multiple platforms. Avast generates revenue through upsells and bundled software during installation. In testing, it achieved a 99.97% online protection rate with only 9 false alarms, with a quick scan taking just over a minute and a full scan taking about 14 minutes and 38 seconds. The application opens automatically at every Windows startup, which may be inconvenient for some users. Other notable free antivirus options include Bitdefender Antivirus Free, AVG AntiVirus Free, Microsoft Defender, Avira Free Security, and Malwarebytes Free, each with their own strengths and limitations.