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Trend Micro Ranked #1 in Independent Tests
Trend Micro #1 in Blocking Socially Engineered Malware
Based on results from independent studies conducted by NSS Labs in July & August of 2009, Trend Micro is ranked #1 when it comes to blocking socially engineered malware (e.g. Trojans and other types of spyware) in a “real-world” online testing environment. NSS Labs is a trusted source of in independent research, testing and certification of Internet Security products.
About This Test
The test, conducted by NSS Labs, covers socially engineered malware (reports to examine phishing and exploit protection to follow). Test included consumer antivirus products, such as Trend Micro, Symantec, McAfee, Kaspersky and Panda Security, all 2009 versions.
Socially engineered malware: Malware disguised and/or hidden within another type of software so that when a user downloads and installs the software, the malware gets installed as well. In many cases, socially engineered malware come in the shape of an application that seems completely safe, for example a software update, a screen saver, a video codec upgrade, etc. This type of malware poses one of the largest risks to both individuals and organizations by threatening to compromise, damage or expose sensitive information.
In most tests, antivirus products are tested against known threats in an offline or endpoint environment; however, with new malware threats emerging every 2.5 seconds – the majority of which come from the web –, this type of environment doesn’t resemble a real-life situation, according to NSS Labs. Instead, NSS Labs’ testing uses a new technique to test protection levels in a real online environment, the way users would actually come in contact with the malware.
All testing was conducted independently and without sponsorship, and the most current versions of each product available at the time of testing were used:
- AVG Internet Security, version 8.5.375
- Eset Smart Security 4, version 4.0.437
- F-Secure Internet Security 2009, version 9.00 build 149
- Kaspersky Internet Security 2009, version 8.0.0.506
- McAfee Total Protection Suite 2009
- Norman Security Suite 7.1
- Norton Internet Security 2009, version 16.5.0.135
- Panda Internet Security, version 14
- Trend Micro Internet Security 2009, version 17.1.1250
Key Findings & Recommendations
NSS Labs’ key findings were that in-the-cloud protection systems significantly increased the protection level of a security product. In-the-cloud systems are a new type of URL and file reputation-based malware warning systems that offer an additional layer of protection compared to more traditional types of anti-virus software (More information: Cloud Computing).
Obviously, detection of malware before it’s fully downloaded to the computer is the ideal scenario. Trend Micro scored by far the highest when it comes to this type of early stage detection (91%), followed by McAfee and Kaspersky.
Also overall, Trend Micro achieved the best scores, with an average download and execution protection rate of 96.4%. Kaspersky ranked number two, followed by Symantec and McAfee.