How we test?
Buying the right security software is very important. To help you in your decision, we want to be clear about the way we select our top 5.
We analyse the leading antivirus software on protection, privacy and speed. Normally, we give protection a weight factor of 50% and privacy 30%.
However, as this comparison is dedicated to both antivirus and VPN technology, we give each a 40% weight factor. The remaining 20% go to the speed impact of the security software on your device.
Read on below to learn more about each factor.
Protection
In the protection category we analyse how good the various antivirus software are at keeping your device free from malware. Both from online and offline sources.
To do this, we analyse the test results by the German and Austrian independent test labs AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. Several times a year, they run the antivirus software through the following tests:
Real-World Protection Tests
In this test, antivirus software are exposed to web-based malware. This is done by visiting a URL known to spread viruses, worms, trojans and the like. When attempting to open the URL, the antivirus has its first opportunity to intervene by blocking access to it.
Should the URL not be blocked, the malware is allowed to execute. Here the antivirus has its second change to detect and block the malware, using either its signature or behavioural detection methods.
In case the antivirus does not block the URL or uncover the malware’s execution, it fails the test.
Malware Protection Tests
In this test, antivirus software are exposed to offline malware via USB input. After the USB has been introduced, the test labs run an on-demand scan. Here the antivirus has its first opportunity to detect the malware’s digital signature and prevent its execution.
Should it fail to do so, the malware samples are allowed to execute. This is the second opportunity for the antivirus software to stop the malware by using its behavioural detection features.
If the antivirus fails to detect and delete the malware, it fails the test.
Anti-Phishing Test
Phishing attacks are different from regular malware attacks. Malware attacks attempt to infect a PC and cause damage. Phishing attacks don’t work that way.
Instead, they attempt to trick the user into handing over sensitive data, such as credit card details. This is often done by leading users to a fraudulent website that looks like their PayPal or online bank account, and then requesting them to login.
The way to test an antivirus tool on its anti-phishing capabilities is simple: The test measures whether or not the antivirus software blocks websites and links that are known for phishing attacks. If it doesn’t, it fails the test.
Privacy
Security and privacy are the main concerns of the digital age. Until recently, these problems were solved by separate industries. Antivirus companies on the one hand, VPN providers on the other. Those days are gone.
In the privacy section we test each cybersecurity company for its ability to restore your anonymity online. The core feature in this regard is the VPN. But anti-trackers and webcam protection are also included.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN allows users encrypt their internet connection and hide their IP address, at the touch of a button. This turns their online browsing behaviour into unreadable gibberish for any governmental agency, hacker or internet service provider (ISP) attempting to take a sneak peak into their private lives.
Yet not all VPN are created equal. Free VPN are well known for using insecure technologies, and even for tracking and selling their users’ data, defeating the purpose of their existence. Sadly even some paid VPN fall into the “untrustworthy” bucket.
To help you navigate this web of deceit, we test, analyse and review all VPN according to the following criteria:
- Their impact on your upload and download speed, and latency (ping).
- Whether they work with streaming services (Netflix) and torrenting (P2P).
- The number of servers that are available and where these are located.
- The security features on offer such as AES-256, OpenVPN, and a kill switch.
- How much the VPN costs.
- Who the creator and owner of the VPN is, and what their logging policy is.
Especially the final point – the logging policy – is quite critical. Because let’s be honest, when was the last time you’ve read a company’s privacy policy? Probably never. And why would you? Shouldn’t you be able trust the company selling you a product? Especially a privacy product?
Luckily, most antivirus and VPN companies turn out to be stand-up firms that go out of their way to protect your privacy. But definitely not all – McAfee and Avast are terrible offenders.
So we’ve done the leg work for you and read the boring but important privacy policies. And rest assured, the reviews in this comparison highlight whenever any company is not worthy of your trust and hard earned cash.
Anti-Tracker
New in the antivirus space are Anti-Trackers. BitDefender was the first to introduce one in their 2021 product-line. Although there are several excellent anti-trackers available for free, it’s much better if an antivirus product becomes an all-in-one solution.
The purpose of anti-trackers are to block browser cookies. These are small pieces of code stored in your browser that help websites identify and remember you. Most are harmless, and many even beneficial, but some are responsible for those eerie ads that keep following you around the web.
Webcam security
Another novelty, introduced by both BitDefender and Norton, are webcam security features. These are dedicated tools that track whether legitimate apps or spyware request access to you webcam. If one does, you’ll be alerted and can choose to approve or deny this request.
Speed
Antivirus software operates silently in the background, keeping you safe from harm around the clock. This is a wonderful thing, of course. But it does come at a price. After all, all this safeguarding costs resources.
The manner in which antivirus hog resources varies quite a bit. Some will be hardly noticeable, where other can slow down essential processes by as much as 20%. Especially on older or cheaper devices.
The test labs, AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, have dedicated testing facilities to analyse this behaviour. They review an antivirus’ speed impact on things such as copying, downloading and archiving files, installing and launching applications, and browsing websites.
This done on both “low-end” (Intel i3 and 8GB of RAM) and “high-end” systems (Intel i7 and 16GB of RAM).
We use their test results, and our experience in working with the various antivirus, as the basis for the score in the speed section.
