Performance comparison of antivirus software is an essential part of any security strategy for computers. There are numerous online resources that evaluate the performance of antivirus software, but the most effective method is to test real malware samples across a variety of operating systems. These tests make use of the combination of virus databases and behavior analysis to provide an accurate gauge on the degree to which a software can detect new threats.
The AV Comparatives lab is a testing lab that tests cybersecurity products, Internet security suites, and anti-virus software on the basis of efficiency, protection and usability. They provide PDF downloads of their findings along with an interactive chart on their website that provides an overview.
AV-Comparatives tests have shown that the top free antivirus programs perform very well. In their June 2023 test Avast Free Antivirus for Mac from the company scored 100% in Mac Malware Protection and 99 percent for Windows PUA Protection. Its performance is in line with some paid-for anti-virus applications and is simple to use.
However, if you’re an avid PC gamer who requires a complete cybersecurity solution the best option is probably AVG’s paid-for antivirus for Mac. The program’s heuristics technology is designed to only scan important areas of the system, which is in which the majority of malware hides. This decreases the time spent on scanning and also impacts the system. This method could miss most recent viruses and malware, so it is important to keep yourself updated with the most current detection methods.