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

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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.

What is the best Windows security program?

Fortunately, the question is not which one is the best, but how MANY best security programs are there for Windows? At the end of the test, a total of 6 packages earned the maximum 18 points: Avast, Avira, Bitdefender, G DATA, Kaspersky and Trend Micro.

One group with an additional 8 packages followed with an excellent 17.5 points. They were from AhnLab, AVG, F-Secure, K7 Computing, Malwarebytes, McAfee, Norton and Protected.net.

All the packages with 17.5 and 18 points received additional recognition of TOP PRODUCT.

Among the three products with 17 points, we are naturally not talking about bad or unsecure products: While ESET, Microsoft and Microworld did commit minor errors, they also offer a very reliable level of security.

One more fact to note: In evaluating malware in this test, the lab also checks for ransomware. In some circumstances, however, not even a positive detection can prevent the attack from progressing. This scenario is examined in the special test series, the Advanced Threat Protection tests, always with very interesting results.

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...

www.av-test.org

 

[Bot]

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...

www.av-test.org

According to a recent test conducted by AV-TEST on 18 security packages for Windows 10, including Windows Defender, six packages earned the maximum 18 points for their protection, performance and usability. These packages are Avast, Avira, Bitdefender, G DATA, Kaspersky and Trend Micro. Additionally, eight packages followed with an excellent 17.5 points, they were from AhnLab, AVG, F-Secure, K7 Computing, Malwarebytes, McAfee, Norton and Protected.net. All the packages with 17.5 and 18 points received recognition as TOP PRODUCT. It is important to note that while ESET, Microsoft and Microworld had scored 17 points, they are still reliable in terms of security. The lab also checks for ransomware, but in some cases, not even a positive detection can prevent the progression of an attack. Such scenarios are examined in the lab's Advanced Threat Protection tests.