TotalAV Antivirus Expert Review

TotalAV Total Security Overview

TotalAV represents a relatively newer antivirus suite. The company offers three protection packages, each with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The antivirus has been downloaded over 8,000,000 times and includes extensive security tools and features. Although it does consume a great deal of processing power from your device, it does contain multiple differentiating features that set it apart from other, similar products.

One of the most-competitive features is the included VPN, which even high-tier products like AVG Ultimate don’t offer. This advanced antivirus product offers real-time security against malicious programs and other online threats. Better yet, it covers 6 devices across all platforms – Android, iOS, MacOS, and Windows.

Moreover, a number of safety features are included in TotalAV's security suite that provides round-the-clock protection from viruses, Trojans, adware, and ransomware.

Features

There isn’t an ounce of doubt about the fact that TotalAV packs some serious features. It covers up to 6 devices and ensures real-time antivirus protection. In addition, it protects against phishing, viruses, malware, Trojan, spyware, and adware. It also comes with a lot of system optimization tools, browser cleaner, ad blocker, cloud scanner, and more. Although it uses the same core engine as Avira, the detection isn’t as good. Furthermore, it also misses out on tools like file encryption and email protection, as in Trend Micro.

General

Threat Protection

Scanning

You get access to all the standard features in any antivirus program. TotalAV constantly updates its virus database and allows you multiple scan modes to seek out any hidden malware. The antivirus engine isn’t as good compared to other brands, but it still does a decent job to catch most malware.

Scanning your system takes a considerable amount of time, however, this is mostly because the company is new and is still evolving. That being said, a deep scan takes almost 30 minutes and roots out all possible threats which are on par with market leaders like Avast.

Privacy and Security

VPN

The VPN is one of the best features that this product has to offer and can be compared to industry leaders like Kaspersky Internet Security, McAfee Total Protection, and various others. A VPN is designed to anonymize your presence online by redirecting your traffic through its private servers rather than the traceable, non-private ones you’ll use through your ISP. 

Password Manager

The Password Manager is another nice-to-have feature. It has a real-time search that can immediately detect and quarantine ransomware, adware, spyware, malware, and phishing attacks. What’s more, now that you’ll be taking your password protections seriously - meaning avoiding using the same password for everything, or over-simplified ones that are easier to hack - being able to store them all in one place you have access to makes the whole process much easier.

Safe Site Feature

The Safe Site feature checks and blocks all websites that seem to be designed solely for phishing and spoofing of some kind. When signing up, expect the support of 256-bit AES-CBC encryption. This is the best out there right now, and you’ll often find this referred to casually as ‘military grade’. Most hackers have a lot of time on their hands but will move on to one of the millions of alternative targets when faced with a deterrent such as this. 

Junk Shedder

Here’s one of the tools you probably never realized just how much you needed. The Junk Shredder option makes sure that all files are cleaned and any stuff that doesn’t belong is removed without leaving anything behind. Any junk data that might be slowing your computer down without you realizing will be scanned and removed when necessary, effectively optimizing your performance.

Performance and Protection

There are not many published test reports to clarify the performance score of TotalAV other than the AV-Test Product Review and Certification Report of November-December 2019.

According to the results, AV-Test rated it a performance score and protection score of 4.0/6.0, which is the lowest amongst all brands. In the same test, Norton topped the charts with a perfect score of 6 in all categories.

Malware Protection

The advanced malware engine can secure your system from most malware and threats, but it isn’t as strong as its competitors. TotalAV uses the white-label version of Avira’s core antivirus technology, hence you can rest assured about the malware detection and quarantine capabilities.

With frequent virus definition updates, it checks installs, downloads, and executables for viruses each time you access them.

Overall, this option offers decent malware protection, but it has to develop further in order to compete with brands like Bullguard Antivirus.

Ransomware Detection

This antivirus does a good job of detecting and blocking malware. The real-time engine works perfectly in unison with modern-day anti-ransomware to keep your system protected. In addition, the spyware removal tool makes sure to quarantine any files that may have bypassed the initial check.

The phishing protection and data breach search alongside a 256-bit encrypted VPN make sure to eradicate all possible chances of ransomware.

However, without proven test-results, users might find it a bit difficult to trust the claims that the brand makes.

Phishing Detection

TotalAV offers complete protection against Phishing scams even with its lowest-tier plan. You get a full suite of added features like AdBlocker, Firewall, Identity Protection, and Safe Browsing (VPN) that provides advanced protection against malicious websites.

Additionally, it blocks every unsolicited attempt of stealing your personal information. The Chrome and Firefox extensions (Web Shield) do a decent job of blocking suspected sites even before you open them.

It is able to block malicious URLs and scans downloads as well as attachments in real-time.

