Formerly known as Webroot SecureAnywhere, now simply Webroot, used to have AntiVirus Basic, Internet Security Plus, and Webroot Complete plans, which were replaced by Essentials, Premium, and Total Protection packages, each supporting different numbers of devices and features, as well as featuring family plans.

Despite the name change, at their core remains a curious little green-toned Windows and Mac app (which turns to angry red if it encounters a threat), as well as Android and iOS support, that takes an unconventional approach to malware hunting.

Specifically, other suites have a heavy focus on detecting known malware, typically requiring a bunch of background processes and regular downloads of signature definitions, whereas Webroot spends most of its time on smart behavior monitoring to allow it to detect the latest threats as soon as they emerge.

This allows it to be amazingly compact, with the 15MB on our test computer versus 1GB and more for many suites out there. And because it’s not checking every possible file for known threats the scans are completed in a matter of seconds.

Despite its small size, Webroot still manages a lengthy feature list, including antivirus, real-time anti-phishing, an extra anti-ransomware layer, a simple firewall, network monitor, system optimization, a password manager, unlimited cloud backup, and even a VPN with its top package.

Its identity protection feature includes a set of tools designed to prevent websites and malware from accessing your data. There’s protection from keyloggers, dubious browser add-ons, cookie and website data stealing, unauthorized screen grabbers, you name it, Webroot’s got it.

The interface reports statistics about recent scans and a button to launch an on-demand scan. A panel at the right-hand side provides access to the stack’s other security features and more.

• You can sign up for Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus here

Plans and pricing

Webroot Essentials offers antivirus, anti-malware, browser protection, anti-phishing, and password manager, while covering one, three, five, or 10 PCs, Macs, smartphones, Chromebooks, or tablets at the same time, starting at $37.49 for the first year, renewing at $49.99 per year, for one device.

Next is Webroot Premium which includes everything from Essentials and throws in a system optimizer and identity protection. It can protect five devices and one identity for an individual account, or families with 10 devices and 10 identities. Plus, you’ll get up to $1 million in fraud expenses and stolen funds reimbursement. Its pricing begins at $77.99 for the opening year, renewing at $129.99.

Finally, Webroot Total Protection throws in everything that’s in Premium, while adding a secure VPN, parental controls, as well as automated cloud backup and restore with unlimited storage for one device. Its coverage is the same as that of Webroot Premium, and it’s priced at $89.99 in the first 12 months, renewing at $179.99.

There’s also a 14-day free trial that doesn’t involve you handing over your payment details, so there are no traps here.

Setup

Installing Webroot is quite straightforward and speedy, which is no surprise considering that the package is so lightweight that there’s almost nothing to do. Webroot can run happily alongside most other antivirus apps as well, with none of the usual conflicts or hassles.

As part of getting started with Webroot, you’ll need to set up an online profile, password included. The platform demands a highly robust password and signing in requires that you successfully perform the traditional CAPTCHA testing.

After setup is complete, Webroot launches, runs an initial system scan, and begins actively monitoring your system. Now you can also run your own system scan, which took under a minute on our test PC but still managed to find a couple of items that other antivirus products typically ignore. The app allows you to review or deal with any findings in a click or two and proceed to leave Webroot protecting your device.

Whatever you’re doing, you won’t even notice Webroot doing its thing, as it doesn’t have any real impact on your system resources. In fact, it only added two background processes - one user application and one service, which usually consumed under 10MB of RAM, just about as undemanding as an antivirus can be.

You can also examine your protected devices from Webroot’s browser console and make sure their protective shields are active. Here you can also access your subscriptions and renew them if needed.

Antivirus

Webroot has a bit more cluttered interface than some of its competitors, featuring panels, icons, switches, tiny buttons, and plenty of text, but it is all neatly organized and decently straightforward, so it doesn’t impact user experience drastically.

The app starts protecting you immediately as it’s installed and the Scan My Computer button is pretty prominent, making it clear what you need to do from the get-go.

That said, locating other features can be a bit more tricky. For instance, there are multiple scan types, including Quick (RAM only), Full (local hard drives), Deep (searching for rootkits, Trojans, and more), and Custom (scanning specific files or folders), but you wouldn’t know it as they’re buried in the interface.

You’ll need to click on the little cog icon next to PC Security > Scan & Shields > Custom Scan to see what’s on offer.

Webroot will also add a right-click option to scan any file or folder in the Explorer (‘Scan with Webroot’) and you’ll be able to have the antivirus check them out even as another scan is already in progress.

That said, whichever scan you choose, you can be sure it’ll be speedy in the extreme. The Quick Scan lives up to its name, completing in a matter of seconds. The intensive Deep Scan won’t take much of your time either - taking a little under three minutes, and the rest were somewhere in between.

Features

Webroot’s URL filtering comes in the form of the Web Threat Shield browser extension that the app installs automatically on your default browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox). It features browser annotations (showing the reputation of the site you’re visiting), search annotations (reputation of pages in your search results), and real-time protection from malicious sites, including those with phishing tools.

When it comes to the latter (phishing websites that try to trick you into revealing your login credentials so they can get access to your bank account, online shopping account, or social media profiles), Webroot also does a pretty good job with its Phishing Shield, which you can turn on and off in its Settings.

The program also offers what Webroot calls a firewall, but it doesn’t have much configurability we see with some of the competition. Instead, it does most of the heavy lifting by itself, looking out for new and untrusted processes connecting to the internet, alerting you about new connections made by untrusted applications, and asking you to approve or deny them.

Running apps are categorized into good, bad, and unknown and the firewall fortifies itself when Webroot identifies an active infection, asking for permission to run unknown programs while leaving regular activities like web browsing to continue uninterrupted. When there’s no current emergency, it doesn’t interfere with programs trying to access the network.

Experts won’t be impressed by the lack of control and it doesn’t put your system’s ports in stealth mode (leaving it up for the Windows Firewall to deal with, which it does), with all the apps present before installing Webroot considered trusted by default. However, otherwise, this is a welcome and unusual addition to any antivirus package.

All packages also feature a password manager courtesy of top-of-the-line LastPass, with all of its expected features, although its security track record hasn’t done it a service (we’re talking about the 2022 breach that is still wreaking havoc across the board).

Then there’s the SafeStart Sandbox that experts will appreciate and that we didn’t expect Webroot to have. Specifically, if you’re an avid antivirus researcher, you can use this feature to run dubious programs in an isolated environment under detailed customizable limitations, making it impossible for them to modify your system.

The Antimalware Tools dialog provides a utility to remove suspect programs manually, along with their associated Registry entries. While it’s not a full uninstaller, it could be handy and isn’t something we’ve seen from other vendors.

Here, you can also access convenient system repair features to fix the damage left behind after malware remediation, which includes an option to ‘Set system policies to defaults,’ fixing Task Manager, Regedit, or another imposed policy-type restriction with a click. You can also reboot the device into Safe Mode, deal with malware-modified desktop background, or reset your screensaver.

Upgrade to the Premium plan, and you’re getting a handy system optimizer tool in the Utilities section of the main window and in settings that let you select data to clean up whenever it runs, either on-demand or on a schedule. The scheduler may run on a daily or weekly basis, or at a regular interval, up to every 24 hours.

The Optimizer can also quickly wipe out useless files, freeing up the space previously occupied by them, but there’s no preview of what it plans to delete, nor do you get a report upon completion. However, you can see a blow-by-blow list of things it removed by going to the platform’s settings and System Optimizer and pressing the View Log button at the bottom right.

That said, don’t worry, it’s only temporary files and the Recycle Bin. More advanced users can configure the Optimizer to erase other types of data, like login history, storage folder for files burned to CD or DVD, and memory dump files.

On top of that, Premium also adds automatic deletion of your web activities, while Total Protection throws in an online backup service with unlimited secure storage for one PC or Mac (courtesy of Carbonite - OpenText owns both Webroot and Carbonite).

Protection

In terms of independent testing, neither AV-Comparatives nor AV-Tests have covered Webroot for years due to incompatibility, like Webroot’s prohibition of sending personal data to the internet and keeping a journal of reversible actions while awaiting a verdict from Webroot’s cloud analysis system.

We had more luck with SE Labs, which includes Webroot in its Home Protection tests.

Specifically, during the SE Labs’ Q4 2024 Home Protection test, Webroot rated eighth, with a Total Accuracy Rating of 97% and the top AAA award from SE Labs. However, it ranked lower than Avast Free Antivirus, Kaspersky Premium, McAfee Total Protection, Norton LifeLock Norton360, and Sophos Home Premium, which all scored 100%, as well as Panda Dome with 99% and Microsoft Defender at 98%.

Curious about what Webroot has been doing to protect your system while you weren’t looking? The Reports tab in its Settings allows you to check its current and historical activity. This is handy if technical support asks for available scan or threat logs. Also, if there’s a file you’re suspicious of, you can submit it to Webroot’s research team to have a closer look.

Anti-ransomware

Webroot also features handy built-in anti-ransomware capabilities and may even roll back the effects of encrypting ransomware in some cases (though not malware that encrypts or wipes the whole drive). That is, if it even manages to get past all the other layers of protection. That said, this comes with a disclaimer - the company itself warns that the success depends on available drive space.

Final verdict

Webroot is an exceptionally lightweight antivirus with accurate URL blocking and powerful bonus features, but test results show it may not be as accurate as the top players in the antivirus field. Still, it runs surprisingly easily alongside other antivirus products, perhaps allowing you to run it alongside Microsoft Defender, which would do a great job of keeping you safe.

We've also highlighted the best antivirus

RoboForm is one of the best password managers, first released in 2000. In 2009, it introduced a dedicated Enterprise version for business users. It offers a rich and complex set of features that compete well with other premium password managers. It was relaunched as a software-as-a-solution (SaaS) solution, named RoboForm for Business, in 2015.

Security is a top priority, with military-grade encryption, flawless security records, and other features enhancing its offering. After trying RoboForm, you may want to check our list of the best business password managers to explore alternatives.

RoboForm ensures that your passwords are always synced and accessible, regardless of whether you’re using Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android. This simple yet powerful tool makes managing passwords easy for both beginners and tech-savvy users. With industry-standard encryption protocols, RoboForm secures your data against unauthorized access, ensuring that only you can unlock your vault.

Roboform: Plans and pricing

RoboForm offers a range of options for individual, family, and business users, providing secure and easy-to-manage password protection for personal online activity.

The free version is ideal for new users and includes many features other companies usually charge for. These include unlimited logins, the ability to fill out web forms, a password audit, and two-factor authentication (2FA).

For personal use, the RoboForm Premium plan offers additional features at a competitive price point. It includes all the free version features plus cloud backup, sync across all devices, secure shared folder, web access, and priority 24/7 support. The RoboForm Premium plan is available for as little as $1.66 monthly.

RoboForm Family is designed for households with multiple users and includes all the features of RoboForm Premium for up to five members in a single package. The family plan is priced at $2.66 per month.

For businesses and teams, RoboForm offers plans that cater to the unique needs of companies, including centralized employee onboarding, secure group sharing, role-based permissions, Active Directory integration, advanced reporting, and dedicated technical support. RoboForm for Business operates on a per-user pricing model, with costs starting at $3.33/user/year.

For larger organizations, there’s also an Enterprise edition that offers customized, volume-based pricing, and a self-host option for installations that have over a thousand users.

Roboform: Setup

Setting up RoboForm for businesses is a straightforward process that ensures a smooth transition and minimal workflow disruption.

The journey to heightened security begins with setting up RoboForm on your company's workstations and devices. RoboForm’s installation process is user-friendly and straightforward, requiring RoboForm's time and technical knowledge. Administrators can quickly deploy the RoboForm business solution across multiple devices using standard deployment methods such as MSI installers or management platforms compatible with your IT infrastructure.

Once installed, RoboForm's administrative console becomes the command center for overseeing the use of RoboForms and permissions. Here, you'll initiate onboarding employees by creating new RoboForm accounts or integrating existing ones. The centralized control ensures all users adhere to the company's security policies, streamlining the management process and maintaining the board.

