Virus Bulletin
Copyright © 2016 Virus Bulletin
This month's VB100 is another desktop test, returning to the familiar territory of Windows 7 after last month's visit to the still relatively new Windows 10, where we saw a fairly high level of stability issues. With most products having been finely tuned over the years to play nicely with Windows 7, we expected to see far fewer issues this time around, and with just shy of 40 products to put through our exhaustive set of tests, we certainly hoped for well‑behaved, bug-free performances. Once again, in this report the products are split into business- and consumer‑focused solutions, although several claim to be suitable for both market sectors.
Windows 7 needs little introduction. With its predecessor, Windows XP, now largely a thing of the past (despite some lingering affection), and its successors still unable to push it off the top spot for distribution and uptake, Windows 7 remains the world's most popular platform. With considerable past experience of the platform, the VB test team had little trouble setting up the environment on the testing machines, as usual installing a fairly basic set‑up with a few common tools and a few extras such as browsers, music players and office tools added in to form part of our performance tests.
Sample sets were built using our standard approaches, with all detection sets compiled from new items last seen in the ten days prior to running each phase of testing. The certification sets included the latest WildList available on the test deadline of 17 August, version 4.031. The clean sets were also frozen on this date, after having been updated as usual with a raft of recent popular packages as well as trimmed of some older items.
Main version: 5.1.38
Update versions: 5.4.25
Last 6 tests: 5 passed, 0 failed, 1 no entry
Last 12 tests: 5 passed, 5 failed, 2 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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CYREN has managed an impressive turnaround of late, with a clean sweep of passes in the last year after a spate of false positive (FP) problems previously. This time stability was excellent and detection pretty strong with cloud access, and a little less so without. There was a fairly heavy slowdown when performing our set of common activities – the associated very low use of memory is averaged out over the rather long period of the test. A clean run through the certification sets earns CYREN a VB100 award.
Main version: 3.0.1.1
Update versions: 16.2.22.1/594617.2016081717/7.66871/7030820.20160817, 16.2.22.1/597726.2016090822/7.67140/6851647.20160908, 16.2.22.1/598986.2016092122/7.67314/7122272.20160921, 16.2.22.1/600448.2016092918/7.67404/7030820.20160817
Last 6 tests: 4 passed, 1 failed, 1 no entry
Last 12 tests: 9 passed, 1 failed, 2 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 1
Stability: Stable
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ESTsoft has been doing pretty well of late, helped by the Bitdefender engine that runs alongside the company's own technologies. This month we saw a single, rather heavy scan job crash out, but there were no other stability problems. Resource use was low, with a reasonable impact on system speed, while detection was strong as usual, and the WildList sets were covered well. Unfortunately, a single item popped up in the clean sets: an alert on part of Intel's VTune app, which was enough to deny ESTsoft a VB100 award this month, by a whisker.
Main version: 5.4.1.0840
Update versions: 5.00233/36.00824, 39.00144, 39.00307, 39.00641
Last 6 tests: 5 passed, 0 failed, 1 no entry
Last 12 tests: 10 passed, 0 failed, 2 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Stable
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Fortinet has had an impeccable run of passes in our Windows tests over the last couple of years. This month the product ran pretty smoothly, with only a small error during an update to dent its stability rating. Performance impact was pretty reasonable, detection decent too, and with no issues in the certification sets another VB100 award is easily earned.
Main version: 2.13.19
Update versions: 98523, 98583, 2.13.21/98604, 2.13.19/98646
Last 6 tests: 3 passed, 2 failed, 1 no entry
Last 12 tests: 7 passed, 2 failed, 3 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Stable
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Ikarus had some FP issues in the last test, but it has a decent pass rate over the last few years. This month there were a couple of scans that crashed out, but otherwise the product ran smoothly, detection was strong and performance impact not too obtrusive. The certification sets were dealt with nicely, and a VB100 award is earned by Ikarus.
Main version: 5.87
Update versions: 5.8.5.0000/3.71, 5.88, 5.8.5.0919, 5.8.5.0924
Last 6 tests: 4 passed, 1 failed, 1 no entry
Last 12 tests: 8 passed, 2 failed, 2 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Stable
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The iSheriff product is another that uses the Bitdefender engine, and as such it generally performs strongly. Other than a minor update error, stability was good, detection also decent and performance impact pretty light, with very low resource usage. The certification sets presented no difficulties, and iSheriff picks up another VB100 award.
