AV-Comparatives has tested consumer and enterprise Internet security

V-Comparatives has released the results of its 2021 Advanced Threat Protection Testing. Eight consumer antivirus products and eight enterprise endpoint protection programs for Windows were tested.

AV-Comparatives’ Advanced Threat Protection Test uses various attack scenarios that the programs under test must defend against. Targeted attacks use a variety of techniques to evade detection by security software. These include fileless attacks, code obscurity, and the use of legitimate operating system tools.

Hiding malicious code also makes it difficult for a security program to detect. Misuse of legitimate system programs for malicious purposes also makes it easier for cybercriminals to stay under the radar of security measures.

In advanced threat protection testing, AV-Comparatives uses hacking and penetration techniques that allow attackers to gain access to internal computer systems. These attacks can be broken down into Lockheed Martin’s cybersecurity kill chain and seven distinct phases, each with unique IOCs (compromise indicators) for victims. All of our tests use a subset of the TTP (Strategy, Technique, Process) listed in the MiTER ATT and CK(TM) frameworks. The report also includes a false alarm test.

Tested enterprise endpoint security products include: Acronis Cyber ​​Protect Cloud with Advanced Security Pack; Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus; Bitdefender Gravity Zone Elite; CrowdStrike Falcon Pro; ESET Protect Entry with ESET Protect Cloud; G data endpoint protection business; Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business – Select with KSC; VIPRE Endpoint Cloud.

All of the enterprise products listed above have blocked at least eight out of fifteen advanced attacks and thus gained corporate ATP certification from AV-Comparatives.

Tested consumer protection programs include: Avast Free Antivirus; AVG Free Antivirus; Bitdefender Internet Security; ESET Internet Security; g data total security; Kaspersky Internet Security; McAfee Total Security; VIPRE Advanced Security.

Of these, consumer products Avast, AVG, ESET, Kaspersky and McAfee received the highest Advanced+ ratings.

“Advanced Threat Protection Tests examine the ability of each security product to protect computers from targeted attacks, known as ‘Advanced Persistent Threats’ (APT). These are complex, multi-layered attacks that attack a specific target the individual or organization. While most of these attacks may ultimately be aimed at infiltrating corporate networks, one obvious way to do this is by targeting the personal computers of staff members within the organization.

Additionally, cyber Criminals may launch targeted attacks against individuals for other reasons. Protection against such attacks should be provided by consumer security programs as well as enterprise endpoint security software.” says Peter Stelzmer, co-founder of AV-Comparatives.

All the products tested, consumer and enterprise, had to defend against 15 different complex targeted attacks.

AV-Comparatives is an independent organization that provides systematic testing to see whether security software, such as anti-virus products and mobile security solutions for PC/Mac, deliver on their promises. Using one of the largest sample collections in the world, it creates a real environment for truly accurate testing. AV-Comparatives provides results freely accessible to individuals, media organizations and scientific institutions. Certification by AV-Comparatives provides the official seal of approval for software performance that is recognized worldwide.