RoboForm enables administrators to enforce robust security policies, such as mandatory Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and strict password generation rules. You can assign role-based permissions, ensuring that employees have access only to the credentials and passwords relevant to their role within the organization.

One of RoboForm's key benefits for businesses is the ability to securely share login credentials and other sensitive information within the company. Efficient sharing mechanisms, such as creating shared folders, allow teams to collaborate without compromising security, increasing productivity without risking data breaches.

To maximize RoboForm’s benefits, staff should be encouraged through organized training sessions to understand cyber hygiene and the practical usage of the password manager. User buy-in is crucial, and straightforward tutorials will help employees become comfortable and proficient in using RoboForm's features, leading to a smoother transition and better compliance.

With RoboForm for Business, you're backed by robust technical support tailored to handle any questions or issues arising during and after implementation. Continuous updates and a dedication to customer service mean your business can rely on uninterrupted service and state-of-the-art security features, ensuring your password management system remains at the cutting edge.

By following these steps, your business will implement a reliable and effective password management system that strengthens your cyber defenses and enhances operational efficiency. RoboForm’s commitment to security and user experience makes it a wise choice for RoboForm's aim to protect its digital assets and streamline password management processes.

Roboform: Interface and performance

RoboForm includes features such as a password generator for creating strong and unique passwords of sufficient length and complexity, one-click login, cross-platform password syncing, and offline access. This feature has been further strengthened with the addition of a passphrase option that can add random words, not only a string of random characters. It can also auto-fill data fields for time savings on sites that need long web forms completed. As of January 2023, the company also added the much-anticipated 2FA generator into the experience so there’s no need for users to rely on third-party apps to generate codes.

We also love RoboForm’s integration of folders, enabling users to organize passwords in whatever way is most useful to them. For example, you can easily create separate folders for work-related passwords and personal passwords.

The app itself, in our experience, lacks the intuitiveness of some other offerings on the market but is more of a personal preference based on the numerous password managers tested. However, we did find ourselves digging around for options and trying to figure out how to best navigate the app. With time, the usage does get easier as you figure out where things that you use all the time are located.

We tested the RoboForm app on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, and were impressed by the speed of syncing. Although we had to conduct a manual sync, it took less than three seconds for data uploaded on the mobile app to appear on our desktop device. You can also enable automatic syncing.

Another strength of RoboForm is the high degree of account control. Users can make loads of customizations to security protocols and account settings when using the desktop or mobile apps. These advanced controls are one of the reasons RoboForm is one of our favorite password management solutions for businesses.

It’s worth mentioning that, unlike some of its rivals, this is purely a password manager. Other companies tend to bundle in some additional functionalities, or offer more services as a company, which makes RoboForm look a little bit expensive in comparison. For example, there’s no VPN service so you’ll either have to pay extra for one of those or go for a password manager that has one.

Companies that constantly evolve their offering are usually the ones that tend to be near and dear to users' hearts. RoboForm takes this seriously with another recent addition, where the app now supports passkeys, allowing users to store, autofill, and securely share passkeys in RoboForm. Passwordless logins have become increasingly popular, though the initial pick-up was slower than expected. With competitors also having the passkey option available, it is nice to see that RoboForm listens to the users and the market while adding new features to strengthen its offering.

Roboform: Security

As with any password management solution, a top-notch security framework is integral. Luckily, RoboForm doesn’t disappoint. As a standard, all data stored on RoboForm’s platform is encrypted end-to-end with AES 256-bit encryption. 2FA is also available for all businesses, further enhances data security, and supports third-party authentication apps.

Moreover, there’s an entire page on the company’s site dedicated to exposing the security measures and features, which is a major green flag for us. Companies that are open about how they operate inspire confidence, and subject themselves to more scrutiny.

RoboForm Business: Team and Admin Features

RoboForm Business gives admins adequate control over password management. Like its peers, it offers a centralized admin console to help you with all tasks from user onboarding, and single sign-on (SSO) integration, to access control, and password policy enforcement. You can also use it to monitor user activity, track weak passwords, manage groups, and view reports.

One of RoboForm's key benefits for businesses is the ability to securely share login credentials and other sensitive information within the company. You can use the admin interface to organize users into teams, or departments, like Sales, Engineering, Finance, and such. You can also create shared folders that are accessible only to designated groups, which is ideal for sharing team/department-wide credentials.

RoboForm Business enables you to assign permissions at both the folder and individual credential level. You can assign role-based permissions, ensuring that employees have access only to the credentials and passwords relevant to their role within the organization. Employees can either have full access to view and edit the credentials, or just limited access to only use the credentials, and not view them.

RoboForm enables administrators to enforce robust security policies, such as mandatory 2FA and strict password generation rules. By default, RoboForm also doesn’t allow users to export their data. You can also further tighten the screws by restricting access based on device type.

For example, if you don’t have any Mac users in your organization, you can ensure no one can connect to the server from that OS even if they try logging in with the right credentials.

You can also log off users forcibly after a defined period of inactivity. Similarly, you can log them out when they switch to a different Windows user, or lock their computers.

The admin interface also has adequate monitoring and reporting options. You can use it to monitor password health, get breach alerts, and generate detailed activity reports that track events like login attempts, credential changes, password sharing activity, and more. These can also be exported for internal audits or for compliance checks in SOC 2, HIPAA, or GDPR-aligned environments.

RoboForm Business: Integrations and Compatibility

You can integrate RoboForm Business with various essential business platforms and tools.

In addition to SAML-based SSO, RoboForm also integrates with popular identity providers (IdPs) for SCIM provisioning. You can plug the platform with Okta, OneLogin, and Microsoft Entra ID to automate user account provisioning and management.

RoboForm also offers an Active Directory (AD) Connector that you install on a local on-premise Windows server. Once installed it enables you to sync your AD users and groups to your RoboForm Business account. This will help you provision, suspend, and remove user accounts based on their AD membership status.

While not essential for everyone, these integrations are essential for organizations that use IdPs and AD, as they help ease the onboarding process, and ensure employee access aligns with their organizational status.

As we’ve already mentioned, RoboForm offers clients and apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, with browser extensions for the best web browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera.

While there is no desktop app for Linux, RoboForm rather offers Chrome and Firefox extensions for Linux users. Even Chromebook users are offered a Chrome extension instead of a native client.

RoboForm Business: Ease of Use and Deployment

The RoboForm for Business admin console is well laid out and intuitive to navigate, which makes it fairly approachable even for first time users. It lists key functions on the left side of the screen, some of which, such as Users, Groups, and Data, display detailed information in sortable tables on the right.

On the dashboard you get a snapshot of the number of active users, and groups, shared folders, an overall company security score, and other useful information. The security score (higher the better), available for the entire company, individual groups, and individual users, is computed based on the strength of a user’s password.

The dashboard also offers buttons to add users, groups, data, such as logins, and folders, and more. As an admin you can either add users manually, in bulk via CSV, or through automated provisioning, via SCIM or AD.

Once invited, users receive email invites with easy to follow setup instructions that’ll help them setup a master password, import existing credentials, and install the browser extension.

As we’ve said, RoboForm offers clients, apps, and extensions for all popular desktop and mobile platforms, which makes it fairly simple to roll it out in diverse environments, while ensuring consistent use. RoboForm also offers MSI installers that can quickly deploy the client app to all users in an organization by creating a Group Policy Object (GPO) in AD.

The process for creating and managing user groups is intuitive as well. You can easily add users to groups, review its data, get an overview of its security score, tweak its settings, take a backup of its data, and more.

Defining security policies is just as straightforward. They are broken into three broad categories, namely Security & Access, RoboForm Data, and User Settings. Just scroll through the settings listed within each, and toggle the ones you want to enable. In addition to company-wide policies, you can also define separate policies for the different groups.

The Reports section gives useful insights about the users and groups. For instance, it helps break down users by their security score, helping you identify users that use weak passwords.

Roboform: Support

RoboForm has a detailed manual for its desktop users. You can also look for quick solutions to common issues in the Help Center, which also has a separate section for RoboForm Business. While that platform doesn’t offer a forum board to ask questions, you do get the option to raise a support ticket.

RoboForm provides superior customer support for its subscribers and business customers. IT administrators or employees can contact the RoboForm team either via their online support system or by phone during business hours, 9AM to 5 PM EST.

Roboform: The competition

Although RoboForm is close to best in class, it still faces competition from some of its competitors. LastPass, often considered the top provider, offers advanced administrator controls and centralized account management comparable to RoboForm’s platform.

Small and medium-sized businesses can also look at comparable options such as RememBear, Sticky Password, NordPass or Dashlane.

If security is of great important to you, you may want to consider the recently launched Proton Pass, or if you want to take it a step further, Bitwarden users can opt for self-hosting to keep their data in a location they know and trust, even behind a firewall or proxy, which is a really exciting option that isn’t typically seen in password management, and beyond.

Roboform: Final verdict

RoboForm is an exceptional password management app that offers top-notch security features and a user-friendly interface. It competes with the best in its class and is particularly cost-effective, with a range of plans to suit different needs. For individual users seeking a secure online experience without unnecessary complexities, the free version of RoboForm is a perfect fit.

In terms of security, RoboForm ensures data protection with 256-bit AES encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), and secure vaults. The recent successful completion of a thorough security audit and penetration test by a third party demonstrates the company's commitment to maintaining high security standards. Additionally, RoboForm has a clean track record with no reported breaches, reaffirming its reliability in safeguarding sensitive data.

The company provides reliable customer support and consistently updates the app with new features, such as support for passkeys, an improved TOTP authenticator, and enhanced password change history. Regular communication through their blog and FAQs ensures users are well-informed about updates and improvements. While not the absolute best option available, RoboForm certainly offers competitive features that rival even premium offerings in the market.

What to look for in a password manager

In the era of increasing digital threats, the importance of robust cybersecurity practices cannot be overstated. Central to these practices is password management, which can significantly enhance a company's data security posture. However, with numerous options available, deciding on the right password manager for your business can be daunting. It requires careful consideration of several critical factors to ensure that the chosen solution protects your digital assets and aligns with your business processes.

Security Features: A password manager's primary purpose is to secure sensitive data. Look for advanced encryption standards, such as AES-256, which is the cornerstone of robust security. Two-factor authentication (2FA) or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) capabilities are essential, adding an additional layer of security beyond just the master password. The ability to audit password health and enforce strong password policies across your organization is also vital, ensuring that all users adhere to best practices in password security.

User Management and Access Control: The ability to easily manage user access is crucial for businesses. The ideal password manager should offer granular access controls and user permissions, allowing administrators to define what employees can view or edit. Role-based access enhances operational efficiency by ensuring employees have the proper access for their roles, reducing the risk of internal data breaches.

Integration and Compatibility: Operational harmony requires seamless integration with your existing IT infrastructure and compatibility with a wide range of devices and platforms. The chosen password manager should work across different operating systems and integrate well with other tools your business uses, such as directory services for automating user provisioning and de-provisioning.

Ease of Use: Adopting across the company may be challenging if the password manager isn't user-friendly. The solution should offer an intuitive interface and straightforward functionalities that do not disrupt employees' workflows. Features like autofill and auto-login can significantly enhance productivity, reducing the friction of adopting new security measures.

Scalability: As your business grows, so do your password management needs. The selected password manager must be scalable, accommodating an increasing number of users and storing a growing volume of sensitive information without degradation in performance or security.

Cost Effectiveness: While cost should not be the primary factor in choosing a password manager, it's undeniably essential. Evaluate the password manager's pricing structure against the features and security it offers. Consider the return on investment, focusing on how much potential downtime and data breaches could cost your company in comparison to the password manager's subscription fee.

Customer Support and Training: Reliable customer support and access to extensive training materials are invaluable. Responsive technical support ensures that any issues can be promptly addressed, minimizing potential disruptions. Training resources like tutorials and webinars can facilitate smoother onboarding and ongoing use.

Selecting the right password manager is a critical decision that can significantly impact your company's security posture and operational efficiency. By carefully evaluating each password manager against these criteria, companies can make an informed choice that best fits their unique needs, ensuring the protection of their digital assets and the productivity of their teams.

We've listed the best password recovery software.

