CyberGhost Security Suite Review 2024: A VPN Armed With Security

CyberGhost Security Suite stands as a powerful addition to CyberGhost VPN, boasting features engineered to enhance online safety. Developed in collaboration with renowned security company Intego, the suite’s antivirus protection is both robust and reliable.

It offers features like Privacy Guard, which shields users from invasive targeted ads, and the Security Updater, which diligently keeps apps current. On the downside, during our testing, Security Suite struggled to identify and block a phishing attempt, and it’s available only on Windows.

In this in-depth CyberGhost Security Suite review, we will dissect the suite’s security features, assess its value proposition through pricing and compatibility, and weigh its pros and cons to give potential users a complete picture of its efficacy and worth.

CyberGhost Security Suite review at a glance

CyberGhost Security Suite pros and cons

CyberGhost Security Suite features

CyberGhost Security Suite is equipped with an array of sophisticated tools, enhancing Windows users’ digital safety. The suite comes with antivirus protection powered by Intego’s world-class antivirus software utilizing behavior analysis, real-time security alerts, and privacy protection with Privacy Guard. Despite its advanced features, it isn’t without shortcomings, though.

The suite lacks real-time phishing protection and doesn’t display details about the targeted ads it protects against. Additionally, while its antivirus protection was effective, during our testing, the antivirus scans didn’t identify every type of malware, highlighting areas for improvement. We also felt there was more room for flexibility, since it lacks compatibility with diverse operating systems, as it is available only for Windows devices only.

Antivirus scans

In alliance with Intego, CyberGhost Security Suite delivers a solid defense against malware, Trojans, viruses, adware, ransomware, and zero-day threats in real time. Its antivirus protection offers an array of available scanning options: custom, quick, full, and scheduled.

After you’ve selected your scan type, the antivirus feature automatically quarantines any malware or other threats that are found, while providing you with an option to delete them all. Keep in mind, though, that specialized scans like rootkit scans are not offered as an option. Despite this, the antivirus feature stays up to date with the latest virus definitions from the antivirus cloud database every few hours.

Phishing protection

Though the suite lacks a dedicated phishing protection and anti-spam feature, the robustness of its malware and antivirus defense mechanisms compensates, to an extent, for this shortfall.

It does this by automatically blocking and quarantining malware, viruses, or other threats found in real time. Furthermore, its Privacy Guard feature minimizes privacy intrusions while you browse the web. However, it does not detect all malware.

Real-time protection

With CyberGhost Security Suite, you're perpetually under the watchful eyes of real-time protection mechanisms that ward off malware and other cyberthreats while you browse the web or make use of your downloaded apps.

For example, when the antivirus feature detects malware from a downloaded file, it is automatically blocked and quarantined, while real-time protection alerts are provided simultaneously. This ensures a seamless and secure user experience.

Privacy Guard

Privacy Guard stands as an essential component in the CyberGhost Security Suite, meticulously designed to counter privacy invasions perpetrated by the Windows OS. Users have the luxury of customizing their privacy settings, thanks to the versatile options offered, ensuring an experience that’s not just secure but also personalized.

So whether you select basic or advanced optimizations, choose to disable app access to unpaired devices with the App Privacy option, or want to tweak your privacy settings for Microsoft Edge, Firefox, or Chrome browsers, as well as Microsoft Defender, there are plenty of options available to manage and control your privacy.

Some of the basic optimization options are:

• Disable Inventory Collector from sending data about your PC
• Disable and reset your advertising ID
• Stop Microsoft from collecting data about your PC
• Disable Bluetooth ads
• Disable ads from your file hosting providers

Advanced optimizations are not limited to the following:

• Disable sharing your handwriting in error reports
• Disable typing habits data collection
• Disable biometric features
• Disable adding photos or tips to the lock screen
• Disable Cortana
• Disable the option of showing passwords
• Disable showing recently used apps and documents in the Start menu
• Switch off activity history

Additionally, privacy settings can also be optimized for Edge, Firefox, and Chrome, such as blocking all geolocation requests, enabling strict tracking prevention, or clear browsing data on exit, and more.

Security Updater

Security Updater scans your apps for vulnerabilities while simultaneously checking if any of them require an update. This ensures that your apps remain secure, especially since outdated applications may have vulnerabilities that are only patched with the latest app update. By keeping your apps up to date, you decrease the risk of running vulnerable apps on your system.

Another cool feature we like about Security Updater is its notifications system. Real-time notifications can be provided when app vulnerabilities are detected, as well as when it’s time for an app to get updated.

Our experience with CyberGhost Security Suite

From the get-go, setting up and navigating through CyberGhost Security Suite was smooth and intuitive. We easily found the VPN, antivirus, Security Updater, and Privacy Guard icons on the left-hand panel of the dashboard.

We appreciate that each feature allows you to easily tweak its settings to enable or disable options. For example, the VPN allows you to include smart rules or enable additional security features, like DNS leak protection.

We liked how easily the antivirus feature lets you select the type of scan you prefer to start and automatically alerts you to any malware or threats found on your device.

We found Security Updater comes in handy as well, checking all your apps to see if any need an update while alerting you of any vulnerabilities found. Plus, Privacy Guard also ensures that targeted ads can’t identify you while you browse the web.

All in all, our experience with CyberGhost Security Suite was smooth sailing.

