PC Protect Antivirus Review (2023 Update): The Pros & Cons

PC Protect review: summary

PC Protect is ranked #24 out of 28 antivirus software.

PC Protect is a pure copy of TotalAV. Therefore, like TotalAV, it has sub-par anti-malware scores. It averaged 5.25 out of 6 points over the last 10 tests. That is not a bad score. But it is below average and behind Microsoft Defender and Avira (its tech supplier).

Regarding bonus features, PC Protect includes a basic password manager, anti-phishing tools, and a VPN. But it lacks a firewall. PC Protect is a rather simplistic tool compared to many competitors. We would stick to one of the proven winners, like Norton or Bitdefender.

If you want the best protection, we recommend Norton.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus – The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Test score comparison

We’ve compared the 10 most recent test scores of all antivirus brands. The tests were performed by AV-Test, the German anti-malware test lab. They use three factors:

• Protection (1-6): Antivirus protection against malware attacks.
• Performance (1-6): System slowdown caused by the antivirus.
• Usability (1-6): Frequency of false alarms and disruptions.

We used their results, and this formula, to calculate the final score:

Final Score = 60% Protection + 20% Performance + 20% Usability.

Brands not listed in the table haven’t participated in the analysis by AV-Test. This is usually not a good sign. Because most reputable brands, except Panda, ESET, and Sophos, partake in the test.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus – The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

PC Protect antivirus review

PCProtect is a copy of TotalAV, belonging to the same company. It offers competent antivirus features with a 98% malware detection rate. It uses Avira’s renowned antivirus engine, providing robust real-time malware detection and various scan types. However, compared to TotalAV, its web protection, VPN, and customer support fall short.

Anti-Malware

It provides four types of scans, from system-wide to targeted scans, and even a smart scan for system tune-up and web protection issues. It performs slightly slower than rivals like Bitdefender but proves effective, blocking every malware file attempted for download.

WebShield

Despite using the same underlying technology as TotalAV, PCProtect’s WebShield, a tool for blocking malicious websites, performs poorly. Its database hasn’t been updated since 2019, making it less effective in blocking unsafe sites. Comparatively, TotalAV’s Webshield, which is regularly updated, offers superior protection.

VPN

PCProtect’s VPN, though not as quick as standalone VPNs like ExpressVPN, offers secure browsing and supports torrenting with strong 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch. While it has servers in 40 countries, the network lacks enough representation in Asia, offering only Japan. Unfortunately, most streaming services block access when using PCProtect’s VPN.

Passport Vault

PCProtect’s Password Vault, a simplistic password manager, secures your credentials effectively but could benefit from additional features such as password auditing and dark web monitoring tools that competitors provide.

System Tune-up

System tune-up tools are abundant and effective, optimizing performance and cleaning up your system, albeit missing out on more complex features like resource allocation tools found in Norton’s Game Booster.

Additional Features

PCProtect also offers add-on features including an ad blocker, data breach checker, and an antivirus eBook. However, these features aren’t unique, and free alternatives are readily available.

Conclusion

PCProtect, an antivirus with several additional features, is laudable but falls behind its brother TotalAV. Despite a solid antivirus engine boasting a 99% malware detection, efficient VPN for web browsing and torrenting, a basic password manager, and system tune-up tools, its WebShield and streaming accessibility lag behind.

Its VPN, while secure with 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch, unfortunately doesn’t bypass geo-restrictions on popular streaming platforms. WebShield, for online security, fails to block as many unsafe sites as TotalAV’s version.

Overall, despite a couple of limitations, PCProtect still holds its ground as a user-friendly and secure antivirus program in 2023. However, TotalAV, a similarly priced yet more robust tool, is a more favorable choice.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus – The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

How do we test antivirus software?

The best antivirus software offer virus protection, identity theft protection, and privacy protection for Windows, macOS, and Android. Some also offer security features for iOS and Linus.

To evaluate which providers are worth your money, we run 11 tests:

> Test 1: Anti-malware protection test

We analyze antivirus software’s capability to detect and eliminate known and unknown malware, using heuristic analysis for behavior monitoring.

We conduct in-house tests and analyze those from labs like AV-Test, SE Labs, and AV-Comparatives to determine the best malware protection.

Malware includes adware, keyloggers, ransomware, rootkits, spyware, trojans, viruses, worms, and more. Other cyber threats, usually not classified as malware, are (zero-day) exploits, hacks, identity theft, phishing attacks, scams, and social engineering.

> Test 2: False positives test

False positives occur when antivirus software misidentifies legitimate software, files, or websites as malicious. We rely on AV-Test’s large-scale analysis of false positives in its usability test to guide our evaluations.

> Test 3: System performance test

We measure the CPU load during antivirus software system scans and consider AV-Test’s performance results on the slowdown caused by antivirus software when opening websites and handling software.

> Test 4: Firewall test

We evaluate two-way firewalls that filter incoming and outgoing data and allow users to set rules to regulate data streams. We use the ShieldsUP! test to determine if the antivirus software blocks all ports.

> Test 5: Password manager test

We assess password managers’ ability to create, store, and autofill secure passwords, as well as additional features like two-factor authentication and biometric login.

> Test 6: Virtual Private Network (VPN) test

We evaluate built-in VPNs on their security, privacy, speed, compatibility with streaming services, unlimited data access, and support for peer-to-peer networks and torrent clients.

> Test 7: Parental control test

We examine parental control features, such as screen time rules, website/app blocking, and real-world location tracking. We test these features on a device and attempt to circumvent them, checking if the activity is accurately reported in the parental control admin.

> Test 8: Anti-phishing protection test

We evaluate antivirus browser extensions that block phishing sites by installing them and attempting to visit dangerous URLs.

> Test 9: Ransomware protection test

We assess security suites’ ability to prevent data encryption through exploit prevention and behavioral detection during ransomware attacks.

> Test 10: Bonus features test

We test any additional cybersecurity tools such as:

• Ad Blocker
• Anti-theft
• Dark web monitoring (identity protection)
• Email protection
• File encryption
• File shredder
• Gaming mode
• Microphone protection
• PC maintenance features
• Secure browser (hardened browser to protect your online banking)
• Secure cloud storage (cloud backup)
• Spam filter
• Startup optimizer
• Tune up tools
• Virtual keyboard
• Webcam protection

> Test 11: Operating system and multiple devices test

Operating system and multiple devices: We test antivirus software on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices and award bonus points for unlimited device protection.

> Test 12: Ownership and reputation test

We analyze the trustworthiness of antivirus companies, especially concerning customer data. We read press releases, news articles, and privacy policies to determine their reputation.

Sources and tools

Below are the sources and tools we’ve used to test the antivirus software:

• Apple Platform Security
• AV-Comparatives Consumer
• AV-Test Android
• AV-Test macOS
• AV-Test Windows
• GRC Firewall Test
• Microsoft Defender
• SpeedTest VPN
• Trustpilot Security Software