PCProtect: Custom Scanning & Data Protection Tools

Company Overview

PCProtect is a UK-based cybersecurity provider founded in 2018. They focus on delivering comprehensive antivirus protection for both individual users and businesses. With a simple, user-friendly approach to digital security, they aim to provide real-time malware protection, firewall management, and additional services tailored to meet the needs of different clients, ranging from casual home users to small businesses. PCProtect operates globally, offering services in multiple languages and striving to make online protection accessible to a broad range of customers.

Their core antivirus features include malware and ransomware protection, phishing prevention, and a robust firewall to safeguard devices from threats. They also offer real-time threat monitoring, scheduled scanning, and automatic updates. PCProtect has been recognized for offering effective malware detection, though exact results from independent testing organizations like AV-Test or AV-Comparatives may be difficult to find. They offer a 30-day free trial, allowing users to experience their protection before committing to a paid plan. While PCProtect doesn’t currently provide a free antivirus version, their affordable pricing structure makes them a viable option for many users.

In terms of reputation, PCProtect is relatively new in the cybersecurity market but has already received attention for their straightforward approach to online security. While they have not been significantly featured in awards or major industry rankings, they have a growing customer base. As of now, they do not have a Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, likely due to their global presence and non-US focus. Nevertheless, they maintain a solid reputation for providing effective security tools and responsive customer support.

Features & Services

• Core antivirus scanner: Detects and blocks known viruses, malware, and other malicious software. The core scanner runs in the background to automatically scan files and programs for potential threats
• Ransomware protection: Detects ransomware attacks and prevents files from being encrypted. This protection ensures that your important files remain safe from extortion-based attacks
• Firewall: Monitors network traffic and prevents unauthorized access to your device. The firewall acts as a barrier between your device and potential cyber intruders
• Phishing protection: Scans for phishing attempts, protecting users from websites and emails designed to steal personal information like login credentials, credit card numbers, and more
• Advanced WebShield: Protects against malicious websites and dangerous online activity, ensuring safe browsing and preventing harmful downloads
• Scheduled scanning: Lets you set up automatic scans for regular checks on your system. This ensures that your device is routinely monitored for any threats without manual intervention
• Email scanning: Scans incoming email messages, attachments, and links for any harmful content such as viruses or malicious scripts, enhancing security while managing email communications
• Real-time threat monitoring: Continuously tracks activity on your device to detect new threats as they arise. It helps to block malicious behavior instantly, providing proactive protection
• Anti-spyware: Protects against spyware that can monitor your activities and steal sensitive information. PCProtect identifies and removes spyware, ensuring user privacy
• Password manager: Securely stores passwords and auto-fills them across various websites, helping users maintain strong, unique passwords for each account
• Junk cleaner: Removes unnecessary files, temporary data, and system clutter to free up valuable disk space. This feature helps improve your device’s performance, ensuring it runs efficiently without being bogged down by junk files
• Parental controls: Allows users to monitor and control what their children or other users access on the internet. The tool helps block inappropriate content and limit screen time
• Cloud backup: Automatically backs up important files and documents to the cloud, ensuring that they are safe from loss due to system failures or cyberattacks
• 24/7 customer support: Offers round-the-clock assistance through live chat and email. This ensures users can resolve any issues or queries about their antivirus software at any time
• VPN (Virtual Private Network): Securely encrypts internet traffic, masking the user’s IP address and providing enhanced privacy while browsing or using public networks
• Data shredder: Permanently deletes files so they cannot be recovered. Ideal for those looking to securely erase sensitive information before selling or donating a device
• Ad blocker: Blocks intrusive ads while browsing, improving user experience and protecting against ad-related malware
• Data breach monitoring: Keeps an eye out for potential data breaches involving your personal information, alerting you to any risks of exposure
• Clear tracking cookies: Removes tracking cookies to enhance user privacy while browsing the web, blocking unnecessary data collection
• Device locator: Helps track the location of lost or stolen devices, providing peace of mind for users concerned about physical device security

Plans & Prices

PCProtect offers several antivirus plans with tiered pricing based on features and the number of devices covered. While they don’t offer a free version, they provide different levels of protection for individual users and families. Here is a list of their plans:

