AV-Comparatives - Real-World Protection Test Feb-Mar 2026 – Factsheet

[harlan4096]

Introduction

This fact sheet is a short overview of the Real-World Protection Test results of February and March 2026. The detailed overall result consumer product reports (covering four months each) are released in June and November. Each of the overall result reports will also contain a false-alarm test and will contain the awards the products reached based on their overall scores during the respective four-month period. 

For more information about this Real-World Protection Test, please read the details and previous test reports available on https://www.av-comparatives.org

Tested Products

The following products (latest version available at time of testing) were tested:

• Avast Free Antivirus
  26.1 | 26.2
  
• AVG AntiVirus Free
  26.1 | 26.2
  
• Bitdefender Total Security
  27.0 | 27.0
  
• ESET HOME Security Essential
  19.0 | 19.0
  
• F-Secure Internet Security
  26.1 | 26.2
  
• Fortect PC Suite
  7.3 | 7.3
  
• G DATA Total Security
  25.5 | 25.5
  
• K7 Total Security
  16.0 | 17.0
  
• Kaspersky Premium
  21.24 | 21.24
  
• Malwarebytes Premium
  5.4 | 5.5
  
• McAfee Total Protection
  1.35 | 1.36
  
• Microsoft Defender Antivirus
  4.18 | 4.18
  
• Norton Antivirus Plus
  26.1 | 26.2
  
• Panda Free Antivirus
  23.0 | 23.0
  
• Quick Heal Total Security
  26.0 | 26.0
  
• Sophos Home Premium
  2024.3 | 2024.3
  
• Total Defense Essential Anti-Virus
  14.0 | 14.0
  
• TotalAV Premium
  6.5 | 6.6
  
• Trend Micro Internet Security
  17.9 | 17.9
  
• VIPRE Advanced Security
  12.1 | 12.1
  

Testcases

Our Real-World Protection Test is currently one of the most comprehensive and complex tests available, using a relatively large number of test cases. Currently, we are running this test under updated Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit with up-to-date third-party software. Due to this, finding in-the-field working exploits and running malware is much more challenging than e.g. under a non-up-to-date system with unpatched/vulnerable third-party applications.

Full Report