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Best Antivirus for Windows 2026: 5 to Install, 1 to Avoid
Tech Optimizer
September 16, 2026

Best Antivirus for Windows 2026: 5 to Install, 1 to Avoid

Windows is the only desktop platform where antivirus software is essential. Microsoft has patched many vulnerabilities, but the OS still allows installations from unverified sources and connects to potentially untrustworthy networks. As of 2026, the top antivirus solutions for Windows include: - Norton 360: Best overall, with a full scan time of 13 minutes and 22 seconds, robust firewall, and up to 250 GB cloud backup. - Bitdefender: Best for older PCs, maintaining peak CPU usage at 11% and memory at 183 MB during scans. - Avast One: Best free option for Windows 11, achieving a perfect score in AV-TEST. - NordVPN Threat Protection Pro: Best for VPN users, blocking 90% of malware. - McAfee+: Best for households with multiple devices, offering unlimited coverage but is the slowest scanner. - Microsoft Defender: Best free option included with Windows, awarded Top Product by AV-TEST. Norton 360 has a 99.8% detection rate and offers a 60-day refund window. Bitdefender also has a 99.8% detection rate with low resource usage. Avast's free version is effective, while NordVPN provides integrated malware protection for existing VPN users. McAfee is suitable for large households but has slower performance. Microsoft Defender is adequate for single users practicing safe browsing but lacks multi-device support. Kaspersky is unavailable in the U.S. due to supply chain concerns.
NordVPN's Next-Gen Antivirus scores 94% in independent phishing and malware testing
Tech Optimizer
September 4, 2026

NordVPN’s Next-Gen Antivirus scores 94% in independent phishing and malware testing

NordVPN's next-generation antivirus achieved a 94% phishing detection rate in an anti-phishing test by AV-Comparatives, ranking third among nine products, behind Avast One Free Antivirus and Norton Antivirus Plus, both at 96%. The evaluation tested 250 live phishing URLs and recorded zero false positives for NordVPN, unlike competitors such as Malwarebytes Premium and Webroot SecureAnywhere. The two-percentage-point difference between NordVPN and the leaders corresponds to five URLs. Other products like Dr. Web Security Space and K7 Total Security had lower detection rates of 57% and 70%, respectively. Previously, NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro had an 83.42% detection rate across 3,209 links, outperforming IPVanish. In June 2024, NordVPN became the first VPN provider to earn AV-Comparatives' anti-phishing protection badge, requiring a minimum detection rate of 85% with zero false alarms. The antivirus feature is available on Plus plans and higher, previously known as Threat Protection Pro, and is included in Plus, Complete, and Prime tiers.
NordVPN's antivirus tool blocks 94% of phishing sites in latest independent test
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.
NordVPN celebrates record security scores, including 99.8% detection rate against “high-threat” malware
Tech Optimizer
June 17, 2026

NordVPN celebrates record security scores, including 99.8% detection rate against “high-threat” malware

NordVPN has achieved the "highest possible" AAA rating from West Coast Labs for its protection suite, with a 99.8% detection rate against high-threat malware in real-world Windows 11 environments. It also secured a 96% detection rate with zero false positives in the AV-Comparatives Anti-Phishing test, making it the first VPN provider to earn a protection badge from AV-Comparatives. NordVPN has launched dedicated private VPN servers that offer dedicated hardware, a static IP address, and port forwarding for enhanced user control. Additionally, a recent survey by NordVPN involving over 20,000 participants across 20 countries revealed significant insights into global screen time habits.
Beyond VPNs: NordVPN's New All-in-One App Redefines Digital Security
Tech Optimizer
May 29, 2026

Beyond VPNs: NordVPN’s New All-in-One App Redefines Digital Security

NordVPN has launched an updated application that combines its VPN services with next-generation antivirus capabilities, creating a comprehensive digital security suite. The new offering emphasizes three main features: an advanced VPN for private connectivity, a next-generation antivirus for threat protection, and the Dark Web Monitor™ for data breach monitoring. The updated antivirus solution uses artificial intelligence and behavioral analysis to identify threats in real-time, including phishing and malware. In April 2026, NordVPN reported blocking 4.8 million threats, with over 3 million instances of malware blocked. The company’s Threat Protection Pro includes malware and phishing protection, ad and tracker blocking, vulnerability scanning, and dark web monitoring. Independent evaluations have shown high detection rates for blocking malicious URLs. The cybersecurity industry is seeing a trend towards bundling multiple security tools into single subscription packages, with NordVPN aiming to simplify digital protection for users. The company maintains a commitment to privacy, ensuring minimal data collection for threat assessments.
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