Antivirus software market to reach $4.54 billion in 2025
The global antivirus software market is expected to grow from $3.80 billion in 2020 to $3.92 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2%. The market is expected to reach $4.54 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 3.8%, according to ResearchAndMarkets.
Major players in the antivirus software market are Symantec, McAfee, ESET, Trend Micro, F-Secure, BitDefender, G Data CyberDefense, Fortinet, Microsoft Corporation, Cheetah Mobile, AVG Technologies, Qihoo 360, Quick Heal, Tencent, Comodo Cybersecurity, Kaspersky, AhnLab Inc, Ad-Aware, Panda Security, and Lavasoft.
The antivirus software market consists of sales of antivirus software by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that are used to protect computers from viruses by scanning, detecting, and removing them. Most antivirus software operates in the background once downloaded, providing real-time protection against virus attacks. All programs behavior is monitored by the anti-virus software, which flags any questionable behavior.
North America was the largest region in the antivirus software market in 2020. Europe was the second-largest region in the antivirus software market. The regions covered in this report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa.
Cloud-based antivirus gaining popularity in the antivirus software market
Cloud antivirus or cloud-based antivirus is a solution that offloads the work to a cloud-based server instead of bogging down the computer with an antivirus suite. Cloud antivirus protects PCs, laptops, and mobile devices by providing behavioral-based screening and updating malware software capable of transferring data.
For instance, according to Tracxn Technologies Limited, an India-based software company report in 2021, major companies including Malwarebytes, Avast, Panda Security, Qihoo 360 Technology, AVG Technologies are using cloud-based antivirus solutions.
The increasing number of cyber-attacks is expected to propel the growth of the antivirus software market in the coming years. A cyberattack is a cyberspace-based attack aimed at disrupting, disabling, destroying, or manipulating a computer or other device intentionally. There is an increase in hacking and data breaches in computers, laptops, and mobiles using viruses or malware. Antivirus software can block or prevent the virus or malware from entering the device and prevents cyberattacks.
For instance, in 2020, Air India, an Indian-based carrier airline company, reported hackers had compromised their servers and accessed the personal data of 4.5 million fliers. In India, in 2020 alone 1.16 million cyber security cases are registered. Therefore, the increasing number of cyber-attacks drives the market for antivirus software.