For almost 20 years, Malwarebytes has been the top malware removal tool for many hoping to clean their device from various nasties. In the last few years, the company has extended its offering to include antivirus software, making Malwarebytes more effective at protecting against all kinds of present and future threats. With a few advanced features and some additional privacy tools, the package looks convincing, to say the least.

But looks aren’t everything, as they say - which is why a deeper look is highly warranted.

First up is Malwarebytes Free, the basic malware removal offering we recommend for infections already cozied up in your computer. That’s about all it does, though it certainly has enough merit to find itself on all your devices.

Moving on to paid subscriptions, within ‘Malwarebytes Premium Security’ offerings (a bit confusing, I know), Malwarebytes Standard gets you an upgrade in the form of AI-powered antivirus defenses, including real-time protection against robocalls, phishing, and the like. It covers up to 20 devices.

Malwarebytes Plus ups the ante and throws in a virtual private network (VPN) for the same maximum number of devices. A VPN shields your online movements so they can't be tracked or traced back to you.

I’d be remiss not to mention Malwarebytes Total as an option geared towards those who want an encompassing security solution that comes with identity theft protection - and a hefty price tag that makes the package too far off for the purposes of this review.

So, how good is Malwarebytes in safeguarding you from the ever-present online dangers? We took the software for a spin and set it side by side with its AV peers to see how well it performs. We also looked at independent antivirus test labs to see their findings and compared them with our data. Keep on reading to learn if Malwarebytes is right for you.

Plans and pricing

With no cost of use, it’s important to think about potential consequences. Basically, you're left open to attacks since Malwarebytes Free is limited to malware removal. As such, it’s good enough to dispose of unwanted software that is currently on your machine(s).

On the other hand, Malwarebytes Standard starts at $44.99/yr for a single device. For 35 bucks more, you can extend the protection to five devices in total. You get real-time protection against the broad -ware spectrum, along with the ad and scam blocker extension called Browser Guard for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

If you fancy more privacy for your online activities, Malwarebytes Plus comes in at $59.99 per year for one device or $99.99 for five. The difference in pricing is solely due to unlimited access to a no-logs VPN.

Compare Malwarebytes Subscriptions

Malwarebytes Free

The sad reality is that some antivirus programs fail to detect current malware infections. Typically at this point, most users turn to Malwarebytes for help. The caveat here is that this is a malware removal tool, not full-fledged AV software. It employs uninstall protections to both install itself onto your device and prevent whatever is plaguing your machine from blocking its use. And it finds and removes malware with great success, mind you.

When you first install Malwarebytes (and it scans and cleans your computer), you’re given a two-week trial of paid features. These include 24/7 threat protection, automatic scanning, and a Trusted Advisor responsible for instant insights into your security status and recommendations to optimize both protection and device performance.

Besides doing it manually, you can set the program to conduct a scan of your device every few days. If you forget, a little message will pop up to remind you how long it’s been since your last malware scan. Malwarebytes is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.

Mobile apps

The free Android offering works on the same basis as its desktop version. Correspondingly, you get alerts on SMS phishing links and a small perk in Privacy Checker that shows which apps can access your information. This is a standard feature you’ll find in other apps, but it’s nice to have it nonetheless.

It’s pretty much the same thing with the free iOS app, supported by ad blocking for Safari and automatic filtering of fraudulent texts. Do note that the malware scanner isn’t available on iOS due to the nature of Apple’s operating system - though risks of getting infected are low, to begin with.

Final verdict

Malwarebytes provides decent help in combating online dangers. It’s far from a great AV and you won’t get the best protection, but then again, it won’t cost you a penny either. When paired with real-time protection from Windows Defender (or something similar), Malwarebytes offers a relatively safe haven with its malware-busting mechanism, so that counts for something.

Malwarebytes Standard

The best part of using Malwarebytes Standard is access to top-of-the-range malware removal and immediate AV protection. This means security against exploits, ransomware, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), as well as Brute Force Protection that kicks in when someone tries to guess your login information.

You can tinker with rules for specific apps and programs, schedule scans at the most convenient times, and configure the tool’s MO when playing games or streaming movies.

The question now is - does this combo of malware removal and antivirus work as advertised? Here’s what we found.

Protection

For reasons unknown, Malwarebytes has a habit of not allowing most third-party test labs like AV-Comparatives and AV-Test (last results are from 2023) to regularly evaluate its software. When you do find fresh independent data (like on AVLab), it’s almost always only the Windows version, so there isn't any info on how it protects Mac users.

The mishmash of historical and recent data from independent labs and our testing shows that Malwarebytes is fairly average in blocking a fair share of threats. This is likely due to the company’s decision to rely on user feedback running its apps. It collects information on the threats and builds its own database, as opposed to tapping into the same threat databases as other antivirus software.

Our first test involved specially designed apps of our own creation to simulate malware that exploits common Windows tools to create processes, download malicious files, and behave in a suspect way. Malwarebytes ignored the behavior and allowed the files to download. It blocked them all on launch or when they were ready to open, keeping us safe.

While that's good, other programs are more cautious. For example, Trend Micro spotted our test app's dodgy-looking actions and closed their processes before they could download anything. Bitdefender also recognized some of the behavior and stopped the potential threats in their tracks before having a chance to download. In both cases, if anything was missed, malicious files were still spotted either during download or shortly afterward and removed before the malware could do its bidding.

As a second, more high-stakes test, we pitted Malwarebytes against a simple ransomware simulator, once again made by our team. The idea was to throw at its behavior monitoring something it hadn’t seen before and check if it could detect the threat.

Sadly, Malwarebytes sat idly by as our simulator encrypted thousands of test documents.

Other vendors fared far better on our test. Trend Micro and Bitdefender not only spotted our simulator by its actions alone, but they also killed the process and recovered the handful of lost files, ensuring we didn't lose a byte of data.

We normally don't treat failing this test as a major black mark since it’s a single sample and not even real malware. As such, it would be unfair to draw big conclusions from so little data.

That said, the poor results broadly match the sentiment of independent labs and other testers: Malwarebytes simply doesn't deliver the protection you'll get elsewhere, and that has to be a concern.

Performance

In terms of user-friendliness, Malwarebytes does well. It runs in the background and protects you immediately, with everything turned on and ready to go right out of the proverbial box.

A simple double-click on the Malwarebytes icon and another click on the Scan button will run an on-demand scan. The process is very straightforward so that even newbies will feel at home right away.

The main Scan feature swiftly checks memory, startup items, and key areas of your file system. It made sensible choices on our test system, examining enough areas to be useful but not so many that we were kept waiting for results. If you're in a real hurry, a Quick Scan checks RAM and startup objects blazingly fast.

With the Custom Scan option, you can choose items you'd like checked, including specific files and folders. It provides a bit more control over the entire process, including what to do with PUPs. It's a welcome touch, albeit not at the level of control you'll see with more geek-friendly products from Avast, Avira, and others.

You're able to scan files, folders, or drives from the right-click Explorer menu. The Windows client can't handle simultaneous on-demand scans, which isn't a huge issue by any means. Malwarebytes' algorithms still pick up threats as they appear, even if another scan is running - but it's a hassle you don't get with the best AV solutions.

Extra features

If you're hoping for a pile of bonus features and additional stuff, you're out of luck. There's no specialist banking protection here, no password manager, and all that jazz you might get with some of Malwarebytes’ peers. Truth be told, this focus on the fundamentals keeps the tool undemanding to use, so if you can live without all the bells and whistles, you’ll likely appreciate the simplicity and lack of clutter.

Final verdict

While Malwarebytes Premium Security has enough charm and wits to make your PC a little safer, it falls short of being a complete antivirus replacement. Its protection score isn’t all that great as it misses a little bit of this and that here and there, but it certainly passes off as a capable AV solution for basic users and needs.

Malwarebytes Plus

In case you want to beef up your protection and privacy, Malwarebytes Plus adds the company's VPN product, Privacy VPN, to the paid offering.

Compared to most “proper” VPNs on the market, the network is quite modest, with 500+ servers in almost 50 countries. However, with an even global spread and 19 locations in the US alone, there's a good chance you'll have a server near you.

The general VPN offering is basic in the extreme (this goes for mobile, too), but there are some technical pluses underneath. Privacy VPN connects via the fast and secure WireGuard protocol, you can route your connection through two servers, and there is a kill switch to block all network traffic in case the connection drops.

Privacy VPN

If you’ve ever used a VPN, you’ll be right at home with the simple but familiar interface of Privacy VPN. The dashboard shows the current server location, while you can choose another server from the list of countries and cities without closing the active connection first. Once connected, your new IP shows up, highlighting its location on a world map.

And that’s the gist. The apps lack numerous common features, like a Favorites system to group your most commonly used locations. You have no idea the ping or load of each server, so you just have to wing it when choosing the best ones. You can’t switch protocols, either: it's strictly WireGuard-only.

Nonetheless, a deeper look reveals plenty of useful touches.

For instance, the app can automatically connect when you access insecure networks. It supports split tunneling to set which items use the VPN and which don't, and if you know what you’re doing, you can set an alternate DNS server for more privacy. We were impressed, briefly, until we spotted another big omission.

Performance

The thing is, Privacy VPN doesn't have an 'Automatic' or 'Fastest' option - a staple in most VPNs today. For some reason, Sweden is set as a default regardless of where you are, which means you have to pick your preferred location manually.

The saving grace is that the connection times were rather sensible, at around 5 seconds. With performance-oriented WireGuard protocol in tow, UK download speeds reached a commendable 780Mbps - though we've seen faster with Surfshark in recent testing.

Plus, the core VPN engine is tuned well. Case in point: when connecting from one location to another, most VPN apps close the first connection, leaving you unprotected until they establish a new one. Malwarebytes’ Privacy VPN seems to employ a temporary kill switch, blocking internet traffic for just those few unprotected seconds until the VPN is restored. Smart.

Unfortunately, the actual kill switch was less useful. Sometimes when it was on, the app couldn't connect - to the point it couldn't even get online itself. Not so smart.

The bad news continued with our final unblocking tests, with Privacy VPN failing to get us into BBC iPlayer, US Netflix, Amazon, or Disney+.

Final verdict

Adding a VPN with great speeds for just $15 more seems like a great deal, but poor unblocking results and assorted technical troubles make it difficult to recommend Privacy VPN instead of a specialist VPN provider. For under $40 a year, you can get a lot more with the best-value long-term contracts.

We've also highlighted the best antivirus

Norton has long had the reputation of a strong antivirus software provider, and it keeps packing in the security industry, even into its most basic packages. All its antivirus tiers are dedicated to keeping your digital and physical identity protected, while secure online cloud storage and password management complement the already robust offering.

Among its great extras is Norton Secure VPN, which is available with all of Norton’s higher-tiered programs. As for the other aspects of its antivirus service, Norton works on all devices and does a solid job of stopping malware, making it an excellent Mac antivirus and Android antivirus.

Norton 360 subscriptions are equipped with dark web monitoring that keeps an eye out for your email addresses, passwords, and other information that may be compromised. If it finds any, you’ll get an immediate alert.

Combining a Norton 360 subscription with LifeLock identity theft protection brings another layer of digital safety. Additional tools include parental controls and privacy monitoring. If you auto-renew, you’re covered by the company’s 100% Virus Protection Promise, a guarantee that it will keep your system clean and its support team will work to clear it up if it ever does become infected.

• You can sign up for Norton antivirus solutions here

Plans and pricing

Norton AntiVirus Plus starts at $29.99 for the first year, after which it jumps to $59.99 for every subsequent year. This covers only one device, but you do get access to 2GB of cloud backup and Norton’s password manager.

With Norton 360, you get its Secure VPN and dark web monitoring. This package protects a maximum of three devices and starts at $39.99 for the first year for one device, after which it increases to $94.99, depending on the package.

Norton 360 Deluxe protects up to five different devices for $49.99 during the initial year and then rises to $119.99 per year. The package builds on the offering of its Standard program by protecting against unauthorized access to your webcam, alongside parental controls and 50GB of cloud backup.

Signing up to Norton 360 Select Plus with LifeLock for $99.99 in the first year, and then at $189.99 a year, provides the ultimate security for your devices and identity. LifeLock is a full identity theft protection service that also helps restore your identity in case of any wrongdoings. It also increases your cloud backup access to 250GB and covers up to 10 devices.

