Editorial policy

This page explains how Cybernock researches, scores and updates its software analyses. It applies to every review, category page and comparison on the site.

What a Cybernock score means

A Cybernock score is a research score out of 10. Each category has four to six criteria with fixed weights that add up to 100%. Every product in that category is scored on the same criteria, and the overall score is the weighted average. Each criterion score comes with a one-line note on the evidence behind it, and the weights are shown on the category page.

Rankings follow the scores. When two products show the same rounded score, the unrounded score decides the order, and the page says so.

The evidence we use

• Vendor documentation: pricing pages, plan limits, terms of service, refund policies, privacy policies and help-centre articles.
• Independent evidence: published security audits, antivirus lab results such as AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, public benchmarks and leaderboards, each cited with its date.
• Company history: regulator actions, court records and acquisitions, taken from official sources or at least two reputable news outlets.

We do not run hands-on product tests and never claim to. We do not invent quotes, user numbers, ratings or reviewer names. If a fact cannot be confirmed, it stays out of the page or is labelled as unconfirmed.

How we check prices

We quote US list prices in US dollars. Each price records the month it was checked and its source: the vendor’s own page, or a dated third-party source when the vendor’s page could not be read. Where an introductory price differs from the renewal price, we show both, because the renewal is what most people end up paying. Prices change often, so always confirm the final price at checkout.

Independence

Some links on Cybernock are affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you buy through them, and that is how the site is funded. Commissions play no part in scores or rankings. We rank products that have no affiliate program, and several of our category leaders pay us nothing. No company can pay to be included, to move up a list or to see a page before it is published. See our affiliate disclosure for details.

Updates and corrections

We revisit pages when prices, plans, ownership or security records change, and each page shows the date it was last updated. If you find an error, email hello@cybernock.com with the page link and the correct information. We fix confirmed errors and update the page date.

Logos and trademarks

Product names and logos belong to their owners. We show them only to identify the products we analyse. A company that prefers we do not display its logo can email us, and we will replace it with a plain text tile.