PC Matic Antivirus Review

PC Matic breaks the mold when it comes to antivirus protection. It takes a unique approach to antivirus protection. Its whitelisting method blocks any program not explicitly deemed safe. But is it too restrictive for everyday use?
Company Background

• Established: 1999
• Experience: Over 23 years protecting devices
• Devices Scanned: Over 100 million
• Headquarters: Sioux City, Iowa, United States

I tested PC Matic to see how it balances protection with usability for average home users.

In this review, I’ll address all your burning questions: Does PC Matic truly protect against malware? How does it compare to other antivirus solutions? Will it slow down your PC, and how does it feel to get support?

Here are the key areas I’ll focus on:

• Features: What does PC Matic bring to the table?
• Malware Protection: Can it effectively stop threats?
• Performance: Will it bog down your computer?
• Ease of Use: Is it simple to install and get help?

Check out the summary below before diving into the full review for a quick verdict.

PC Matic review summary

Pros

• • Strong performance in tests
  • Includes tools to optimize your PC
  • Effective malware blocking

Cons

• • High potential for false positives (disrupting legitimate programs)
  • Real-time scanning requires a separate installation
  • Fewer extra security features compared to some competitors

What’s new?

PC Matic Updates: User Experience at the Forefront

PC Matic 4.0, released on February 9, 2021, significantly focused on usability and streamlined performance. Key improvements include:

• Revamped User Interface: A larger, more intuitive interface makes it easier to understand what PC Matic does for your device (malware removals, patched vulnerabilities, etc.).
• Simplified Scanning: Finding and running scans is now more straightforward.
• One-Click Support: Quickly access PC Matic’s customer support channels when needed.
• Enhanced Navigation: Move through the software seamlessly with improved navigation features.

In March 2022, PC Matic Home received a cosmetic update, refreshing the interface’s look for a more modern feel. This update focused on visual elements without changing core functionality.

PC Matic is committed to ongoing development, so expect further enhancements in the future.

How to get the latest version of PC Matic

• Automatic Updates: Generally, PC Matic should update itself automatically. Check your settings to ensure this feature is enabled.
• Manual Check: Within the PC Matic interface, look for an “Updates” or “About” section to check your version and manually initiate an update if available.
• Reinstallation: If updates aren’t showing, try a fresh installation:

1. 1. Uninstall the current version of PC Matic.
   2. Download the latest installer from the official PC Matic website.
   3. Run the installer and follow the prompts.

What versions of the software are available?

• Simplified Offering: PC Matic has streamlined their product line, focusing primarily on PC Matic Home Security for home users.
• Business Options: If you’re seeking a business solution, explore its dedicated business offerings on the PC Matic website.

PC Matic Home Security

PC Matic Home Security provides comprehensive protection for your devices. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

• Robust Malware Defense: This solution leverages whitelisting, fileless script blocking, and brute force attack mitigation for exceptional security against various threats, including ransomware.
• Dark Web Monitoring: Alerts you if your personal information appears to be in an online leak.
• PC Optimization: This service keeps your PC running smoothly with automated maintenance, such as driver updates, registry cleaning, and more.
• Ad Blocker: Enhances your web browsing experience and security by blocking harmful advertisements (available for Chrome, Internet Explorer, Edge, and Firefox).
• Compatibility: PC Matic Home Security is designed to work alongside other antivirus solutions if desired, but it might create conflicts.

Important Note: PC Matic has discontinued their free Home Security version. While the download might still exist, it likely won’t offer adequate protection. If you have it, uninstall it for your safety.

Is PC Matic Antivirus effective against malware?

Protecting against viruses, trojans, ransomware, and other threats is crucial. PC Matic combines real-time protection and on-demand scanning to keep your system safe. To assess PC Matic’s ability to safeguard against malware, I conducted a series of tests evaluating its real-time protection and on-demand scanning capabilities. Here’s how it performed in my tests:

Real-Time Scanning

EICAR Tests:  I used standard EICAR test files to assess PC Matic’s ability to detect basic threat patterns. PC Matic successfully blocked most EICAR samples. However, there were some variances depending on the file type, highlighting the potential for both strengths and limitations in its detection methods.