CyberGhost Security Suite test results

We employed a meticulous testing regimen, incorporating stringement methodologies from the European Institute for Computer Anti-Virus Research (EICAR) to determine the efficacy of CyberGhost Security Suite.

The tests encompassed various malware detection scenarios, including manual downloads, drive-by downloads, and compressed file assessments, each revealing distinct facets of the suite’s capabilities.

CyberGhost Security Suite antivirus test results

In the test involving manually downloaded malware, CyberGhost Security Suite excelled, instantly identifying and blocking a known threat in real-time. This swift action underscores its efficiency and reliability.

However, its performance wavered during the drive-by malware download test. Although it removed the malicious file after download, as it needs to add an enhanced preventative measure to block such downloads from the onset.

When faced with compressed malware, the suite proved resilient, effectively blocking the EICAR test files in various compressed formats. This highlighted CyberGhost Security Suite’s adeptness in tackling hidden threats.

On the other hand, its defense was less stringent in the phishing page detection test, where access to a risky page wasn’t restricted. This mixed performance highlights areas of strength and also pinpoints where enhancements are needed to elevate the suite's overall defense capability.

CyberGhost Security Suite customer support

CyberGhost offers 24/7 live chat support with friendly and helpful chat support agents who assist you with any inquiry you have. Moreover, CyberGhost support’s online guides are articulate and detailed, making the troubleshooting process straightforward.

As for compatibility, Security Suite is unfortunately available only for Windows. However, you can still use the CyberGhost VPN on multiple devices, including the following operating systems, browser extensions, and apps:

• Windows
• macOS
• Android
• iOS
• Linux
• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Smart TVs
• Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV
• Gaming consoles
• Routers

Payment options for Security Suite are the same as if you purchased the CyberGhost app. These include Visa, MasterCard, Amex, and Discover credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and Bitcoin.

CyberGhost Security Suite prices and subscriptions

CyberGhost VPN has positioned itself competitively amidst renowned names like Surfshark and ExpressVPN. The Security Suite add-on not only amplifies the user's VPN connection capabilities with features like OpenVPN and split tunneling but does so with appealing pricing structures. The variety of subscription plans is tailored to accommodate different user needs and budget constraints.

In a detailed comparison, CyberGhost’s cost effectiveness becomes evident. For instance, a 1-month plan is priced at $12.99/mo, while opting for a longer-term plan, such as the 6-month or 2-year plan, significantly reduces the monthly cost to $6.99/mo and $2.19/mo, respectively. These tiered pricing options offer flexibility, allowing users to choose a plan that aligns with their usage patterns and budget.

CyberGhost Security Suite cost

Is CyberGhost VPN good?

Originating in Romania, a country celebrated for its stringent privacy laws, the CyberGhost VPN app is a blend of efficiency and dependability.

It’s fortified with an automatic kill switch, ensuring users’ privacy remains intact even when the VPN connection is interrupted. It also offers military-grade encryption to safeguard data from prying eyes, secure VPN protocols like WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN, and a no-logs policy — a testament to its commitment to your privacy.

Plus, CyberGhost offers competitive pricing with plans starting as low as $2.19/mo, while offering an expansive server network of over 9,500+ servers in 100 countries. A dedicated IP address is also available as an add-on so you can easily unblock geo-restricted content and streaming services. In addition, with its 24/7 live chat support and friendly agents, CyberGhost VPN is not just good, it is a strong contender that easily stands out in the VPN crowd.

CyberGhost Security Suite alternatives

If you’re not using Windows or have concerns about CyberGhost’s parent company, Kape Technologies, and its headquarters in a not-so-privacy-friendly country (the U.K.), there are plenty of alternative options to Security Suite.

NordVPN Threat Protection excels in malware and phishing defense, while TotalAV is renowned for its real-time malware defense and system optimization, ensuring users enjoy both security and performance. Not to mention, Surfshark CleanWeb is prized for seamlessly combining ad blocking and phishing protection while allowing simultaneous connections for an unlimited number of devices.

CyberGhost Security Suite FAQs

Bottom line: Is CyberGhost Security Suite worth it?

If you’re considering an arsenal of security tools alongside a VPN, then CyberGhost Security Suite is a top choice to explore. The suite gives users a complete defense system with strong antivirus protection, features that can be customized, and the extra security of a VPN with features like OpenVPN.

Its adherence to rigorous Romanian data privacy laws further underscores the suite's commitment to user privacy. The suite, despite its prowess in many areas, is not without flaws, as some vulnerabilities in malware and phishing detection show. It’s also available only for Windows, so Mac and Linux users won’t have Security Suite as an option — though you can still use CyberGhost VPN.

Considering the balance of features, price, and its 45-day money-back guarantee, CyberGhost Security Suite presents a compelling package for those seeking a comprehensive cybersecurity solution. Yet, for those who might find the suite falling short in specific areas, it's crucial to explore alternative options to ensure all cybersecurity needs are met. Dive deeper and compare options with the best VPN services and the best antivirus software.

3.8

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

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On CyberGhost Security Suite's website

CyberGhost Security Suite

• Option to bundle Security Suite antivirus
• VPN unblocks multiple streaming platforms
• Third-party antivirus costs extra

Author Details

Mars Groves

About the Author

Mars is a California-based cybersecurity professional and writer currently pursuing a B.S. in Cybersecurity. With interests ranging from OSINT to ethical hacking and threat intelligence, Mars leverages his two years of writing experience to produce informative content on topics such as Internet guides and VPNs.