Not sure which subscription to get? No worries, you don’t have to make up your mind just yet. Norton’s antivirus solutions are available to try for free for 7 days. There’s also a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Compare Norton Subscriptions

Norton AntiVirus Plus

Setup

Installing Norton AntiVirus Plus is very straightforward, even for users who aren’t very tech-savvy. The platform takes up just 805 MB of storage. It also won’t affect your device’s performance a lot. Notably, in AV-Comparatives’ September 2024 Performance Test, Norton was rated as ‘very fast’ in all of the observed categories, scoring an outstanding 90 points in AV-C performance and receiving the ‘Advanced +’ award.

Antivirus

Immediately after opening, you’re greeted by a sleek window from where you can instantly run the Smart Scan. The left-hand side lists the major categories: Home, Security, Performance, Search, and Settings.

On the right, there’s a control panel from where you can run highly flexible scans - Smart, Quick, Full, Targeted, or Startup. This is also where you manage your Cloud Backup and update the software and malware data.

Heading over to the Security tab, you’ll see all the options from above, as well as get access to Advanced Security features, Security History, Quarantine, Browser Extensions, and Password Manager.

The Advanced Security options provide an overview of your security status in terms of the physical device (Antivirus, Exploit Prevention, Ransomware Protection, and Sandbox), network (Smart Firewall, Intrusion Prevention, Wi-Fi Security, and Automatic Program Control), and online activities (Safe Web and Download Intelligence).

As for the Performance tab, it features the platform’s Software Updater, File Cleanup, Startup Manager, and the useful Optimize Disk option.

Finally, the Settings tab brings together all of the above options and other settings.

Protection

Norton’s results at a recent AV-Comparatives' Malware Protection Test is a comprehensive benchmark were impressive, earning a 99.96% overall protection score. The only place it seemed to struggle was false positives, earning it the ‘Standard’ award.

Moreover, the latest AV-Test’s Windows 11 Home User gave it outstanding marks across the board for malware detection. With the overall industry standard of 100% detection, Norton clearly made sure to keep up.

Browsing protection

Norton AntiVirus Plus deploys multiple layers of protection to help you stay safe online. These include the Norton Safe Search powered by Ask in the form of a browser extension, and the Norton Home Page. The former shows you a website’s safety rating before you visit, while the latter starts each browsing session on a secure page.

That said, when we tried downloading the browser extension for Chrome using the links provided on the website and inside the desktop app, we kept landing on a page that said it didn’t even exist. We didn’t get any results when manually searching the web store either. There were no such issues with the Firefox or Microsoft Edge Safe Web apps.

Smart Firewall

An intelligent firewall lets you know if untrusted programs are trying to make an internet connection and asks if they should be allowed. It also gives plenty of information to help you decide. You can allow or block the connection in a couple of clicks, or choose to have the firewall remember your decision.

If you’re a tech pro Norton AntiVirus Smart Firewall lets you get your hands dirty with under-the-hood low-level technical details - all the way down to the rules governing each protocol and traffic type.

Backup

Norton AntiVirus Plus offers 2GB of online backup space, while you can also create a local backup on an external or local drive. That said, it doesn’t really offer much in the way of features like encryption, archiving, or versioning.

It’s easy to use, backing up your documents, pictures, music, contacts, internet favorites, and more, by default. If this totals less than 2GB, you can back up your data to the cloud. If it's more, you can exclude individual files and folders, or choose a local drive as the destination.

Backups can be launched on demand, or scheduled to run automatically every day.

Performance

Norton’s Optimize Disk can run automatically on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, or you can just fire it up once.

The Software Updater keeps your installed apps up to date for increased security. Running the tool identifies the applications in need of updating, and offers the option to update or ignore them.

As a junk file finder and removal tool, Norton’s File Cleanup is pretty straightforward, informing you about the type, amount, and size of the files it deems unnecessary, deleting them with a single click. It cleans up browser history, cache, and temporary files.

Finally, the Startup Manager displays the apps set up to launch alongside Windows, informing you of their resource usage and how commonly they’re found across Norton’s customer community. It lets you delay the app’s start or disable it entirely.

Final verdict

There’s a lot to like about Norton AntiVirus Plus. It has a powerful platform and boasts more features than even some of the high-end suites. Overall, it’s a quality antivirus app and security package that’s well worth its price, at least for the first year.

Norton 360 Standard

Norton 360 Standard, the baseline plan of the Norton 360 range, is essentially Norton AntiVirus Plus with webcam protection, dark web monitoring, and unlimited use of its Norton Secure VPN on a single device.

Prices start at $39.99 for a one-device, one-year license, rising to $94.99 on renewal. The first-year price is a good deal, especially if you’ll use the VPN, as most VPN providers would certainly charge more.

VPN

The VPN can automatically run when connecting to compromised or unsecured networks or P2P, while split tunneling allows you to decide which apps use the VPN and which don’t. There’s also a kill switch that blocks all internet access if the VPN drops.

Extras include automatic reconnecting after device restart, VPN access to local devices on private networks, and the use of Norton VPN even if another VPN is active. Ad and tracker blocking help preserve your web privacy, providing you with records of blocked stuff in the last month.

Norton Secure VPN’s performance is good, connecting in a couple of seconds and achieving solid speeds upon testing, albeit expectedly slowing down the internet connection. Altogether, it’s an okay service that doesn’t really compete with the best of the specialist VPN providers.

Webcam protection

Norton’s SafeCam feature alerts you to any untrusted apps trying to access your camera and gives you the option to allow or block them. By default, it allows known good apps to access it.

If it asks permission for something, you can choose to ‘always allow’ or ‘always block.’ You can also turn off the ‘automatically allow good apps’ option to be prompted for everything, or even shut down the SafeCam entirely.

Mobile apps

Norton 360 Mobile Security for Android packs a punch with all the key tools from the desktop edition and a pile of mobile-friendly extras. They include automatic and on-demand scanning that catches malware before it can launch, while Safe Web keeps you away from hazardous links.

Testing shows Norton’s engine is very accurate, with AV-Test’s Android security reports rating it a maximum 6/6 (‘outstanding’) protection in all six tests over the majority of the past year (November 2023 - November 2024).

The app includes Norton’s Secure VPN, SMS spam and phishing filtering, and the ability to detect if you’re connecting to an unsecure or suspicious network. It also shows key app details from within Google Play before download, like privacy risks, intrusive ads, excessive battery and data use, and more.

Norton Mobile Security for iOS is simpler, featuring excellent web protection, SMS filtering, and a Wi-Fi security layer to alert you to dangerous networks.

Dark Web Monitoring

Meanwhile, Norton's Dark Web Monitoring, one of the features of its LifeLock Identity Theft Protection service, is available in certain countries alongside the 360 suite.

There's no manual searching required. Just set it up and LifeLock will monitor dark web sites where stolen data is regularly traded, and raise an alert if your email address shows up.

Final verdict

Norton 360 Standard is all about its Secure VPN. If you’ll use it, it’s a very good buy. But if you don’t need it, then there isn’t much here to justify choosing the suite. Either pick a higher Norton 360 plan with full identity theft protection or consider other solutions.

Norton 360 Deluxe

Upgrading to Norton 360 Deluxe is mostly about the numbers. You can forget the measly single-device license - it covers up to five PCs, Macs, phones, or tablets. You can install and use the VPN on all those devices, too. Moreover, your online backup space leaps to a generous 50GB.

Then there’s Norton’s Parental Control system that goes beyond the usual. It adds detailed content filtering, mobile GPS tracking, and in-depth monitoring, allowing you to see anything from your kids’ search queries to the websites they visit and videos they watch.

If there's a slightest chance that you’ll benefit from covering more than a single device and staying on top of your family’s internet activities, then Norton 360 Deluxe looks like the best general-purpose option in the range.

Norton 360 with LifeLock

Upgrading to Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus gets US users full-featured identity theft protection and other welcome benefits.

The baseline Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus plan covers 10 devices, 250GB cloud backup, and identity theft basics - credit monitoring, SSN and credit alerts, stolen wallet protection, up to a million dollars compensation for lost funds and expenses, and identity theft restoration specialists.

Additional features in Norton 360 with LifeLock Advantage plan include the ‘buy now pay later’ alerts, identity lock, and bank and credit card activity locks. It also increases the compensation for ID theft expenses and losses.

Finally, the top-of-the-range Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus supports unlimited devices, 500GB of backup, increases the compensation even more, and adds credit reports from three bureaus, and 401(k) and investment activity alerts.

We've also highlighted the best antivirus

Microsoft Defender Antivirus doesn’t get much respect when it comes to security, but it’s been around defending our Windows devices for a long time. Originally released as Windows Defender in 2016 and later rebranded to Microsoft Defender, it’s been part of every Windows release since Vista, and now is a regular built-in free security tool.

There isn’t a need to download anything and most tools, especially malware protections, are already enabled. There is some setup necessary for optimizing particular tools to be at their highest strength, but even if you don’t touch anything, you’ll be protected from threats, including ransomware.

Indeed, some of Microsoft Defender’s features include on-demand and real-time malware protection, automatic detection and blocking of known URLs and files, a simple firewall to keep hackers and snoops from sneaking onto your device and swiping files or important information saved there, which can also be customized to strengthen its protections or to only watch certain files.

Then, there are some unexpectedly sophisticated low-level exploit protection options, adding another tier of difficulty for malware to attack your system. These include the webcam monitor to ensure you’re the only one that can access it and no apps can use your webcam without your explicit permission.

The platform’s basic parental controls are more intelligent than before as well, with features such as content filtering for the Microsoft Edge browser, the ability to control how much time your kids spend on their devices, as well as the capability to monitor all your family’s devices from one spot. Time controls are a blanket shield that locks down your child’s PC account so they can’t get on the computer at all rather than shutting down the internet but still allowing them to play locally saved games.

As for the web protections, they only work on Microsoft Edge and not on other popular browsers (say, Firefox, Chrome, or Opera). When these web protections are enabled in Edge, it sends information to Defender about online files and possible threats for it to look at before allowing them to download.

Notably, Microsoft Defender has only recently started to earn high enough scores to be mentioned as a legitimate antivirus solution and be part of the same list as Bitdefender or Avast. It still lags behind and doesn’t score as high in malware detection and blocking tests, but it doesn’t mean it lacks some good protection tools. It’s also found itself a nice spot on our list of the best free antivirus apps.

Since Microsoft Defender is included as part of the Windows operating system, it doesn’t create any lag on your computer either. It doesn’t take up additional space and only uses the resources Microsoft has allocated to it.

Considering it comes pre-installed and ready to go, running with your Windows operating system, it’s great for those who don’t want to bother with downloads. On top of that, it gives you tools to filter content and set time limits for your kids without paying extra for them, as other free tools out there might require.

On the other hand, Defender lets more threats through than our top picks, so adding Bitdefender or Avast will plug up those holes. Additionally, its web protections only work with Edge whereas, say Bitdefender’s extensions work with Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers.

Ultimately, it’s not the best for stopping malware threats, especially in browsers other than Edge, but it does come with useful advanced options like webcam protection and very basic parental controls.

• Want to try Microsoft Defender? Check out the website here

Interface

One of the major benefits of Microsoft Defender Antivirus is that it comes built-in with Windows - no installation required, no hassles, and very little chance that it’ll conflict with anything else: it simply works quietly and seamlessly with your system. It’s simple and unobtrusive.

In fact, most users will never even see its interface, other than the occasional alerts. Sensible default settings protect you out-of-the-box, automatic scanning upon download and its execution keep you safe from most threats, while idle and scheduled scans aim to detect everything else.

Like with many other security apps, the main dashboard displays your security status, while the sidebar provides access to various functions: antivirus, account protection (how you log in), firewall and network protection, malicious URL and app blocking, parental controls, and more.

However, this isn’t always intuitive. For instance, while many antivirus apps have a Scan button on the dashboard, the Defender’s are two clicks away and located at the bottom of the Scan Options panel.

