Quick answer: ESET NOD32 Antivirus is still sold and is ESET’s lightweight, antivirus-only product for Windows and macOS. It includes real-time protection, a Ransomware Shield, an Exploit Blocker, anti-phishing, a UEFI scanner and a Gamer Mode. ESET’s bigger suites (Smart Security Premium in the original article) have been replaced by the ESET HOME Security Essential, Premium and Ultimate plans. AV-Comparatives named ESET its Product of the Year for 2024 and rated it Top-Rated again for 2025.
This review was first written when ESET sold NOD32 alongside Internet Security and Smart Security Premium. We have updated it in October 2026 against ESET’s product pages and online help, and against dated independent test results. We have not tested the software ourselves.
ESET at a glance
- Company: ESET, spol. s r.o., headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia. ESET has been in the security business for more than 30 years.
- Reach: ESET’s About page claims more than one billion protected users across 178 countries and territories. An earlier version of this article said “more than 100 million users”; ESET’s own figure is now much higher.
- Product focus: NOD32 Antivirus is the entry product. It has a reputation for a small system footprint, and ESET still markets it as “fast and light”.
What NOD32 Antivirus includes
ESET’s product page and online help describe these protection layers:
- Real-time scanning with cloud reputation (ESET LiveGrid), plus AI-based detection and multi-thread scanning.
- Ransomware Shield, a dedicated layer against ransomware.
- Exploit Blocker, which works with HIPS to stop attacks that exploit software vulnerabilities.
- Anti-phishing, which blocks web pages known to be used for phishing and scams.
- Gamer Mode, for fewer interruptions while you play.
Host-based Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS)
HIPS is switched on by default. It uses behavioural analysis to watch running processes, files and registry keys, and it includes ESET’s self-defence technology, which stops malware from disabling the antivirus. ESET’s help notes that HIPS is not a firewall; it monitors activity inside the operating system. Turning HIPS off also disables the Exploit Blocker.
UEFI Scanner
The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is the firmware that starts your PC before Windows loads. Malware hidden there can survive a full Windows reinstall. ESET’s UEFI Scanner is part of HIPS, runs automatically, and can be run manually through a custom scan of the boot sectors/UEFI target. ESET introduced it in 2017 and described it at the time as an industry first. ESET also notes that the scanner can detect a UEFI infection but cannot remove it, because such infections are specific to the hardware’s firmware.
Script-based attack protection
This layer detects malicious scripts that try to misuse Windows PowerShell, and malicious JavaScript that attacks through the browser.
Idle-state scanning
When the computer is idle, ESET can run a silent scan of all local drives. You switch it on in Advanced setup under Detection engine, then Malware scans, then Idle-state scan. By default it does not run when a laptop is on battery power, though you can change that. The original article said you had to lock the computer for 20 minutes; ESET’s current help does not mention a fixed time.
What changed in ESET’s line-up
The original article described features of ESET Smart Security Premium. On 15 November 2023, ESET replaced its home suites with three subscription tiers:
| Old product | Current plan | What it adds (per ESET) |
|---|---|---|
| ESET Internet Security | ESET HOME Security Essential | Safe Banking and Safe Browsing, Network Inspector and other suite features on top of NOD32’s protection |
| ESET Smart Security Premium | ESET HOME Security Premium | Adds a password manager, Secure Data encryption and ESET LiveGuard (cloud sandbox analysis) |
| (new) | ESET HOME Security Ultimate | Adds a VPN and Identity Protection (identity protection is US only) |
In October 2025, ESET added Ransomware Remediation to its consumer plans and extended its VPN to HOME Security Premium. NOD32 Antivirus remains available as the antivirus-only option.
Independent test results
- AV-Comparatives, Consumer Summary Report 2024 (published 15 January 2025): ESET received the Product of the Year award, which AV-Comparatives gives to the product with the highest overall scores across its tests that year.
- AV-Comparatives, Consumer Summary Report 2025 (published 14 January 2026): ESET HOME Security Essential received a Top-Rated award and a Gold award in the Advanced Threat Protection test.
An earlier version of this article said ESET was “100% effective against malware and 98.8% effective against zero-day attacks”. It did not name a test or a date, and we could not trace those figures, so they have been removed. No antivirus product can promise 100% protection.
Platforms and system requirements
The original article listed Windows Vista, 7 and 8. ESET’s NOD32 page in October 2026 lists Windows 10 and 11 (Windows on Arm is supported, with some features unavailable) and macOS 13 or later. Android protection needs an ESET HOME plan, and ESET says it offers no antivirus for iOS. ESET offers a 30-day free trial of NOD32 without a credit card.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong, dated independent results: Product of the Year 2024 and Top-Rated 2025 at AV-Comparatives.
- Deep protection layers in the base product: HIPS, UEFI Scanner, Exploit Blocker and script-based attack protection.
- Highly configurable, which suits experienced users.
Cons
- NOD32 is antivirus only; safe banking, a password manager and a VPN need a HOME Security plan.
- No antivirus for iOS, and Android needs a higher plan.
- The many advanced settings can be overwhelming for beginners.
Pricing
ESET’s NOD32 page lets you choose 1 to 10 devices and 1 to 5 years, but the prices did not load when we checked, so we are not quoting them. NOD32 is sold as an annual subscription; check ESET’s site for the price in your country.
Is ESET NOD32 right for you?
NOD32 suits Windows and Mac users who want strong, light antivirus protection without a full suite. If you want banking protection, a password manager or a VPN in the same subscription, look at ESET HOME Security instead. To compare ESET with other options, see our list of antivirus software for PC, our Bitdefender Antivirus Plus review, and our guide on whether a free antivirus is enough.
Frequently asked questions
Is ESET NOD32 Antivirus still available?
Yes. In October 2026, ESET still sold NOD32 Antivirus for Windows and macOS, alongside its HOME Security Essential, Premium and Ultimate plans.
What replaced ESET Smart Security Premium?
ESET HOME Security Premium, introduced in November 2023. Existing licences continued until they expired and were offered the matching new plan at renewal.
Does ESET NOD32 have a firewall?
NOD32 focuses on antivirus protection. ESET’s help points out that HIPS is not a firewall. For a full suite with banking and network protection, ESET points customers to its HOME Security plans.
Can ESET remove UEFI malware?
No. ESET says its UEFI Scanner can alert you to a firmware infection but cannot remove it, because these infections are specific to the hardware’s firmware. Ask the PC or motherboard maker for help if the scanner finds one.
Does ESET work on Windows 7?
ESET’s NOD32 page lists Windows 10 and 11 as supported in October 2026. Windows 7 no longer receives Microsoft security updates, so upgrading the operating system is the more important step.
Checked in October 2026 against ESET’s NOD32 product page, About page and online help, ESET’s announcements on its HOME Security plans, and AV-Comparatives’ 2024 and 2025 consumer summary reports.
