The latest February–March 2026 results for our ongoing Consumer Real-World Protection Test are now available. The full report will be published in June 2026. As part of our continuous evaluation of consumer cybersecurity solutions, AV-Comparatives is pleased to release this interim factsheet. It provides an early look at how leading antivirus products are performing against current, real-world threats.

Real-World Testing That Matters

AV-Comparatives is known for its rigorous and independent testing of security software. The Real-World Protection Test is designed to assess how effectively antivirus products protect users from active cyber threats encountered during everyday internet use.

Our certification remains a globally recognized benchmark, helping consumers identify reliable and high-performing security solutions.

Simulating Everyday Online Risks

This test replicates realistic user scenarios, such as browsing the web, downloading files, and encountering malicious links. Using an advanced automated framework, we expose systems to live malware hosted online, closely mirroring real attack conditions.

By doing so, we evaluate all layers of protection within each product—from URL blocking to malware execution prevention—providing a comprehensive view of real-world defense capabilities.

Products Tested and Methodology

In the February–March 2026 test cycle, the following consumer antivirus solutions were evaluated:

Avast Free Antivirus, AVG Antivirus Free, Bitdefender Total Security, ESET HOME Security Essential, F-Secure Internet Security, Fortect PC Suite, G Data Total Security, K7 Total Security, Kaspersky Premium, Malwarebytes Premium, McAfee Total Protection, Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Norton Antivirus Plus, Panda Dome Advanced, Quick Heal Total Security, Sophos Home Premium, TotalAV Premium, Total Defense Essential Anti-Virus, Trend Micro Internet Security, VIPRE Advanced Security

The test used 200 malicious URLs, representing a wide and current spectrum of online threats. The factsheet also includes false-positive results, ensuring a balanced assessment of both protection strength and usability.

Continuous Testing and Transparency

Testing is conducted on fully updated Windows 11 Pro 64-bit systems, with the latest third-party software installed. AV-Comparatives continuously monitors product performance and updates its online charts, allowing users to track protection rates over time.

This ongoing approach ensures that consumers always have access to up-to-date and relevant security insights.

Access the Factsheet

The February–March 2026 interim factsheet is now available on the AV-Comparatives website. It offers valuable insights into how today’s leading antivirus solutions are performing right now.

Be sure to check back in June 2026 for the full report, which will include comprehensive results, rankings, and detailed analysis.

Supporting Informed Decisions

AV-Comparatives remains committed to helping consumers navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape by providing independent, transparent, and actionable test results.