AV-TEST - Security Software for Windows: 18 Security Packages Put to the Test

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Security Software for Windows: 18 Security Packages Put to the Test

Which software protects Windows the best? This question is posed countless times in user forums and social media channels. The lab at AV-TEST provides the answer in the latest test of 18 security packages for Windows 10 – including Windows Defender. However, it is not that easy for the 18 candidates to face off against roughly 12,000 malware samples or to perfectly distinguish between friend or foe among just under 1.5 million files.
 
Already in 2022, many APT groups were extremely active, funneling lots of dangerous malware into the Internet or sending it via e-mail. Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict, many people have gained an awareness for what cyberwarfare is and what collateral damage looks like: deployed malware, such as Trojans or wipers, does not stop at country borders, and ends up at many worldwide addresses for which it was not at all intended.

These days, a perfect defense against malware is more important than ever. AV-TEST evaluated 18 security packages for consumer users under Windows 10 in terms of their protection, performance and usability, the latter is mainly focused on checking for false alarms.

18 suites, packages, and solutions: a full range of protection

In the lab at AV-TEST, 18 of the latest security products tried to overcome the hurdles that the testers put in the way. The challenge was to fend off all kinds of viruses and Trojans over 12,000 times. During the test for false alarms, the packages even had to scan 1.5 million files. In the mix in the January-February 2023 test under Windows 10 were products from the following manufacturers: AhnLab, Avast, AVG, Avira, Bitdefender, ESET, F-Secure, G DATA, K7 Computing, Kaspersky, Malwarebytes, McAfee, Microsoft, Microworld, Norton, PC Matic, Protected.net and Trend Micro.

In each test area, a product can garner up to 6 points. Afterwards, a sum total is made of all three test areas. Thus, the top score in the test is 18 points. If a security product achieves as many as 17.5 or 18 points, in addition to receiving a certificate for tested security, it also earns further recognition as a TOP PRODUCT.

A total of 14 out of the 18 security packages achieved this additional recognition in the latest test. The other 4 achieved the certificate for tested security.
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