Main version: 17.0.0.611(a)
Update versions: 17.0.0.611(a), 17.0.0.611(b)
Last 6 tests: 3 passed, 0 failed, 3 no entry
Last 12 tests: 8 passed, 0 failed, 4 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
Kaspersky Lab entered two products once again this month, the first up being the company's small business offering. Stability was impeccable, impact on our set of tasks fairly heavy, but resource use quite reasonable. There are no RAP detection figures to report, but with another good run through the certification sets a VB100 award is easily earned.
Main version: 17.00(10.1.2.1) 64bit
Update versions: N/A
Last 6 tests: 4 passed, 0 failed, 2 no entry
Last 12 tests: 7 passed, 0 failed, 5 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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Quick Heal's business solution has appeared in most of our tests lately, with a good run of passes. This month it ran well with no bugs noted, showed good detection and a reasonable impact on system speed and resources. The WildList and clean sets were handled properly, earning Quick Heal a VB100 award.
Main version: 2016(16.0.0.5676)
Update versions: 2016(16.0.0.5676), 2016(16.0.0.5698)
Last 6 tests: 4 passed, 0 failed, 2 no entry
Last 12 tests: 8 passed, 0 failed, 4 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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This is the first of two entries for TrustPort this month, although the two products are essentially identical. Business users can expect a robust product with solid stability, excellent detection levels thanks to the product's dual-engine design, and a quite acceptable impact on system speeds. The certification sets were dealt with adeptly once again, earning TrustPort a VB100 award.
Main version: 2016.08.17
Update versions: 2016.09.09, 2016.09.21, 2016.09.30
Last 6 tests: 1 passed, 0 failed, 5 no entry
Last 12 tests: 3 passed, 0 failed, 9 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Stable
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A rather sporadic participant in our tests, this is Arcabit's first appearance in a year and only its third in the last few years, since the product's switch to that ever-popular Bitdefender engine. Stability was OK, with only a fairly trivial updating glitch, detection was decent and performance impact not too obtrusive. The core sets were handled well, and a VB100 award goes to Arcabit on its return to the test bench.
Main version: 12.3.2279 Build 12.3149.0
Update versions: 160816-1, 12.3.2280 Build 12.3.3154.2/160905-0, 160912-0, 12.3.2280 Build 12.3.31546/160926-0
Last 6 tests: 6 passed, 0 failed, 0 no entry
Last 12 tests: 12 passed, 0 failed, 0 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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The first of a cluster of very strong performers with a perfect record in the last two years of VB100 testing, Avast is always a welcome sight on our test bench and once again performed admirably with no bugs to report. Performance impact was reasonable, detection also decent, and with no issues in the certification sets, that perfect VB100 record is maintained for another month.
Main version: 16.101.7752
Update versions: 4647/12825, 4649/12947, 4649/13008, 4664/13087
Last 6 tests: 6 passed, 0 failed, 0 no entry
Last 12 tests: 12 passed, 0 failed, 0 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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Another flawless performer of late, although one with a rather uncertain future thanks to its recent merger with rival Avast, AVG also put in a wobble-free performance, with another decent set of detection stats and some reasonable speed impact numbers too. The core sets presented no problems, and a VB100 award is duly granted to AVG.
Main version: 6.2.9.799
Update versions: 7.66872, 7.67140, 7.67316, 7.67395
Last 6 tests: 6 passed, 0 failed, 0 no entry
Last 12 tests: 12 passed, 0 failed, 0 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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Bitdefender's engine appears in almost half of the products in our line-up this month, in one form or another, and fortunately for everyone continues to perform excellently. Stability was once again perfect, detection was decent and system impact pretty light. The certification sets were handled as nicely as ever, adding another notch to Bitdefender's unbroken record of VB100 passes in the last few years.
Main version: 16.0.322
Update versions: 7.66870, 16.0.323/7.67142, 16.0.324/7.67316, 16.0.324/7.67395
Last 6 tests: 4 passed, 0 failed, 2 no entry
Last 12 tests: 7 passed, 0 failed, 5 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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Another long-standing participant and another Bitdefender user, BullGuard's stability was as impeccable as usual, and as expected detection was pretty decent too. System impact was light, and the certification sets were once again handled well, earning BullGuard another VB100 award.
