Posted by Virus Bulletin on Nov 11, 2011
AV-Test comparative sees minimal value in free mobile protection.
In a comparative test run by independent anti-malware testing specialist AV-Test.org, the majority of free Android anti-malware apps were unable to detect the bulk of samples tested against.
In a report entitled 'Are free Android scanners any good?', the simple answer the testers came up with seems like a resounding 'No'. The test method was fairly simple, taking 172 Android install packages and executables and scanning them on demand with each product, then trying to install ten of the most prevalent threats. Of seven free apps found on the Android marketplace, only one managed more than 10% detection in either test, while some picked up nothing at all. By comparison, commercial apps from F-Secure and Kaspersky spotted all the samples.
The only free product with anything close to a respectable score was Zoner Antivirus Free, which scored just over 30% in the on-demand test but spotted eight out of 10 at the install stage. The most popular free app, Antivirus Free from Creative Apps, boasts over 1 million downloads but scored zero detection on both counts.
Full details can be found in the report hosted on the AV-Test.org website, full 2MB PDF here
Posted on 11 November 2011 by Virus Bulletin
