Can You Trust Anti-Virus Rankings?

Slatterz writes "It seems nobody can agree on a universal set of tests for rating anti-virus software, with Eugene Kaspersky the latest to weigh in on the topic, criticizing the well-known Virus Bulletin 100. Kaspersky is one of several big anti-virus brands to fall foul of the VB100 tests, reportedly failing to pass a recent test of security software on Windows Server 2008, along with F-Secure and Computer Associates. At Kaspersky, bloggers have pointed out that they don't focus on detecting PoCs, calling it a 'dead end,' and saying their anti-virus database focuses on 'real threats and exploits.' 'I don't want to say it's rubbish,' Kaspersky told PC Authority. 'But the security experts don't pay attention to these tests. It doesn't reflect the real level of protection.'"

Comments

My favorite AV software:

[mcgrew]

Mandriva. Suse's pretty good too. Haven't tried Ubantu.

I have my home PC (and PCs of friends who want me to support them) dual boot, with networking disabled on the Windows side. As there are NO LINUX VIRUSES a setup like this needs no AV software.

This makes computing a brain-dead simple, and supporting friends' computers almost as easy. Without the need for AV the thing works faster, too.

Now mod me down, astroturfers. My karma can take it, even if the truth hurts you.