PC anti-virus report wins industry approval

 

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Posted on 13 May 2010 at 11:06

Security software companies have given a stamp of approval to a controversial anti-virus test. The test results found a large disparity in the protection provided by popular security software. The PC Virus Protection 2010 report claimed that "different anti-virus products have very different protection capabilities" and that, "free anti-virus programs compete strongly with commercial products."

The results also showed that some of the best-known products were poor at protecting systems from the real and active malware used in the test.

Dennis Technology Labs used live internet threats to test the effectiveness of security suites from companies including Avast!, AVG, Avira, BitDefender, Kaspersky, McAfee, Microsoft, Symantec, Panda and Trend Micro.

Symantec's Norton 2010 product came top, followed closely by software from Trend Micro and Kaspersky. However, the most surprising results were for McAfee Internet Security 2009 and Panda Internet Security 2010, both of which were nearly as likely to fail as to succeed in stopping malware.

The free version of AVG, an option often recommended by computer magazines, performed below the average, being beaten by the other free software included in the test. These were Avast! Home Edition 4, Avira AntiVir Personal and a beta version of Microsoft Security Essentials.

The Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organisation, a body that includes all of the world's major anti-virus companies and testers as members, reviewed the report and found that it met with all of its testing principles. This is the first time that a test has passed AMTSO's review process with full compliance.

The free PC Virus Protection 2010 report was produced by Dennis Technology Labs, which provides testing services for security companies and computer magazines including Computer Shopper, PC Pro, Expert Reviews and IT Pro.

Author: Simon Edwards