• Essential Plan (starts at $29.99/year for 1 device): Includes core antivirus protection, real-time threat monitoring, and firewall protection. It’s suitable for users who need basic protection against malware and other common threats
• Premium Plan (starts at $49.99/year for up to 3 devices): Adds features like ransomware protection, email scanning, and multi-device support. Ideal for users who need comprehensive security across multiple devices, including mobile and desktop
• Ultimate Plan (starts at $69.99/year for up to 5 devices): Includes everything in the Premium Plan, along with added perks such as a VPN, cloud backup, and identity protection. Designed for users who want full protection for multiple devices and additional tools for privacy and data security

Additional services, like the VPN and Identity Protection, are included in the higher-tier plans, while users on lower-tier plans may need to upgrade for full access.

Plans can be customized mainly by selecting the number of devices you want to cover. While PCProtect does not use a quote-based pricing model, they offer a 30-day free trial for all new users to test out the service before committing to a paid plan.

Advantages

• Advanced multi-layer malware defense: PCProtect offers cutting-edge, multi-layer protection against all types of malware, including viruses, ransomware, spyware, and phishing attacks. Their defense system works seamlessly across various platforms, ensuring that your devices are protected at all times. This means users can rest assured that they’re not just relying on traditional virus detection but on a comprehensive system that anticipates and blocks a wide range of evolving threats in real time
• Simple and intuitive user interface: PCProtect’s interface is designed for both beginners and experienced users. With an easy-to-navigate layout, users can access essential tools, schedule scans, and check system status without unnecessary complexity. The straightforward design makes it easy for anyone to get up and running with minimal setup, ensuring a hassle-free security experience
• Real-time, proactive threat detection: With PCProtect, protection isn't just reactive—it's proactive. The software monitors your system in real time to detect and block threats before they can cause harm. This continuous monitoring ensures that any potential risk is intercepted instantly, which minimizes the chance of data loss or system compromise
• Affordable, scalable pricing plans: PCProtect provides flexible pricing plans, making it easy to find the right fit based on the number of devices you want to cover. With prices starting as low as $29.99/year, users can access premium security at a reasonable cost. This scalability ensures that customers can choose the plan that fits their needs, whether it’s a single device or multiple devices across a family or small business
• Cloud backup for secure data recovery: PCProtect’s cloud backup service allows you to securely store important files off-site, providing a safety net in case your device is compromised. This feature gives users the confidence that their critical data, including documents, photos, and videos, will be recoverable even in the event of a ransomware attack or device failure
• VPN access for enhanced online privacy: As part of the Ultimate Plan, PCProtect offers a VPN feature that encrypts your internet traffic, providing a secure and private browsing experience. This is a major benefit for users who value privacy, particularly when using public wifi networks or accessing sensitive information. With a VPN, your browsing activity is shielded from potential hackers, providing an extra layer of protection beyond traditional antivirus software
• Seamless password management integration: PCProtect’s password management feature enables users to store and manage their passwords across various devices securely. This feature is integrated directly into the software, making it easy to generate, store, and autofill strong passwords for websites and applications. For users, this benefit eliminates the need to remember numerous passwords, while ensuring that all accounts are protected with strong, unique credentials

Disadvantages

• Limited independent testing data: PCProtect lacks extensive third-party testing data from independent organizations like AV-Test or AV-Comparatives, which makes it harder to compare their performance to other leading antivirus providers. This is significant because without such external validation, customers may feel uncertain about the effectiveness of their protection, especially when it comes to blocking more advanced threats or achieving high detection rates. Users might rely more on user reviews or in-house testing, which may not always provide a comprehensive or objective picture
• No free version available: Unlike many competitors, PCProtect does not offer a free version of their antivirus software. This means that customers must pay upfront to access even basic protection. This could be a drawback for budget-conscious users who are looking for a way to test out the software before committing to a subscription. The absence of a free version may deter potential customers who prefer to try before they buy, especially when other providers offer robust free options
• Additional features locked behind higher-tier plans: Some advanced features, such as VPN access, identity protection, and cloud backup, are only available in the higher-tier plans, leaving basic users without these useful tools. While the Essential Plan offers core protection, customers may feel limited in terms of functionality if they choose this lower-cost option. This can lead to frustration if they later realize they need these features but are required to upgrade to a more expensive plan to access them
• Limited customization for multi-device plans: PCProtect's multi-device plans are somewhat rigid in terms of the number of devices they support. Users may not have the flexibility to choose specific device types or adjust coverage based on their changing needs. For customers who want to add or remove devices over time or have multiple types of devices (such as tablets, smartphones, or gaming consoles), this lack of customization could feel restrictive, requiring them to purchase a higher-tier plan or go through extra steps to modify their coverage

