First AV-Test For 2021

The AV-Test November/December Windows 10 Home User test results are in! Here's how they test:

"During November and December 2020 we continuously evaluated 21 home user security products using their default settings. We always used the most current publicly-available version of all products for the testing. They were allowed to update themselves at any time and query their in-the-cloud services. We focused on realistic test scenarios and challenged the products against real-world threats. Products had to demonstrate their capabilities using all components and protection layers."

The categories:

• Protection: "Protection against malware infections (such as viruses, worms or Trojan horses)"
• Performance: "Average influence of the product on computer speed in daily usage"
• Usability: "Impact of the security software on the usability of the whole computer"

These products were certified as the top Antiviruses for Windows 10 home-user machines in the November/December 2020 tests.

Top Products that rated 6/6 (top score is 6) in all categories presented in alphabetical order:

• Avira Antivirus Pro 1.0
• Bullguard Internet Security 21.10
• Eset Internet Security 14.0
• F-Secure SAFE 17G Data Internet Security 25.5
• McAfee Total Protection 23.4
• Microsoft Defender 4.18
• Norton 360 22.20
• Trend Micro Internet Security 17.0
• Vipre VIPRE AdvancedSecurity 11.0

These are also rated Top Products, but took a hit for slowing down computer during usage:

• Avast Free Antivirus 20.8 & 20.9
• AVG Internet Security 20.8 7 20.9
• Kaspersky Internet Security 21.2
• Northguard Security 20.0

Also of note:

• Certified, but worst rated was eScan Internet Security Suite 14.0, taking hits in all three categories.
• Also certified were PC Matic 3.0 and Malwarebytes, both taking hits in Protection and Usability.
• K7 Total Security and Total AV took hits on protection, but were certified.
  
• AhnLab V3 Internet Security 9.0 and Bitdefender Internet Security 25.0 took hits on Usability, but were certified.

To see the entire list and detailed scores go to AV-Test and click on the individual product for their summary. The IT security institute has detailed testing on a number of different products, including Mac, Android and the Internet of Things.