Scanguard Antivirus Review (2023 Update): The Pros & Cons

Scanguard review: summary

Scanguard is ranked #25 out of 28 antivirus software.

Scanguard is a pure copy of TotalAV. Therefore, like TotalAV, it has below-average anti-malware scores. It averaged 5.25 out of 6 points over the last 10 tests, behind Microsoft Defender and Avira (its tech supplier).

Regarding bonus features, Scanguard includes a basic password manager, anti-phishing tools, and a VPN. But it lacks a firewall. Scanguard is a rather simplistic solution compared to the best in the industry. We recommend choosing Norton or Bitdefender instead.

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.

Scanguard antivirus review

Anti-malware

Scanguard is a pure copy of TotalAV and belongs to the same company.

Like TotalAV, Scanguard leverages Avira’s powerful antivirus engine for real-time malware defense and optional scanning, offering an impressive performance in our 2023 ratings.

Four scan types are available: a Quick scan assessing active processes and temporary files under 3 minutes; a comprehensive System scan; a Smart scan offering system performance enhancement suggestions; and a Custom scan targeting specific drives, files, or folders. These scans performed admirably in tests, identifying hidden threats efficiently.

Besides scanning, Scanguard provides real-time malware protection to prevent downloading or opening harmful files. Its defenses are comparable to top-rated antivirus offerings, although Norton and Bitdefender still outpace it with robust ransomware protection.

WebShield

WebShield, another Scanguard feature, safeguards against malicious and phishing sites, boasting additional utilities such as ad blocker and cache cleaner. Despite missing a few harmful sites during testing, WebShield effectively blocked most known dangerous and ‘Low Trust’ websites.

Password Vault

Scanguard’s Password Vault is a user-friendly password manager with satisfactory security, offering seamless integration with Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. Its ease of use and auto-fill feature are helpful, but the tool lacks extra features like two-factor authentication, making it less appealing than standalone alternatives like 1Password or Dashlane. The Password Vault is best suited for users needing basic password management.

System Tune-Up

Scanguard’s System Tune-Up tool offers various utilities to enhance device performance, including a Junk Cleaner, Duplicate File Finder, Application Uninstaller, Startup Manager, and Browser Cleanup.

While these tools effectively cleared unnecessary files and duplicates, they fall short of similar services like TotalAV, lacking features such as disk usage analyzers and performance boosters found in Norton and Avira.

VPN

Scanguard’s Safe Browsing VPN offers robust security for browsing and streaming, including industry-standard data encryption and a kill switch.

However, its server locations are fewer compared to premium VPNs like ExpressVPN, and it lacks optimized streaming servers. Despite good performance, the VPN is pricy, costing as much as premium alternatives with more features.

Ad Blocker

AdBlock Pro, another Scanguard add-on, effectively blocks ads and trackers. However, its paid status makes it less competitive compared to free ad blockers or VPNs with integrated ad blocking, like Private Internet Access.

Data Breach Checker

The Data Breach Checker, included with the Scanguard subscription, monitors the dark web for leaked login credentials, alerting users to potential breaches. While functional, it doesn’t match the advanced real-time scanning and immediate alerts offered by Norton’s dark web monitoring tools.

Plans

Scanguard offers a free plan, a premium Essential Antivirus plan, and several pricy add-ons such as a VPN and an ad blocker. The free plan covers the basics, like quick scans and anti-phishing tools but lacks crucial elements like real-time protection.

The premium plan, priced at €29.00/year, covers up to five devices and adds full system scanning, Data Breach Checker, Password Vault, and System Tune-Up. However, add-ons like the VPN and Advanced Scanning cost extra, quickly increasing overall expense.

Both monthly and annual subscribers to the premium plan have a 14-day and 30-day money-back guarantee, respectively. Despite this, Scanguard’s value proposition seems weak compared to competing antivirus services.

Products like Norton 360 Deluxe offer more comprehensive packages, including VPNs, advanced dark web monitoring, and performance optimization tools at lower costs.

Conclusion

Although Scanguard’s malware protection, powered by Avira’s engine, is effective, and its VPN maintained decent speeds across 40+ locations, its overall price-to-feature ratio underwhelms.

Its customer support was also unsatisfactory despite multiple communication channels. For better feature richness and value, alternatives like Norton and Bitdefender may be more appealing.

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