Customer Experience

PCProtect has garnered mostly positive feedback across various review platforms. The company holds a solid rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, reflecting the satisfaction of a large number of users who appreciate their effectiveness in keeping their devices secure. While many users appreciate the simplicity of the software, the comprehensive protection, and responsive customer service, there are also concerns regarding billing practices, transparency, and technical issues.

Positive feedback

Many users highlight the software's effectiveness in providing robust, real-time protection against threats like malware and ransomware. Customers have praised PCProtect for their silent operation, quick scans, and peace of mind they offer. Several reviews mention how the software's interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, even for those without technical expertise. Users also appreciate the speed of installation and the excellent customer support provided when issues arise. Overall, customers feel reassured knowing their devices are safeguarded from cyber threats without constant interference.

Critical feedback

On the other hand, a number of users have voiced frustrations with PCProtect’s billing practices, particularly the lack of transparency regarding auto-renewals. Some have reported being charged unexpectedly after canceling their subscriptions, and a few have had difficulty reaching customer support for resolution. Additionally, there have been complaints about technical issues, such as conflicts with other programs or poor performance during scans. These concerns have led to negative ratings, especially from users experiencing problems with cancellation processes or unresponsive customer service.

Proactive approach

Despite the negative feedback, PCProtect has shown a proactive approach in addressing customer concerns. The company responds to all complaints within 24 hours, offering personalized assistance and encouraging customers to fill out contact forms for direct support. They also provide clear instructions and direct communication through their customer service team to resolve issues. However, some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the timeliness and effectiveness of the company's responses, particularly when dealing with refund requests or cancellation issues.

Customer Support

PCProtect provides several customer support options to assist users with technical issues, billing questions, and general product guidance. Their main resource is the PCProtect Help Center, which offers a comprehensive knowledge base with step-by-step articles covering installation, troubleshooting, and account management. For users requiring direct assistance, PCProtect offers support via email and live chat, ensuring a responsive and accessible experience.

Phone support is available for urgent issues. U.S. users can contact PCProtect’s support team at +1-833-201-8683, while international users can find additional contact numbers on the support page. This service provides users with access to technical help and general inquiries during business hours, though it is not available 24/7.

While PCProtect offers live chat support, it is important to note that they do not offer a dedicated 24/7 phone support line for all users, which may be inconvenient for those needing instant assistance outside of business hours. However, their responsive live chat feature helps fill this gap, offering timely answers to most questions.

Conclusion

PCProtect offers a robust set of features that cater to both individual users and small businesses. With their multi-layered malware protection, real-time threat monitoring, and advanced tools like cloud backup, VPN access, and identity protection, PCProtect is designed to provide comprehensive security across various platforms. These features make it suitable for anyone from casual users to those requiring more advanced protection. Whether you're simply looking for peace of mind or need enhanced tools to safeguard sensitive data, PCProtect offers a solution that adapts to different needs.

Among the advantages, PCProtect stands out for their ease of use, affordability, and excellent customer support. The software runs efficiently in the background, ensuring that devices are secure without disrupting daily use. Customer satisfaction is reflected in positive reviews, with many users noting the speed of installation, ease of use, and effectiveness in protecting against various threats. However, some customers have raised concerns about billing practices, especially with auto-renewals, and a few have faced technical issues with the software or customer service responsiveness.

For further insights, explore our antivirus reviews, compare different options using our comparison tool, and read our blog for expert advice on choosing the right security solution for your needs.