Its limited track record makes it difficult to recommend this good antivirus service.
I analyzed Eset's Premium antivirus plan to determine if it offers adequate value in terms of malware protection, privacy, and customer support.
Eset Premium has stood out in 2024 as a fast and effective antivirus, although its inconsistent performance in previous years raises concerns. Below are the highlights of this security tool.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros:
- Strong malware protection in 2024.
- Flexible plans that allow adding more devices.
- Quick installation.
- Live chat support available for 11 hours on weekdays.
Cons:
- Poor test results prior to 2024.
- High cost.
- Chatbot errors in live chat assistance.
Eset is known for being a lightweight and effective antivirus solution that does not significantly impact system performance. While speed is crucial, comprehensive security against cyber threats is fundamental for any antivirus software. An assessment of Eset Premium was conducted to determine if it truly offers robust malware prevention, an easy-to-use interface, and efficient customer support, as well as to review its subscription options.
Specifications
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- Devices: From 1 (Essential, Premium) to 5 or more (Ultimate).
- Support: Chat, email, phone.
- Free version: Not available.
Pricing Structure
Eset offers three subscription levels with the option to add more devices and extend the subscription period for a better price. The Essential plan costs $50 per year, providing real-time malware protection, a firewall, and PC cleaning tools. For $60, the Premium plan includes a password manager, ransomware protection, and file encryption. Both plans are for a single device, and additional devices can be added for an extra $5 each. The Ultimate plan, priced at $130, starts with protection for five devices and also includes unlimited VPN, image metadata removal, and dark web monitoring. Eset allows a 30-day free trial for the Essential and Premium plans, although the Ultimate requires a paid subscription.
Design and Usability
The installation of Eset is quick and straightforward. It starts from the welcome page of the website, where users can choose "Protect Device" to download the software onto a Windows PC. The installer presents customization options, such as enabling Eset LiveGrid. After completing the installation, Eset performed an initial scan to detect malware, although notifications may appear about applications the user wishes to keep.
The Premium app provides an overview of the security status, indicating whether real-time protection is active. However, the arrangement of options may be somewhat confusing.
Features
AV-Comparatives' protection test results for 2024 are positive, although they highlight Eset's previous weaknesses. Despite achieving excellent results in 2024, Eset only managed to earn one star in real-time protection tests conducted from July to October 2023. Comparatively, other antivirus solutions like Norton 360 have demonstrated a nearly perfect protection track record over the years.
In specific tests, Eset Premium blocked all malware from Wicar and successfully identified and blocked threats. The password manager, although basic, allows for automatic login filling on websites.
Support
Eset offers 24/7 technical support through a chatbot. However, during testing, the system had limitations in providing accurate and prompt information. While it can be useful for simple inquiries, it can be frustrating in certain cases. In contrast, direct customer support via live chat proved to be effective.
Privacy and Security
Eset’s privacy policy ensures that user data is used solely to provide the contracted services, sharing it only with third parties that assist with customer support and billing. Although its internal security appears robust, a breach related to a partner was reported, leading to a phishing campaign that affected some customers.
Conclusion
Eset Premium emerges as a fast solution with good protection in 2024, although its previous track record raises questions. Unlike other antivirus solutions that offer consistent and reliable protection, Eset has allowed certain malware to penetrate in past tests. For those seeking efficient security without sacrificing performance, there are alternatives that might be considered more trustworthy.
