Monday 26 October 2015

Test: How Safe Are Scanners Anyway?


Virus scanners should work against all kinds of malware and other threats, providing protection, but what is it really the security situation of this kind of security suites? That question decided the German test lab AV-Test to answer by looking at both business and consumer products.

Security software should not only be able to detect threats, but also the software required to take security measures in order not to be attacked or make it more difficult for an attacker. Various techniques are available, such as ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) and DEP (Data Execution Prevention). Anti-virus companies have to add this technology to their own software.

Of the 21 tested products for consumers were found six full DEP and ASLR use, namely Avira, BullGuard, ESET, Kaspersky, McAfee and Symantec. Quick Heal, Norman and K7 do so at less than 30% of stocks. Corporate products outperformed, whereby three of 10 scored the maximum 100%, namely two products and one of Kaspersky from Symantec. 8 products were thereby above 90%. Only Bitdefender (79.7%) and Seqrite (29.8%) scored lower.

Certifications

Looked or all files of the security suites can be digitally signed and whether there was a valid digital certificate used for the second part of the test. Ant-virus companies require other software developers to sign their files digitally, which helps in the detection of malware, says AV-Test. In addition, a virus must be able to monitor their own authenticity and integrity, which help digital signatures with valid certificates and hash values.

Among business products showed that possessed 50% of unsigned files. In consumer products it was 60%. According to AV-Test, the results show that some anti-virus companies to be still awake. On the other hand, there are also companies that have taken steps since last year, the last test. "But many have done absolutely nothing," said the German test lab.

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