TotalAV antivirus review 2024

Whether you’re a casual web browser or a tech-savvy cybernaut, we’re all facing digital threats on a daily basis. Thus, finding a stalwart shield to safeguard our online ventures has become more crucial than ever. Though your device may have some in-built firewall, it may not be enough, so we advise using antivirus software. One of the most prominent players in the antivirus industry is TotalAV.

In this article, we conduct a comprehensive TotalAV review, exploring its arsenal of features, performance, overall reliability, and pricing. Are you wondering whether TotalAV is a good antivirus? Does it truly live up to its promises? Read onward and learn whether this antivirus software is up your alley.

TotalAV antivirus overview

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Is TotalAV safe enough and should I get it?

TotalAV is completely safe. The antivirus software can protect your device if you opt for any paid plans. In fact, TotalAV boasts remarkable malware detection rates, well-developed security features, and overall smooth and beginner-friendly navigation. So, suppose you want to protect your device without needing to learn the intricacies of cybersecurity. In that case, TotalAV is one of your best shots.

In fact, the collective voice of TotalAV users spoils the software with high praise and ratings.

Many users tend to be concerned that the free TotalAV version may be unsafe. That’s simply untrue. Though it comes with significantly fewer features, the free software does a solid job of protecting your device on a basic level. Therefore, it’s a great option for budget-conscious users who want to exercise at least a primary level of security.

Of course, if you want a multi-layered protection that overlooks most fronts of cybersecurity, then you can opt for TotalAV Pro and other higher-tier plans. For instance, av-comparatives.org conducted independent research and concluded that TotalAV’s ability to catch malware has improved. The malware-detection and block rate increased from 95.9% in February 2022 to 97.7% in June 2023.

TotalAV is a robust antivirus capable of detecting and eliminating malware instantaneously. Depending on your subscription plan, you get a well-rounded protection to shield you from cyber dangers as you venture online.

TotalAV security features

Embracing a multitude of robust security measures, TotalAV goes above and beyond in its quest to safeguard your device. Some tools come with additional perks, like Safe Browsing VPN’s ability to bypass geo-blocks. You may just as much enjoy the simplified password creation and storing feature, which saves loads of trouble. Of course, keep in mind that your access to features depends on the chosen TotalAV subscription.

In the upcoming sections, we delve deeper into these remarkable offerings, unraveling the full extent of TotalAV’s protective prowess.

Real-time protection

TotalAV’s Real-time protection is highly effective at detecting and blocking malware or infected files from the get-go. This feature is enabled by default, so if you find it unnecessary, feel free to toggle it off. However, you’ll find it doesn’t load your RAM that much, so your overall performance remains unaffected. We advise leaving it on for constant monitoring of potential threats.

TotalAV employs advanced cloud scanning, comparing suspicious programs with a vast database of known malware to detect zero-day threats. This ever-growing database and precision ensure optimal protection.

When a file or software raises suspicions, TotalAV alerts you and promptly quarantines the potential threat. Subsequently, the antivirus offers clear instructions on removing malicious files from your system. With this proactive approach, TotalAV guarantees a vigilant shield against all downloads and online interactions that could contain malicious code.

Ransomware protection

TotalAV comes in clutch with a multi-layered defense mechanism designed to thwart ransomware attempts. Thanks to the machine-learning algorithms, TotalAV’s Ransomware protection proactively identifies and isolates suspicious activities that align with ransomware behavior.

Furthermore, TotalAV’s Ransomware protection constantly updates its knowledge base, staying one step ahead of emerging ransomware variants and their evolving tactics. This real-time threat intelligence keeps your data safe from the clutches of cybercriminals.

Should an attempt to infiltrate your system be detected, TotalAV swiftly responds, notifying you of the threat and neutralizing it. The infected files are quarantined, preventing the ransomware from spreading and causing further damage.

Safe Browsing (VPN)

TotalAV’s Safe Browsing VPN is a nifty tool, standing as an indispensable companion for your online journeys. It guarantees privacy, security, and unrestricted access to exclusive content worldwide. After all, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a paramount cybersecurity tool that safeguards your sensitive data and digital identity.