Main version: 14.2.255.000
Update versions: 8.6.1.51
Last 6 tests: 3 passed, 0 failed, 3 no entry
Last 12 tests: 6 passed, 0 failed, 6 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
Another venerable name, and a regular VB100 participant for many years, Check Point's ZoneAlarm put in another decent showing this month. Stability was flawless, detection was a little below par in the response sets and there is no proactive data available due to issues with the frozen installation created on the deadline day. Our set of activities showed some considerable slowdown, but the certification sets were dealt with nicely and a VB100 award is well earned.
Main version: 19.6.0.326
Update versions: 7.66871/7030820, 7.67141/6851820, 7.67316/7132507, 7.67395/7540056
Last 6 tests: 3 passed, 0 failed, 3 no entry
Last 12 tests: 4 passed, 0 failed, 8 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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A rather newer name but with a few successful appearances already under its belt, CompuClever returns this month with another very strong showing, earning some good detection levels thanks to the Bitdefender engine and recording pretty light system impact too. With a good run through the core certification sets, another VB100 award is collected by CompuClever.
Main version: 11.10.0.6563
Update versions: N/A
Last 6 tests: 5 passed, 0 failed, 1 no entry
Last 12 tests: 10 passed, 0 failed, 2 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Fair
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Emsisoft can boast a full house of VB100 passes in our recent Windows tests, and this month it produced some more good detection levels with low resource use and only minor impact on system speeds. Stability was somewhat dented by an unexpected restart at one point, but we were not able to reproduce the issue. The certification sets presented no problems, and another VB100 award is duly granted.
Main version: 14.0.1400.1920 DB
Update versions: N/A
Last 6 tests: 6 passed, 0 failed, 0 no entry
Last 12 tests: 12 passed, 0 failed, 0 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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Another member of the elite 12/12 club with passes in all VB100 comparatives in the last two years, eScan managed a 'Solid' stability rating this month alongside some good detection levels, aided as usual by the Bitdefender engine, and a fairly light set of performance measures. With another flawless showing in the certification sets, that perfect record continues for another month.
Main version: 9.0.386.0
Update versions: 13976, 9.0.402.0/14076, 14114, 14184
Last 6 tests: 6 passed, 0 failed, 0 no entry
Last 12 tests: 12 passed, 0 failed, 0 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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ESET's record of passes in the VB100 scheme is unrivalled, with an unbroken run of passes stretching back an enormously long way. Indeed, this month is something of a milestone as the vendor reaches its 100th successful VB100 test – a seriously impressive achievement. In this test there was another superb showing from the product, with impeccable stability and a reasonable system impact, although CPU usage was a little higher than most. Detection was especially strong, with excellent scores recorded in the proactive sets, and another flawless job in the certification sets earns ESET that long-awaited 100th VB100 pass.
Main version: 8.3.40.132
Update versions: 8.12.112.234, 8.3.40.158/8.12.116.106, 8.3.40.180/8.12.120.100, 8.3.40.188/8.12.121.220
Last 6 tests: 4 passed, 0 failed, 2 no entry
Last 12 tests: 4 passed, 0 failed, 8 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Stable
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PCKeeper has cropped up in our tests a few times over the years under various different owners, but seems to have settled down with Essentware nicely, notching up a good run of passes in the past year. This time we saw a single instance of the interface freezing up during a large scan job but stability was otherwise reasonable. The Avira engine provided good detection levels, performance impact was a little higher than many this month but not too intrusive, and another good showing in the certification sets earns Essentware another VB100 award.
Main version: 25.2.0.3
Update versions: AVA 25.7908/GD 25.7513, AVA 25.8194/GD 25.7679, AVA 25.8368/GD 25.7783, AVA 25.8448/GD 25.7838
Last 6 tests: 5 passed, 0 failed, 1 no entry
Last 12 tests: 10 passed, 0 failed, 2 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Stable
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G Data is another participant with a very strong history in our tests, and this month did well once again. Stability was almost perfect, dented only by a single instance where opening a rather large log file caused the interface to lock up for quite some time. Performance impact was a touch on the heavy side, but detection as usual was superb. The certification sets were brushed aside effortlessly, earning G Data another VB100 award.
Main version: 15.1.0297
Update versions: 9.237.20590, 9.238.20775, 9.238.20844, 15.1.0299/9.239.20988
Last 6 tests: 5 passed, 0 failed, 1 no entry
Last 12 tests: 10 passed, 0 failed, 2 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Stable
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K7 has gone through phases of regular participation in our tests, becoming a fixture in the last few years and racking up an excellent string of passes. This month we noted a minor glitch with the updating process, which occasionally insisted there was no Internet connection, but quickly recovered without input. Detection was reasonable, performance impact pretty light with only a minor slowdown in our set of activities, and a good run through the certification sets earns K7 another VB100 award.
