How to Assess Usability in Cybersecurity Solutions

Usability of Cyber Security Solutions

One of the key aspects of cyber security software is its usability i.e. how easy it is to use. Even though for many it is a tool they install and forget, we know from our experience that the value of a software is closely linked to its ease of use. How easy is it to download, install, setup the software and in many case how to uninstall.

Your cybersecurity needs depend heavily on your in-house resources. If you have an IT expert, you have more flexibility to choose complex solutions and handle issues directly. Without one, you’ll need user-friendly options with strong vendor support.

Think of it like choosing a car. If you’re a mechanic, you can tackle a fixer-upper. But if you’re not, you’ll want a reliable model with a good warranty.​

Important note: 

Don’t worry if you don’t have an IT person on staff! Many small businesses and startups thrive without one. Plenty of cybersecurity solutions are designed specifically for non-technical users, offering simple setup, intuitive interfaces, and robust customer support.

Do you have an IT person in-house?

No IT person in-house

SOHOs and Simple SMBs

If you lack an in-house IT person, selecting the right cybersecurity can seem daunting. However, many user-friendly solutions cater to businesses without dedicated IT staff. Focus on ease of use, clear support options, and features that align with your needs.

  • User-friendly solutions: Providers offer intuitive interfaces and simplified setups for non-technical users.
  • External support: Rely on vendor support teams for implementation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
  • Fresh perspective: You might uncover innovative solutions your in-house team wouldn’t have considered.
  • Potential complexity: Evaluating technical aspects can be challenging without expert guidance.
  • Slower response times: You rely on external support, which might not be as immediate.
  • Higher costs: You may need to invest in additional consulting or support services.

IT person in-house

Advanced & Complex SMBs

Having an in-house IT professional gives you a significant advantage when choosing cybersecurity solutions or any other software. They possess the technical knowledge to assess your specific needs, evaluate complex features, and implement solutions effectively.

  • Tailored solutions: IT person can pinpoint vulnerabilities and customize cybersecurity to fit your needs.
  • Expert support: They provide ongoing maintenance, troubleshooting, and can respond to security incidents.
  • Cost-effective: While you pay a salary, you save on external help and reduce risks of expensive breaches.
  • Limited resources: Your IT person might be stretched thin, impacting response times or the depth of their cybersecurity expertise.
  • Potential bias: They may favor familiar solutions, missing out on potentially better options.

Download process - First step to securing your business

If you are used to free trial for consumer software this option is also available for business products, however there are different ways you can get to your free trial.

Download with CC

You need to enter your credit card to get access to free trial.

Small number of cyber security vendors offer free business trial with credit cards required. This may be a way to filter out all the “speculative” downloads that never translate to business.

Install & Setup - Different ways companies want you to feel about the price

Whether you have an IT team or not, a smooth installation process is key to getting your cybersecurity solution up and running quickly. Look for options that offer straightforward instructions, remote assistance, or even on-site support if needed.

Installation

Keep in mind:

  • Compatibility: Ensure the solution works with your existing hardware, software, and operating systems.
  • Downtime: Plan the installation during off-peak hours to minimize disruptions to your business operations.
  • Training: If necessary, arrange for your team to receive training on using the new cybersecurity tools.
  • Testing: Once installed, thoroughly test the system to ensure everything functions as expected.

Setup

Keep in mind:

  • Customization: Tailor the solution to your specific business needs and security requirements.
  • User roles: Define access levels for different employees based on their responsibilities.
  • Alerts: Set up notifications to promptly inform you of any potential security threats or incidents.
  • Regular updates: Keep the solution up-to-date with the latest patches and security enhancements.

Install & Setup - Selected vendors

We’ve analyzed user feedback on the usability of 7 leading cybersecurity brands, focusing on the experiences of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Our analysis covers the entire user journey, from downloading and installing the software to setting it up, using it, and even uninstalling it. This gives us valuable insights into how easy (or difficult) each brand’s products are to use, pinpointing what works well and where they could improve.

 

Disclaimer: It is important to note that customer reviews present subjective opinions and may not always reflect the companies’ overall product quality. 

Installation and Setup

  • Generally perceived as easy and straightforward.
  • Users highlight the simplicity of downloading, installing, and setting up the software, often requiring minimal technical expertise.

Uninstall

  • Some users find uninstalling Avast difficult.
  • One user specifically mentions having to uninstall the Avast mobile app due to interference with other apps and difficulty adding apps to a whitelist.

User Interface

  • Avast generally receives positive feedback for its user interface, particularly for the administrative console, which users find easy to navigate.

Other:

  • One user mentions that Avast runs unobtrusively in the background, making them initially unsure if it was running properly.
  • However, another user notes that Avast reduces network bandwidth speed while running in the background, which is a significant drawback for users who require high network speeds.

Installation

    • Generally considered easy.
    • Users appreciate the straightforward installation process and the ability to create personalized download links for clients.

Removal:

    • Also described as easy.

Setup and Configuration: Mixed sentiment.

    • Some users find the configuration process complex and frustrating.
    • One user reports difficulty configuring Bitdefender for a small office environment running in WORKGROUP mode, ultimately leading to the product’s removal.
    • Another user criticizes Bitdefender’s UI and UX, citing “stupid false positives,” unhelpful risk suggestions, and unclear incident reporting.

User Interface: Generally negative sentiment.

    • Users describe the UI and dashboard as terrible, confusing, cumbersome, and frustrating to navigate.

Mobile App:

    • One user expresses frustration with the Bitdefender mobile app, finding it inconvenient and clunky to set up and use, requiring the phone to be connected to the work network and the use of an on-premise server.