In fact, the feature employs robust encryption protocols, enveloping your internet traffic in an impregnable shield. This, in turn, ensures your online activities remain hidden from prying eyes like ISPs and potential hackers. By routing your connection through encrypted servers across the globe, Safe Browsing VPN allows anonymous browsing, preserving your online anonymity.

While TotalAV’s Safe Browsing VPN is a powerful addition to its arsenal, it’s essential to note that it doesn’t substitute for a stand-alone and reliable VPN service. This option is preferable for users who require more advanced VPN functionalities. They include vast global distribution, industry-standard protocols like WireGuard, high-tech security features, and optimized streaming speeds.

WebShield extension

This powerful tool operates seamlessly within your web browser, acting as a vigilant sentry against malicious websites, phishing attempts, and dangerous downloads. The WebShield extension harnesses TotalAV’s extensive threat intelligence database and instantly analyzes and categorizes web content. Therefore, it detects and informs you of potential hazards before they harm your system.

WebShield includes a Safe Search function that directs all web searches through TotalAV’s web engine, providing an extra layer of security. This feature evaluates each surfaced website, assigning a green tick to indicate its safety for clicking or a red cross to signal a potential threat.

Furthermore, WebShield’s real-time monitoring constantly updates its defenses, ensuring you remain shielded from rapidly evolving threats. Whether safeguarding your personal information from data-harvesting sites or thwarting dangerous scripts and malware-laden pages, WebShield remains at the forefront of your defense.

Beyond its protective capabilities, WebShield enhances your browsing experience by blocking malicious websites and trackers, optimizing page load times, and safeguarding your privacy against tracking cookies. This multifaceted approach ensures you enjoy a smoother, faster, and safer online journey.

Secure Password Vault

TotalAV’s Secure Password is an exclusive feature, available only on the Total Security plan. But is it worth the extra investment? The answer is yes, especially if you’re seeking a top-notch password manager. The Secure Password Vault offers everything you’d expect and more. You can securely store, organize, and access all your login details whenever needed. Thanks to the tool, generating ironclad passwords that are practically unhackable is no longer your job.

The beauty of password managers lies in needing to remember only one password – the master password. And for added security, TotalAV never receives it. This is great for your peace of mind, but admittedly frustrating if you accidentally forget it.

Setting up the TotalAV Secure Password is a breeze. You’ll be prompted to install the Password Vault browser extension for Chrome or Firefox, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, it does make password filling a lot easier. Once installed, the TotalAV logo appears next to your address bar. Importing passwords from your browser is just a click away, streamlining the process further.

On the other hand, the main drawback of TotalAV’s Secure Password, aside from the additional cost, is its lack of integration with the mobile app. A mobile-friendly password manager would be extremely valuable since numerous online activities occur on our smartphones daily.

TotalAV plans and pricing

We have deduced that TotalAV is a good antivirus software for the average Joe who wants well-rounded protection for their system. However, how much does TotalAV cost? The antivirus software comes in four tiers, each equipped with different features to suit your needs.

The most budget-friendly plan starts at $19 for the first year, providing essential protection for up to 3 devices. This includes ransomware and real-time protection, along with a bonus WebShield feature. However, other choices are available, including a free plan and three additional paid options.

Regardless of the plan you select (excluding the free one), you receive a 30-day money-back guarantee. So if you’re unsatisfied with TotalAV’s services, you can claim a full refund. It’s important to note that all plans come with an anti-malware scanner, anti-phishing protection, mobile apps, and various customer support options.

While the TotalAV Pro plan is perfect for covering essential security needs, upgrading to the Total Internet Security plan at $39.00/year allows antivirus protection for up to 5 devices. For even broader coverage and extra features like a password manager and an ad blocker, the TotalAV Total Security package, priced at $49.00 per year, covers up to 6 devices.

Remember that the displayed prices are introductory rates, and they may increase after the first year or vary based on your location. Additionally, to prevent automatic renewal, you’ll need to email TotalAV.

Ease of use and setup

TotalAV offers a seamless setup process and user-friendly interface, allowing for quick installation in merely several minutes. We were mighty impressed with the well-designed and attractive PC interface. Plus, we didn’t experience any bugs. Despite the abundance of features, we never felt overwhelmed or confused while navigating the software.

