AhnLab Antivirus Review 2024: Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?

AhnLab Antivirus Overview

AhnLab’s focus on Endpoint and Network security solutions for businesses put it in the spotlight. The Korea-based software company makes cybersecurity solutions for businesses, including the AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security product.

I thoroughly tested AhnLab’s V3 Endpoint Security to determine if it’s good. It offers a relatively good antivirus product featuring perfect scores for malware detection and removal. Although it lacks extra features like VPN, parental controls, and a password manager, it offers web protection, content filtering, and PC tune-up tools.

AhnLab doesn’t offer money-back guarantees, but it has a 30-day free trial on PC and a free Android app. Sure, it can’t compete with the top-tier antiviruses on the market but if you’re looking for a standard antivirus with a handful of features, you can try AhnLab.

In a Rush? Here’s a 1-Minute Summary

AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security provides excellent security features with its multi-dimensional analysis system. It detected and blocked 100% of the malware samples during my tests, providing real-time protection against zero-day threats.

Thanks to its signature-based and behavior-learning system, AhnLab is able to protect your endpoints from network intrusion attacks, block attackers’ IPs, and quarantine other malicious threats.

Virus Scan — Scans the Most Vulnerable Areas of Your PC

AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security offers a decent virus scanner. It provides strong and proactive protection for all computers in enterprise environments. AhnLab uses a multi-dimensional analysis process to protect your devices from known and unknown threats. This involves its:

• Cloud-based threat analysis system
• Signature-based detection (using its TS engine and DNA scan technology)
• Reputation-based detection that blocks unverified programs
• Behavior-based detection

In addition, AhnLab detects and blocks malware from malicious URLs and IPs, while its Active Defense technology provides threat intelligence from numerous analysis information.

AhnLab’s Smart Scan checks the most vulnerable areas of your device, keeping you safe from malware. You can schedule scans daily, weekly, or monthly. Its “Intense Scan” inspects every aspect of your PC. AhnLab also allows you to scan select folders, much like a custom scan, giving you a lot of flexibility and keeping your devices safe.

AhnLab scored 100% malware detection rates, even for zero-day attacks. The antivirus uses a unique DNA Scan and Smart Defense cloud-based technology that detects prevalent malware such as viruses, trojans, worms, and spyware. I downloaded malware test samples to my device, and it detected them when I ran the scanner.

The Intense Scan scanned 401,171 files during my tests in about 2 hours. This isn’t as fast as I expected. Top-tier antiviruses take less time for a similar full scan. For instance, during one of my tests, Norton Antivirus took just 12 minutes for a full disk scan.

Apart from AhnLab’s perfect malware-detection results, I’m pretty impressed that it didn’t flag some legitimate files wrongly. In my experience, some antiviruses are often guilty of having false positives. I was very happy that AhnLab didn’t fall short here.

Overall, I found that AhnLab provided robust security features for all our endpoints. It provides malware protection, anti-pharming, real-time protection, anti-malsite, anti-phishing, and cloud-protection services. I was able to secure all our business IT infrastructure online and offline, protecting them against different cyber threats.

Firewall – Protects Your Network From Security Threats

AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security secures your network with multiple layers of security. This includes a personal firewall, and signature-based protection, behavior-based network intrusion protection. It monitors and blocks unknown protocol drivers, abnormal traffic, IP/MAC/ ARP spoofing, and other threats like worms and trojans.

The Firewall blocks unauthorized access to the internet or shared folders, allowing you to set a firewall policy for your office connections. Lastly, you can block specific IP addresses from connecting with your network. This way, your device cannot communicate with suspicious websites.

I like that AhnLab’s firewall is customizable and intelligent. It automatically sets rules, allowing safe programs to send outbound requests without my input. Some antivirus software only provides a basic firewall, while others integrate the Windows firewall service, but AhnLab’s firewall was smart and robust, protecting my connections from malicious actors and programs.

In all, I found it to be reliable even though it is nowhere close to the likes of Norton’s Firewall — a more beginner-friendly option with more advanced functions than that of AhnLab.

System Performance – Little to No Impact on Regular Device Speed

I didn’t encounter any significant slowdown with AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security. In my test, I had 6 heavy programs launched at once, including a design software where I rendered designs twice with. Luckily, I didn’t experience any noticeable reduction in the speed of my PC.

I also tried copying some files and launching streaming and other popular sites across our endpoints to see if I would experience any lag. My PC’s performance wasn’t significantly impacted in all these cases, proving AhnLab to be a lightweight antivirus solution.

Along with its core security features, AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security offers other valuable features. It helps you scan your emails for malware, filters malicious websites, and speeds up your PC with its system-tuning feature.

Ransomware Protection — Detects Ransomware With Multi-Dimensional Analysis

With the prevalence of ransomware attacks targeting businesses and individuals, ransomware protection has become a crucial component of every antivirus suite. AhnLab offers ransomware protection through its anti-ransomware folder protection feature.

