Cylance Smart Review: AI-Driven Security, Now Discontinued

Company Overview

Cylance was founded in 2012 in Irvine, California, as a cybersecurity company focused on preventing malware or ransomware through artificial intelligence and machine learning. Their approach emphasized proactive threat detection, aiming to stop attacks before they could execute. Initially geared toward enterprise and government clients, they entered the consumer market in 2018 with Cylance Smart Antivirus—a home-user security solution. In 2019, they were acquired by BlackBerry Limited, which gradually shifted the company’s focus back toward enterprise cybersecurity.

Then, in 2024, Arctic Wolf acquired Cylance’s remaining endpoint security business and rebranded it under their new platform, Aurora Endpoint Security, effectively retiring the Cylance name and their products from both consumer and enterprise markets.

Cylance Smart Antivirus was offered as a paid-only service and was marketed as a minimal-intervention antivirus product. They did not provide a free version, and detailed technical documentation about their features remains limited due to their relatively short time on the market. Third-party consumer testing labs did not regularly evaluate the software, but the one notable assessment came from AV-Test in 2020. In that evaluation, Cylance received a 2.5 out of 6 for protection, 6 out of 6 for performance, and 4 out of 6 for usability, indicating strong system efficiency but raising concerns about real-time threat blocking. Since the product is no longer distributed, it is not included in the current antivirus performance testing or maintained through active updates.

Cylance is no longer available in any form. While Cylance does have a Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile, they are not accredited and hold an A+ rating, though their profile contains no reviews or complaints. While Cylance's enterprise tools were once seen as forward-thinking, their presence in the consumer antivirus space was short-lived, and any evaluations of their home product today are strictly retrospective.

Company’s Features & Services

Cylance Smart Antivirus was designed to stop malware before it could run, without relying on traditional virus signatures or manual scans. The software used artificial intelligence to analyze file behavior and block anything that appeared suspicious or harmful. Below are the core antivirus features they offered:

AI-based malware detection

Instead of scanning for known threats, Cylance used machine learning to evaluate whether a file’s behavior resembled malware. If it did, the file was blocked before it could execute, even if it had never been seen before.

Real-time threat blocking

Cylance monitored files as they attempted to run and stopped anything flagged as dangerous. This protection occurred in real time and didn’t rely on scheduled scans or user intervention.

Automatic quarantine

When a file was identified as a threat, it was immediately isolated to prevent it from running or spreading. Users had the option to restore the file later if they believed it was mistakenly flagged.

Suspect and abnormal file handling

Files labeled as “suspect” (highly likely to be malicious) or “abnormal” (showing unusual behavior) were automatically blocked by default. These protections could be turned off, but doing so increased the risk of allowing harmful files to run.

File control

If Cylance blocked a file the user trusted, they could manually approve it or add it to a safe list, preventing it from being blocked in the future. Users could also block specific files across all their protected devices.

Cloud-based threat analysis

Unknown files could be submitted to Cylance’s cloud system for deeper analysis. This helped improve threat detection across the entire user base by training the AI to recognize new or evolving threats.

Remote management of devices

Cylance allowed users to manage protection across all their devices from a single cloud-based dashboard. This feature enabled users to monitor device statuses, approve or block programs, and manage devices through a web-based interface.

What Are Their Plans & Pricing Options?

Cylance Smart Antivirus is no longer available, and all subscriptions have been discontinued. However, based on research, they used a simple flat-rate pricing model tied to the number of devices covered. Each plan included full access to the antivirus software—there were no feature-based tiers or add-on charges.

Here’s what the pricing typically looked like while the product was still being offered:

• One device plan: $29.00 per year
• Five-device plan: $69.00 per year
• Ten-device plan: $79.00 one-time payment

The provider did not offer a free trial for Smart Antivirus. However, they provided a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to request a full refund if unsatisfied within the first month of use. All subscriptions were billed annually, with no monthly payment options or tiered upgrades.

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

• AI-powered threat prevention: Cylance uses artificial intelligence to detect threats based on behavior rather than signatures. This proactive approach helps stop unknown or emerging malware before it can run, reducing the need for constant updates or manual scans
• Multi-platform compatibility: The software is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, allowing users to protect all their devices under one account. This makes it practical for individuals and families managing multiple systems across different platforms
• Quarantining: When a threat is detected, the software automatically isolates the file to prevent it from executing. Users could later review quarantined items and decide whether to allow or permanently block them, giving a mix of automation and control
• Clear threat visibility: Each device shows a straightforward status—"Safe" or "At Risk"—based on its current exposure to threats. This gives users a quick understanding of their overall protection level without needing technical expertise

Disadvantages

• Lack of third-party antivirus certifications: Even when they were active and offering their consumer product, they were not regularly included in independent antivirus lab tests. This lack of external validation made it difficult for users to benchmark Cylance’s effectiveness against more established, widely tested antivirus solutions
• No additional security features: The product focuses solely on malware prevention and does not include extras like a VPN, firewall, password manager, or parental controls. Users looking for a complete security suite must use additional tools from other providers
• Lacks a free trial or version: Cylance Smart Antivirus did not offer a free version or trial of their software, and users had to pay upfront. While a 30-day money-back guarantee was available, the lack of these options could discourage those who prefer to test before committing

Customer Support & Service Options

When their product was available, Cylance offered limited support options for Smart Antivirus users. Customers could reach out through an online contact form, but they did not provide live chat or phone support. Assistance was handled via email, and users were expected to manage most configuration and troubleshooting independently. As of now, their official support page confirms that they are no longer accepting new orders or actively supporting the product.

Cylance maintained a set of self-guided resources for software users. These included user manuals, setup guides, and how-to articles designed to help customers understand the basics of installation, threat handling, and security settings. These materials were offered in English and French and are still accessible through their Smart Antivirus support page, though they are no longer being updated.

It’s important to note that their entire brand has been discontinued, and users should not expect any ongoing technical support or software updates. While their archived support content may offer some value to existing users, no new inquiries or assistance requests are being processed.

Conclusion

Cylance Smart Antivirus used artificial intelligence to prevent threats before they could run. Their approach removed the need for traditional virus signatures or manual scans, offering real-time protection with minimal user involvement. For people looking for lightweight, low-maintenance antivirus, their platform provided a simple and centralized way to manage multiple devices.

Still, even while active, they came with limitations. Cylance lacked independent lab certifications, offered no additional features like VPN or identity protection, and did not provide a free version. And now that they’ve been entirely discontinued, they’re no longer a viable choice for ongoing cybersecurity.

Since Cylance Smart Antivirus is no longer supported, we strongly recommend finding an active, up-to-date antivirus solution. To help with that, explore our full list of antivirus reviews, try our comparison tool, and check out our blog for expert insights into the best tools available today.