Stiftung Warentest: virus protection software in extreme test
Stiftung Warentest tested various virus protection software in 2016: Avira, Avast and Co. had to protect the test computers against the pests of contaminated Internet sites, illegal downloads and questionable email attachments. But only half of the antivirus software did this "well" - we present the test results to you.
Stiftung Warentest 03/2016: Update for persistent Trojans
In the latest test, the virus protection programs had to fend off the "Locky" ransomware program: for example, the trojan is attached to an email in the computer, encrypts the data on it and then demands a ransom. In February 2016 alone, the Trojan completely shut down four hospitals. The police recommend not to pay, but to file a complaint. The data is lost in any case, so we recommend creating an update regularly. How to protect yourself from Locky blackmail:
- BullGuard Internet Security 2016: According to the product test, the virus scanner offers the best protection, but costs EUR 60 per year for three PCs. Grade 2.2.
- G Data Internet Security 2016: The security tool from G Data offers "good" protection against Locky blackmail and is available for 40 euros. Grade 2.3.
- According to the testers, however, free programs only provide "satisfactory" protection or not at all from Locky Trojans. ABG Free AntiVirus has the best free protection (grade 2.6), Avast and Avira follow with a grade 2.7.
Virus protection for goods test: Avira Free Antivirus in first place
Apart from the special case of "Locky extortion", the following applies: The anti-virus protection of "AntiVir Avira Free Antivirus" is the test winner at Warentest with an overall grade of 2.1 ("Good"). The details:
- Avira AntiVir cut a fine figure, particularly when it came to the system scan. Even without an internet connection, it quickly tracked down the malware. New viruses are generally not a problem - regular updates help here reliably.
- The Avira software worked particularly quickly in the test and proved to be extremely user-friendly to use. No wonder that it is the undisputed number 1 in the CHIP download area of the antivirus software.
- As a real-time scanner, however, AntiVir disappointed, and there was also no malware behind every virus message: While most tools send error messages about twice a year, AntiVir users receive such a message on average three times.
Goods test place 2 for Avast virus protection
Stiftung Warentest also awarded the virus protection of avast Free Antivirus a "good". The software achieved 2nd place in the test with a grade of 2.4.
- As a real-time scanner, the so-called "guardian", Avast reliably protected the computers in the test and thus has a little advantage over the test winner. In addition, false reports of virus protection software are extremely rare. If you receive a virus warning, it is almost always justified.
- Points were deducted for the mediocre virus scan of files and the slow speed of the tool.
- Tip: In contrast to AntiVir, Avast also provides you with email protection for IMAP and Pop3 services.
Microsoft virus protection only "sufficient"
The loser in the software test is Microsoft's Security Essentials with an overall grade of 3.8 ("sufficient").
- The bad result is due to problems with malware detection: only every third malware identified the virus protection software as such. This lack of security caused a devaluation of the results.
- In addition, the experts criticized the lack of help functions and poor user guidance of the software.
- You can get your own picture of the software in our picture gallery.
- All details of the virus protection test can be found on test.de. You can also find the details of the Locky test at test.de.
CHIP: The best virus protection programs in the test
The AV-Test virus laboratory has tested more than 20 antivirus software in several far more extensive tests. Among the programs were the security tools examined by Stiftung Warentest. Another virus protection software was the test winner:
- The ranking of Windows 8.1 is led by the (paid) BitDefender Internet Security. Antivir Pro and BitDefender are in the lead in the Windows 10 virus test. Microsoft Security Essentials failed - as with the goods test - in both test series.
- In the test with Windows 10, Avast 2016 was the best free tool with 16 out of 18 possible points.
Safety note: Protect your smartphone from viruses too! You can find more information in the CHIP practical tips for the iPhone, iPad and your Android smartphone. We present the tops and flops from the Android virus test in our app ranking.