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Tag Archives: AV-TEST
AVG equals 100% with no mistakes
AVG’s perfect test score for real world protection translates into an Advanced+ award from AV-Comparatives. You can go about your daily browsing knowing you have award winning protection from AVG.
AV-Comparatives have just released the Real-World Test scores for July. One company stands out from the rest with a ‘Perfect Game’, 100% detection with zero false positives, AVG. The term Perfect Game is a baseball reference when a pitcher plays the whole game with none of the opposing team getting to first base. For the soccer fans out there we might refer to this as a ‘clean sheet’.
It sounds great but what does it all mean?
Real-world testing means exactly what it says, the researchers at AV-Comparatives identified 355 infected URLs that were delivering a malicious exploits and drive-by-downloads and then tested each vendor to see if they are detected. By testing this way it imitates the exact way that you or I might encounter an infected website in our everyday lives.
And what is meant by a false positive?
To check that a product does not over block or even block every web site or file to achieve 100% detection scores, sites and files known to be clean are tested to ensure they can run without hindrance from the anti-virus product installed. A detection of a clean file or web page as malicious is regarded as a false positive and it can be devastating to your everyday life as you can no longer access or run the program, file or web page.
A perfect game for an AV product is perfection itself, 100% detection with Zero false positives. Giving you the confidence to browse and go about your online life knowing AVG is there and providing you best detection rate with zero risk.
Click the award below to see the full test results.
And I can’t write this blog without mentioning the hard work and diligence of the AVG researchers and engineers that work 24 x 7 to make all this possible, well done team and keep up the good work.
AVG Receives AV-TEST ‘Top Business Security Product’ Score
Independent Security Research Leader AV-TEST recently put our AVG Business solutions to the test. The result was a Top Product award that AVG channel partners can share with their clients.
At AVG, we never miss an opportunity to promote the detection and protection capabilities of our business security software. It’s even better when independent experts are also communicating the power behind our security engine. Our recent AV-TEST scores are a great example.
Our AVG Business solutions were recently awarded a Top Product score by AV-TEST in its May-June 2016 evaluation of 13 business endpoint protection software products. AVG was one of only 4 of 12 security vendors to receive this product score.
In this AV-TEST evaluation, our security technology was put through realistic test scenarios and challenged against real-world threats. We are also proud to share that this is our second consecutive high rating by AV-TEST this year.
AV-TEST, an international, independent leader in IT security and antivirus research, uses comprehensive comparative analysis methods to detect and analyze new malware. In its analysis process, AV-TEST engineers evaluate security solutions for reliable malware detection and low false positive rates.
Here is a brief look at our results:
- Our AVG Business products scored 100% for real-world detection with no false positives across protection, performance and usability categories, achieving 17.5 out of a total score of 18, across these categories:
- Protection 6/6: This focuses on protection against malware infections (viruses, worms or Trojan horses)
- Performance 5/6: This focuses on the average influence of the product on computer speed in daily usage.
- Usability 6/6: This focuses on the impact of the security software on the usability of the whole computer
AV-TEST CEO Andreas Marx also shared his feedback on our test results. “With the market’s leading business security software solutions promoting similar features and capabilities, independent test results like ours help the decision-making process for both the IT channel and business customers. AVG’s business products have performed consistently strong in our recent tests this year and this is important for channel providers making product portfolio decisions and managing security for their business clients,” said Marx.
Our consistent product performance is a testament to our 100% focus on SMB security. We continue to be committed to helping channel partners build their businesses and put the best security defense in place for their clients’ IT environments.
Please share these results with your teams and client base. You can find more information about our AVG Business solutions at http://www.avg.com/partners. Thank you for your continued support.
Multi-layered security approach battles Ransomware
From Locky to SamSam, JIGSAW to CryptoLocker, today’s ransomware variants can take down businesses with dramatic consequences.
Ransomware will prevent file access, web browsers, applications, and entire operating systems – holding the lifeblood of a business operation ‘hostage’ until a ransom is paid.
At AVG, we use a multi-layered security approach with multiple layers of inspection and testing to identify and eliminate a wide variety of malware, including ransomware. When accessing a file, our multi-layered security approach uses several different inspection and detection techniques, as detailed below, to determine whether the file is malicious.
This is reflected in our security technology engine powering our AVG Antivirus Business Edition and Internet Security Business Edition software solutions.
Simply described, the process includes these layers:
- Files are first compared to any known variants in a malware database – both the metadata and content of the files are analyzed
- Files are then tested in an emulator (a virtual computer)
- Now that the file is running, its behavior is assessed using a variety of techniques, including Artificial Intelligence algorithms
- Behavioral assessments occur in the AVG application and in the cloud, but they all work together behind the scenes and in real-time to determine whether a file is malicious
- If the file is determined to be malware, it is quarantined, and AVG’s Crowd Intelligence feature updates all AVG software
We also regularly submit our security software to independent test labs. Results from these independent tests serve as more proof points to the effectiveness of our technology and multi-layer approach. Our latest round of testing by AV-Test.org earned a six out of six rating – the highest rating for protection. In a recent Real-World Protection Test by AV Comparatives, AVG scored a 99.8% detection rating.
