Total AV Review: Is It Any Good?
Probably the most important question you are wondering now is how reliable Total AV is. Older reviews state that this antivirus delivers poor protection. Some advertising reviews claim it’s the best option. Nevertheless, there are some pros and cons you’d better learn before you buy this program. Let’s go over the main peculiarities and features before you decide is Total AV good for you or not?
A brief overview of the program
First of all, it supports most operating systems. You can get Total AV for your Windows or Mac OS-running device as well as an app for Android and iOS. Keep in mind that the versions also deliver different sets of features based on the needs and capabilities of the device.
There are 2 basic versions: free and premium. The free solution delivers only basic protection. If you decide to upgrade, you’ll get a set of extra tools to keep the PC or smartphone protected. They’ll differ based on the subscription plan you choose.
The installation process is time-consuming. It takes over 10 minutes to install. Moreover, you’ll have to create an account regardless of the version you have. In case you get free antivirus, this seems to require too many efforts. After the installation, you’ll run the first scan. Get ready since it takes a long time, too.
After everything is set up, you’ll be able to use one of 3 types of scans:
- A quick scan,
- A full scan,
- A USB scan.
The pros and cons of Total AV
First of all, a simple interface that even a beginner can easily navigate is definitely an advantage. It has a color-corrected scheme, which means that as long as the modules work they are green. If some actions are required, they’ll change to yellow or red.
When you get a premium option, you’ll also receive the following extra tools:
- The disk cleanup,
- A VPN,
- A personal firewall,
- The system boost tool,
On the other hand, there are some drawbacks to this software, too. They are sure to make you wonder is Total AV good?
One of the most important ones is the tricky pricing policy. Before you sign up, you need to make sure you understand how much the antivirus costs. Learn everything about promotions and special deals. As a rule, they only cover the first year of using the services. After that, it’ll cost you over $100 per year. This is a very pricey option for mediocre antivirus protection. Remember that if you delete the software, it doesn’t stop the subscription. Unless you stop it from the account, you’ll be charged every year.
This led us to the next drawback. While the program costs quite a lot, the quality of protection is far from excellent. According to the results of the tests made by independent labs, Total AV fails to detect some zero-day threats and malware. This means you can’t rely on the antivirus 100%.
How to uninstall the antivirus?
The installation is time-consuming but very simple. Uninstalling this program can be much more complicated. Some users have issues and simply fail to delete the program. If you tried the traditional way of using the uninstallation file and fail, there are other options. For instance, you can restart the PC in the Safe Mode and remove the program or use the dedicated utilities that remove unwanted software and all its traces.
The verdict on Total AV
While it seems like a decent antivirus solution, the program has some drawbacks you can’t ignore. If you want excellent protection, you are sure to find something more reliable and less expensive on the market. Study the advantages and consider all the disadvantages to pick antivirus that suits your needs and expectations best.
NordVPN vs. IPVanish vs. ExpressVPN vs. OpenVPN
NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the best Virtual Private Network service provider for WordPress users that provides a collection of simple and easy-to-use applications to help you stay connected. Comparatively, it is more affordable than ExpressVPN, especially if you are going to pay for many years upfront. NordVPN is based outside Panama.
Features of NordVPN
- CyberSec
- Double VPN
- Hide IP Address
- Military-Grade Encryption
- Bitcoin Payments
- No Logs Policy
- Automatic Kill Switch
- P2P Sharing
- High-Speed VPN
- Onion Over VPN
- DNS Leak Protection
- Content Access
- SmartPlay
- Streaming
Server Locations and Dedicated IP Address
It has over 5,000 plus servers widespread over 62 countries on all livable continents. It also offers you to order a dedicated IP address, but it will charge you an extra $70/year.
Privacy and Security
- No logs policy
- DNS leak protection
- AES 256-bit encryption
- Killswitch functionality
- Onion over VPN
- OpenVPN support
- Double VPN option
Pros:
- The level of security is quite high
- A vast range of servers across the world
- They keep zero log
- The company is situated in Panama, and they do not have to comply with the European or US laws
- The user interface is friendly, and there are clients for a vast range of devices
Cons:
- The website could include more information
- No refunds for Bitcoin payments
IPVanish
It is the another best VPN service provider for WordPress users. One exciting thing about IPVanish is that you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously only with a single account. It is the most brilliant number of devices on the list, which makes IPVanish one of the best VPN service providers in the market with lots of devices.