To activate ransomware protection, navigate to settings on the AhnLab client, select “Anti-Ransomware Folder” and click “Enable Anti-Ransomware Folder.” After that, you can add all the folders and files you want to protect. You protect up to 100 folders and files each by simply adding them to the list.

During my tests, I download ransomware samples onto my system and execute them. AhnLab protected all the folders and files that I added, preventing them from being encrypted. This was possible because of AhnLab’s Behavior-based detection system that monitors malicious behavior patterns on all your devices, assuring me that all our endpoints are protected from zero-day threats.

Content Filtering – Screens and Restricts User’s Access to Inappropriate Websites

AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security has a web protection feature that identifies and blocks phishing sites and malicious websites. It allows you to block websites you consider unsafe and add exceptions to the websites that are safe.

However, this feature isn’t sophisticated like those of competitors like Norton and McAfee. I couldn’t see a breakdown of the categories of websites that are prohibited. This is why I prefer the content filtering features of Norton. Norton’s parental controls block inappropriate content in 40+ categories such as porn websites, drug-related content, violence, gambling, alcohol, dating sites, and much more.

AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security also blocked phishing sites during my tests. After enabling the Anti-Phishing feature and malsite monitoring mode, I tried to access over 20 known phishing sites, and I was impressed to see AhnLab blocked all of them.

Other antiviruses also have such features, albeit with more sophisticated tools. For instance, Norton’s Safe Web browser extension and McAfee’s Web Advisor extension work perfectly in blocking phishing attempts and cryptojacking tools.

System Tuning — Optimizes System Performance

AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security features a few helpful system tune-up tools. The System Optimization feature removes junk files from your PC by cleaning unused files, including temporary Internet files (browser cookies), Windows temporary files, and recently used temporary files, freeing memory space.

You can also choose the specific registry, cookie, and startup program files you wish to remove. I selected the files for particular locations occupying space, and AhnLab removed them effortlessly.

Finally, AhnLab’s Secure Deletion works like a file shredder feature that popular antiviruses like McAfee and Bitdefender have. It lets you permanently delete sensitive documents and files, keeping your personal information safe. Overall, AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security’s system optimization tools are good and helpful, but they aren’t as advanced as those of Norton and TotalAV.

AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security has desktop and mobile apps that are simple and intuitive to use. The Android app is helpful due to its numerous features and an easily navigable user interface. The Windows desktop app is also easy to use, with a sleek design.

Desktop App for Windows — Sleek and Intuitive Design

AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security 9.0 features a user-friendly interface. On the dashboard, you can access the core features such as the Full scan, AhLab’s Smart Defense, Quick scan, and Optimization.

You’ll find a tab at the top of the dashboard showing other features like Intense scan, Network protection, Active defense, and Security center, and you can easily navigate through them. One impressive thing about AhnLab’s desktop app is that the features are well arranged, making it easy to use.

Overall, AhnLab provides a good Windows antivirus desktop client that’s feature-rich and easy to use. I like how easy it was to navigate through the app as finding the various tools wasn’t an issue. AhnLab’s desktop app is simple to install so that even non-tech-savvy users can get it up and running in no time. More impressive is that its engine is frequently updated, ensuring that you get the best protection always.

V3 Mobile — Multiple Security and Optimization Features

The AhnLab V3 Mobile app is simple to use, but it’s only available for Android. The app features a security check, malware scan, app lock, hidden gallery features, and much more. I tested the malware scan, which scanned 12,000 files in less than 15 minutes.

It also automatically scans new apps and files for any vulnerability or malicious application. If you don’t use an Android but an iPhone and want to keep it safe from malware, you can check out these reliable iOS antiviruses.

AhnLab V3 mobile also has a speed booster feature that clears unnecessary files and reduces the memory utilization on your phone, keeping it at optimum performance. I also found the app cleaner feature helpful in removing junk files (apps and screenshots) and freeing up space.

In total, AhnLab V3 Mobile offers the following features:

Anti-Malware Scanning – Scans your device for security threats

• SMS Detection – Creates a shortcut to scan original SMS to check for any potential security threats. A detection log also shows all detected dangerous SMS or SMS requiring caution after scanning.
• App Lock – provides a password or fingerprint lock option depending on your device with the option to select apps you want to lock.
• Hidden Gallery – Allows you to import files from the gallery and other device folders
• Backup Contacts – Backup and restores your contact information by allowing you to import and export contacts
• Notification Scan – Manages and blocks privacy notifications and other unnecessary messages displayed on the notification bar.
• Wi-Fi Manager – Disables auto Wi-Fi connection, blocks use of Wi-Fi from unknown providers, and cautions you when using financial services with public Wi-Fi.
• Manage App Permission – Shows the apps with permissions to your device features and personal info, with an option to add and delete permissions.
• Security Screen – Allows you to choose any picture of your choice to cover the better part of your screen, thereby creating a shield against unauthorized users.