It is difficult to predict and guard against everything hackers may throw our way, but in the face of constantly evolving threats, a multi-layered security approach is a smart strategy.
To find out more about our AVG Business Edition solutions, please visit our business security page.
AV-TEST rates Avast Free Antivirus 2016 as a top security product for Windows Home Users
Avast Free Antivirus 2016 obtained highly positive ratings in AV-TEST’s recent Product Review.
AV-TEST, the leading and worldwide operating service provider for IT security testing services, has recently revealed the results of their Product Review and Certification Report for November-December 2015. AV-TEST describes the details of the review on their website:
. . .we continuously evaluated 20 home user security products using their default settings. We always used the most current publicly-available version of all products for the testing. They were allowed to update themselves at any time and query their in-the-cloud services. We focused on realistic test scenarios and challenged the products against real-world threats. Products had to demonstrate their capabilities using all components and protection layers.
Avast passes the AV-TEST Product Review with flying colors
Avast Free Antivirus 2016 obtained five out a maximum six points in performance and all six points in both protection and usability tests. In AV-TEST’s review, the product was tested on Windows 8.1 Professional (64 bit).
The performance test measures the average influence of the product on a computer’s speed in daily usage. The Protection test consists of real-world testing methods against zero-day malware attacks, inclusive of web and email threats. Lastly, the Usability test examines the impact of security software on the usability of a user’s entire computer.
Our website includes further information, as well as download links, to all Avast 2016 products. Check them out online.
Follow Avast on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+ where we keep you updated on cybersecurity news every day.
AVG achieves top scores from AV-Test and AV-Comparatives
Are there things in life that you can really say you are 100% sure about, I am sure there are a few but not very many.
In the last week here at AVG our virus research teams and engineers have achieved not just one great test result, but two. The AV-TEST results show that AVG achieved 100% detection of real-world malware and 100% detection of widespread malware. Then followed the AV-Comparatives Malware Removal report awarding AVG with the highest award mark of Advanced+.
Whether you are a consumer or business looking to make a decision on what Anti-Virus/Malware product to use, then independent results from internationally recognized testing organizations should help you make the right decision.
For businesses selecting the right product to stay safe is particularly important, in many cases you are not just protecting your company data but also the personal information that you hold about your customers.
The double 100% result from AV-TEST is particularly important as this shows that our products are protecting you without compromise whether the threat is new and only just appeared, as detailed in the real-time test, or whether it’s a known malware variant that is widespread.
I asked Andreas Marx, CEO of AV-TEST what the significance of the 100% result means, he said “Here at AV-TEST we understand that consumers and businesses rely on specialist organizations such as ourselves to test products they rely on for their security and protection. When a vendor scores 100% in both the real-time and widespread sections of our protection test, it provides a data point that allows consumers and businesses to make informed decisions. We congratulate AVG for achieving the 100% result in our August test.”
Detecting malware and stopping it from carrying out its malicious intent is important, but knowing that it has been completely removed from a device is also extremely important. The AV-Comparatives award for Malware Removal shows that we have excelled in this area too.
At an industry conference I asked Andreas Clementi, Founder and CEO of AV-Comparatives about the Malware Removal report and the AVG result, he said “An important factor for users of Anti-Malware products is not only its ability to detect malware but also its ability to remove the threat and all of the components that it installed. At AV-Comparatives we conduct an annual Malware removal test that shows a products efficiency to clean up after an infection, AVG has achieved an Advanced+ rating for 2 years in a row which shows great consistency.”
It’s important to understand that testing anti-malware products is undertaken and a point or period in time, so the results reflect the moment that these tests were carried out.
Of course our teams are motivated to continue with flawless detection results, and with the release of our new versions of our Ant-Virus range of products there are additional security features designed to provide improved detection. You can see more details in my article about our product release.
Indulge me in this moment of unashamed promotion of AVG and allow me to proudly acknowledge the commitment and dedication of the AVG teams that have delivered these awesome results, which they proudly develop to protect you, our customers.
Follow me on Twitter @TonyatAVG
Why independent testing is good for Avast Antivirus
Avast Free Antivirus just received another AV-Test certification for its stellar protection against real-world threats, performance in daily use, and usability.
Yay! It’s like collecting another trophy for the display case or another blue ribbon to hang on the wall, but what does it really mean? How is this type of testing useful for you, our customers?
