G2A.COM Reports Antivirus Sales Outpacing VPN Growth by 35% Year-Over-Year

G2A.COM, a digital marketplace serving more than 35 million users across 180 countries, reported a 35% year-on-year increase in antivirus and security software orders in October 2026. This growth rate was more than twice that of virtual private network (VPN) orders, according to data released by the company. The figures were published during Cybersecurity Awareness Month and indicate a shift in consumer purchasing behavior toward broader device protection rather than just privacy-focused connectivity tools.

How do security software sales compare to VPN orders?

Antivirus and security software accounted for 43% of all cybersecurity-related orders on G2A.COM during the reporting period, up from 39% in the equivalent timeframe in 2025. While VPNs remain the larger single category of purchases, the share of security software is expanding. Overall orders for cybersecurity products across the marketplace increased by approximately 24%, reflecting a general rise in demand for digital protection tools among the platform’s user base.

What drives this shift in consumer behavior?

Adrian Podkaminer, Chief Information Security Officer at G2A.COM, stated that users are moving from privacy-first protection to a layered cybersecurity approach. He noted that effective security now depends on multiple safeguards working together as people manage more devices and accounts. This trend aligns with the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) Threat Landscape 2026 report, which identifies ransomware as the most impactful short-term cyber incident type and highlights the continued prevalence of social engineering attacks.

Who do consumers hold responsible for digital security?

A survey by G2A.COM and Juniper Research involving 9,000 consumers from nine countries found that half of respondents believe e-commerce sites are primarily responsible for security. Another third attributed responsibility to banks and payment providers, while only 20% said it was up to consumers themselves. Despite this external attribution of responsibility, marketplace data suggests users are actively purchasing more security tools to protect their digital lives and accounts.

What safeguards does G2A.COM implement?

To address security responsibilities, G2A.COM works exclusively with verified business sellers and applies Know Your Customer (KYC), Know Your Business (KYB), and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) processes. These measures are supported by AI-based fraud prevention systems and continuous monitoring. The company stated that these concrete safeguards translate the shared responsibility model into operational practices to protect transactions and user data on the platform.

What to do and how to stay safe: G2A.COM

• Review current antivirus and endpoint protection subscriptions to ensure they cover all active devices and accounts.
• Evaluate whether current security tools provide layered defense against ransomware and social engineering threats.
• Verify that purchased software licenses come from verified sellers to avoid counterfeit or compromised products.
• Monitor transaction alerts from payment providers to detect unauthorized purchases or account takeovers early.

Step-by-step guide: Browser Security Settings for Small Business Teams

General security guidance from the TechSec Feed newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

What percentage of cybersecurity orders on G2A.COM were for security software in October 2026?

Security software accounted for 43% of cybersecurity-related orders on G2A.COM in October 2026, up from 39% in 2025.

How much did overall cybersecurity product orders increase on G2A.COM?

Overall orders for cybersecurity products on the marketplace increased by almost a quarter, or 24%, during the reporting period.

Who does the majority of consumers believe is responsible for digital security?

According to a survey by G2A.COM and Juniper Research, half of the 9,000 respondents believe e-commerce sites are mainly responsible for security.