Most free Android anti-virus 'useless', find testers

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

 Tags

twitter.png
fb.png
linkedin.png
hackernews.png
reddit.png

 

Latest posts:

VBSpam tests to be executed under the AMTSO framework

VB is excited to announce that, starting from the Q3 test, all VBSpam tests of email security products will be executed under the AMTSO framework.

In memoriam: Prof. Ross Anderson

We were very sorry to learn of the passing of Professor Ross Anderson a few days ago.

In memoriam: Dr Alan Solomon

We were very sorry to learn of the passing of industry pioneer Dr Alan Solomon earlier this week.

New paper: Nexus Android banking botnet – compromising C&C panels and dissecting mobile AppInjects

In a new paper, researchers Aditya K Sood and Rohit Bansal provide details of a security vulnerability in the Nexus Android botnet C&C panel that was exploited in order to gather threat intelligence, and present a model of mobile AppInjects.

New paper: Collector-stealer: a Russian origin credential and information extractor

In a new paper, F5 researchers Aditya K Sood and Rohit Chaturvedi present a 360 analysis of Collector-stealer, a Russian-origin credential and information extractor.

We have placed cookies on your device in order to improve the functionality of this site, as outlined in our cookies policy. However, you may delete and block all cookies from this site and your use of the site will be unaffected. By continuing to browse this site, you are agreeing to Virus Bulletin's use of data as outlined in our privacy policy.