Ondrej Vlcek, Avast’s Chief Operations Officer explains,
Because of the overwhelming growth of malware targeting consumers and businesses, labs like AV-Test Institute have become an invaluable independent source of data to Avast. Their research has influenced our engineers to expand their knowledge of malware, revolutionize diagnostic and detection methods, and facilitate strategies to get real-time updates to hundreds of millions of people who put their trust in our antivirus products.”
Here’s a little background on the testing lab.
AV-Test Institute is an independent lab designed specifically for testing and researching malware. Located in Magdeburg, Germany, they inhabit 1200m² (12,900 ft²) of space with 3 server rooms and a variety of main and secondary laboratories.
Safety protocols
image via www.av-test.org
Just like a specialized facility that deals with infectious agents, AV-Test has set up safety protocols to avoid accidental infections. The hazardous material they store includes 330 million pieces of malicious test data collected over the past 15 years. Every day, they collect another 390,000 new samples of malware.
Thirty specialists work in three labs with more than 100 workstations connected to three physically separate networks: Red for all the test malware with no internet access, Yellow has limited internet access for malware testing, and Green has full internet access so they can download and update programs.
Test Procedures
Every two months, antivirus products are run through a series of tests using a pre-determined configuration that mimics that of the real world. The AV-Test lab looks at three areas: Protection, Performance, and Usability.
In the August 2015 round, 22 products were run through grueling tests. The products can earn a maximum of six points in each of the three test categories for a total of 18 points.
For example, in the Protection category, Avast Free Antivirus had to recognize over 330 zero-day malware attacks, which means they are new, still unknown threats. In the second phase, the objective was to recognize and defend against just under 45,000 known malware threats from the AV-Test reference sets. The average results for the July and August test were 98% detection for zero-day. Avast Free Antivirus scored 99% and 100%, for an average of 99.5%. Avast Free Antivirus identified 100% of widespread and prevalent malware in the second phase. We improved our overall score over the previous test by a half a percentage point, which makes a difference in the real world.
Certification
The award of an AV-TEST CERTIFIED seal of approval is evidence that Avast Free Antivirus has achieved the level of performance and protection defined by the AV-Test labs.
Tests like these, and the ones by Austrian lab AV-Comparatives, are not only for security geeks, but useful for our customers. Even if you never read over the results, you can be guaranteed that we take them seriously and strive to use the information to create the best products we can to protect your home and business PCs, Macs, and Android smartphones and tablets.
Follow Avast on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+ where we keep you updated on cybersecurity news every day.
TGIF: Avast news wrap-up for April 3 – 17
The Avast bi-weekly wrap-up is a quick summary of what was on the Avast blog for the last two weeks.
Spring has sprung and it’s time to clean the dust and grime away after a long winter. In a departure from our regular security-oriented blog posts, we share 10 spring cleaning tips to combat grime. Don’t forget you can also clean your mobile devices! But you barely have to lift a finger because Avast GrimeFighter Safe Clean will remove the grime from your Android mobile devices with the touch of a button. If only window washing were so easy!
Independent testing lab AV-TEST gave their coveted certification to our popular mobile security application, Avast Mobile Security. If you are still on the fence regarding protecting your Android smartphone then read How to find the best protection for your Android phone? Independent tests.
Many smartphone owners are more worried about losing their device then they are about becoming infected with malware. That’s why we created Avast Anti-Theft. Make sure you have the latest version of our free app so if your phone gets lost, you can track it via your My Avast account or using SMS notifications from your friend’s phone. Turned Android auto-updates off? Manually update Anti-Theft to stay protected. explains how you can use Avast Anti -Theft to recover your lost Android device.
The mobile development team released a handy little app called Avast Battery Saver. This free app from Google Play helps you save some battery power. But not just any app can do it. The blog post Fear and loathing on Google Play: An in-depth look at today’s battery saving and cleaning apps gives us the scoop on apps that promise to save battery life with task cleaning.
How to extend the life of your phone’s battery is a question that we all have when the juice starts running out. The Avast Battery Saver app can help save about 20% but there are other ways to save battery life. We give you the tips and also share the future of smartphone batteries.
The unsecured Wi-Fi hotspot at the local cafe can be bad news if thieves capture your login credentials. Android users with Avast Mobile Security have a built-in feature called Wi-Fi Security that warns them if any issues are detected. We are now seeking iOS beta testers for an app called Avast SecureMe that will include the same type of feature for iPhone users. Check our blog Wi-Fi Security feature foolproofs your network connections both in public and at home and scroll down to the bottom for the beta test sign up link.
Cybercrooks use a variety of attack vectors to reach their victims. Targeted spearphishing attacks use email messages to trick people into providing sensitive information while malicious apps for Android disguise themselves as innocent games. The scary ransomware locks up all your files and demands ransom for the key to unlock it – on both PCs and and mobile devices! Avast keeps you aware of cybercrooks latest tricks in Don’t take the bait: Beware of web attack techniques.
