Microsoft Goes From Cellar to Stellar in New Antivirus Test

[A Guy]

Many independent antivirus testing labs have taken to calling Microsoft Security Essentials their baseline, separate from the products undergoing testing. If an antivirus can't do better than Microsoft, it's a poor product indeed. However, Dennis Batchelder, director of the Microsoft Malware Protection Center (MMPC), contends that lab tests don't reflect the product's actual user protection, and that in the real world Microsoft is much more effective than the tests show. A recent test suggests that just might be true.

Source

A Guy

 

[andrew129260]

From the report:

"File-Detection Test. No additional testing has been performed; rather, the existing test results have
been re-analysed from a different perspective, to consider what impact the missed samples are likely
to have on customers. It is conceivable that a product with a lower score in the test may actually
protect the average user better than one with a higher score, under specific circumstances. Let us
imagine that Product A detects 99% of malware samples in the test, but that the 1% of samples not
detected are very widespread, and that the average user is quite likely to encounter them. Product B,
on the other hand, only detects 98% of samples, but the samples missed are either not as prevalent,
or only run on a specific operating system. In this case, users would probably be more at risk using
Product A, as it misses more of the malware that is likely to present a threat to them."


I trust av comparatives, so I can believe this test. This test was commissioned by microsoft though. But I don't see that affecting their decision. I can only say what I know to be true, out of all the antiviruses I have ever tested in VMs and real pcs, Microsoft security essentials always did the worst at detection and removal out of the top 10 threats for the week. It is still better than nothing though, which is what most users have-nothing. I am glad it is included in windows 8.

But maybe there is a improvement and a light at the end of the tunnel here for microsoft.

 

[A Guy]

I believe that this was MS contention all along. They detect the items actually seen by their Windows customers. Sure the odds are in your favor, but personally, I want to be as well protected for that oddball item no one has seen before. A Guy

 

[andrew129260]

I believe that this was MS contention all along. They detect the items actually seen by their Windows customers. Sure the odds are in your favor, but personally, I want to be as well protected for that oddball item no one has seen before. A Guy

Agreed

 

[JerometheGiraff]

Kaspersky is the best, time to dump WebRoot ! At this rate I'll use a new Antivirus every year <sigh>

 

[theveterans]

I wonder how would Microsoft's enterprise antivirus (System Center Endpoint Protection) fare in this test? Any ideas if their enterprise antivirus is just a modified MSE to have a central control server for enterprise?

 

[A Guy]

System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection uses the same industry-leading antimalware engine as Microsoft Security Essentials to protect your employees against the latest malware and rootkits.

Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection

A Guy

 

[ThrashZone]

I question any test that shows Mcafee is in the top five :/

 

[andrew129260]

I question any test that shows Mcafee is in the top five :/

Only in this test do they do really well. Read the reasons why.

 

[Dallas 7]

I question any test that shows Mcafee is in the top five :/

Only in this test do they do really well. Read the reasons why.

"The new report takes the same data and applies weighting based on Microsoft's reported prevalence. The results were vastly different from the original"
http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/secu...-from-cellar-to-stellar-in-new-antivirus-test

I recall Norton pulling out of the competition in the AV tests because they didn't agree with the testing criteria. I'm sure Norton would love to choose the criteria by which all competitors would be judged like Microsoft just did.
In fact, I'll bet a lot of those companies would relish the opportunity to substitute their own choice of test criteria.
If High School students could choose the questions to put in their finals, everyone would get an "A".

 

[fireberd]

I've seen test results for AV programs that will list one as the "best" and another that shows the same program as being "poor". Just all depends on what parameters were tested (and who did the testing).

 

[Computer0304]

Kaspersky is the best, time to dump WebRoot ! At this rate I'll use a new Antivirus every year <sigh>

At this rate, you may have to switch every month.

I question any test that shows Mcafee is in the top five :/

Seems everyone that I know that uses MCAfee gets oceans of malware.

 

[Borg 386]

I've seen test results for AV programs that will list one as the "best" and another that shows the same program as being "poor". Just all depends on what parameters were tested (and who did the testing).

Yepperz, you can look at 10 different tests & see 10 different results.

 

[Gator]

Seeing what I see come in the shop every day, I can assure you McAfee isn't top 5

 

[ThrashZone]

I put Mcafee in the top file known viruses
But not Antiviruses

I did Andrew thanks for pointing it out
Panda is very consistent :/

 

[Gator]

I put Mcafee in the top file known viruses
But not Antiviruses

I did Andrew thanks for pointing it out
Panda is very consistent :/

I've noticed that. Panda is really the only one that stays near the top. I've been thinking about using that for clients who have McAfee or Norton and dont want to pay.

 

[andrew129260]

I put Mcafee in the top file known viruses
But not Antiviruses

I did Andrew thanks for pointing it out
Panda is very consistent :/

I've noticed that. Panda is really the only one that stays near the top. I've been thinking about using that for clients who have McAfee or Norton and dont want to pay.

Avast usually does as well. But, this one did not.

I've seen test results for AV programs that will list one as the "best" and another that shows the same program as being "poor". Just all depends on what parameters were tested (and who did the testing).

Yepperz, you can look at 10 different tests & see 10 different results.

I disagree, I think for the most part tests are pretty consistent with how products score, as long as they are real tests and not commissioned / provided by some company. It also helps to read every word and explanation provided on the report instead of just scrolling to the graphs as most people do. Not saying you guys do that-I don't mean that in a rude way.

 

[ThrashZone]

I put Mcafee in the top file known viruses
But not Antiviruses

I did Andrew thanks for pointing it out
Panda is very consistent :/

I've noticed that. Panda is really the only one that stays near the top. I've been thinking about using that for clients who have McAfee or Norton and dont want to pay.

That would be my alternative if mbam pro and sas pro weren't an option either as a pay for backup protection
Which any choice you made mbam pro/ premium would also be necessary imho,
Cheers.

 

[Layback Bear]

Microsoft has in one fashion or another stated they don't care what a few someones in a lab pick and choose what test are going to run and in what fashion.

Microsoft receives information from somewhere around a Billion customers. That kind of information lets them build security systems that suites their customers not a few sitting in a test lab.

As has been posted at least a dozen times on this forum. Microsoft is not going to spend time and money on these test labs. They have chosen instead to use the time and money protecting their customers.

I have absolutely no problem with what ever anti virus wants on their system.
I will give recommendation and suggestion but run what ever you so desire. Some of they will get you in the long line in the BSOD section of our forum. Now that is great protection. Your computer won't run long enough to get infected.

I use to follow those test reports and all I did was buy new anti virus about every 3 months.
Trying to keep updated to the best anti virus.

I use MSE.
Is it the best anti virus; well I don't know but I do know it's the best for me.
MSE was the first free anti virus I ever used. If it starts failing my needs then I will find a new anti virus program. Paid for or free. What ever it takes.

 

[Computer0304]

It always ends up being your own opinion though, some choose Avast, AVG, Panda, Kaspersky, Norton, MSE, or even MCAfee for some reason.