Emsisoft Anti-Malware Scores Advanced+ Rating in AV-Comparatives File Detection Test

 

Emsisoft Anti-Malware has received an Advanced + rating in AV-Comparatives’ latest File Detection Test of Malicious Software. This is the highest rank a participating anti-malware can receive!

Testing Conditions

Malware Sample: AV-Comparatives’ latest File Detection Test subjected Emsisoft Anti-Malware to 125,977 malware samples. Samples were collected up to February 21st, 2014 and were selected to provide an accurate representation of the Internet’s most prevalent and recent threats.

Test Format: The File Detection Test tested 23 anti-malware products under identical conditions. Each product was installed and set to run on default settings on an Internet connected PC running Microsoft Windows 7 SP-1 64 bit. Each product was also updated to its most recent version as of March 7th, 2014. Testing PCs were loaded with the malware samples, and then each product was set to run its standard scan.

Scoring: Performance scores were based on the percentage of samples detected as well as the number of false positive detections, or “false alarms.” AV-C states that this latter component was included because it can produce skewed detection rates and because “false alarms can sometimes cause as much trouble as a real infection.” This is because false alarms often lead to end-user annoyance and stressful situations caused by perceived infection.

Our commitment to unobtrusive technology: While the majority of vendors submitted Internet Security suite offerings to this latest comparative, Emsisoft chose to submit its standalone anti-malware, Emsisoft Anti-Malware. This was done because we believe quality anti-malware should be as lightweight as possible.

Advanced + Results

99.5% File Detection Rate: Emsisoft Anti-Malware detected 99.5% of the malicious files in the test’s malware sample body. The vendor with the lowest performance had an 89% detection rate. AV-C also tested Microsoft Windows 7 Security Essentials to provide a benchmark. This is the anti-malware that comes pre-installed on most Windows computers (known as Defender on Windows 8). Security Essentials caught only 90% of the test’s malware sample body, demonstrating once again that relying on Microsoft’s default security software alone is simply not enough to ensure comprehensive malware protection.

“Very Few” False Alarms: We’re proud to report that Emsisoft Anti-Malware had only 3 false alarms in this latest comparative, placing our anti-malware in the category’s highest tier. Our low false alarm rate is part of our overall initiative to provide low-impact, unobtrusive anti-malware to our customers. Other vendors actually had so many false alarms (up to 111!) that AV-C actually included a “Crazy Many” tier when it scored this category.

 

Advanced + File Detection Performance

Advanced + Rating: The combination of Emsisoft Anti-Malware’s high File Detection and low False Alarm rates earned our software an Advanced + rating overall.

What does this mean for our users? Simply put: Emsisoft Anti-Malware detects the most prevalent and recent malware threats, and isn’t fooled into reporting false positives. Combined with a low-impact design, this means our users achieve comprehensive PC protection with little-to-no decision making required.

About AV-Comparatives

AV-Comparatives is an independent not-for-profit organization offering systematic testing that checks whether security software, such as PC/Mac-based antivirus products and mobile security solutions, lives up to its promises. Using one of the largest sample collections worldwide, it creates a real-world environment for truly accurate testing. AV-Comparatives offers freely accessible results to individuals, news organizations and scientific institutions. Certification by AV-Comparatives provides an official seal of approval for software performance which is globally recognized.

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Full March 2014 File Detection Test results available for download here.

Senan Conrad

Senan Conrad

Senan specializes in giving readers insight into the constantly and rapidly changing world of cybersecurity. When he’s not tapping away at his keyboard, he enjoys drinking a good coffee or tinkering in his workshop.

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