Main version: 17.0.0.611 (a)
Update versions: 17.0.0.611 (a), 17.0.0.611 (b)
Last 6 tests: 4 passed, 0 failed, 2 no entry
Last 12 tests: 8 passed, 0 failed, 4 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
Kaspersky Lab's second entry this month is the company's flagship suite, another regular in the VB100 lately. It performed admirably, with a perfect showing for stability and, while performance impact was a touch on the heavy side, and there are no RAP figures to report, the certification sets were handled impeccably, earning Kaspersky another VB100 award.
Main version: 11.12.945.9202
Update versions: N/A
Last 6 tests: 4 passed, 0 failed, 2 no entry
Last 12 tests: 7 passed, 0 failed, 5 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Fair
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There were two submissions from Lavasoft this month, the free edition coming up first. Stability was shaken by a surprise reboot and a scan crashing out. However, detection (aided as usual by the Bitdefender engine) was decent, speed impact was fairly light and the core certification sets were dealt with properly, earning a VB100 award for Lavasoft.
Main version: 11.12.945.9202
Update versions: N/A
Last 6 tests: 3 passed, 0 failed, 3 no entry
Last 12 tests: 3 passed, 0 failed, 9 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Fair
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The 'Pro' edition of Ad‑Aware comes with a range of extras, few of which are covered here. Once again stability was flawed with an unplanned restart and a scan job freezing up, but detection was good, closely matching that of the free version, and resource usage was only slightly higher. The core sets were covered nicely, earning Lavasoft another VB100 award.
Main version: 98523
Update versions: 2016.10.17, 98583/2016.09.06, 98604/2016.09.13, 98646/2016.09.26
Last 6 tests: 0 passed, 3 failed, 3 no entry
Last 12 tests: 0 passed, 3 failed, 9 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 1
Stability: Stable
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MSecure has been trying for a VB100 award for a while now, with mixed success after a fairly reliable start a few years ago. Some serious issues with extension lists seem to have been resolved in the latest version, and stability was decent, our rating dented by a few minor GUI errors and glitches and a couple of instances of logs failing to be generated properly. Detection was decent, speed impact pretty light, and the WildList sets were covered well. In the clean sets, however, we observed a cluster of detections, all resolving to a single file included multiple times in a package from SAP, which the product flagged as infected with the nasty Virut virus. So, a VB100 award is just denied, despite a generally decent performance.
Main version: 1.0.38.75724
Update versions: 0.14.26.8026, 1.0.38.76151/0.14.26.8146, 1.0.38.76352/0.14.26.8187, 1.0.38.77153/0.14.26.8267
Last 6 tests: 3 passed, 1 failed, 2 no entry
Last 12 tests: 3 passed, 2 failed, 7 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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NANO should be proud of its performance in our tests of late, picking up its first few passes and showing every sign of becoming a solidly dependable product. Stability was flawless this month, with no issues noted. Detection remains a little below par but seems to improve month on month. Performance impact was reasonable, and another good showing in the certification sets earns NANO its third VB100 award in a row after only a few failed attempts.
Main version: 7.60.0
Update versions: 7.60.0, 7.61.0
Last 6 tests: 2 passed, 0 failed, 4 no entry
Last 12 tests: 7 passed, 0 failed, 5 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
Panda's cloud-heavy solutions have been putting in some good performances of late, with a good number of passes for the consumer and business offerings. This month stability was perfect once again, resource usage very low, although our set of tasks took a little while to complete, and detection in our response sets was good, with no proactive data thanks to that reliance on the cloud. Another good job in the certification sets earns Panda a VB100 award to add to its collection.
