Guardio Antivirus — Should You Get It in 2023?

Guardio antivirus, a rising star in the cybersecurity universe, is rapidly carving a niche for itself in the crowded antivirus marketplace. But with a plethora of competing cybersecurity products grappling for your attention, you might be wondering — should I opt for Guardio in 2023? Let’s dive deep into the unique features, strengths, and limitations of Guardio antivirus to help you make an informed decision.

An Overview of Guardio Antivirus

Guardio antivirus is a robust cybersecurity solution that has been earning rave reviews for its impressive malware detection rates. It provides comprehensive protection for your digital ecosystem, thanks to its intuitive applications that are compatible with all major operating systems.

Notably, Guardio also offers a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and a password manager, although these extra features could benefit from further enhancements. On the flip side, Guardio’s antivirus suite is not all-encompassing, with some key internet security features like a firewall and parental controls being conspicuously absent.

Guardio’s Malware Scanning Proficiency

Guardio’s real-time scanner has exhibited a commendable performance in detecting and blocking the majority of malware files. Its detection rates are on par with the top antivirus programs of 2023 that boast of a 99–100% detection rate.

Guardio’s malware scanner employs a comprehensive database of known malware but lacks advanced heuristic or machine learning capabilities to identify newer malware variants. Despite this, Guardio offers three different methods for manually scanning your computer:

• Quick Scan: Focuses on folders where viruses and malware are commonly found, such as system files and temporary files.
• Full Scan: Scans every file and folder on your device.
• Custom Scan: Allows you to choose specific files or folders to scan.

In tests involving the download of malware files, Guardio managed to detect about 98% of the test malware files, proving its efficacy in warding off a wide array of malware threats, including spyware, trojans, viruses, and ransomware.

Guardio’s ID Theft Protection Prowess

Guardio’s identity theft protection suite is a standout feature that monitors the dark web for any exposure of your personal information and accounts. It keeps an eye on your bank and financial accounts for unusual transactions and even tracks major credit bureaus, sending alerts about changes to your credit score.

This exceptional service monitors various elements, such as:

• Credit monitoring and an annual credit report: Provides monthly reports from all three major credit bureaus and allows you to lock and unlock your credit file to prevent unwanted inquiries.
• Bank monitoring: Alerts you to any suspicious spending on your bank accounts.
• Data protection: Submits removal requests to data brokers that collect and sell your personal data, protecting you from unwanted marketing and robocalls.
• Dark web monitoring: Monitors dark web websites, forums, and chat rooms and alerts you any time your personal information is exposed.
• Social Security monitoring: Alerts you anytime a new bank, credit, or utility account is opened using your identity.
• Online account monitoring: Alerts you if your online accounts have been compromised.

Guardio’s VPN

Guardio offers a simple VPN for Android, iOS, and Windows. While it provides basic encryption for your internet activity and masks your actual location, it doesn’t match up to the top VPNs in terms of features and flexibility.

Notably, Guardio’s VPN doesn’t allow you to change your location manually and lacks a kill switch, which is a standard feature in most top-rated VPNs. While Guardio’s VPN does permit P2P traffic, it is not recommended for torrenting due to the absence of a kill switch.

Password Manager

Guardio’s password manager, though functional, is relatively basic and lacks several features offered by standalone password managers. While it facilitates the storage of usernames and passwords of your online accounts, it doesn’t provide autofill functionality.

Plans and Pricing

Guardio offers three plans, each providing antivirus, VPN, and password manager features. However, the more expensive plans cater to more users and devices and offer increased insurance payouts.

Here’s a quick comparison of Guardio’s plans:

Is Guardio Easy to Use?

Guardio’s intuitive interface and seamless setup make it a user-friendly choice for users irrespective of their tech-savviness. Once installed, Guardio automatically initiates the first full scan and runs another one every time the app updates.

Mobile App

Guardio’s mobile apps for Android and iOS are easy to use but lack the comprehensive functionality provided by its competitors. The primary app includes VPN, password manager, and ID theft protections, while the antivirus scanner is offered in a separate app (Guardio Antivirus).

Customer Support

Guardio offers customer support via phone, email, and FAQs. However, the phone support, available 24/7, is the most effective channel to get in touch with the company.

Is Guardio Worth It?

While Guardio’s powerful antivirus scanner and impressive identity theft protections make it a worthy contender, its VPN and password manager could use some improvement. Furthermore, it lacks some key features included with other top antivirus suites. However, if you’re looking for a cybersecurity solution with commendable malware detection rates and robust ID theft protection, Guardio could be a solid choice for you in 2023.