TechRadar Highlights Bundled VPN Deal as Analysis Questions VPN Security vs. Antivirus

TechRadar said an increasing number of VPN providers now bundle malware detection, malicious link checkers and ad blockers. Modern VPNs have moved beyond simple tunneling. NordVPN and Surfshark, for example, include real-time malware protection that checks URLs against malicious databases and scans files during downloads. In 2024, NordVPN became the first VPN to earn certification as a reliable anti-phishing tool, TechRadar said, and its Threat Protection feature blocks websites, web trackers and ads while scanning downloads. Surfshark One offers real-time protection from viruses and malware with scheduled scans.

However, the article said VPN-based solutions often skip features common in standalone antivirus, such as full system scans and behavioral threat analysis. Some VPN antivirus tools are essentially rebadged versions of the same underlying technology. Surfshark's antivirus is powered by Avira's anti-malware SDK, while CyberGhost Security Suite uses Intego's frontend, which for Windows relies on Avira's engine and definitions. Because they share infrastructure and detection databases, VPN partners may take time to integrate Avira updates, creating potential gaps compared with native Avira users. Platform support can also be inconsistent. Some VPN antivirus features work only on Windows and Android, leaving macOS and iOS users with partial coverage, a gap the article said could be exploited by threat actors targeting Apple devices.

On operating-system protection, TechRadar said Microsoft Defender has improved significantly. In AV-Comparatives' July-August 2026 real-world protection test, Defender blocked 95.5% of live threats with one false positive. Across multiple testing rounds, Defender consistently earned Advanced+ awards and protection scores that often rival paid solutions including Bitdefender and Sophos, while recording fewer false positives than many commercial competitors. Apple deploys three defenses rather than traditional signature-based scanning: Gatekeeper verifies authenticity, Notarization scans for known malware before distribution, and XProtect handles background detection with automatic updates. XProtect Remediator, added in recent macOS versions, periodically scans for active infections. Apple prevents a substantial share of opportunistic attacks, though zero-day threats remain a vulnerability.

For free antivirus software, Avast Free Antivirus remains a solid baseline, TechRadar said. In recent AV-Comparatives testing, it was one of only three products out of 20 tested to achieve a 100% block rate. Free tiers typically come with limited cross-platform coverage and reduced toolsets, trade-offs that rarely matter for casual browsing but add up when managing sensitive files across multiple devices. Paid suites such as Norton 360 Deluxe and Bitdefender Total Security offer extras including password managers, cloud backup, parental controls and identity monitoring. Having those utilities in one package means less to juggle and often costs less than buying each tool separately, according to the article.

TechRadar's verdict was that a combination works best. A VPN, free antivirus and built-in OS-level security create a solid protection foundation, while relying on any single layer leaves gaps. A VPN alone will not catch malware already on a device or protect offline activity. Free antivirus lacks the behavioral analysis and premium support of paid suites. OS-level security cannot stop every zero-day exploit or advanced persistent threat. For average users with sensible browsing habits, the layered approach provides adequate protection for everyday use. For those who manage sensitive data, handle financial transactions regularly or use older hardware that might delay security updates, a premium suite adds meaningful insurance. Most users can stay secure without overspending, the article said.