Main version: 2.0.0.5
Update versions: N/A
Last 6 tests: 0 passed, 3 failed, 3 no entry
Last 12 tests: 1 passed, 6 failed, 5 no entry
ItW on demand: 99.81%
ItW on access: 94.05%
False positives: 18
Stability: Buggy
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PC Pitstop's unusual approach, balancing whitelisting with more traditional detection approaches, has proven not to fit too well with our testing requirements, and certification has been denied for some time thanks to a tendency to false alarms. There can be no denying the product's detection levels though, which once again proved superb even in the previously unseen proactive sample sets, and anyone willing to put up with a slightly higher than usual rate of false alarms will benefit hugely from the heightened detection levels. Stability was a little shaky once again, with a number of crashes and freezes as the product tried to cope with our demanding sample sets. The WildList sets were almost perfectly covered with only a few items ignored. Even FPs weren't too high this month after the rather large numbers seen last time were temporarily removed from the clean sets – it still wasn't quite enough to meet the VB100 requirements but another very interesting showing.
Main version: 7.3.0.1049
Update versions: N/A
Last 6 tests: 0 passed, 1 failed, 5 no entry
Last 12 tests: 0 passed, 1 failed, 11 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 13
Stability: Solid
A new name to our tests, PSafe hails from Brazil and put our team to the test with its Portuguese-language interface. Combining the Avira and Qihoo engines and provided as a free product, it proved pretty straightforward to operate and maintained excellent stability throughout testing. Performance stats were well within normal bounds and detection in the response sets was excellent, although sadly a late submission meant we could not collect proactive data. The WildList sets were covered nicely, but in the clean sets we did note a few clusters of false alarms, suggesting that the heuristics were set a little high; intriguingly, these were all in graphical and office tools, including CorelDraw, OpenOffice, Adobe's Creative Cloud and a CAD package. So, although not quite making the grade for a VB100 award this month, PSafe looks likely to be a strong contender in upcoming tests.
Main version: 5.0.0.6221
Update versions: 5.0.0.6221, 5.0.0.5104
Last 6 tests: 4 passed, 0 failed, 2 no entry
Last 12 tests: 5 passed, 0 failed, 7 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Fair
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Qihoo's 360 is another product which challenges the skills of our test team with its interface, this time Chinese language skills being required, although here a handy guide provided by the developers limited the amount of time spent deciphering unfamiliar text. There were some problems this month with the on-access component failing to perform in a couple of installs, but these were eventually resolved and a full set of data gathered. Detection was pretty strong in the reactive sets, a little low in the proactive sets, and performance impact was very low indeed, our set of tasks running through faster than the baseline measure with Windows Defender active. The certification sets were dealt with very tidily, earning Qihoo another VB100 award.
Main version: 17.00/10.0.1.11 64Bit
Update versions: N/A
Last 6 tests: 4 passed, 0 failed, 2 no entry
Last 12 tests: 7 passed, 0 failed, 5 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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Quick Heal's second product this month is the vendor's flagship 'Total' suite, which once again put in an excellent performance. Stability was unshaken by any of our heavy-duty tests, performance impact was a shade on the heavy side, but detection pretty strong and the core certification sets handled very nicely. All of this means that Quick Heal earns another VB100 award.
Main version: 11.0.65452
Update versions: 1.0.61067, 11.0.66695
Last 6 tests: 2 passed, 0 failed, 4 no entry
Last 12 tests: 6 passed, 0 failed, 6 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Stable
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The ITbrain product from TeamViewer is closely tied to the company's popular remote-access tools, and has shown up in our tests fairly frequently in the last couple of years, scoring well thanks to that ubiquitous Bitdefender engine. This month there were a couple of minor stability problems – a failed update and an instance of the GUI going blank for a brief time – but otherwise things went smoothly. Detection was as decent as expected, although sadly our proactive measures are absent thanks to some set-up issues. Our set of standard activities ran through very quickly, with fairly high CPU use indicating some hard work going on. The certification sets were dealt with nicely, and TeamViewer earns another VB100 award.
Main version: 11.6.26265.901
Update versions: 11.6.26289.901, 11.6.26294.901, 11.6.26294.901
Last 6 tests: 5 passed, 0 failed, 1 no entry
Last 12 tests: 8 passed, 0 failed, 4 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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Tencent's main product has been doing well of late, and this month merited another 'Solid' rating for stability after brushing aside the strains of our testing workload with ease. Detection was good, performance hit not too heavy, and the certification sets presented no problems either, earning Tencent another VB100 award.
Main version: 11.6.26264.901
Update versions: 11.6.26280.901, 11.6.26288.901, 11.6.26295.901
Last 6 tests: 2 passed, 0 failed, 4 no entry
Last 12 tests: 2 passed, 0 failed, 10 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
This version of Tencent's solution relies entirely on in‑house technology, and appears here for a second time. Stability was once again impeccable, performance impact very light, with detection figures absent at the request of the vendor. The certification sets were properly managed though, earning another VB100 award for Tencent's TAV version.
