AV-Test Issues Windows 7 Antivirus Certifications

[javajolt]

The independent test lab AV-Test has issued certifications for antivirus products operating on Windows 7.

The results were based on tests conducted during April, May and June of this year, and therefore do not show results for the new versions just appearing from all the vendors (such as our just-published review of Kaspersky Internet Security 2011), but I would expect the results to be pretty similar. Tests on Windows XP and Vista are promised for a later date.

AV-Test scores in 3 categories: Protection, Repair and Usability. Each has a score from 0 to 6.0 in increments of 0.5. To achieve certification, a product needed a combined score of 12 or more. 13 of the 17 products were certified.

The certified products were as follows. Click on the name to see the AV-Test report:

• Avira Premium Security Suite 10.0
• Kaspersky Internet Security 2010
• Panda Internet Security 2010
• Eset Smart Security 4.0
• F-Secure Internet Security 2010
• Symantec Norton Internet Security 2010
• Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0
• PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 7.0
• Webroot Internet Security Essentials 6.1
• Avast Internet Security 5.0
• AVG Internet Security 9.0
• BitDefender Internet Security Suite
• G Data Internet Security 2010/2011

The uncertified products were:

• Norman Security Suite 8.0
• Trend Micro Internet Security Pro 2010
• BullGuard Internet Security 9.0
• McAfee Internet Security 2010

At the top are Kaspersky, Panda and Symantec with a total combined score of 16 each. I'd throw F-Secure up there too with a total of 15.5. But there are many excellent products here and you won't go very wrong with any of them, at least the certified ones..