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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.
Prolific Microsoft 0-day hunter drops CrowdStrike Falcon exploit PoC
Tech Optimizer
September 3, 2026

Prolific Microsoft 0-day hunter drops CrowdStrike Falcon exploit PoC

Nightmare Eclipse, a security researcher known for identifying vulnerabilities in Microsoft products, has shifted focus to other vendors, revealing a zero-day vulnerability called FalconFlank that targets CrowdStrike’s Falcon endpoint security platform. FalconFlank is a privilege escalation vulnerability that exploits the Microsoft Office malicious macros remediation feature within CrowdStrike Falcon. CrowdStrike is investigating the claims and advises customers to disable the Microsoft Office File Suspicious Macro Removal Windows policy setting while assuring them of continued protection through Cloud Anti-malware settings. The exploit works on fully updated Windows 11 25H2 and Windows Server 2025 systems running CrowdStrike Falcon with Optimal Protection enabled. Nightmare Eclipse has also discovered other vulnerabilities, including HardBreacher affecting Kaspersky’s endpoint antivirus and PrettyPrague in Gen Digital’s Avast antivirus, which allows attackers to dump the SAM database. Gen Digital is developing a patch for the Avast vulnerability, while Kaspersky has not commented. Additionally, Nightmare disclosed a memory corruption zero-day vulnerability in Nvidia, named GreenSection, which causes system crashes.
Scammers Impersonate Microsoft to Push Fake Security Scans and Refund Fraud
Tech Optimizer
August 27, 2026

Scammers Impersonate Microsoft to Push Fake Security Scans and Refund Fraud

A network of fraudulent websites, branded as SysScan, has been discovered, which falsely claims to evaluate antivirus software effectiveness through deceptive security scans. These sites manipulate users into uninstalling legitimate antivirus products and disclosing sensitive personal and banking information. Eleven distinct domains associated with SysScan have been identified, all hosted on a single server. The fraudulent scans generate misleading results based on static findings rather than actual system assessments, and users are coerced into believing their computers are at risk. The scams misrepresent normal browser behaviors as security threats and instruct victims to uninstall their antivirus software, compromising their defenses. The operation targets both individual and business users, collecting extensive personal information and utilizing remote-access tools. The data submitted is sent to Telegram via its bot API. Users are advised to disconnect from the internet and secure their devices if they suspect they have been compromised. Indicators of compromise include specific IP addresses and domains associated with the scam.
Tested: Windows 11 has fully removed the legacy tool abused by cybercriminals for malware and ransomware, called WMIC
Winsage
August 22, 2026

Tested: Windows 11 has fully removed the legacy tool abused by cybercriminals for malware and ransomware, called WMIC

Windows 11 will remove the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool in the upcoming September 2026 Update, marking its complete elimination after being deprecated in earlier versions. Testing of early builds shows that WMIC is no longer accessible, with attempts to use it resulting in a "command not recognized" error. Previously, WMIC was available as an optional feature, but it will no longer be included or reactivatable in the new update. Microsoft stated that this removal aims to improve the security and reliability of Windows, as WMIC has been exploited by cybercriminals for attacks. The September 2026 Update will also introduce other enhancements, including the ability to disable Bing in Windows Search and improvements in app speed.
Do you still need third-party antivirus on your Windows PC?
Winsage
July 1, 2026

Do you still need third-party antivirus on your Windows PC?

In April, a statement on the Windows Learning Center claimed that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is sufficient for many Windows 11 users, leading to brief attention before the article was removed a month later without explanation. The link now redirects to the homepage, but the content is still accessible via the Internet Archive. Microsoft has not clarified the removal, and speculation suggests backlash from the third-party security industry may have influenced this decision. Research indicates that the infection rate for consumer PCs in 2023-2024 was 3.07%, lower than the 2.39% for business PCs, suggesting that risks may not be as widespread as often claimed. The 2025 Cybersecurity Threat Report noted that 56% of consumer endpoints that faced an infection in 2024 experienced subsequent infections, with user behavior playing a significant role. A survey found that 54% of Americans rely on default device protection, while 46% use third-party antivirus solutions. Modern antivirus solutions, including Microsoft Defender, achieve protection rates of 99% or higher, with Defender specifically reaching a 99.0% protection rate without false positives. This performance indicates that Defender is adequate for most consumers. Default security measures on platforms are generally effective, with modern antivirus applications blocking 99.2% of threats that bypass other protections. Consequently, 97% of PCs remain free from malware infections, suggesting that improving user training may be more beneficial than investing in superior software. In contrast, businesses face different challenges, as attacks are often executed by sophisticated criminal organizations targeting vulnerabilities in third-party software. Enterprise administrators typically use specialized endpoint security products for centralized management and continuous monitoring, which are essential for protecting business environments.
Bitdefender vs Norton vs McAfee 2026: 2 Win Gold, 1 Bronze
Tech Optimizer
June 26, 2026

Bitdefender vs Norton vs McAfee 2026: 2 Win Gold, 1 Bronze

In 2026, Bitdefender, Norton 360, and McAfee each achieved a perfect score of 18 out of 18 in AV-TEST’s April evaluation. Bitdefender excels in protection technology and has the lightest footprint among paid tiers. Norton 360 offers an unlimited VPN, substantial cloud backup, and LifeLock identity theft protection, achieving the best real-world protection score in 2025. McAfee is strong in identity protection and unlimited-device pricing but falls short in core malware engine performance. Bitdefender is noted for its advanced threat detection and has a low entry price of .99 for its Antivirus Plus. Norton 360 includes an unlimited VPN and up to 250 GB cloud backup, while McAfee+ Ultimate provides identity theft coverage and three-bureau credit monitoring. All three products received perfect scores in AV-TEST’s April evaluation, but independent lab results from AV-Comparatives showed Norton and Bitdefender as Top-Rated Products, while McAfee did not achieve this status. The specifications comparison reveals that Bitdefender supports up to 25 devices, Norton 360 offers unlimited devices, and McAfee also supports unlimited devices. Bitdefender employs Advanced Threat Defense, Norton uses SONAR and Intrusion Prevention, and McAfee utilizes Real Protect. Norton and McAfee received AV-Comparatives Performance awards in 2025 for their light system impact, while Bitdefender did not receive such recognition. Pricing strategies include significant renewal increases after steep first-year discounts. Customer support varies, with Norton and McAfee providing extensive 24/7 support, while Bitdefender offers limited phone support. The ownership structures differ, with Norton under Gen Digital, McAfee as a private entity, and Bitdefender remaining independent. Real-world scenarios suggest Bitdefender is best for single users, Norton 360 or McAfee+ for families, McAfee+ Ultimate or Norton for identity theft concerns, and Norton 360 for privacy-focused users.
Real-World Threats Demand Real Results
Tech Optimizer
June 19, 2026

Real-World Threats Demand Real Results

AV-Comparatives conducted a Real-World Protection Test from February to May 2026, evaluating 20 consumer security products against real-world internet threats. Seven products received the ADVANCED+ award for their effective protection and low false alarm rates. The complete test report is available for free at av-comparatives.org. The evaluated products included well-known security solutions such as Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Microsoft, Norton, and TotalAV. The test aimed to assess how well these products protect against various online threats, including malware embedded in trusted platforms.
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