In terms of features, G Data delivers on the majority of what you’d expect from a complete suite. G Data’s straightforward, simple interface doesn’t muddle user experience by hiding security status. Like many other programs, this one uses the green tick or caption to show the security status.

The program is also very efficient in blocking and detecting new malware. The virus monitor that transmits your web traffic to G Data’s cloud services not only updates the virus definition file but also blocks malware based on its behavior. In our tests, G Data detected and blocked all new, unknown malware that we threw at it, with just one false positive.

In AV Comparatives offline detection test, G Data scored even better than top article Bitdefender’s cousin did. This is probably due to the program’s own DeepRay engine that can detect malicious code that has been disguised by looking at the actions the malware attempts to carry out. It looks for patterns that indicate malicious intent. For example, changing the settings of other programs, or monitoring keystrokes.

The program is not up to par in a few areas that we believe are important to an anti-virus suite. The program doesn’t include firewalls, VPN, or parental controls. If you want those extras you’ll have to buy G Data’s more expensive Internet Security package. This is a major disadvantage, especially since top-of-the-line rivals such as Norton 360 and Bitdefender provide them at a similar or cheaper cost.