Avast Mobile Security: What’s not to love?
Mobile is attractive to cybercrooks
Our mobile phones are fantastic little devices — these days, they’re as powerful and can accomplish nearly all the things a regular computer can. While this is convenient for us, it also gives cybercrooks a relatively easy in-road to your private data and financial information. As 2015 rolls along, consumers continue to become more aware of mobile security options available to them, since they will increasingly use mobile apps that contain sensitive banking, financial, and personal health information.
Last year, more than 1 billion Android devices were shipped out to customers around the world. With Android winning the majority of the smartphone market, it offers a tempting target to malware authors. The average user is not especially concerned about being infected with a virus on their phone or tablet, but unfortunately, mobile malware is more than just a myth. Avast currently has more than one million samples of mobile malware in its database, with 2,850 new mobile threats being created every day by hackers.
Even if you think your chances of being infected with malware are low, we suggest that you go ahead and install a good mobile antivirus software. The great thing about Avast Mobile Security is that it’s free, so your investment is minimal – just a few minutes of setup and you’re ready to go.
Avast Mobile Security includes antivirus protection which scans your apps to see what they are doing, and a Web shield that scans URLs for malware or phishing. Malicious apps allow malware to enter your phone, so it’s good to have Avast on your side to detect when a bad one slips by on Google Play or another app store.
When taking a look at Avast Mobile Security’s features and capabilities, it’s easy to see why it’s a top-rated mobile security app.
AV-TEST All-Stars
Avast Mobile Security did not commit any mistakes when tested with 1,932 legitimate apps from the Google Play Store and 981 legitimate apps from third party app stores. In addition, all this protection, according to AV-TEST, did not “impact the battery life”, or “slow down the device during normal usage”, and “does not generate too much traffic”.
To compare the choices of mobile antivirus software, you can look at the January 2015 “Mobile Security Test” conducted by the independent labs at AV-TEST. They looked at 31 popular Android security apps. Avast Mobile Security tops the list because it detected 100% of malicious apps without any impact on the battery life or slowing down of the device.
AMS Referral Program
In the latest update of Avast Mobile Security, we added a referral program, so you can recommend Avast Mobile Security to your friends and family. Not only can you recommend the best mobile security app available on Google Play, but you will be rewarded for doing so; you can earn up to three months of Avast Mobile Premium for free!
Here is how it works: For every five friends you send an SMS to recommending Avast, you get one free month of Avast Mobile Premium. Cool, huh?
There you have it — we’re huge fans of Avast Mobile Security, and we think you will be too. Download Avast Mobile Security for free on Google Play.
How to find the best protection for your Android phone? Independent tests.
Recently we told you about malware inside of Google Play and we also alerted you to the resurrection of Simplocker, a dangerous ransomware that has started its second infection wave. Hopefully, you are convinced that you need to seek a top security application for your Android device. It’s just not safe out there any longer.
However, how can you be sure that our security application is doing its job correctly and extensively?
Some people doubt marketing talk on vendor websites, but we know you cannot start testing every apk file or entering the dark side site of Internet just to see if our solution works. That’s why Avast has chosen to submit our products to third party, independent testing labs.
AV-TEST runs Avast Mobile Security through the paces
AV-TEST is a well-known testing laboratory for mobile security. Recently, they tested 31 mobile security products for Android focusing “on malware detection and usability, including performance and false positives”.
They used 2,950 different malware samples and Avast Mobile Security blocked 100% of them. The malware set was a very recent one: malware in the wild in the last 4 weeks.
More?
Avast Mobile Security did not commit any mistake when tested with 1,932 legitimate apps from the Google Play Store and 981 legitimate apps from third party app stores. The better of the two worlds: protection and usability.
In addition, all this protection, according to AV-TEST, did not “impact the battery life”, or “slow down the device during normal usage”, and “does not generate too much traffic”.
Avast Mobile Security earned the AV-TEST certification.
The testing Lab gives a thumbs up for all the other security features that you can find in Avast Mobile Security:
- Anti-Theft for remote lock, wipe and locate your lost or stolen device. NOTE: For those of you who do not have automatic update turned on, please do an update ASAP so you can keep Anti-theft working optimally.
- Call Blocker from specific or unknown numbers and a SMS Filter for unwanted content.
- Safe Browsing that protects against malicious websites and/or phishing.
- Backup for personal data on cloud storage.
- Firewall that allows control over your connection usage over 3G/4G/Wi-Fi/Roaming.
- Network Meter that gives you easy to understand information about your data plans.
Don’t you want to try it? You can download Avast Mobile Security for free on Google Play.