Still, AhnLab Mobile does not have an integrated anti-theft feature on the app. In contrast, TotalAV has a Device Locator feature that helps you find your phone if it gets stolen.

How to Sign Up for AhnLab for Your Business

1. Contact AhnLab — You can send an email to its global support email address requesting to try AhnLab for a number of endpoints security for your business.
2. Sign the End-User Agreement — Once you’ve sent in the details of your business needs, you’ll get an end-user agreement and purchasing order for the free trial. Fill the forms and sign them and reply to the AhnLab email to complete your order.
3. Download the app — You’ll receive the AhnLab trial license for 1 month, license certificate, and installation files in an archive. Download and install the respective installation file on your system. 
4. Launch the client on your endpoint — Once installed, open the app on your system and wait for it to complete the update to the latest antivirus engine. 
5. Enable the appropriate features — Navigate through the settings and check the specific security features that you want to be enabled for your business security needs.
6. Run or schedule scans — AhnLab will run automatic scans periodically, but you can manually run a full, quick, or intense scan, and schedule scans through the Scan Scheduler feature.

AhnLab lists multiple support channels on its website, which it offers to different categories of users. It offers the following support options:

• Live chat
• Phone
• Email
• Ticket support
• Remote support
• Onsite training
• Web-based TAC portal

These support options are available to standard and premium users during regional business hours. 24/7 support is only available to Platinum users. You can also get additional support such as onsite installation, training at AhnLab HQ, onsite support (regular visiting and reporting services), and a Designated Security Architect.

Email Support — Fast but Not Totally Helpful

AhnLab’s email support was fast and helpful. You’ll find multiple email addresses that you can message and a contact form that allows you to raise support tickets on its contact page. I messaged the global support email, and surprisingly, I got a response in less than 5 mins.

The support agent attended to my query professionally, offering valuable assistance. The representative worked me through the process and ensured that the client was properly set up across my endpoints.

Telephone — Helpful but Slightly Slow

AhnLab offers phone support in Korea, Japan, and China. You can call any of the lines during regional business hours if you’re a standard or premium customer. However, Platinum customers have access to 24/7 support. I called the Korea line and had to wait for almost 15 minutes before connecting with an agent. I wouldn’t recommend a telephone call if you haven’t got urgent technical assistance as it is slower to connect with a support agent.

Online Resources & FAQs — Short and Helpful Articles

The AhnLab website has a few helpful articles and FAQ guides. It has FAQs categorized into product FAQs, virus FAQs, and Q&A. You’ll find many step-by-step guides, white papers, brochures, and general articles about each AhnLab product. Most of the articles are short and straightforward but not comprehensive enough for more detailed problems.

AhnLab V3 offers budget-friendly pricing for its different products. For the V3 Endpoint Security product, you get charged depending on your needs, the number of endpoints, and duration. During my tests, I found that AhnLab is reasonably priced and feature-rich.

AhnLab’s V3 Endpoint Security comes with many security features for your business, offering real-time protection, malware protection, firewall, system optimization tools, and much more. You can try AhnLabs V3 Endpoint Security risk-free by signing up for the 30-day free trial for all your endpoints.

The AhnLab V3 Mobile Security plan features virus protection, smartphone optimization, app lock, and junk cleaner. It’s free to use and pretty effective. Overall, AhnLab provides robust security features and reasonable pricing plans for all types of businesses.

After rigorous testing, I found that AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security provides robust security features for enterprises. Its antivirus engine is one of the best on the market with perfect malware detection scores. AhnLab also provides useful features like web protection, firewall, ransomware protection, and PC tune-up tools.

I was impressed to see AhnLab use innovative scanning and detection technologies with its multi-dimensional analysis system. This includes signature-based, behavior-based, reputation-based, and cloud-based detection systems. AhnLab also protections your business endpoints from an ever-evolving number of real-time threats and network attacks.

AhnLab V3 Endpoint Security is available for Windows devices, but your IT team can also manage the EPP on Linux (RHEL7). The apps are easy to use. AhnLab offers a 30-day free trial and the premium plan is reasonably priced. However, it isn’t as competitive as Norton and TotalAV. If you want robust antivirus software with a wide range of features, then you should go for Norton instead. You can try Norton risk-free for 60-days using its money-back guarantee.

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Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Written by: Enemali Okwoli

Enemali Okwoli is a Writer at WizCase. He focuses on crafting relevant security tips for individuals and businesses. Enemali has written hundreds of articles on security products including, VPNs, Antiviruses, and Password Managers. He enjoys testing security tools for different platforms and presenting well-researched methods that readers can use to secure their devices. Prior to joining WizCase, Enemali worked with 2 different startups as a content writer where he wrote scores of web copies and tech-related articles. By keeping up with the latest security threats and trends, Enemali has been able to develop in-depth knowledge and insights into the complex world of cybersecurity. When he isn't writing or researching the latest security tools, you'll find him watching sci-fi movies or running for fitness.