International Security Vendors couldn’t Pass Malware Test

The antivirus software from Kaspersky, Grisoft, and F-Secure each failed to detect 100% of malware signatures inside the database of tester Virus Bulletin, even though all three of the vendors had passed the test before.

Free AVG software of these vendors is extensively used in the customer market, the certification body stated, as per the news published by Contractoruk on June 11, 2007.

Of the total 37 products presented for testing, ten couldn't display the detection capabilities necessary for VB100 certification. The UK-based, Vista Bulletin publication performs the VB100 tests and whose "VB100 certification" is regarded as one of the standards of the anti virus industry.

Kaspersky AntiVirus 6.0.2.621 was unsuccessful in detecting a network worm named allaple. David Emm, senior technology consultant at Kaspersky, in a statement published by Zdnetasia on June 11, 2007, said that Kaspersky added a signature for the virus first in February. When the test had to be conducted, Kaspersky was "optimizing" the allaple signature, and it was not in Kaspersky's database.

Grisoft AVG 7.5 professional edition was also unsuccessful in the VB100. Larry Bridwell, Grisoft's global security strategist, said, a portion of its anti malware application, which detects signatures, was unsuccessful in detecting one of the W32 agobot Trojan variants, which was responsible for losing out.

Both products were unsuccessful in detecting risks recognized to be moving in the wild, even though a complete protection was added to both just a day after the test.

Further, F-Secure's protection service for consumers also didn't succeed to spot allaple. The company confessed making a mistake by not putting forward the most recent revisions in its product for test, as per news published by Zdnetasia on June 11, 2007.

Microsoft's consumer product OneCare, which was once strongly condemned for failing to attain VB100 certification on the Vista platform in February 2007, demonstrated a much strong performance presently and was given VB100 status.

Windows XP presently controls the home user market, and has made a steady inroad in the business sphere.

John Hawes, technical consultant at Virus Bulletin, in a statement published by Contractoruk on June 11, 2007, said, with Microsoft's Vista still in its initial settling period, Windows XP will continue to remain a leading platform for some time.

Related article: Internet Threat Volumes Overwhelm Security Companies

» SPAMfighter News - 6/22/2007