Consider this: a few days ago, we dug into AV-Comparatives' study on web threat prevention, in which some major antivirus providers were caught with their digital trousers down. AV-TEST, another stalwart in the anti-malware testing field, has now opted to enter the fray. They've just dropped their latest findings, and boy, is it a rollercoaster of emotions.
AV-TEST has always rated anti-malware software based on three criteria: safety, efficiency, and accessibility. It'll be identical to the Windows PC Olympics, although rather than medals, we'll be rewarding certificates and scores. Let the games begin!
Malwarebytes is the first stop on our antiviral journey. Malwarebytes appears to have pulled the short straw in the protection area despite being a reasonably popular antivirus program. It received a meager 5.5 out of 6 points, which is equivalent to receiving a participation prize in the digital world. Compare this to Avast/AVG, Microsoft Defender, and Kaspersky, which have higher scores. It's like witnessing a race in which some runners speed while others walk.
You may be wondering why the poor score. Malwarebytes appears to have stuttered when confronted with 0-day samples. AV-TEST discovered that it performed slightly below the industry average of 99.6% detection rate. Malwarebytes' detection rate peaked in May and June 2023 at 98.5% and 99.6%, respectively. It's like dispatching Sherlock Holmes to solve a mystery and having him return with a hazy hunch.
But that's not the end of Malwarebytes' wild voyage. Malwarebytes had a moment of glory and a touch of dread in the Performance section, which assesses the "average influence of the product on computer speed in daily usage." It was 17% in the "Slower launch of standard software applications" sub-category in May 2023. Ouch! However, by June, it had decided to tighten its belt, substantially cutting its performance hit to just 9%. That is more in line with the industry average of 10%. It's like watching a superhero transform from tripping over his or her cape to quickly flying through the air.
But don't believe Malwarebytes is the only antivirus circus in town. Others, including heavyweight contenders such as Defender, Kaspersky, and Norton, had their own peculiarities and flaws. For example, Kaspersky determined that "launching popular websites" was its Achilles' heel, obtaining a mediocre 20% in both May and June. The industry average is 14% chuckles.
Now, let's talk about Microsoft Defender, the knight in shining armor for many Windows users. It chose to have a moment of Jekyll and Hyde. While it excelled in the "launch of standard software applications" category, it stumbled and crashed in the "installation of frequently-used applications." It was at a discouraging 17% in May 2023; by June, it had worsened to 21%. In comparison, the industry average is 14%. It's like watching a superhero save a kitten from a tree just to knock over a lamppost.
Norton, another heavyweight contender, followed a similar pattern, polling 24% in May and 20% in June. It's like seeing a professional performer stumble through their lines during a live performance.
So, there you have it, the Windows PC Olympics of antivirus software. It's a digital battlefield where every product has its quirks and surprises. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, they throw you a curveball. But fear not, dear users, for armed with this knowledge, you can navigate the antivirus landscape with confidence, all while keeping the similarity index far, far away.
Read next: 77% of Consumers Never Check for Data Leaks, New Study Reveals
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World
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