Features of IPVanish
- 256-Bit AES Encryption
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- No Logs
- Geo-Locked Content Access
- Multi-Platform Protection
- Anonymous Torrenting
- SOCKS5 Web Proxy
- Unlimited Server Switching
- Unlimited P2P Traffic
- Multiple VPN Protocols
Server Locations and Dedicated IP Address
IPVanish provides over 1,100 plus servers in more than 60 countries on all liveable continents. The IPVanish doesn’t offer static IP addresses.
Privacy and Security
- OpenVPN
- No connection or traffic logs
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Killswitch, but only on macOS and Windows apps
- DNS leak protection
Pros:
- Likely to unblock Netflix
- Allows torrenting
- Works well with many locations
- Maintain privacy with no-logging policy
- Supports OpenVPN, IKEv2 and L2TP/IPsec VPN protocols
- Provides strong industry encryption
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Excellent customer support with live chat support option
- Support up to 10 devices with a single account
- Unlimited server switching
- Supports multiple devices such as Mac OS X, Windows, iOS, Ubuntu, Android, Windows Phone, Routers, and Chromebook
- Self-owned servers, including DNS without any third parties
Cons:
- Payment options are very few
- Cost is somewhat high
- A free trial is not available
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a widespread VPN service provider that works out of the British Virgin Islands. Beyond generally offering fast download speeds, one of the significant benefits of ExpressVPN is its user-friendly apps. Even if you are a first-timer, you will have no issue getting set up, thanks to the application.
Features of ExpressVPN
- All major platforms supported
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited server switches
- 99% uptime
- Best-in-class encryption
- OpenVPN, L2TP-IPsec, SSTP, PPTP
- No activity logs
- 145 plus servers, 94 countries
- Three simultaneous connections
- 24/7 customer support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Kill Switch
- Split tunneling
- Zero-knowledge DNS
Server Locations + Dedicated IP
ExpressVPN has over 2,000 VPN servers widespread over 148 cities in 94 countries. ExpressVPN does not provide the ability to get your dedicated IP address.
Privacy and Security
- OpenVPN support
- AES 256-bit encryption
- DNS/IPv6 leak protection
- Killswitch to stop traffic if your VPN isn’t active
- No traffic logs
Pros:
- 30 Day Money-Back Guarantee
- Lots of privacy features
- Ease of use
- Built-in speed test
- Support multiple devices
- No logging policy
- No limit and support for torrent
- Media streamer
Cons:
- One of the most expensive VPN service provider on the market
- Unclear company details on the About page
OpenVPN
OpenVPN is not like many other VPNs service providers, as it is an open-source encryption protocol. It means that users enjoy a remarkably secure network, thanks to the vast OpenSSL Library that is relatively unaffected and completely unowned by profit-minded technical giants like Cisco and Microsoft. It is a highly secure protocol that is unbeatable and free. No doubt, OpenVPN is the best and most recommended encryption protocol if you interested in surfing the web securely and anonymously.
Features of OpenVPN
- User-Configurable Solution
- Single Sign-On Function
- Authentication Modules
- macOS X Keychain Integration
- Secure Script Runs
- Windows Crypto API Integration
- macOS X Integration
- CRL Support
- API Support
- Web-Free VPN
- Universal Bundled Profiles
- Multi-Daemon Support
- Local Subnet Blocking
- Bundled Profiles
- Adaptive Protocol Support
Privacy and Security
OpenVPN provides optimal levels of security and encryption and is recommended for secure and safe web surfing. That’s why it is used as a primary shield against cyber threats by top rated and most recommended providers. It is also used as a key to bypass geo-restrictions.
Pros:
- It keeps no logs and no-kill switch
- Free, open-source VPN
- Supported by a developer community
- Boosted privacy and secure browsing
Cons:
- Can be blocked by business proxies
- Can lead to poor speeds when in use
- Too complicated and technical for first-timers
Verdict
NordVPN is the best of all the VPN services discussed above. It doesn’t mean that others are bad or not worth using. All are good and have their own best features, but in comparison, NordVPN is the winner with a maximum number of servers throughout the world.