20 Security Packages Tested Over Extended Period
IT security lab AV-TEST released six-month comparative results for 20 Windows 10 protection packages on Tuesday. While multiple products achieved top scores, weaker performances were also noted.
IT security firm AV-TEST - SITS Deutschland GmbH released on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, a comprehensive comparison of 20 security packages designed for Windows 10 operating systems. The test, spanning a six-month period from July to December 2020, evaluated the programs' ability to defend against evolving threats.
The volume of registered malware saw a significant increase throughout 2020, exceeding 1.139 billion instances. The rise in digital crime, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, created fertile ground for phishing and ransomware attacks. AV-TEST's six-month long-term test involved nearly 40,000 distinct malware samples per product, tested monthly.
In the overall test results, four software suites – F-Secure, McAfee, Microsoft, and NortonLifeLock – achieved a perfect score of 18 points. These top performers demonstrated excellent protection effectiveness, system performance impact, and usability. A total of 14 products scored at least 17.5 points, indicating a generally high quality across the market, with notable entries from Avira, BullGuard, G Data, and Kaspersky.
Products from Microworld and Malwarebytes received lower scores, with PC Matic falling noticeably behind the others. While most tested packages effectively identified a vast number of threats, differences emerged in real-time protection and the detection of new, unknown malware. Variations were also observed in system resource usage, ranging from those that minimally impacted performance to those that imposed a greater load.