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Vista’s Four AV Products Failed VB100 Tests

An anti-virus software of Microsoft that was compatible to a Vista program failed to cull all the malicious code currently circulating on the Internet, according to a prominent testing publication on February 2, 2007.

The VB100 tests of a U.K.-based publication, 'Virus Bulletin' are regarded as one of the crucial requirements of the anti-virus industry. As part of its processes the publication listed 15 Vista programs relating to January's WildList. The WildList is a high-utility master list that updates all viruses, worms, trojans and other malware spreading online. Virus Bulletin showed that after testing 15 anti-virus products there were four that could not meet the standards necessary to fulfill VB100 certification.

Technical consultant at Virus Bulletin, John Hawes said on the VB website that in the backdrop of the number of delays in Vista's release, there is no reason for security vendors not to get their products in right shape by now. Security companies sent in their products for testing and certification and it is unfortunate to find how poorly they designed some of their products, remarked Hawes.

From the time of Vista release, there have been arguments about whether the new operating system is more secure than the rest. Bill Gates has labeled Vista as "dramatically more secure" than other OSs, while security researchers have described it to have significant security gaps.

Hawes noted that although there have been many improvements on Vista it cannot handle current malware without the use of security products. He thinks people upgrading to the new system would need additional security software. Therefore he believes the results of the VB100 tests would help people in choosing the most suitable to their task.

Hawes continued that they conducted the tests in their secure labs against the most harmful viruses and worms affecting users. It is disappointing to know that major products are missing on hourly updates. He feels computer users deserved to get better than this from security companies.

Not refuting the results, Microsoft was examining the methodology and results of the test to enhance the performance of Windows Live OneCare in future tests, said a Microsoft spokesperson.

Related article: Vista Can Run for 365 Days Without Activation

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