Additionally, we found that TotalAV Antivirus Pro consumes about 3-5% on an 8GB RAM computer. This means that your device performance doesn’t slow down because of the software. On a side note, it’s worth mentioning that the app is only available in dark mode on both PC and mobile, which might be missed by some users who prefer a light mode option.

The main features, including Malware Protection, Internet Security, and System Tune-Up, each have their own easily recognizable icons in the sidebar on the left. TotalAV provides advanced customization options, all conveniently laid out in the settings menu.

One aspect we particularly appreciated is the ease of scheduling antivirus scans. Unlike other antiviruses with complicated settings menus, TotalAV allows simple access and adjustment of scan customization options. Just a few clicks, and the scan is underway without you having to cock your head trying to figure out how to proceed.

Users benefit from an online dashboard, accessible through the settings menu, which offers helpful video tutorials and FAQs. However, it lacks the remote device access feature found in some competitors’ dashboards like Norton’s. Additionally, the TotalAV Online Marketplace allows users to purchase extra features on the spot.

In conclusion, TotalAV delivers a straightforward user experience on a PC with logically arranged features and easily accessible settings. However, let’s see how the software fairs on Android & iOS, shall we?

Mobile applications

While mobile antivirus software is often considered unnecessary, it’s a mistake. In recent years, cybercriminals have turned to our smartphones since they’re loaded with sensitive information. Luckily, TotalAV offers comprehensive internet security apps for both Android and iOS users, providing protection against cyber threats on mobile devices.

Android

During testing on an Android device, TotalAV’s antivirus scan proved accurate, quick, and user-friendly, effectively detecting Android-specific malware files. However, it did have a notable impact on battery life. Since one of the main reasons behind users’ reluctance to get an antivirus on their mobile is exactly the shorter battery life span. Unfortunately, this drawback is expected with most antivirus apps since they utilize real-time protective measures.

Feature-wise, the TotalAV Android app offers a comprehensive range of features, mirroring the functionality found in the desktop version. Upon opening the app’s main homepage, you’ll find various options at your fingertips:

• Security Scan. It detects potential threats and ensures your device remains protected
• Data Breach Check. The tool looks out for and informs about potential data compromises
• VPN. This feature enables you to change your location and routes your web through encrypted servers
• Device Protection. The measure encompasses overall device protection
• Device Tune-Up. It improves your mobile performance by removing unnecessary clutter and junk files
• Wi-Fi Checker. Verifies the safety of the network connection you connect to, which is especially helpful with public hotspots

Obtain TotalAV for Android

iOS

When it comes to antivirus products for iOS devices, the landscape is unique. iOS devices typically require less antivirus protection due to the rarity of viruses for iPhones and iPads. Consequently, antivirus programs focus on providing a plethora of useful features on their iOS applications to cater to their users’ needs. That’s not to say that TotalAV abandons its focus on iOS security.

The TotalAV iOS app offers an array of valuable features that keep your device smooth, protected, and clean. Here’s what you’ll find:

• Data Breach Check. The check informs about potential email compromises and other data breaches
• Photo Manager. Helps remove unwanted photos, streamlining photo organization
• WebShield. The extension safeguards against dangerous websites
• Device Locator. It keeps track of your smartphone’s location in case of loss or theft
• VPN. The tool keeps your browsing activities anonymous
• System Security. This keeps track and alerts you about iOS updates
• Secure Search Browser. Secures a browsing experience without intrusive trackers and ads

Our TotalAV review determines that the iOS app doesn’t include a virus scan feature since iPhones benefit from built-in protection against viruses. Instead, TotalAV provides complementary features that bolster existing iOS antivirus protection. Such an approach ensures your iPhone’s security remains top-notch.

Protect your iOS with TotalAV

How to install TotalAV on your device?

Installing TotalAV antivirus on your device is super easy. Simply follow the ste-by-step guide below:

1. Head to the TotalAV official website
2. Choose your subscription plan from available options
3. Fill in your payment details and tick the consent box. If you’re opting for a free version, skip this step
4. Create an account
5. Download & install the TotalAV software
6. Log in to your account
7. Now you can traverse the web without any worries!