That said, these initial hassles don’t cause too much trouble and it doesn’t take long to figure out where everything is. Overall, Microsoft Defender Antivirus isn’t difficult to use.

Antivirus

Microsoft Defender has a full range of scanning options, and more - a quick scan, a full system scan, a custom scan to check the specific files and folders you pick, and even a boot scan that runs before Windows fully loads to remove the most stubborn threats.

Quick scans take around a minute on our test PC, whereas a full scan expectedly takes longer, but its completion times may vary significantly, anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes to scan roughly about 100GB of files and folders.

AV-Comparatives’ September 2024 Performance Test has placed Microsoft Defender at 13th place among 17 competitors, with an impact score of 18.9, which is a solid performance for a free security tool that already comes pre-installed with your system, especially considering the fact that it did better than Bitdefender, F-Secure, and Total Defense in this matter.

In particular, it did great in areas such as file copying, installing and launching apps, downloading files, and browsing websites, while only performing slowly in terms of archiving/unarchiving. As such, AV-Comparatives gave it two stars and an ‘Advanced’ performance award.

In the meantime, AV-Test’s January-February 2025 analysis reveals that Microsoft Defender performs well within the industry average (if not better) when it comes to performance as it slows the device down 22% when launching popular websites on a standard PC (the industry average is 23%),

Where the launch of standard software applications on a standard PC is concerned, the recorded impact is 11% (with the industry average also being 11%), and Microsoft Defender delivers the same results for installing frequently-used applications on a standard PC, doing a bit better in case of high-end PC performance.

As it happens, AV-Test’s Windows analyses have highlighted speed issues in the past, but now they’re mostly gone, and Defender nowadays typically scores a best-possible 6/6 for speed in most AV-Test reports.

Protection

In terms of that which really matters where any antivirus is concerned - protection - Microsoft Defender has had mixed results from independent labs in the past. However, it seems to have improved in recent years and now outperforms many commercial competitors.

Specifically, AV-Comparatives’ Real-World Protection Test July-October 2024 ranked it equal fifth (alongside Total Defense) out of 17, with a protection rating of 98.3%. Although that’s not leading-edge - Avira, F-Secure, McAfee, and Norton all blocked 99.8% of threats - we can’t really complain about an antivirus that ‘only’ does as well as Total Defense, and better than Trend Micro, Panda, and Quick Heal, especially for free.

AV-Test’s Window Consumer reports awarded Defender a maximum of 6/6 points for protection, performance, and usability in its January - February 2025 Product Review and Certification Report. The platform had no false flags for legitimate websites in either month, whereas in January it only had one false detection of legitimate software as malware during a system scan - a great score considering that the industry average is three false flags here.

At the same time, SE-Labs’ 2024 Q4 Home Anti-Malware Protection report tells a similar story, in which Microsoft Defender ranks seventh out of nine in its Total Accuracy rating of 98%. Here, it performed better than Webroot Antivirus, albeit not as well as Avast Free Antivirus, Kaspersky Premium, McAfee Total Protection, Norton LifeLock Norton360, Sophos Home Premium (all boasting 100%), and Panda Dome (at 99%).

Other features

Microsoft Defender doesn’t just provide antivirus, as there are a few other useful features to explore.

At the top of the list has to be the firewall. It does a fair job of protecting you from incoming network attacks, but it’s less interested in controlling outbound access. In other words, if an app manages to run as an administrator, it will also be able to customize the firewall by adding its own rules.

Microsoft Defender also has capable ransomware protection, although it isn’t exactly sophisticated. Controlled Folders simply blocks everything it doesn’t recognize, including legitimate programs that refuse to run until manually added to the Exceptions list. Admittedly, it does its core job, which is keeping you safe from a threat that the antivirus engine has missed.

Moreover, Windows’ OneDrive integration helps a bit as well. The standard 5GB of free online storage space isn’t that much, but it’s free and it’s 5GB more than you’ll get with most security apps, helping you protect your most important data from attacks.

Additionally, Defender’s reputation-based SmartScreen protection allows it to block access to malicious websites, files, and apps. That said, its URL filtering is less accurate and only works with Microsoft Edge. SmartScreen’s file and download checks work system-wide though, and they’re a handy extra layer of protection.

Digging deeper, Windows reveals a bunch of extremely low-level exploit defense and device security features, largely focused on how the operating system handles memory. They’re important, but they’re best left alone, even by expert users, as playing around with CFG, DEP, ASLR, and Memory Integrity settings can, in some situations, break your PC to the point it won’t even boot.

Device performance and health is something that many paid antivirus platforms have, and Windows has its own version bundled in the Windows Security app, allowing you to monitor and maintain the device’s storage, battery life, apps and software, and Windows Time service for any issues.

Here, you can also do a ‘Fresh start’ (reset your PC) with a clean and up-to-date installation of Windows to potentially improve your device’s startup and shutdown speeds, memory usage, Store apps, performance, browsing experience, and battery life - if all else fails, that is.

Finally, there’s the Family Options page, a collection of parental control features. Its positives include quite a few options, including the ability to filter websites by content, control when your kids can use their devices and which apps they can buy, as well as getting regular reports on their activities.

On the other hand, these system settings are mostly very basic and the Windows browser options are Edge-only, so bypassing them is as easy as downloading Google Chrome or any other browser, like Firefox or Opera, and accessing them from there.

As an alternative, you can install a free Microsoft Family Safety app on Android and iOS to help control screen time, as well as web and app use across the platforms. It only covers the very basics, but it’s nonetheless a welcome addition to the package, and if you’re looking for parental controls, then it’s certainly worth checking out.

Final verdict

All things considered, Microsoft Defender isn’t really as feature-packed as the top antivirus competition, but it’s more accurate than some big-name commercial products and is much less likely to cause issues with your other applications. If simplicity (or price) is at the top of your priority list, then it’s a reasonable choice.

We've also highlighted the best antivirus or, you can take a look at the best free antivirus apps before you fully commit! 

• Our Microsoft discount codes can help you save on your next purchase.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus doesn’t get much respect when it comes to security, but it’s been around defending our Windows devices for a long time. Originally released as Windows Defender in 2016 and later rebranded to Microsoft Defender, it’s been part of every Windows release since Vista, and now is a regular built-in free security tool.

There isn’t a need to download anything and most tools, especially malware protections, are already enabled. There is some setup necessary for optimizing particular tools to be at their highest strength, but even if you don’t touch anything, you’ll be protected from threats, including ransomware.

Indeed, some of Microsoft Defender’s features include on-demand and real-time malware protection, automatic detection and blocking of known URLs and files, a simple firewall to keep hackers and snoops from sneaking onto your device and swiping files or important information saved there, which can also be customized to strengthen its protections or to only watch certain files.

Then, there are some unexpectedly sophisticated low-level exploit protection options, adding another tier of difficulty for malware to attack your system. These include the webcam monitor to ensure you’re the only one that can access it and no apps can use your webcam without your explicit permission.

The platform’s basic parental controls are more intelligent than before as well, with features such as content filtering for the Microsoft Edge browser, the ability to control how much time your kids spend on their devices, as well as the capability to monitor all your family’s devices from one spot. Time controls are a blanket shield that locks down your child’s PC account so they can’t get on the computer at all rather than shutting down the internet but still allowing them to play locally saved games.

As for the web protections, they only work on Microsoft Edge and not on other popular browsers (say, Firefox, Chrome, or Opera). When these web protections are enabled in Edge, it sends information to Defender about online files and possible threats for it to look at before allowing them to download.

Notably, Microsoft Defender has only recently started to earn high enough scores to be mentioned as a legitimate antivirus solution and be part of the same list as Bitdefender or Avast. It still lags behind and doesn’t score as high in malware detection and blocking tests, but it doesn’t mean it lacks some good protection tools. It’s also found itself a nice spot on our list of the best free antivirus apps.

Since Microsoft Defender is included as part of the Windows operating system, it doesn’t create any lag on your computer either. It doesn’t take up additional space and only uses the resources Microsoft has allocated to it.

Considering it comes pre-installed and ready to go, running with your Windows operating system, it’s great for those who don’t want to bother with downloads. On top of that, it gives you tools to filter content and set time limits for your kids without paying extra for them, as other free tools out there might require.

On the other hand, Defender lets more threats through than our top picks, so adding Bitdefender or Avast will plug up those holes. Additionally, its web protections only work with Edge whereas, say Bitdefender’s extensions work with Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers.

Ultimately, it’s not the best for stopping malware threats, especially in browsers other than Edge, but it does come with useful advanced options like webcam protection and very basic parental controls.

• Want to try Microsoft Defender? Check out the website here

Interface

One of the major benefits of Microsoft Defender Antivirus is that it comes built-in with Windows - no installation required, no hassles, and very little chance that it’ll conflict with anything else: it simply works quietly and seamlessly with your system. It’s simple and unobtrusive.

In fact, most users will never even see its interface, other than the occasional alerts. Sensible default settings protect you out-of-the-box, automatic scanning upon download and its execution keep you safe from most threats, while idle and scheduled scans aim to detect everything else.

Like with many other security apps, the main dashboard displays your security status, while the sidebar provides access to various functions: antivirus, account protection (how you log in), firewall and network protection, malicious URL and app blocking, parental controls, and more.

However, this isn’t always intuitive. For instance, while many antivirus apps have a Scan button on the dashboard, the Defender’s are two clicks away and located at the bottom of the Scan Options panel.

That said, these initial hassles don’t cause too much trouble and it doesn’t take long to figure out where everything is. Overall, Microsoft Defender Antivirus isn’t difficult to use.

Antivirus

Microsoft Defender has a full range of scanning options, and more - a quick scan, a full system scan, a custom scan to check the specific files and folders you pick, and even a boot scan that runs before Windows fully loads to remove the most stubborn threats.

Quick scans take around a minute on our test PC, whereas a full scan expectedly takes longer, but its completion times may vary significantly, anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes to scan roughly about 100GB of files and folders.

AV-Comparatives’ September 2024 Performance Test has placed Microsoft Defender at 13th place among 17 competitors, with an impact score of 18.9, which is a solid performance for a free security tool that already comes pre-installed with your system, especially considering the fact that it did better than Bitdefender, F-Secure, and Total Defense in this matter.

In particular, it did great in areas such as file copying, installing and launching apps, downloading files, and browsing websites, while only performing slowly in terms of archiving/unarchiving. As such, AV-Comparatives gave it two stars and an ‘Advanced’ performance award.

In the meantime, AV-Test’s January-February 2025 analysis reveals that Microsoft Defender performs well within the industry average (if not better) when it comes to performance as it slows the device down 22% when launching popular websites on a standard PC (the industry average is 23%),

Where the launch of standard software applications on a standard PC is concerned, the recorded impact is 11% (with the industry average also being 11%), and Microsoft Defender delivers the same results for installing frequently-used applications on a standard PC, doing a bit better in case of high-end PC performance.

As it happens, AV-Test’s Windows analyses have highlighted speed issues in the past, but now they’re mostly gone, and Defender nowadays typically scores a best-possible 6/6 for speed in most AV-Test reports.

Protection

In terms of that which really matters where any antivirus is concerned - protection - Microsoft Defender has had mixed results from independent labs in the past. However, it seems to have improved in recent years and now outperforms many commercial competitors.

Specifically, AV-Comparatives’ Real-World Protection Test July-October 2024 ranked it equal fifth (alongside Total Defense) out of 17, with a protection rating of 98.3%. Although that’s not leading-edge - Avira, F-Secure, McAfee, and Norton all blocked 99.8% of threats - we can’t really complain about an antivirus that ‘only’ does as well as Total Defense, and better than Trend Micro, Panda, and Quick Heal, especially for free.

AV-Test’s Window Consumer reports awarded Defender a maximum of 6/6 points for protection, performance, and usability in its January - February 2025 Product Review and Certification Report. The platform had no false flags for legitimate websites in either month, whereas in January it only had one false detection of legitimate software as malware during a system scan - a great score considering that the industry average is three false flags here.