I then downloaded various live malware samples to gauge PC Matic’s ability to block threats in real-time. PC Matic successfully blocked and quarantined all trojan and adware samples (100% success rate), demonstrating its effectiveness in preventing active threats from infiltrating the system.

On-demand scanning tests

• Quick Scan:  I ran a quick scan to assess its efficiency in detecting basic threats. While the quick scan didn’t detect any malware in this instance (time: 106 seconds), Quick scans typically prioritize speed over deep inspection.
• Full Scan:  I then performed a full system scan to comprehensively evaluate PC Matic’s ability to identify hidden malware. The full scan successfully located all pre-installed malware samples (100% success rate). The scan duration was X minutes, which is faster than some competitors, but fewer files were scanned overall (number of files scanned).

Here’s a table summarizing the on-demand scan results:

Additional Considerations:

A false positive occurs when the antivirus software incorrectly identifies a non-malicious file or process as malicious. This can prevent legitimate programs from running.

Independent lab results

• AV-Test: PC Matic achieved perfect scores in recent AV-Test evaluations for malware detection. However, it registered some false positives, highlighting a potential trade-off of the whitelisting approach.
• AV-Comparatives: PC Matic also excelled in malware protection but was notably outperformed by many leading brands in the false positives category. This underscores the potential for usability issues arising from PC Matic’s strict whitelisting.

Key takeaway

PC Matic provides robust malware protection. However, its whitelisting approach can lead to false positives, which users should be aware of. If you value maximum security and are comfortable managing potential disruptions, it’s a solid contender.

What other special features are offered?

SuperShield: Unique real-time protection

PC Matic’s SuperShield is a separate download required for real-time malware protection. It leverages its global whitelist to actively block threats. You’ll need to run at least one system scan before activating SuperShield. While this adds an extra step, it underscores PC Matic’s security-first approach.

Whitelisting programs: Customizing control

While PC Matic’s whitelist can yield false positives, you can easily add known-safe programs from the dashboard. If a program is blocked, select the option to whitelist it for future use. If mistakenly flagged, you can also restore files from quarantine.

PC Matic report & cleanup: In-depth, but could Be simpler

PC Matic provides detailed reports after scans with suggestions for improvement. While informative, these reports could benefit from clearer summaries of the most important actions. Thankfully, PC Matic can quickly apply the recommended fixes, and you can selectively skip unwanted changes.

What is PC Matic’s impact on performance?

I conducted quick and full scans while monitoring system resources to assess PC Matic’s performance impact. As expected, resource usage increased during scans:

• CPU: Increased from 8% (idle) to 37% during the quick scan.
• Disk: Spiked from 9 MB/s to 504 MB/s during the quick scan.

The quick scan finished in 106 seconds, which seems slightly faster than some competitors like Norton and Bitdefender, based on my comparisons. These temporary increases in resource usage may cause a slight slowdown during scans but shouldn’t significantly disrupt normal usage.

Full scan performance impact

I monitored my system resources to understand the impact of PC Matic’s full scan. CPU usage increased from 8% to 44%, and disk utilization significantly jumped from 9 MB/s to 661 MB/s. The scan lasted 17 minutes.

During scans, you might experience temporary slowing down of tasks like downloading, installing, or opening large files.

Independent lab verification

Since AV-Comparatives doesn’t currently include performance metrics, I consulted AV-Test’s rigorous speed evaluations. PC Matic consistently outperformed the industry average across multiple categories in its latest January/February 2022 (and any newer tests available) results, earning a perfect 6 out of 6 score.

In addition to these formal benchmarks, I ran practical tests like video streaming and web browsing. While streaming quality was minorly affected, PC Matic’s overall performance remained strong.

Is the interface easy to use?

PC Matic’s redesigned interface boasts a modern look with its blue, green, and white color palette. It presents key information clearly (scan options, protection status). The layout might feel somewhat cluttered at first glance, which could confuse those accustomed to simpler antivirus interfaces.

Key features are accessible through a top menu for device management, scheduling, and reports. The bottom section offers maintenance and performance stats, which could be useful for some users.

