AV-TEST Evaluates Windows Security Products Against Advanced Threats

Osnabrück. October 2025 – AV-TEST, a leading IT security research institute, has published the results of its latest Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) test, assessing the performance of 21 security products designed for both consumer and corporate users. The test focused on the ability of these solutions to detect and neutralize sophisticated malware, including ransomware and infostealers, that attempts to evade detection by masquerading as legitimate system processes.

The rigorous testing involved simulating advanced attack scenarios where malware used novel techniques, such as injecting malicious code into legitimate Windows utilities or open-source software. AV-TEST meticulously documented the response of each security package, observing how and when defensive mechanisms engaged to thwart cyber threats.

In total, 21 security solutions were evaluated in the lab between July and August 2025. Nine of these products are primarily marketed to consumers, while twelve are aimed at corporate users. The test required each solution to defend against five distinct ransomware samples and five infostealer samples, with products earning points for successfully blocking each stage of the attack.

The findings indicate a high level of effectiveness for most tested products in defending against the evaluated advanced threats. Among the corporate solutions, only two encountered minor issues, while the rest performed excellently. The consumer-facing packages also demonstrated strong capabilities, though performance varied slightly across different attack vectors.

AV-TEST emphasizes the critical need for robust and up-to-date security software in combating the ever-evolving threat landscape. The institute plans to continue its ongoing evaluations of security products against emerging malware tactics.