AV-TEST The best Windows antivirus software for home users (March, April 2021)

Disclaimer
  1. This test shows how an antivirus behaves with certain threats, in a specific environment and under certain conditions.
    We encourage you to compare these results with others and take informed decisions on what security products to use.
    Before buying an antivirus you should consider factors such as price, ease of use, compatibility, and support. Installing a free trial version allows an antivirus to be tested in everyday use before purchase.

Gandalf_The_Grey

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During March and April 2021 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.
 

Atlas147

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Interesting to see so many vendors scoring the max for all 3 components. At this rate they might need to start updating their methodologies to further separate the good for from the best
 

Gandalf_The_Grey

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This test becomes more interesting if you look at the Excel files in the Press Area:
Only 8 of the 21 tested (AhnLab, Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, ESET, G DATA, Microsoft and NortonLifeLock) scored (4x) 100% in March and April for widespread samples and 0-day samples.
And out of those 8 only 4 (Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Microsoft and NortonLifeLock) also scored (4x) 100% in Januari and Februari.
 
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Andy Ful

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This test becomes more interesting if you look at the Excel files in the Press Area:
Only 8 of the 21 tested (AhnLab, Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, ESET, G DATA, Microsoft and NortonLifeLock) scored (4x) 100% in March and April for widespread samples and 0-day samples.
And out of those 8 only 4 (Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Microsoft and NortonLifeLock) also scored (4x) 100% in Januari and Februari.
I would not pay much attention if the AV did not have 100% score but was counted as 6. For most AVs such results are purely random. Some AVs can miss one or 2 samples in April and some can miss them in December.
If the AVs got 6 points, it means that AV-Test included statistical random errors and the differences can be an artifact of the testing procedure.
 

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