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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →IPVanish announced on 7 October 2026 that its desktop app now includes next-generation Antivirus for Windows and macOS, and that its web subscriptions have been reorganized into a three-tier lineup. The company is also repositioning itself from a VPN provider to a broader digital security brand, under the tagline “Control your digital world.” The antivirus is included in the Complete and Advanced plans, and the company says existing Threat Protection Pro users receive it automatically. The sections below explain what was added, what each plan includes, how to read the test result the company cites, and why a VPN alone does not cover malware.
What changed with IPVanish
Three things were announced together. First, Antivirus was built into the IPVanish desktop app for Windows and macOS, so VPN and device protection are managed from one application. Second, the web subscription lineup was restructured into Essential, Complete, and Advanced. Third, the company introduced a refreshed brand identity. According to the IPVanish launch release, the Antivirus and Complete plan were available at announcement time.
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Does IPVanish now include antivirus?
Yes, but only on certain plans and only in the desktop app. Antivirus is part of the Complete and Advanced subscriptions. It is not part of the Essential plan. The launch release is the source for the Windows and macOS scope; it does not describe antivirus for mobile or other operating systems.
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Existing customers on Threat Protection Pro are described as receiving Antivirus automatically. Because rollout timing and eligibility can differ by account, check your IPVanish account and current terms before assuming the feature is active on your subscription.
#1 Best Overall
- SPEED-OPTIMIZED, CROSS-PLATFORM PROTECTION: World-class antivirus security and cyber protection for Windows (Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11), Mac OS (Yosemite 10.10 or later), iOS (11.2 or later), and Android (5.0 or later). Organize and keep your digital life safe from hackers
- SAFE ONLINE BANKING: A unique, dedicated browser secures your online transactions; Our Total Security product also includes 200MB per day of our new and improved Bitdefender VPN
- ADVANCED THREAT DEFENSE: Real-Time Data Protection, Multi-Layer Malware and Ransomware Protection, Social Network Protection, Game/Movie/Work Modes, Microphone Monitor, Webcam Protection, Anti-Tracker, Phishing, Fraud, and Spam Protection, File Shredder, Parental Controls, and more
- ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING: Your product-specific code is printed on a card and shipped inside a protective cardboard sleeve. Simply open packaging and scratch off security ink on the card to reveal your activation code. No more bulky box or hard-to-recycle discs. PLEASE NOTE: Product packaging may vary from the images shown, however the product is the same.
What the antivirus component does
IPVanish describes the following capabilities. These are the company’s own descriptions of the product, and this article has not independently verified how well each one performs in real use.
- Device malware scanning: on-demand scans and scheduled scans. The release also mentions scanning external drives.
- Real-time anti-ransomware and machine-learning detection: monitoring for threats as they run rather than only during a manual scan.
- Download and file-change monitoring: watching files as they arrive or are modified on the device.
- Anti-exploit protection and behavioral process monitoring: looking for programs that act suspiciously, including attempts to exploit software weaknesses.
- Web and network protection: screening web and network activity for threats.
The company states that this protection can stay active while the VPN is disconnected. That is a meaningful design point: the antivirus component does not depend on the VPN tunnel being open.
Rank #2
![Norton 360 Deluxe 2027 Antivirus, 5 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download] | Includes Scam Protection, Advanced VPN, Dark Web Monitoring, & PC Cloud Backup](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IYV5zGyCL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 5 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
What the new plans include
TechRadar’s launch-day coverage gives the tier prices below. The IPVanish release confirms the three-tier structure but does not include these price figures in the announcement copy, so treat the prices as a snapshot from launch day rather than a fixed offer.
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| Plan | What it includes | Antivirus | Cloud storage | Secure Browser | Reported price (TechRadar, launch day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | VPN package with Threat Protection | No | Not listed | Not listed | From $2.39 per month; term and renewal price not stated |
| Complete | Essential plus the new Antivirus | Yes | Not listed | Not listed | $3.09 per month on a two-year plan; renewal price not stated |
| Advanced | Complete plus 1 TB cloud storage and Secure Browser | Yes | 1 TB | Yes | Not stated in the launch coverage cited |
Before choosing, confirm the price for your country, the billing term, the renewal rate, applicable taxes, and any promotion. Those details vary by geography and can change after launch.
Rank #3
![Norton 360 Premium 2027 Antivirus, 10 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41JNWru8mYL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 10 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
The 99.91% test result: what it does and does not show
The launch release cites a result of 99.91% protection rate against 10,000 recent malware samples, from AV-Comparatives in March 2026. According to the release, the test covered 20 consumer Windows security products, and VIPRE Advanced Security received the lab’s Advanced+ award.
The result is for the VIPRE engine as tested. IPVanish’s antivirus is built on that engine, but the figure is not a direct AV-Comparatives test of the IPVanish Antivirus app, its settings, or its update cadence. The release itself includes that caveat. The release also refers to a separate enterprise test of VIPRE’s EDR engine; that result concerns a different product category and is not needed to understand the consumer launch.
Rank #4
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
In practical terms, the figure tells you how the underlying engine performed in one lab test on one date. It does not tell you how the IPVanish-branded product will perform on your machine.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesDoes a VPN protect you from malware?
No. A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN server and can hide your IP address from the sites you visit. It does not inspect files you download or run, and it does not judge whether a login page is genuine. IPVanish’s own spokesperson, Subbu Sthanu, General Manager, Consumer Cybersecurity, put it this way in the launch release: “A VPN was never meant to be the whole answer. It protects your internet connections and privacy, but does not shield you from malicious downloads, fake login pages, and other threats.”
Best Value
- POWERFUL, LIGHTNING-FAST ANTIVIRUS: Protects your computer from viruses and malware through the cloud; Webroot scans faster, uses fewer system resources and safeguards your devices in real-time by identifying and blocking new threats
- IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION: Protects your usernames, account numbers and other personal information against keyloggers, spyware and other online threats targeting valuable personal data
- REAL-TIME ANTI-PHISHING: Proactively scans websites, emails and other communications and warns you of potential danger before you click to effectively stop malicious attempts to steal your personal information
- ALWAYS UP TO DATE: Webroot scours 95% of the Internet three times per day including billions of web pages, files and apps to determine what is safe online and enhances the software automatically without time-consuming updates
The practical split is simple:
- A VPN covers: traffic privacy on untrusted networks, and hiding your IP address from destinations.
- Antivirus covers: malicious files on the device, suspicious program behavior, and ransomware-style activity.
- Neither covers on its own: judgment about fake sign-in pages or phishing messages. Verify the site address and sender yourself, and use a password manager that fills credentials only on matching domains.
Which plan fits a typical user
- If you only need the VPN and already run your own protection, Essential is the plan the lineup describes as the traditional VPN package.
- If you want device-level scanning in the same app, Complete adds Antivirus at a higher price.
- If you also want 1 TB of cloud storage and Secure Browser, Advanced is the only tier that includes them, according to the launch coverage.
Brand change
The new identity accompanies the product change. Sthanu’s second statement in the release is: “Our new brand reflects who IPVanish has become.” The announcement does not describe a change in ownership, leadership, or the underlying VPN service.
For the company’s own wording, read the IPVanish launch release. TechRadar’s launch-day report covers the tier prices and offers editorial context.
The Bottom Line
IPVanish now offers device antivirus in its desktop app, on the Complete and Advanced plans, alongside its VPN. That is a useful addition for people who want one subscription for network privacy and device scanning. It is not a replacement for careful browsing habits, and the 99.91% figure belongs to the underlying VIPRE engine in an AV-Comparatives test, not to the IPVanish app itself.
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