Choose worry-free browsing today

How we tested TotalAV antivirus?

For proper testing, as with any antivirus software, our research specialists downloaded TotalAV and zero-day malware files. The first phase of testing involved the real-time protection feature. After setting up the TotalAV client, we extracted files from zero-day malware to test how well the tool detects and terminates malware.

We also tested quick and system scans, and both yielded substantial results, showing that they indeed protect your device. However, it failed a test that hid a virus in a compressed file. On the other hand, TotalAV does not scan compressed files by default, so it’s not all too surprising.

We also relied on an independent source for resting. We picked the trusted av-comparatives.org, which provides a detailed software overview. As we mentioned before, the testing site determined a 97.7% malware-detection success rate in June 2023. Overall, we tested TotalAV both hands-on and through independent parties.

Customer support

TotalAV’s customer support service provides multiple contact channels, including email, live chat, and phone support. They have a comprehensive knowledge base and FAQs section to offer self-help resources. Also, it’s through the FAQ section that you can submit a support help ticket. We contacted their customer support via live chat, and the first response time was fast. Perhaps it didn’t even take a minute.

Moreover, the specialist answered our inquiries with in-depth information, demonstrating expertise, patience, and friendliness. So rest assured that if you have any questions or problems, TotalAV’s customer support will fill you in on details and help you.

TotalAV review – final verdict

TotalAV review concludes with high praise for this antivirus. It’s software that ticks all the checkboxes required of any industry-standard antivirus. It’s a highly recommendable choice, thanks to real-time protection, impressive malware-detection rates, and well-rounded web security. You can opt for higher-tier plans if you’re after additional features like a password manager and ad blocker.

The antivirus offers flexibility with 3 paid subscription plans and a free version, catering to all kinds of users. The most common option is the TotalAV Pro plan, which offers an essential security package, albeit missing the niftiest tools. Other than that, the curious cats can rely on the 30-day money-back guarantee for annual purchases. Oh, and TotalAV also falls in the category of the cheapest antiviruses.

The user interface is easy to navigate and pleasing to the eye with its elegant dark mode. Plus, you don’t have to know much about the ins and outs of an antivirus system to use the app without much hassle. All the features are laid out on one side, requiring a click here and there.

TotalAV’s customer support further cements the high rate of the software. Knowing that you can always count on customer service expertise demonstrates the company’s attitude toward its client community. Ultimately, TotalAV is among the best software programs suitable for casual folks and netizens alike. You get everything you need with all guarantees included.

Visit TotalAV without further ado

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FAQ

Is TotalAV good for free?

TotalAV free version is a good software for the most basic layer of protection. It comes with a really limited array of features, providing only a virus scanner. However, you can opt for paid versions like TotalAV Pro to enjoy more robust security and extras like real-time protection.

Is TotalAV a trusted antivirus?

Yes, TotalAV is a completely legit and trusted antivirus. Of course, download the software and make purchases only on their official website. Most concern surrounds the free TotalAV version, but there's no need for worries. The free version is 100% safe in itself but offers only a virus scar.

Who owns TotalAV antivirus?

TotalAV officially belongs to the company known as Protected.net. It was founded in 2016 and is based in the UK. The company produces cybersecurity software and tools for home and office users.

How good is TotalAV antivirus?

TotalAV is one of the best antivirus options for beginners and tech-savvy netizens. It comes with a user-friendly interface on both PC and mobiles. Furthermore, depending on your subscription, you get all-around protection from malware and other cyber threats. Plus, it has a free version, too.

How much is TotalAV per year?

TotalAV has three paid subscription plans. The cheapest is TotalAV Pro for $19.00/year, TotalAV Internet Security for $39.00/year, and the most well-rounded plan—costing $49.00/year—is TotalAV Total Security. Additionally, you can opt for its free service, which provides only basic protection.

Is TotalAV better than Norton?

TotalAV and Norton are both robust antiviruses. However, comparing both, Norton has a bit of an advantage due to its cloud backup feature and slightly higher malware-detection rate. Apart from that, both pieces of software are great options in their own right.