Panda Antivirus 23.00.00

Panda Antivirus is a security program from Panda Security, a WatchGuard Technologies brand. It protects Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones and iOS devices against viruses, ransomware, phishing and other malware. Panda Security now sells its consumer antivirus under the Panda Dome name. Its free edition is called Panda Free Antivirus (also listed as Panda Dome Free), and its four paid plans are Essential, Advanced, Complete and Premium. The free edition covers Windows and Android; many paid-plan tools are Windows only.

How the scanner finds threats

At the center of Panda Antivirus is a real-time scanner that watches files and processes while they are opened or run. The scanner first compares a file against a database of known malware signatures and blocks a match straight away. For threats that are not yet in that database, heuristic analysis looks for suspicious behavior, both on the device and in Panda’s cloud. Anti-exploit rules block dangerous actions by programs that otherwise look legitimate.

Users can also start scans manually or schedule them daily, weekly or monthly:

• Critical areas checks the computer folders most likely to contain malware.
• Full scan goes through the whole computer.
• Custom scan checks only the folders or drives the user selects.

Panda Antivirus isolates detected items in quarantine. Users can delete them or restore them if they turn out to be false positives.

USB drives and the Rescue Kit

When a USB drive is inserted, Panda Antivirus scans it for malware. It also blocks malware that tries to start automatically as soon as the drive is inserted.

The Rescue Kit is aimed at badly infected PCs. Its rescue USB drive lets a computer boot from the drive if malware prevents it from starting. The computer can then be scanned and repaired. Panda Cloud Cleaner, a separate free tool, scans and disinfects the PC as a complement to the installed antivirus.

Gaming and multimedia mode

On Windows, every Panda Dome plan includes a mode for games and video. While it is active, the mode holds back pop-ups and update notices. System resources go to the game or media application first.

Network and browsing protection

From the Essential plan upward, Panda Dome adds tools for the connection itself. A two-way firewall on Windows inspects incoming and outgoing traffic and blocks anything that does not meet its security rules. Wi-Fi protection checks the network for threats and lists connected devices, so unknown ones stand out.

Safe browsing detects phishing sites that imitate banks and other services, along with servers that host malware.

Every edition includes a VPN that hides the IP address. It has a daily data limit except in Premium. Paid plans let the user pick a virtual location, while the free edition connects to the nearest server.

Ransomware defense and data shield

Panda Dome Advanced and higher plans add anti-ransomware protection on Windows. Behavior monitoring watches programs for sudden changes, and Panda places decoy files around the disk. If a process alters one, Panda treats it as ransomware and quarantines it before it can encrypt real data.

The data shield controls which applications may open folders containing sensitive files. The user chooses the protected folders and the programs allowed to use them. They also choose whether an unknown program should be blocked outright or trigger a prompt. Shadow copies keep snapshots so users can restore earlier file versions.

Advanced also adds parental control, a content filter that blocks websites and applications unsuitable for a child’s age.

Panda Dome on Android and iOS

The Android version scans new apps before first use and checks installed apps and memory cards on demand. Anti-theft tools photograph whoever fails to unlock the phone three times and sound a remote alarm even when the phone is muted. They also let the owner locate, lock or wipe the phone from a Panda account. Paid plans add a PIN app lock, and a call blocker rejects listed numbers. On iOS, remote location works through the same account.

Privacy, cleanup and support in higher plans

The Complete plan adds a set of Windows utilities:

• Panda CleanUp deletes junk files and manages startup programs.
• File encryption makes selected files unreadable without the key.
• File shredder deletes files permanently.
• Panda Dome Passwords stores passwords behind one master password and generates new ones.

Premium adds an update manager that scans the PC for vulnerable software and downloads the patches it needs. Every edition can check whether an email address has leaked on the dark web. Premium’s Dark Web Monitor keeps watching and emails the user about new breaches. Total Care adds round-the-clock remote technical support for malware removal, device setup and troubleshooting.

Comparing the Panda Dome plans

Each plan includes everything in the plans above it in the table.