Installation

    • Typically described as easy and fast.
    • Users appreciate the lightweight agent and the ability to deploy it quickly across a large number of PCs.
    • The process is generally described as simple, with some users noting that they didn’t need to become experts to deploy the software.

User Interface: Mostly positive sentiment.

    • Users generally praise CrowdStrike’s user interface, particularly the dashboard, which they find intuitive, user-friendly, and helpful for investigations.

Other:

    • Some users find certain aspects of CrowdStrike’s UI confusing, such as the dashboard graphs related to agent counts.
    • One user notes difficulty with the MAC installer due to changes implemented by Apple.
    • Another user criticizes CrowdStrike’s Investigate app, reporting issues with its functionality.
    • One user expresses a desire for a mobile app with limited functionality for notifications and mini dashboards.

Installation

    • Generally viewed as easy and straightforward.
    • Users highlight the ease of deployment and setup across various platforms.

User Interface

    • Mixed sentiment.
    • Some users find the administrative interface unintuitive and not user-friendly, particularly for configuration issues.
    • Others praise ESET’s web interface for its ease of management.

Uninstallation

    • Some users report difficulty with uninstalling ESET.
    • One user describes the uninstallation process as cumbersome.
    • Another user reports that ESET’s attempt to uninstall a newer version and reinstall an older version caused issues with their computer.

Other:

    • Several users complain about difficulty navigating ESET’s website and finding relevant information, such as receipts, activation codes, and instructions for managing devices.
    • One user expresses frustration with ESET’s frequent email requests for reviews.

Installation

    • Generally perceived as straightforward.
    • Users appreciate the ease of installation and deployment.

Setup: Mixed sentiment.

    • Some users find the setup process confusing, particularly due to the requirement of multiple agents and the use of SQL or MySQL databases.
    • Others find the setup process easy.

User Interface

    • Mixed sentiment.
    • Some users find the administrative console complicated to manage, especially the policy management section.
    • Others appreciate the well-organized security policies and user-friendly interface that avoids excessive notifications and pop-ups.
    • One user describes the dashboard as dull and monotonous, lacking true segmentation for reporting.
    • Another user criticizes the overloaded interface, suggesting a need for simplification and a switch between simple and advanced tasks.

Uninstallation

    • Several users experience issues with Kaspersky’s multi-device management and license renewal processes, finding the instructions unclear and difficult to follow.
    • One user reports having to uninstall the application on their phone and tablet to renew their subscription.

Other:

    • One user complains about Kaspersky’s Android app, reporting that it locked their phone after changing the SIM card and that the phone lock remained active even after unlocking it.
    • Another user criticizes Kaspersky’s aggressive marketing tactics, finding the constant prompts to upgrade to paid versions annoying.

Installation

    • Generally considered easy and straightforward.
    • Users appreciate the simple deployment process, whether through MDM, customized installation packages, or direct download.

User Interface

    • Overwhelmingly positive feedback.
    • Users consistently praise the user-friendly, clean, intuitive, and well-organized interface of both the online portal and the endpoint client.
    • Users highlight the ease of navigation, clear information presentation, and responsiveness of the interface.

Uninstallation

    • Some users encounter issues with the uninstallation process.
    • One user mentions difficulty removing Malwarebytes from an endpoint that was previously deauthorized, requiring assistance from customer support.
    • Another user reports occasional deployment issues, requiring manual installation in some cases.

Other:

    • A few users note that while the overall user interface is positive, some specific areas could be improved, such as the ability to customize views and sorting indexes in the cloud application.
    • Some users desire more comprehensive reporting features, particularly the ability to generate detailed reports on patches installed, updates applied, threats removed, and websites blocked, preferably in a customer-facing format with white-labeled logos.
    • A few users mention the lack of a mobile app for live updates.

Installation:

    • Generally considered quick, easy, and non-intrusive.
    • Users appreciate the small installation package, fast installation process, and the fact that the software runs silently in the background.
    • The deployment process is often described as straightforward, even for large enterprise environments.

User Interface

    • Mostly positive feedback.
    • Users generally find the user interface, particularly the administrative portal, easy to use and navigate.
    • They appreciate the clean and intuitive design, straightforward licensing management, and easy access to key features.

Uninstallation

    • Described as difficult by some users.
    • Users report issues with leftover files interfering with the installation of other antivirus software or even reinstallation of Webroot itself.

Other:

    • Some users find the dashboard initially confusing to understand.
    • Others desire more granular control over the security agent, including the ability to temporarily disable it for testing purposes.
    • One user expresses a desire for a multi-tenant management console view for MSPs.
    • Another user finds the login MFA process strange and in need of an update.

Uninstall process - When you are no longer happy and want to install a new solution

Even if you’re switching to a new cybersecurity solution or no longer require one, proper uninstallation is crucial. It ensures your systems remain stable and your data stays protected.

Uninstall & Remove

Keep in mind​

  • Data backup: Before uninstalling, back up all important data associated with the cybersecurity solution.
  • Vendor instructions: Follow the provider’s specific uninstallation guidelines to avoid conflicts or residual files.
  • Deactivation: If applicable, deactivate licenses or subscriptions to prevent future charges.
  • System cleanup: After uninstallation, run system scans to remove any leftover traces of the solution.
  • Ongoing security: If switching providers, ensure there’s no gap in your cybersecurity protection during the transition.

Explore other key areas

Pricing
Scalability
Customer Support
Education
Compliance
Reliability
Features

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