AV-Comparatives has released the results of its yearly IT Security Survey for 2026. The results show current trends and preferences among survey participants, as well as concerns regarding cybersecurity. These opinions and insights from the end-user community also provide us with valuable feedback, helping us further improve out testing and shaping the future of cybersecurity solutions and testing methodologies. We sincerely thank all the respondents who took the time to contribute.

Access the full security survey report here or download it as a PDF document.

We asked users general questions about themselves and their preferred IT products, including operating systems, browsers, security software, and their primary sources for cybersecurity information. This year, we also explored the usage of AI Chat Bots and and their perspectives on potential sources of cyber threats. Additionally, we investigated which security products (both consumer and business) users would like AV-Comparatives to test in the future.

Some key findings include:

• The survey received 1,328 valid responses from real users across 87 countries. The United States had the highest number of participants, followed by Germany and China.
• Origin of Respondents: Respondents hailed from 87 countries. The United States had the most respondents from a single country, followed by the Germany and China.
• Age of Respondents: The youngest and oldest age groups had the fewest respondents, with the remaining responses being split roughly equally between the other age groups.
• Level of expertise: about 70% of participants identified as advanced or IT/expert users
• Free vs Paid Security Solutions: 75% of survey participants paid for their chosen desktop security programs. Advanced users overwhelmingly prefer paid tools.
• Operating System Preferences: A majority now seem to prefer Windows 11 over Windows 10, with older Windows versions being used by a shrinking number.
• Browser Preferences: Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome remain the most preferred browsers.
• Mobile OS Trends: Android dominates (74%), but iOS is preferred by advanced users.
• Mobile Security: 40.3% use no mobile anti-malware, including 43% of IT professionals. Top vendors vary regionally, with Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and ESET consistently prominent.
• Desktop Security: Microsoft, Bitdefender, ESET, and Kaspersky dominate globally. ESET leads in North America and Europe; Kaspersky tops Asia, and South America.
• Trusted Test Sources: AV-Comparatives and AV-Test are the most trusted.
• Requested Consumer Tests: Bitdefender, ESET, Microsoft, and Kaspersky top the list for future evaluations.
• Enterprise Solutions Demand: Avast, CrowdStrike, Sophos, and Trend Micro join the requested consumer leaders in business/enterprise requests.
• Windows 11 Adoption: Over 76% had to purchase new hardware before switching to Windows 11.
• Top Fears: Among survey respondents rated fears related to technology highest.
• Most-Feared Actors: Russia (60%), China (57%), USA (41%), and North Korea (36%) are seen as the top cyber threats among the survey participants. 24% fear their own country (domestic surveillance).

More findings and details are included in the full report. Like all AV-Comparatives’ public test reports, the IT Security Survey 2026 report is available free of charge and without registration.