Spyware Detection

Access complete protection against spyware (PUA). The real-time scans are non-intrusive and work seamlessly across devices. TotalAV keeps you protected while you browse the web by automatically blocking harmful websites. You can add the Safe Shield feature to the browsers, and it will keep blocking shady URLs and other social links that might put your personal data at risk.

This privacy-enhanced feature alongside a remotely accessible firewall stops hackers and snoopers from accessing your data while warning you instantly if it detects something suspicious.

Firewall Protection

Offering the perfect security combo of a VPN and a firewall, TotalAV helps encrypt every bit of data that leaves your device while securing it till it reaches the final destination. It gives you fully secured devices and connections. The feature gives you enough flexibility to customize it as per needs.

An additional feature called the Remote Firewall allows you to remotely access your connected devices and manage the incoming or outgoing connection requests.

Lab Test Results

As we mentioned earlier, TotalAV is comparatively new. Hence, it hasn’t been a part of many test results. This is quite okay given most new brands do not get the chance to get tested in the ongoing tests by renowned providers.

In June 2019, VB100 organized a test for WildList Detection, and, TotalAV topped the chart with a 100% detection rate, which is at par with industry leaders like Avast, AVG, and Kaspersky. The brand has not yet made it to AV-Comparatives Tests, but it was a part of the AV-Test Product Review and Certification Test held in July-August 2019.

In this test, the antivirus was evaluated on realistic test scenarios that mimicked real-world threats. The industry average for protection against 0-day malware attacks was 98.9% (368 test samples), while TotalAV detected 94.15 in July and 96.7% in August. This dipped to 78.6% in September and 57.4% in October.

The latest test results (November-December 2019) showed TotalAV detected 91.5% and 97.4% respectively for both months while the industry average was 99.1%. Still, it was able to detect 99.8% of widespread and prevalent malware from a total of 20,428 samples. Although there’s a huge scope for improvement, it does a more than decent job of providing all-round protection for all of your devices.

TotalAV Pricing Plans

Ease of Use and Interface

Of all the antivirus software that we tested, TotalAV has one of the most user-friendly and easy-to-use interfaces. It features a neatly organized start-up screen that allows you to see everything in one place. This straightforward design also makes it easier for users to navigate to the additional sub-menus and features listed within them.

The platform has crammed a lot of things on the main screen (visual charts and more) which might be confusing for new users. Other than this, the dashboard is excellent and provides easy accessibility. To be honest, the user interface is one of the strongest points.

Users can perform the recurring tasks without the need to glide across tabs as a majority of the needed functions are right there at the home screen.

The blend of gray, black, and green does create a visual impact. The meters turn red whenever suspicious files are detected. However, the constant pop-ups about threats and updates can turn out to be a bit intrusive. You can use the settings menu to tweak and customize additional features and quick-click buttons as per need. To sum up, the interface is tidy, neat, and hands down one of the best UI we have tested of late.

Customer Service

With 24/7 customer service and technical support, users can connect to the company through email, telephone, and live chat. In addition, they have a huge library of resources on their official website. The knowledge base offers a wide range of support options including the general FAQs, installation and uninstallation guides per device, video and web tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and many blogs as well as articles.

Luckily, this antivirus platform values its consumers and ensures that they do not have to wait for hours on hold. They have customer service representatives who are highly skilled and will provide you with quick, easy, and realistic responses. It doesn’t have a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation, however, a quick check on their profile points out that they take the time to respond to each and every feedback. As of today’s date, TotalAV has a TrustScore of 4.8/5.

How to Set It Up and Uninstall

Installing TotalAV is simple. Once you download it, the Installation Wizard takes care of most of the setup process. Here are the steps:

1-   Download the software from the official website.

2-   Click Install and follow the prompts (during the process, the Installation Wizard will suggest you to download and install V9 Network Adapters for VPN. Please make sure to install these).

3-   Once done, follow the prompts on screen and the installation should be completed in a matter of minutes.

4-   You will need to sign in with your TotalAV account email and password once it is installed. The software will also update the virus descriptions immediately, hence make sure that you’re connected to the internet.

If you want to remove TotalAV from your system, do the following:

1. Open Control Panel > Apps and Features
2. Choose TotalAV and click on Uninstall
3. Restart the device (if not done automatically)

Our Verdict 

TotalAV has some great features and add-ons that gives industry leaders a tough competition. However, it’s still relatively new to the market, so you might prefer to assess all your options. Either way, we think it really packs a punch and has come a long way since it started out in 2016, and it does what it says on the tin. Overall, it represents a great antivirus choice if you’re seeking a decent deal on price and offers reliable protection. Sure, there are providers out there that have been around a lot longer, but it gives many of them a run for their money.

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