Main version: 8.2
Update versions: 8.2.39, 8.2.52, 8.2.57, 8.2.66
Last 6 tests: 1 passed, 1 failed, 4 no entry
Last 12 tests: 1 passed, 1 failed, 10 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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Italy's TG Soft has been around for a long time, and has cropped up in a few VB100 comparatives of late. This month the old‑school interface remained responsive throughout testing, earning our top rating for stability, and performance measures showed a fairly heavy impact on our set of tasks. Detection remains somewhat below expected standards, but the WildList sets were covered well, and with no issues in the clean sets either, VirIT earns its first VB100 award, and our congratulations.
Main version: 9.3.6.3
Update versions: 51646 - 7.66870, 52252 - 7.67196, 52494- 7.67329, 52646 - 7.67397
Last 6 tests: 3 passed, 0 failed, 3 no entry
Last 12 tests: 6 passed, 0 failed, 6 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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ThreatTrack's VIPRE has had a new lease of life thanks to the integration of the Bitdefender engine, and has put in some good showings in recent tests. This month it stood up to the rigours of the testing process well, with no stability issues noted, and scored well for detection with fairly average performance hit. The certification sets were handled properly, and a VB100 award is earned by VIPRE.
Main version: 9.0.0.425/3.0.2.1015
Update versions: 9.0.0.425, 9.0.0.422, 9.0.0.425
Last 6 tests: 3 passed, 0 failed, 3 no entry
Last 12 tests: 5 passed, 0 failed, 7 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Stable
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Total Defense also integrates that Bitdefender engine, using it to good effect in the tests it appears in. This month a couple of minor errors occurred during initial activation and updating but otherwise things went smoothly, with strong detection and very light performance impact. A good run through the certification sets earns Total Defense another VB100 award.
Main version: 2016(16.0.0.5676)
Update versions: 2016(16.0.0.5676), 2016(16.0.0.5698)
Last 6 tests: 3 passed, 0 failed, 3 no entry
Last 12 tests: 4 passed, 0 failed, 8 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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The second appearance from TrustPort this month, this time in the consumer category but with a basically identical product. It will come as little surprise that the product's performance was pretty similar, with the usual excellent detection rates and impeccable stability. Resource usage and speed impact were somewhat on the heavy side, and another good showing in the core sets earns TrustPort its second VB100 award this month.
Main version: 1.1.1251.0
Update versions: N/A
Last 6 tests: 2 passed, 0 failed, 4 no entry
Last 12 tests: 3 passed, 0 failed, 9 no entry
ItW on demand: 100.00%
ItW on access: 100.00%
False positives: 0
Stability: Solid
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Finally this month comes dual-engined Wontok, with a handful of passes already recorded and some splendid detection ratings observed. This month things went very smoothly once again, detection was good if not quite as stellar as we might expect, and performance hit wasn't too severe. The certification sets were covered accurately, and Wontok earns another VB100 award.
This month a product from Maya Technologies was submitted for testing but found to be unsuitable for our test approach, so has been left out of this report.
Another Windows 7 test, and as expected a pleasingly smooth run with a minimum of stability horrors. The bulk of the issues noted this month were fairly minor, thanks to many years of bug-hunting on the platform for most participants. Those who have taken the plunge and upgraded their systems to Windows 10 will no doubt be hoping that a similar process of fixing and improving things will filter through to them soon.
There was also a pleasingly high pass rate, perhaps in part thanks to the improved stability. Those denied certification lost out mainly due to fairly small numbers of false alarms. As ever, we endeavour to keep our clean set representative of the most widely deployed packages, avoiding the obscure and indeed the less critical software; in the new year we plan to switch to an entirely new set which we have been working on for some time, which should give us even more control over the content to track and adjust as required, with more focus on the significance of software to the user.
We are also looking at some fairly significant changes to the operation of the VB100 tests, but anticipate keeping the data we provide to our readers similarly detailed and useful. As ever, we invite readers to send comments, suggestions and queries to [email protected].
All tests were run on identical systems with AMD A6-3670K Quad Core 2.7GHz processors, 4GB DUAL DDR3 1600MHz RAM, dual 500GB and 1TB SATA hard drives and gigabit networking, running Microsoft Windows 7, x64 Pro edition.
