Antivirus Usage Statistics

Malware is detected, neutralized, and then removed using antivirus protection software. The software can detect malware even if it isn't already in the database. It also analyzes the device for any odd actions that could indicate malware.

This software works by detecting, quarantining, or deleting malicious code, preventing malware from causing damage to your device. In 2022, the worldwide number of malware attacks reached 5.5 billion.

It is essential to be aware of Antivirus Statistics to understand the current state of computer security better. They can help us identify areas of weakness and areas of strength, and they can help us plan for the future.

This article will give you more ideas on how essential Antivirus is.

Editor’s Choice

• The USA had 759% more victims of cybercrime in 2021 than the next-highest country, Canada.
• Experts discovered in 2019 that 58% of people in the UK used an antivirus solution.
• The global cybersecurity market grew to $40 billion in 2020.
• 76% of computers worldwide have an antivirus installed.
• Around 41% of antivirus users said they only used it for personal use.
• Just 5% of a company’s folders are adequately protected (on average).
• 1 in 5 users have experienced a virus attack on the internet.
• Antivirus programs detect 350,000 viruses every day.
• Only 49% of mobile users have an antivirus app.
• Cybercrime is up 600% because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 48% of IT professionals say social engineering schemes have targeted them.
• 60% of male internet users have antivirus software, compared to 45% of females.

How Much Malware is Created Every Day?

Antivirus programs detect 350,000 viruses every day around the world. Aside from this, at least 200 new malware are being created daily to attack different devices. Malware includes phishing emails, malicious links, and many more.

Here are other interesting stats on antivirus usage: 

Antivirus Usage by Device

Antivirus is a data security utility installed in a computer system to protect from viruses, spyware, malware, rootkits, Trojans, phishing attacks, spam attacks, and other online cyber threats.

A particular malware attacks various devices; hence, installing an antivirus on every device is essential to ensure protection.

Here are various gathered data showing the antivirus usage of the people by the device.

1. Just 49% of mobile users have an antivirus app. 

(Safety Detectives)

Even with its vulnerability against malware, less than half of those who own mobile phones have installed Antivirus applications in their units; this indicates that many mobile phones remain targets of cyberpunk.

2. Around 89% of desktop users use antivirus software.

(Statista)

Many more desktop users have installed antivirus applications than laptop users. In the United States, desktop computers have a chance to be better protected against viruses than laptops. Almost 90% of desktop users use antivirus software, while 80% of laptop users have installed it on their portable computers.

3. The percentage of malware differs depending on the installed OS, with Microsoft having 54.4%.

(9to5Mac)

An operating system (OS) controls hardware and software resources on a computer and offers standard services to software applications. Regarding the percentage of malware by OS, it was found that 54.4% was on Windows, 39.4% on Linux, and just 6.2% on macOS.

Antivirus Industry Statistics

With over 15 billion mobile phones and at least 2 billion computers worldwide, the demand for Antivirus must be enormous. Even if not all devices have the software installed, it cannot be denied that those who do would still translate to billions of devices; hence the multibillion dollars this industry is worth.

Here are more things about the Antivirus Industry that will amaze you.

5. The Global Antivirus Software Market Size Grew to 4.25 Billion in 2023.

(The Business Research Company)

From $4.06 billion in 2022, the global market size of Antivirus Software has grown to $4.25 billion in 2023 at a CAGR rate of 4.5%; this is a manifestation of how ample the opportunity is for the industry to grow each year.

6. The global cybersecurity market grew to $40 billion in 2020.

(The Cyber Crew)

The market of cybersecurity has matured and seen fast growth. In 2021, it is projected to reach $42 billion. Despite that, profits have stabilized for many companies. 

For instance, the earnings of large antivirus solution providers such as McAfee and Norton have stayed the same in recent years. That is mainly due to the introduction of free solutions by companies like Microsoft.

7. ILOVEYOU Caused $10 Billion Worth of Damage.

(Tech Target)

In 2000, a virus known as ILOVEYOU caused $10 billion in damages in a few days. It was the most widespread computer virus of all time. It infected over 10% of all internet users at that time.