Overall, the interface is functional but might require a slight adjustment period for those favoring a more minimalist design.

PC Matic customer support

PC Matic’s support options are somewhat limited. They primarily consist of email assistance, user guides, how-to videos, and a forum. It doesn’t offer direct phone or live human chat support. Its chatbot can handle basic account-related and installation questions but might not be sufficient for complex technical issues. You can access these support resources through a clearly marked “Help” or “Support” section on the PC Matic website.

Purchase and installation

PC Matic provides a straightforward checkout process with clear pricing information and easy payment options. Installation is quick, but remember that you’ll need to download and install SuperShield separately to enable real-time protection.

Compatibility

PC Matic offers a good range of compatibility, supporting Windows (XP to 11), macOS (Sierra and newer), and Android devices. Unfortunately, there’s currently no support for iOS devices. Check the official system requirements on the PC Matic website to ensure your devices are compatible.

PC Matic pricing

PC Matic offers three distinct pricing options for PC Matic Home Security:

• 1-year, 5 devices: Costs £40 (US$51.36) annually.
• 1-year, 1 device: Costs £20 (US$25.68) annually.
• Lifetime, 5 devices: A one-time payment of £132 (US$169.48).

Choosing the right plan:

• Short-term or single device: The 1-year plans are ideal if you need protection for a limited time or just one device.
• Long-term, multi-device: The lifetime plan offers significant savings in the long run if you plan to use PC Matic for years to come and have multiple devices.

Additional considerations:

• No free trial: Unlike some competitors, PC Matic doesn’t offer a free trial to test the software.
• 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: They do provide a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied.

PC Matic verdict

PC Matic’s whitelisting approach provides strong malware protection, as confirmed by my tests and independent lab results. Its low system impact is also commendable. However, there are some key trade-offs to consider:

• Intrusiveness: The whitelisting approach can lead to many false positives, potentially disrupting normal software use and frustrating users.
• Separate installation: Installing SuperShield separately for real-time protection adds an extra step and might confuse you.
• Limited features: Compared to rivals, PC Matic offers fewer additional security and privacy features.

Who it’s best for:

• Tech-savvy users: PC Matic could be a good option if you’re comfortable managing potential false positives and prioritizing maximum security.
• Budget-conscious: The lifetime plan offers long-term value.

Alternatives to Consider:

If you prefer a smoother experience with a wider range of tools, here are some excellent traditional antivirus solutions:

• Bitdefender: Comprehensive security suite with VPN, parental controls, etc.
• AVG: This is a well-balanced option, especially for users who value ease of use.

Ultimately, the best antivirus for you depends on your priorities. PC Matic offers potent protection, but be prepared for some potential usability hurdles.

Antivirus testing methodology

To ensure our reviews are thorough and reliable, we employ a rigorous testing methodology focused on malware protection, performance impact, and overall user experience:

Malware protection

• EICAR test files: We utilize standard EICAR samples to verify basic real-time and on-demand detection capabilities.
• Live malware: To evaluate protection against active threats, we expose the antivirus to a controlled collection of real-world threats, including Trojans, adware, and other known malware.
• Zero-Day testing: Where possible, we include zero-day malware samples to assess the software’s ability to detect brand-new, unknown threats.
• Independent lab verification: We cross-reference our findings with results from leading independent labs like AV-Test and AV-Comparatives to provide a broader view of the software’s effectiveness.

Performance impact

• System resource monitoring: Before, during, and after scans, we track CPU usage, memory consumption, and disk activity to assess any slowdown caused by the antivirus software.
• Real-world tasks: We measure the impact on common activities like file downloading, software installation, and web browsing.
• Benchmarking: Where applicable, we compare our performance metrics against industry benchmarks for context.

User experience

• Ease of use: We evaluate the interface’s intuitiveness, clarity of settings, and overall user-friendliness.
• Compatibility: We test the software on different operating systems (Windows, macOS, etc.) to ensure compatibility.
• Features: We examine and test additional features (e.g., VPN, parental controls).
• Support: We contact customer support if available to gauge response times and quality.
• Pricing: We analyze pricing structure, any hidden costs, and the value proposition compared to competitors.