Re: Free Antivirus program

From: _Vanguard_ (see_signature)
Date: 11/30/04 

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 11:17:56 -0600

"Robsten" <robert.tabort.stenkvist@comhem.se> wrote in message
news:ra1rd.9837$d5.88871@newsb.telia.net...
> Hmmm...I think I compare freeware from this test
> http://www.av-test.org/online/sites/os03.php3?js=1&test=2002-01&p=1

<snip>

2002? Aren't you using a rather OLD benchmark? From their list of
benchmarks, they seem to have stopped testing back in 2002.

There is a newer *coverage* benchmark (rather than just whether a
product passed/failed) at
http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse_2004_02.php but it is
dated back in February 1994. From there, you can see the overall
percentage of coverage or just look at a particular category.

AntiVir: Windows viruses = 76%, Overall = 89%
Avast: Windows viruses = 93%, Overall = 93%
AVG: not listed (although v.6 was around at the time)
EzAntiVirus: also not listed

So not all the AV products are listed. However, AntiVir didn't fare
well against the other products. None of the tests show coverage based
on the age of the virus (so you can see if they protect well against
today's viruses rather than some ancient crap). I realize you don't
like your favorite AV product bashed. I'm currently using but will let
the subscription eventually expire for Norton AntiVirus (Windows viruses
= 98.9%, Overall = 95%) although Kasperksy is better (Windows viruses =
99.9%, Overall = 99.9%). Alas, of the freebie AV products, they don't
fare well when tested (and it is doubtful their commercial version
detects any better although I have read some posts that show the counts
for the numbers of detected viruses and/or malware do differ between the
freebie and paid-for versions). I don't bash Symantec, either, but when
the subscription runs out then I'll probably switch based on whatever
tests best at that time. The EzAntiVirus isn't really a freebie version
but rather a 1-year free trial in partnership with Microsoft (probably
to promote their re-branded InoculateIT anti-virus product).

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Free Antivirus program
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