For most Windows 11 home users, Microsoft Defender—Windows’ built-in antivirus—is a credible baseline for Trojan protection; the 2026 tests cited here show both it and Norton 360 protecting strongly. Norton scored slightly higher in two AV-Comparatives tests, while AV-TEST gave Norton a perfect score and Defender a near-perfect one. Those small lab differences do not establish a universal winner or guarantee that either product will stop every Trojan.
How Norton and Defender compare in recent tests
The comparison depends partly on where the threat starts. A Trojan delivered through a website is a different test case from a malicious file already saved to a drive or removable media. The table keeps those results separate.
| Test and scope | Norton | Microsoft Defender |
|---|---|---|
| AV-TEST, Windows 11 consumer comparison, August 2026: protection, performance, usability; maximum 6 points per category. Versions tested: Norton 360 26.6/26.7 and Microsoft Defender Antivirus (Consumer) 4.18. AV-TEST results; Microsoft product details: Microsoft Defender report. | Protection 6/6; performance 6/6; usability 6/6. | Protection 6/6; performance 5.5/6; usability 6/6. |
| AV-Comparatives, March 2026 Malware Protection Test: 10,000 samples on an updated Windows 11 64-bit system with default settings; included online and offline scanning and protection before, during, or after execution. Test report. | 99.97% reported protection rate. | 99.93% reported protection rate. |
| AV-Comparatives, Real-World Protection Test, February–May 2026: web-based attack vectors across 400 cases. Test report. | 99.3%; placed in cluster 1. | 99.0%; placed in cluster 1. |
The AV-TEST evaluation allowed updates and cloud queries during testing. AV-Comparatives’ March malware test used default settings and an updated Windows 11 installation; its method includes online and offline scans and may execute initially undetected samples with internet or cloud access to assess behavior-based protection. The lab notes that Norton and AVG use the Avast engine in that test.
These are results for defined product versions, periods, samples, and conditions—not predictions for every Trojan or PC. The cited tests cover Windows 11 consumer use; they do not establish equivalent results on older Windows versions, business configurations, or later product releases.
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Which product fits your Trojan risk?
Choose the built-in baseline for ordinary home use
If you use a current Windows 11 PC for normal browsing and email and do not need a paid suite’s additional services, Defender is a reasonable choice. It scored 6/6 for protection and usability in AV-TEST’s August 2026 comparison, and its reported AV-Comparatives protection rates were close to Norton’s in both the malware and web tests.
Give on-disk and offline protection more weight for local files
If you may encounter suspicious files on a USB drive, network share, or local disk, the March malware test is the more directly relevant of the two AV-Comparatives results. It assessed protection against files on a system, including offline scanning and execution-stage behavior. Its narrow Norton lead is evidence from that test—not proof Norton will always catch more threats in your environment.
Rank #2
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Consider Norton if you want its paid features
A paid product may make sense if you specifically want features or services beyond Windows’ built-in protection, or prefer another independently tested security product. Check the exact Norton plan before buying: features can vary by plan, and the test scores do not show that a particular paid feature is necessary for Trojan protection. Compare the current plan price, renewal terms, compatibility, support, and privacy implications against what you actually need.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the scores do—and do not—tell you
Malware protection is not the same as web protection
The malware test focuses on malicious files and how products respond when files are scanned or executed. The Real-World Protection Test uses web-based attack vectors. A result in one test cannot simply be substituted for the other: a strong on-disk score alone does not describe every way a Trojan might reach you, and a web result does not answer how a product handles every file already on a drive.
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- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 5 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
Small differences are not guarantees
The differences between Norton and Defender were small in these comparisons: 0.04 percentage points in the malware test and 0.3 points in the real-world web test, with both products in cluster 1 in the latter. AV-TEST showed equal protection and usability scores, with a half-point performance difference. A lab’s sample set and test period cannot cover every new threat, configuration, or user action; products also receive updates over time.
Use more than one measure to decide
Protection scores are useful evidence, but they are not the whole purchase decision. AV-Comparatives advises considering factors such as price, ease of use, compatibility, and support rather than choosing on one test alone. For your own decision, weigh the threat paths you encounter, performance, privacy preferences, and whether Norton’s particular plan offers something you will use. AV-Comparatives’ discussion of Microsoft Defender provides further context for treating built-in protection as part of a broader security decision.
Quick Recap
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Rank #4
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
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