At the same time, SE-Labs’ 2024 Q4 Home Anti-Malware Protection report tells a similar story, in which Microsoft Defender ranks seventh out of nine in its Total Accuracy rating of 98%. Here, it performed better than Webroot Antivirus, albeit not as well as Avast Free Antivirus, Kaspersky Premium, McAfee Total Protection, Norton LifeLock Norton360, Sophos Home Premium (all boasting 100%), and Panda Dome (at 99%).

Other features

Microsoft Defender doesn’t just provide antivirus, as there are a few other useful features to explore.

At the top of the list has to be the firewall. It does a fair job of protecting you from incoming network attacks, but it’s less interested in controlling outbound access. In other words, if an app manages to run as an administrator, it will also be able to customize the firewall by adding its own rules.

Microsoft Defender also has capable ransomware protection, although it isn’t exactly sophisticated. Controlled Folders simply blocks everything it doesn’t recognize, including legitimate programs that refuse to run until manually added to the Exceptions list. Admittedly, it does its core job, which is keeping you safe from a threat that the antivirus engine has missed.

Moreover, Windows’ OneDrive integration helps a bit as well. The standard 5GB of free online storage space isn’t that much, but it’s free and it’s 5GB more than you’ll get with most security apps, helping you protect your most important data from attacks.

Additionally, Defender’s reputation-based SmartScreen protection allows it to block access to malicious websites, files, and apps. That said, its URL filtering is less accurate and only works with Microsoft Edge. SmartScreen’s file and download checks work system-wide though, and they’re a handy extra layer of protection.

Digging deeper, Windows reveals a bunch of extremely low-level exploit defense and device security features, largely focused on how the operating system handles memory. They’re important, but they’re best left alone, even by expert users, as playing around with CFG, DEP, ASLR, and Memory Integrity settings can, in some situations, break your PC to the point it won’t even boot.

Device performance and health is something that many paid antivirus platforms have, and Windows has its own version bundled in the Windows Security app, allowing you to monitor and maintain the device’s storage, battery life, apps and software, and Windows Time service for any issues.

Here, you can also do a ‘Fresh start’ (reset your PC) with a clean and up-to-date installation of Windows to potentially improve your device’s startup and shutdown speeds, memory usage, Store apps, performance, browsing experience, and battery life - if all else fails, that is.

Finally, there’s the Family Options page, a collection of parental control features. Its positives include quite a few options, including the ability to filter websites by content, control when your kids can use their devices and which apps they can buy, as well as getting regular reports on their activities.

On the other hand, these system settings are mostly very basic and the Windows browser options are Edge-only, so bypassing them is as easy as downloading Google Chrome or any other browser, like Firefox or Opera, and accessing them from there.

As an alternative, you can install a free Microsoft Family Safety app on Android and iOS to help control screen time, as well as web and app use across the platforms. It only covers the very basics, but it’s nonetheless a welcome addition to the package, and if you’re looking for parental controls, then it’s certainly worth checking out.

Final verdict

All things considered, Microsoft Defender isn’t really as feature-packed as the top antivirus competition, but it’s more accurate than some big-name commercial products and is much less likely to cause issues with your other applications. If simplicity (or price) is at the top of your priority list, then it’s a reasonable choice.

We've also highlighted the best antivirus or, you can take a look at the best free antivirus apps before you fully commit! 

• Our Microsoft discount codes can help you save on your next purchase.

Our series on identity theft protection apps will evaluate the features, pricing options, competition, and also the overall value of using each app. However, these are not full hands-on reviews since evaluating identity theft protection apps is almost impossible. It would require several months of testing, purposefully hacking accounts to see if the protection app works, handing over personally identifiable information, performing multiple credit checks, and risking exposure of the reviewer’s personally identifiable information.

In the digital age, identity theft often goes unnoticed amidst our carefree use of social media, internet platforms, and credit card-based services. However, once you fall victim to this crime, it can quickly transform into a harrowing ordeal. Victims find themselves grappling with the frustration and confusion of having their bank accounts or credit cards fraudulently used, leaving them with the daunting task of repairing their credit.

Zander Identity Theft Protection prioritizes loss prevention and notifications due to Zander's primary role as an insurance provider. This is a key differentiator from other identity theft products like Norton LifeLock or Complete ID. The backing of an insurance company provides added peace of mind in the unfortunate event of identity theft, a significant benefit not typically found in most other identity theft products.

Zander Identity Theft Protection's emphasis on cost-effectiveness comes at the expense of distinctive features and thorough identity protection measures. The website provides minimal information about the program, giving the impression that identity protection is merely a tactic to draw attention to Zander Insurance's other prominent offerings like disability, vehicle, and health insurance. While Zander Identity Theft Protection may offer basic protection at a low cost, it lacks the extensive features, user-friendly interface, and robust identity theft safeguards found in competing products. Without these essential elements, it's challenging to recommend Zander Identity Theft Protection for anything beyond fundamental protection.

Zander Identity Theft Protection: Plans and pricing

The main selling point here is the price. For just $6.75 per month, this app provides essential features like fraud alerts, bank compromise notifications, and social security theft protection. Opting for an annual plan at $75—equivalent to $6.25 per month—offers additional savings. You also get access to phone-based customer support for resolving any issues.

While the features aren't groundbreaking, the app does offer coverage for Home Title Fraud and Dark Web monitoring. It includes protection for up to $1,000,000 in Stolen Funds & Expenses. The lost wallet service stands out by quickly deactivating credit cards and replacing items lost from your wallet or handbag.

This combination of affordability and comprehensive basic coverage makes it a practical choice for those looking to protect their identity without breaking the bank.

The family plan offered is a supplementary option that comes with a monthly fee of $12.90 (which translates to an annual cost of $145). This plan is designed to cater to families, providing coverage for two adults and an unlimited number of children.

A key advantage of the family plan is the enhanced coverage for Stolen Funds & Expenses, which is increased to a substantial $2,000,000. However, it's important to note that each participant in the plan has a coverage cap of $1 million.

By opting for the family plan, individuals can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their family's financial well-being is protected in the event of unauthorized transactions or fraudulent activities. The coverage offered can help mitigate the impact of financial losses resulting from stolen funds or unexpected expenses, providing families with a safety net in challenging situations.

For families who value comprehensive financial protection and want to safeguard their finances against potential threats, the family plan is a valuable consideration. It offers an expanded level of coverage at an affordable monthly or annual cost, ensuring that all family members are covered under a single plan.

The Elite Plan is a premium-tier option that offers similar minor savings when paid annually. It is accessible at $11.99 per month for an individual or $21.99 per month for a family. This plan encompasses all the features of the lower-tier plan, along with notable additions. These include UltraVPN, which supports up to 20 devices and normally costs $2.99 per month when paid annually, UltraAV Antivirus, Experian Credit Lock, monitoring for new accounts, and account takeover monitoring. This combination of features makes it an attractive package for individuals seeking both a VPN and an antivirus solution.

Zander Identity Theft Protection: Interface

Zander Identity Theft Protection's straightforward, white interface is a testament to its dedication to the basics. The app presents alerts related to your identity protection, such as suspicious activity on your bank account or credit card. While it excels in terms of interface and design, falling short when compared to our top choice, Norton LifeLock, which offers a more refined appearance.

Unlike Norton LifeLock, Zander Identity Theft Protection lacks engaging wizards that provide detailed explanations of various aspects of identity protection. It also falls short in providing frequent status updates, leaving users uncertain about their progress in safeguarding their identity. This lack of guidance can be particularly frustrating for those unfamiliar with identity theft protection measures.

Furthermore, Zander Identity Theft Protection's limited features may not cater to users seeking comprehensive identity protection. It lacks certain essential tools, such as credit monitoring, which is a crucial component of identity theft protection. Without credit monitoring, users are unable to track changes in their credit reports and may miss out on potential indicators of identity theft.

While Zander Identity Theft Protection offers a simple and easy-to-use interface, its lack of robust features and user guidance may leave users wanting more. For a more comprehensive identity theft protection solution, it may be advisable to consider alternatives such as Norton LifeLock or other providers that offer a wider range of features and a more engaging user experience.

The Zander Identity Theft software for iOS smartphones has faced criticism from users who have expressed their dissatisfaction through negative reviews. The app, which aims to protect users from identity theft, has received an overall score of 2.4 out of 5 stars, with a significant number of 1-star reviews.

One of the main issues highlighted by users is the app's account creation process, which is described as challenging and confusing. The process reportedly involves multiple steps, including providing personal information and setting up passwords, which can be frustrating for users.

Furthermore, users have expressed concerns about the requirement for online logins to view phone alerts. This means that in order to access important security notifications and alerts related to potential identity theft attempts, users must log in to their account on the Zander Identity Theft app. This additional step can be inconvenient and time-consuming, especially in situations where users need to respond quickly to potential threats.

Another significant problem mentioned in user reviews is the difficulty of canceling the app's subscription. Users have reported encountering obstacles when attempting to cancel their subscription, such as complex cancellation procedures, lack of clear instructions, and unresponsive customer support. This can lead to frustration and difficulty in discontinuing the service.

The negative reviews received by the Zander Identity Theft software reflect the challenges users have faced with the app's account creation, online login requirements, and cancellation process. These issues undermine the app's intended purpose of providing identity theft protection and highlight the need for improvements to enhance the user experience.

Zander Identity Theft Protection: Features

The primary takeaway from Zander Identity Theft Protection is that its features are fairly ordinary. This suggests that while you may be paying a lower price, you are not receiving exceptional features. The app provides standard fraud warnings and safeguards similar to those found in other identity theft protection applications. Additionally, most of these applications offer a hotline number to speak with an agent, which is not a unique feature of Zander.

Concerning theft protection insurance, Zander Identity Theft Protection offers reimbursement for stolen funds and related expenses. The base-level plan provides coverage up to $1 million, while the higher-tier plan covers up to $2 million.

Zander Identity Theft Protection: Support

Zander Identity Theft Protection offers support services to help use its service. Included is 24/7/365 support that provides round-the-clock support from U.S.-based recovery specialists who can assist with various identity theft issues. Their customer support team can be reached by phone at 1(888) 210-32743.

Unfortunately, individuals seeking alternative support resources, such as a comprehensive support portal, informative videos, interactive chat support, or an engaging community forum, may be left wanting. Our evaluation did not uncover the presence of any of these options within the platform. A support portal serves as a centralized hub where users can find a wealth of documentation, tutorials, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides, enabling them to resolve issues independently. Helpful videos, on the other hand, provide visual demonstrations and step-by-step instructions, catering to various learning preferences. An interactive chat feature allows users to connect with support representatives in real-time, offering immediate assistance and resolving complex queries efficiently. Moreover, an interactive forum, where users can interact, share experiences, and seek advice from peers and experts, fosters a collaborative problem-solving environment. The absence of these features limits the platform's ability to cater to users who prefer alternative support channels, potentially hindering their experience and satisfaction.

Zander Identity Theft Protection: The competition

Of all the identity theft protection services we reviewed, Zander offered the most affordable option. However, its feature set was limited. While Zander's pricing might seem low, a Costco membership is required to access their lowest-priced package. If you have the Costco Exec plan, which costs $120 per year, Complete ID is more expensive at $8.99 per month.

At its core, Zander's coverage serves as a platform for monitoring fraud alerts and facilitating collaboration with customer service to resolve issues. While it may not directly compete with established identity theft protection companies such as Equifax, Experian, or Norton, Complete ID emerges as the closest rival solely due to comparable pricing.

Zander's higher tier offering includes a VPN and antivirus software, making it a more comprehensive choice for those seeking a bundled solution. The inclusion of a VPN from a reputable provider like UltraVPN is a significant advantage, as many ID theft protection services offering VPNs don't specify the provider or whether essential features like a kill switch are included.

Zander Identity Theft Protection: Final verdict

Zander's basic Identity Theft Protection plan, while affordable, may not provide the same level of comprehensive support and features as more specialized options like IDNotify, Complete ID, Norton LifeLock, or IdentityForce. Its generic nature might not be as appealing to those seeking a highly customized or advanced solution.

Choosing an identity theft protection service based solely on price leaves you at risk for insufficient protection. While the service offers basic alerts and protections, the website lacks detailed information about its features. A more comprehensive explanation of the alerts and customer service hotline would enhance transparency. Identity theft is a serious issue, and selecting a product based solely on low cost may not be the best course of action to provide adequate security for you and your family.

