Panda Dome Essential

Panda Dome Essential is an antivirus from WatchGuard/Panda Security, a Spanish company. It includes real time protection, a firewall, a VPN with a 150 MB daily limit, and Wi-Fi network scanning. Pricing starts at around $24 per year for one device. A free version with basic antivirus is also available.

It runs on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

What it does

After installation, antivirus protection runs automatically in the background, scanning files and websites. From the main window you can run a Critical Areas scan (quick check of common infection points) or a Full Scan of the entire system. Custom Scan lets you pick specific folders.

The firewall activates by default and manages application access to the internet with automatic rules. The built-in VPN encrypts your traffic and routes it through the nearest server, but the 150 MB daily limit means it is only practical for occasional use like checking banking sites on public Wi-Fi - not for streaming or daily browsing.

Wi-Fi Protection scans your home network for unknown devices and vulnerabilities. The USB scanner checks removable drives automatically when you plug them in, with an option to "vaccinate" USB drives against autorun malware. The rescue kit (Tools > Rescue Kit) creates a bootable USB drive that lets you scan and clean an infected PC that will not start normally.

Who it is for

Panda Dome Essential is a budget antivirus for people who want something more than Windows Defender but do not need a full security suite. The free version is a reasonable option if you just want basic virus scanning. I would not rely on the VPN for anything beyond quick checks - 150 MB runs out fast. For a more complete package at a similar price, Bitdefender Total Security is worth comparing.