The ILOVEYOU virus is attached in an email with the word "ILOVEYOU" in the subject line. When opened, the attachment causes the message to be sent again to everyone in the recipient's Microsoft Outlook contact book. More gravely, all JPEG, MP3, and all other files on the hard drives of all recipients are lost.

Not all ILOVEYOUs are just as sweet.

Malware Detection Rate Statistics

With hundreds of newly created malware in a day, antivirus software has to be updated to ensure the safety of the devices with all the information and data in them. According to Eftsure, thousands of new malware are produced in a month, which is alarming since one of these new viruses can be as dangerous as the ILOVEYOU virus, among others.

The following statistics will convince you how essential your antivirus is.

8. 560,000 new malware pieces are found every day of the year.

(Worth)

Thousands of data and files are infected by malware on computers and websites daily. These are primarily the result of existing infections that keep circulating like actual diseases. According to the most recent, more than 17 million new malware instances are discovered monthly; this is alarming because the rate is so high.

9. 2020 saw the number of detected malware variants across the globe rise by 62%.

(Worth)

From 187.91 million in 2019, the number of detected malware in 2020 reached 304.64 million; this means an increase of more than twice the attacks seen in just a year. The rise of more malware variants challenged experts to produce antivirus that would end the spread of the virus all over the globe.

10. The world recorded 623 million ransomware attacks in 2021.

(Statista)

Ransomware is malware identified by specified data or systems being held captive by attackers until payment or ransom is provided. In 2021, more than half a billion attacks were detected, or at least 623 million; this is more than double compared to 2021 when there were only 304 million caught.

11. 90% of all financial institutions experienced ransomware attacks in 2020.

(Hub Security)

Small banks and credit unions are increasingly being threatened by ransomware. 

In 2020, more and more small- to medium-sized banks and financial institutions in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe have been attacked by criminal organizations skilled at selling network access to Remote Desktop Protocol and Virtual Network Computing. 

Small banks are popular targets for hackers due to their poor cybersecurity infrastructure.

Antivirus for Business Statistics

Antivirus software can save enterprises from cruel attacks, including viruses, worms, Trojans, and ransomware.

Your company has all sorts of details about your workers and customers, which needs safeguarding from viruses and crackers ready to misuse them. Once your data is hewed, there is no way back. Antivirus applications can save your business from viruses and hackers. Your reputation will be on the line if your client details or company emails get published online. 

Here are details on antivirus being used in businesses.

11. Only 9% solely use antivirus for business.

(VPN Alert)  

Out of 33 million households using antivirus, it is estimated that only 9% use them solely for business. In contrast, 32% of the respondents said they had one for personal and business use. Antivirus plays a significant role in securing the data and information of the company and the people around it, most notably those that can be released online.

12. Only 13% of Avast users are business and paying users. 

(Forbes)

Avast Business Security was chosen by only 4% of users, whereas Avast Premium Security was purchased by 10%. In 2022, 87% of users remained, and they opted for the free service. Over 435 million customers actively use Avast to safeguard their computers and smartphones from malware and other online risks.

Antivirus Market Share

The growth in the number of malware worldwide demands antivirus software to be updated regularly to respond to the possible harmful effects of the viruses, such as loss of data and files and even the release of confidential information online.

Given the need, antivirus companies also gain significant profit in the market. Let us all see how the Antivirus, as an enterprise, takes its role in the global and national market share.

13. The global antivirus software package market size reached US$ 3.9 Billion in 2021. 

(Yahoo)

The market size of antivirus software packages reached almost $4 billion in 2021, but it does not stop there. IMARC Group, a leading market research company, expects the market to reach US$ 4.8 billion in 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.5% during 2022-2027.

14. Sophos dominates the antivirus companies' market share with 21.07%.

(6 Sense)

The top few companies with the most significant market share in the antivirus space are Sophos, with 21.07 % of the market share; McAfee Cloud Security, with 16.18 % of the market share; and Kaspersky, with 15.58 % of the market share.

Conclusion

In this day and age of digital innovation, Antivirus is essential for many reasons: to safeguard an organization's private or government files and much more. It is needed as countless cyberattacks and millions of malware are produced worldwide. If you are after security and safety, you must install antivirus software.