We've also listed the best antivirus software.

Our series on identity theft protection apps will evaluate the features, pricing options, competition, and also the overall value of using each app. However, these are not full hands-on reviews since evaluating identity theft protection apps is almost impossible. It would require several months of testing, purposefully hacking accounts to see if the protection app works, handing over personally identifiable information, performing multiple credit checks, and risking exposure of the reviewer’s personally identifiable information.

The Internet includes a hazardous element that functions as a major danger. Trolls persist in using social media platforms to conduct humiliating activities against users, but more dangerous threats exist beneath the surface. Criminal groups engage in illegal activities that involve trading stolen personal information, including credit card details, home addresses, and birth dates.

The stolen information is distributed to the highest bidder at black market prices. The criminal activities span a broad spectrum, including attacks against retirement accounts through compromised 401(k) logins and social media account hijacking. Hackers continuously explore new strategies to destroy people's financial assets to pursue monetary benefits.

According to expert studies, the Dark Web generates an estimated 5% of worldwide internet traffic. This remarkable measurement reveals the extent of the issue. Various apps provide security measures through e-commerce website credit card protection and connection security alerts, but others help people review their credit reports to measure their online visibility.

The most effective solution requires a comprehensive answer that satisfies various needs. IdentityForce is one of the most complete identity theft protection solutions with its broad range of features, including VPN protection, which forms the fundamental basis of online security.

IdentityForce exceeds standard credit card and Social Security number protection because it actively prevents data breaches instead of merely reviewing them. The program provides strong evaluation tools that enable you to access 24/7 phone or chat support from an identity theft protection specialist. The premium plans from this provider are more expensive than standard identity theft protection applications, including LifeLock and Experian IdentityWorks.

IdentityForce: Plans and pricing

IdentityForce offers multiple service plans that cater to different customer requirements so that every person can select a suitable option. The service provides special annual discounts to customers who choose this payment method. The top-tier plans come with a higher cost, but customers can access premium services at a lower price through annual payment options. The 30-day trial period enables potential customers to test the complete service benefits without financial risk before subscribing to a long-term plan.

The UltraSecure Plan represents the most affordable option at $19.90 per month. Customers who opt for annual subscriptions at IdentityForce can reduce their monthly costs to $16.66. The annual payment for this plan amounts to $199.90, which provides an affordable identity protection solution. The UltraSecure Plan offers budget-friendly identity protection through its complete feature set, which includes dark web and social media monitoring. The digital world demands constant personal information monitoring because it remains at risk.

To enhance your financial security, consider upgrading to the UltraSecure & Credit package, a premium offering. The monthly fee is set at $34.90, with an annual payment option of $349.90, effectively reducing the monthly cost to just $29.16. This plan not only includes all the features of the standard tier but also provides additional benefits. These enhancements encompass comprehensive credit monitoring from three bureaus, detailed credit reports, up-to-date credit scores, a credit score tracker, and a credit score simulator, giving you a total view of your credit standing.

In addition to individual plans, there are two tiers of family plans with identical services but a $5 monthly surcharge. Each family plan includes coverage for two adults and up to 10 children for this modest price increase.

IdentityForce: Interface and mobile app

Selecting the right software for theft prevention is essential for safeguarding personal information. A key component of this selection process is the website associated with the identity theft protection service. The website not only provides insights into the range of features offered but also reflects the company's professionalism and reliability. Regrettably, some identity theft protection organizations fall short in this area, presenting poorly designed and confusing websites that create a negative first impression. In stark contrast, IdentityForce stands out as a beacon of clarity and functionality, featuring a well-organized site that presents an extensive list of services in an easily navigable format.

The centerpiece of IdentityForce's offering is its innovative dashboard, which transforms the user experience in identity theft protection through its intuitive and visually appealing design. This dashboard ensures that all vital information is presented in an easily digestible manner, facilitating users' efficient management and safeguarding of their identities.

Upon logging in, users are greeted with a dashboard adorned with a row of clearly labeled icons, each representing a different facet of identity protection. This thoughtful layout allows for quick navigation to essential sections, including credit checks, banking details, car loans, retirement plans, and more. The spacious sections are designed to accommodate personal data comfortably, providing ample room for users to input all relevant information without feeling cramped.

To further enhance the user experience, IdentityForce's dashboard provides streamlined data entry options. Fields are clearly labeled, and the dashboard incorporates helpful prompts and tooltips to guide users through the process of entering sensitive information. Whether they need to input their driver's license number, passport information, or Social Security details, users can do so with peace of mind, confident that IdentityForce's robust security measures will protect their data from potential breaches.

One standout feature of the dashboard is a dynamic progress bar that tracks the user's completion status of their identity protection profile. This visual indicator urges users to complete their profiles and ensures they provide all necessary information for comprehensive protection against identity theft. The progress bar motivates users and gives them a clear visual representation of their preparedness, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding their identities.

Overall, IdentityForce's dashboard sets a new benchmark in identity theft protection, combining user-friendly interface elements, well-structured sections, clear prompts, and motivational features like the progress bar. This seamless navigation empowers users, allowing them to control their identities proactively and effectively guard against potential threats.

However, users who wish to utilize IdentityForce's services on mobile devices face a stark contrast between the experiences provided by iOS and Android applications. The Android version of the app struggles with a moderate rating of 2.6 out of 5 stars, indicating a significant level of dissatisfaction among users. Commonly reported issues include unreliable performance, frequent crashes, and frustrating login challenges, which can severely hinder users’ ability to access their accounts and utilize the app's extensive features for identity protection.

Conversely, the iOS version of the app fares slightly better, earning a rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars. This suggests that while the iOS app may provide a more stable experience than its Android counterpart, it still grapples with its own set of issues. Users have reported instances of credit scores failing to update, encountering persistent "Server error messages," and experiencing account lockouts due to login difficulties. Although these problems may occur less frequently than in the Android app, they can still prove to be inconvenient and frustrating for users seeking reliable identity protection.

In summary, while IdentityForce offers an impressive array of features and a user-centric approach through its dashboard, significant differences in the mobile app experience highlight the need for continuous improvement, particularly for Android users. By addressing these challenges, IdentityForce can further enhance its service and reputation in the competitive landscape of identity theft protection.

IdentityForce: Features

IdentityForce is renowned for its extensive identity protection services, but what might surprise some users is that it also offers a VPN (Virtual Private Network) tool within its Mobile Defense Suite. This integrated VPN, available exclusively through the mobile app, enhances security by alerting users to numerous online threats, including rogue applications, spyware, and unsecured Wi-Fi connections. However, it’s important to note that this VPN is limited to mobile devices and does not protect PC users.

Regrettably, key details about the VPN remain somewhat ambiguous. Essential information, such as the server locations, the presence of a “no logs” policy, and whether or not there’s a built-in “kill switch” to protect your data in case the connection drops, has yet to be disclosed. Given these uncertainties, users looking for robust VPN functionality may want to explore more established VPN services for anything beyond casual browsing.

One of the standout features of IdentityForce is its proactive monitoring of "Payday loan" hacks, a specific form of identity theft where individuals fraudulently obtain loans using another person's identity. With this feature, users receive timely notifications, allowing them to address potential issues rapidly with their financial institutions. This immediacy can be crucial in mitigating financial loss and preventing further fraud. Furthermore, IdentityForce takes its commitment to user safety further by tracking sex offenders who may have obtained personal information to elude local identity registration laws, thereby enhancing community security.

The premium plans offered by IdentityForce are equipped with a robust suite of features to deliver comprehensive protection against identity theft and online threats. Central to these plans is a strong theft protection guarantee of up to $1 million. This provision ensures that members have access to crucial financial assistance and a dedicated resource network in the unfortunate event of identity theft. Members also gain access to lost wallet assistance, which expedites canceling and replacing lost or stolen credit cards, driver’s licenses, and other vital documents, making a potentially stressful situation much more manageable.

To further bolster security, IdentityForce’s premium plans include advanced Dark Web data analysis. This feature continuously scans the dark web for indications of compromised personal information, such as passwords, credit card details, and social security numbers. Users are promptly alerted if any sensitive data is detected and receive guidance on mitigating the risks and securing their accounts effectively.

IdentityForce includes a mobile password manager in its premium offerings to improve convenience and maintain security. This invaluable tool enables members to securely store and manage their passwords across multiple devices, promoting the use of strong and unique passwords for all online accounts. It also features a robust password generator, which creates complex, random passwords to enhance overall account security.

Moreover, IdentityForce extends its protection to social media by offering identity monitoring services. This feature actively scans social media platforms for unauthorized usage of members' personal information, helping to identify potential identity theft attempts before they escalate. By detecting these threats early, users can take swift measures to safeguard their online reputations and prevent further reputational harm.

In summary, IdentityForce’s premium plans combine a suite of essential features—including $1 million in theft protection, lost wallet assistance, Dark Web data monitoring, a mobile password manager, and social media identity surveillance—into a singular solution designed to address the multifaceted challenges of identity protection. Together, these elements offer users peace of mind, knowing their personal information is being vigilantly monitored and safeguarded against the continuously evolving landscape of identity theft and online threats.

IdentityForce: The competition

IdentityForce is a strong contender in the identity theft protection market, but it faces significant competition from several other highly rated services. One of its primary rivals is Aura, which is often praised as a top overall choice due to its comprehensive monitoring. This includes dark web monitoring, public records checks, and financial account surveillance, which are usually competitively priced. Aura also offers higher identity theft insurance coverage options and additional cybersecurity tools, such as a VPN and antivirus software.

Another major competitor is LifeLock, a well-known name in the industry that is now part of Norton 360. LifeLock provides extensive monitoring, including social media, home title monitoring, and substantial identity theft insurance. However, its pricing structure can sometimes be less transparent, with introductory rates that increase significantly after the first year.

IDShield distinguishes itself with a strong focus on identity restoration. It often guarantees the restoration of your identity or the provision of your money back, and it offers access to licensed private investigators for complex cases. Additionally, IDShield has competitive pricing for its features.

Other notable competitors include Identity Guard, which is known for its AI-powered threat detection and often provides good value for families, and ID Watchdog, which offers solid credit monitoring and recovery services. Services like Experian IdentityWorks also compete directly by leveraging their connection to one of the major credit bureaus for enhanced credit monitoring.

Ultimately, the best choice for a consumer depends on their specific needs concerning features, pricing, and the desired level of insurance and restoration support.

IdentityForce: Final verdict

IdentityForce offers a robust suite of identity protection services that goes beyond the standard offerings of many competitors. While it does provide essential features like malware blockers, identity theft insurance, and credit monitoring, its premium plans offer a standout benefit: $1 million in identity theft insurance. This substantial coverage provides significant peace of mind during a breach. Additionally, including a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service for smartphones is a valuable extra, helping to secure your mobile data.

However, potential users should be aware of some drawbacks. Several reports indicate that mobile applications can be buggy and offer a less-than-satisfactory user experience. Furthermore, IdentityForce's pricing is generally higher than that of some comparable products in the market. Another critical consideration for families is that child protection features come with additional fees, rather than being included in the base subscription.

Despite these points, one significant advantage of IdentityForce is its unified dashboard. This central hub consolidates all identity protection features, meaning users don't need to download and manage multiple applications for various security aspects. This streamlined approach offers a definite benefit, simplifying identity management and making comprehensive protection more accessible.

We've also highlighted the best identity theft protection services

Our series on identity theft protection apps will evaluate the features, pricing options, competition, and also the overall value of using each app. However, these are not full hands-on reviews since evaluating identity theft protection apps is almost impossible. It would require several months of testing, purposefully hacking accounts to see if the protection app works, handing over personally identifiable information, performing multiple credit checks, and risking exposure of the reviewer’s personally identifiable information.

Every discussion about Experian IdentityWorks in reviews and news begins with the mandatory mention of the company's previous data breach history. This evaluation contains the same pattern as others, but readers should evaluate its complete fairness. The brand IdentityWorks operates under Experian, which maintains its position as a subsidiary, despite Experian’s well-known reputation for negative reasons.

