New AV-C 'On-demand' test scores and one more AV test.

Here are the most recent scores from the AV-Comparatives August 2011 'On-Demand' Antivirus test.
'On demand' means that a malicious file isn't executed but detected, f.i. when copying from an external source like an USB stick or f.i. scanning an (external) drive for malware.
This test does not show the full power of an AV product but it does give strong idea about it's core strength.

Modern AV's often also include behavioural blockers, 'web reputation/url blockers' which will warn about malicious sites etc, such features have not been tested.
The malware sample set has been gathered over recent months and contained about 200000 samples.
The FP test was done with a sample set of known clean files. Programs were tested with highest settings.
I'll only list the detection scores and false positives scores for the 3 free AV's listed on page 1.

- Avira Antivir Personal 10.2.....99,5% - 11 FP's
- Avast Free Antivirus 6.0.....97,3% - 10 FP's
- Microsoft Security Essentials 2.1.....92,3% - 1 FP

If you want to know how other well known AV's like from Symantec, Eset, AVG or Panda scored, check the full report yourself.
It offers all details on 20 well known AV's, read it and decide for yourself if it's worth to pay or wise to settle for a free AV.
AV-Comparatives link.

-----
Dennis Technology Labs have published their 'PC Anti-Virus Protection 2012 test report'.
This test (sponsored by Symantec) compares not only free AV's but also full security suites.
This test was not an 'On-demand' test but a 'Dynamic/real-world' test; how well did the tested programs protect a user when visiting malicious websites.

False positives have also been tested, both warnings and blocked files.
Dennis Technology Labs gives scores for 'Accuracy'; a combination of detection rate, false positives and the possibility to install a program flagged as an FP), 'Protection rating'; a combination of detection rate and neutralizing infections and 'Protection scores'.
From 13 tested security software programs the average 'Protection score' was 87,5%.
As full security suites offer more protection/features than the usually more basic AV's, I'll only list the detection scores for the 3 AV's listed on page 1.

- Avira Antivir Personal 10.2.....80%
- Avast Free Antivirus 6.0.....94%
- Microsoft Security Essentials 2.1.....88%

To fully appreciate the above scores and for much more details on the test performed, number of FP's, malware tested etc, read the report yourself
Wanna know how well Norton Internet Security 2012 or Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 did compared to the free products?
Read the Dennis Technology Labs report PDF link.

As usual, I'll only use the AV-Comparatives scores on page 1.

 

Link not working for Dennis tech labs, I don't find any 2012 report in their site.

 

In the report, there is a product GData,, has anyone had any experience with it, seems to have some very good results?

 

My bad; silly mistake. Correct link added.
They haven't published the report yet on their site but I came across it on WildersSecurity.com.

G-DATA uses a Dual-Scan method; they've incorporated/licensed Avast and BitDefender technology, one of the reasons why they have such a high detection rate. I found their 2011 security suite sluggish, haven't tested any 2012 product (yet).

 

Hm...
MSE seems to have lost a lot of ground in detection rates.
Then again, that might be because of the very low false positives rates.

 

IMO this seems to be the best one and its also free like MSE.

 

I've always recommended Avast! and still recommend Avast!