In 2015, the major consumer credit reporting agency revealed one of the most significant data breaches, which exposed more than 15 million customer records. The massive security failure of a credit reporting agency handling sensitive financial data caused global shock and widespread public concern, despite additional data breaches across various industries.

The infamous security incident occurred more than ten years ago. The long duration of this event would remind movie fans of a memorable scene from The World According to Garp. The movie depicts Robin Williams' character, who searches for a house but watches a plane crash into his potential home. He decides to buy the house because he believes another plane hitting the house would be astronomically unlikely.

The security measures implemented by Experian follow a similar pattern to the previous situation. The company likely dedicated significant resources to improving data security after its major and harmful 2015 data breach, thus surpassing other organizations in their security enhancements. Experian faces an "astronomical" probability of experiencing another major data breach at least as severe as its previous incident. The focus on Experian's 2015 breach creates an inaccurate impression because the company has probably developed enhanced defensive capabilities that provide better protection for its IdentityWorks users today.

Experian IdentityWorks: Plans and pricing

The Basic plan, a free tier of Experian, offers limited features. It includes a complimentary Experian credit report, FICO score, dark web surveillance report, and FICO score tracker. While cost-effective, this plan provides minimal protection.

The Premium plan offers a comprehensive range of features designed to protect adults from identity theft and fraud. Priced at $24.99 per month, this subscription service provides robust monitoring and alerts to safeguard sensitive personal information.

One of the key features of the Premium plan is full access to credit monitoring. This service monitors your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—and notifies you of any changes or suspicious activity. This allows you to stay informed about your credit profile and quickly identify any potential issues, such as unauthorized inquiries or fraudulent accounts.

To enhance account security, the plan offers financial account takeover alerts. These alerts vigilantly monitor your financial accounts for any unauthorized transactions or changes. By doing so, this feature safeguards your bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts against potential compromises. If any suspicious activities are detected, you will receive immediate notifications, allowing you to take prompt action to secure your accounts effectively.

Within the Premium plan's robust offerings, change of address alerts stand out as a crucial feature. This service keeps a watchful eye on public records to detect any modifications to your address, such as alterations to your driver's license or voter registration. Identity thieves frequently exploit change of address requests to reroute your mail, allowing them to pilfer confidential documents. However, this alert system safeguards you by promptly notifying you of any unauthorized changes, empowering you to take proactive steps to shield your identity from harm.

In addition to its monitoring features, the Premium plan provides social network monitoring alerts. This service vigilantly scans social media platforms for any unauthorized use of your name, photos, or personal information. Given that social media accounts are frequent targets for identity thieves, this alert system keeps you informed of potential online fraud attempts.

Among the many benefits of the Premium plan, the most notable feature is the up to $1 million in identity theft insurance it provides. This coverage acts as a financial safety net in the unfortunate event you become a victim of identity theft. The insurance covers expenses associated with restoring your identity, including legal fees, lost wages, and credit repair. This coverage offers invaluable peace of mind, knowing that you have a support system in place to help you recover from the devastating impact of identity theft.

The Premium plan provides a comprehensive array of security features to safeguard adults from identity theft and fraudulent activities. This subscription service offers robust monitoring, timely alerts, and substantial insurance coverage, creating an invaluable layer of protection for your sensitive personal information.

For families with more than one adult, the top-tier Family plan is the best choice. With a monthly cost of $34.99, this plan covers two adults and up to ten children, offering all the features of the Premium plan except for one minor difference.

The assumption of identity theft prevention software that users could have "up to" 10 children is perplexing, particularly given that the average number of children per family in the US is only two, and even fewer in the UK. Despite this, IdentityWorks inexplicably offers pricing options that accommodate up to 10 children and one or two adults. This pricing structure stands in stark contrast to the reality of family sizes in most countries, raising questions about the rationale behind such an assumption.

Unfortunately, annual discounts are currently unavailable. Instead, a brief 7-day free trial is offered. However, it necessitates purchasing the plan and then canceling it within the trial period, effectively converting it into a money-back guarantee during the first week.

Experian IdentityWorks: Interface

Thank goodness we're partnering with a major corporation like IdentityWorks, which boasts the resources and expertise to develop a user-friendly and feature-rich application. IdentityWorks' dashboard exemplifies minimalist design, featuring a sleek layout with intuitive tabs at the top that simplify navigation. Users can effortlessly find the information they need without unnecessary distractions. Additionally, the dashboard incorporates a dynamic wizard that visually tracks progress, indicating the number of steps completed and accounts configured, much like the seamless experience offered by Norton LifeLock, which prioritizes accessibility and user engagement.

In contrast, PrivacyGuard's interface appears somewhat cluttered, with an overabundance of bright colors that can be distracting and create a sense of overwhelm for specific users. IdentityWorks, on the other hand, cultivates an atmosphere of professionalism and importance, ensuring that users feel confident and secure while managing their sensitive information.

The IdentityWorks app is packed with practical features that empower users to take charge of their identities and maintain their privacy. For example, it offers tools for generating strong passwords, regularly monitoring credit reports, and sending timely alerts about potential identity theft. These proactive measures are crucial in today’s digital landscape, where threats to personal information are constant and evolving. Additionally, the app includes comprehensive resources for identity recovery in the event of an unfortunate need, ensuring users have a plan in place to regain control if their identity is compromised.

Overall, IdentityWorks stands out as an excellent choice for individuals seeking a comprehensive and user-friendly identity management solution. Its clean interface, practical features, and robust security measures position it as a leading option for anyone serious about protecting their identity and privacy in an increasingly digital world.

However, it's worth noting that while the IdentityWorks website provides links to apps for both Android and iOS devices, many consumers are unaware of their actual existence. Unfortunately, the linked apps lead to the Experian app rather than a dedicated IdentityWorks application. This oversight is disappointing and frustrating for consumers who are actively seeking a well-rounded identity management solution tailored to their needs. Improved visibility and clarity regarding app options could significantly enhance the user experience and ensure that users have the necessary tools at their fingertips.

Experian IdentityWorks: Features

In addition to its unique features, IdentityWorks emphasizes the importance of education and empowerment in the realm of identity protection. The platform is designed not only to monitor for potential threats but also to equip users with the knowledge they need to take proactive steps in safeguarding their identities. By providing access to a wealth of educational resources, including articles, guides, and webinars, users can stay informed about the latest trends in identity theft and cyber threats, enabling them to make more informed decisions about their safety.

Another noteworthy aspect of IdentityWorks is its focus on customer support. Recognizing that navigating issues of identity theft can be stressful and overwhelming, IdentityWorks provides comprehensive, round-the-clock support to its users. This includes access to dedicated identity theft recovery specialists who can guide users through the process of resolving any issues they may encounter. Whether it’s disputing fraudulent charges, recovering stolen identities, or simply understanding the nuances of personal credit, having expert assistance available can significantly alleviate the anxiety often associated with identity theft.

Additionally, IdentityWorks places a strong emphasis on user privacy and data security. In an era where data breaches are becoming increasingly common, the platform utilizes advanced encryption techniques and robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive user information. This commitment to protecting personal data not only enhances trust among users but also aligns with the growing demand for responsible data handling practices in the industry.

Moreover, the ability to tailor monitoring alerts is another feature that enhances the user experience. Users can customize the types of alerts they receive, ensuring they are only notified about issues relevant to them. This level of personalization not only reduces noise and potential overwhelm but also allows for a more focused approach to identity monitoring. Users can prioritize their concerns and receive timely updates that are relevant to their specific situations.

Finally, as technology continues to evolve, IdentityWorks remains committed to staying current with advancements in the field of identity protection. By regularly updating its services and features, the platform aims to stay ahead of emerging threats, offering users cutting-edge tools that reflect the current landscape of identity security. This commitment to innovation not only positions IdentityWorks as a formidable player in the identity theft protection market but also helps reassure users that their security is a top priority in an evolving environment.

In summary, while many identity theft protection services offer foundational monitoring features, IdentityWorks stands out through its unique offerings, emphasis on education and customer support, commitment to privacy and data security, customizable alerts, and dedication to staying current with technological advancements. These qualities make it an attractive option for those seeking comprehensive protection and guidance in navigating the complexities of identity management.

Experian IdentityWorks: The competition

The strong set of features in Experian IdentityWorks includes court record monitoring alongside FICO score simulation accuracy. Still, the identity theft protection market offers multiple robust alternatives for diverse needs and price ranges. LifeLock serves as a prominent identity theft protection service because it is integrated within the Norton 360 suite, which offers comprehensive cybersecurity protection. LifeLock monitors deeply, offering extensive dark web and home title and social media surveillance, along with $3 million in identity theft insurance coverage. However, its costs rise substantially following initial promotional periods.

Aura stands as a powerful alternative, achieving high ratings from users who praise its comprehensive security features. Aura provides users with comprehensive identity and credit monitoring capabilities through its alert system, which tracks all three major credit bureaus and incorporates full cybersecurity features, including VPN protection, antivirus software, and parental control capabilities. Aura offers families an excellent digital security solution, providing comprehensive protection at competitive prices with generous identity theft insurance benefits of up to $5 million for family plans.

The Premier version of Identity Guard provides advanced AI technology based on IBM Watson to monitor three bureau data alongside comprehensive protection which sets it apart from other options. The system provides immediate alerts and focuses intensely on credit reporting so it suits users who want to protect their financial information. The legal support feature of IDShield through LegalShield makes it stand out as a provider because it offers simple pricing together with dedicated legal assistance during identity theft situations. The restoration process includes access to a licensed private investigator along with social media tracking and VPN protection for users who need complete identity protection along with robust legal protection. The selection between these alternatives depends on individual preferences regarding specific features and insurance levels as well as budget constraints and the need for a complete cybersecurity package.

Experian IdentityWorks: Support

Experian doesn't provide a specific phone number or email address for direct contact regarding issues. Instead, clicking on "Contact us" directs users to a help center with various articles. For immediate assistance, Experian recommends obtaining an Experian credit report and calling the phone number provided on the report.

To enhance user satisfaction, we would suggest more streamlined and accessible communication channels for users to reach out to Experian.

Experian IdentityWorks: Final verdict

Safeguarding your personal identity stands as an absolute necessity in the current digitally connected world. Our personal information exists in the digital atmosphere to a greater extent than ever because of online transactions and social media posts, along with connected devices. The defense mechanisms provided by credit protection cover only a limited segment of identity theft risks that continue to evolve.

Identity theft is a broad and damaging criminal activity that encompasses multiple types of fraudulent actions, resulting in severe harm to victims. A person who steals your personal details can perform multiple illegal actions, such as establishing unauthorized credit accounts using your name while taking loans you will need to pay, filing false tax returns, and committing crimes, which will appear on your criminal record. The consequences of identity theft go beyond financial damage because they cause severe credit score deterioration along with damaged reputation and both emotional suffering and time-consuming identity recovery procedures.

Experian IdentityWorks stands as one of the primary services that protects identities from theft among all available options. The service provides a comprehensive suite of protective tools designed to defend personal data and mitigate identity theft threats effectively. The service offers continuous credit bureau monitoring, a proactive fraud alert system, substantial identity theft insurance coverage, and dedicated support for resolving identity theft cases.

Many users choose Experian IdentityWorks because of its extensive educational resources and instructional materials. The service provides highly valuable, actionable information that teaches users effective techniques for preventing identity theft and secure methods for handling their data online. The informational materials provide clear and engaging content that enables individuals with varying digital skills to protect their personal information effectively.

The choice to sign up for Experian IdentityWorks depends on personal factors which include your comfort level with risk and the specific issues you want to address. The financial and credit security features of Experian IdentityWorks make it a solid choice for those seeking comprehensive credit monitoring and fraud protection, thanks to its direct connection to Experian's credit data. Direct access to Experian credit data enables users to benefit from superior accuracy and a more detailed understanding.

The past data breach of Experian remains a notable concern for potential customers who decide against the service. The company invested extensive resources in security improvements following the breach more than a decade ago, although the incident continues to impact those who need perfect security standards. People who want better security and peace of mind should consider identity protection services such as LifeLock, Aura, Identity Guard, and IDShield.

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