Microsoft Windows 8 Security Software Lacks Teeth

Microsofts free corporate and consumer endpoint security software needs more malware-stopping power, finds independent German firm AV-Test.

Anonymous: 10 Things We Have Learned In 2013 (click image for larger view and for slideshow)
Not all Windows 8 endpoint security tools are created equal.
Thats one takeaway from a recent
study
of Windows 8 antivirus products conducted by the independent German lab behind AV-Test, which reviews the effectiveness of endpoint security products.
The firm found that out of nine corporate endpoint security products tested earlier this year, Microsofts System Center Endpoint Protection security software was the low scorer. Although Microsofts software was certified by AV-Test for corporate use, it also served as the testing firms baseline, meaning AV-Test recommends businesses avoid using any software that didnt score at least to that level.
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During January and February 2013 we continuously evaluated nine endpoint protection products using settings as provided by the vendor, said AV-Tests study. We always used the most current publicly available version of all products for the testing. They were allowed to update themselves at any time and query their in-the-cloud services. We focused on realistic test scenarios and challenged the products against real-world threats. Products had to demonstrate their capabilities using all components and protection layers.
The Microsoft software performed the worst on all tested corporate products on the protection front, earning just 1.5 out of 6 possible points. That was based on the software stopping 80% of zero-day attacks, compared with an industry average of 95%. The software did far better at spotting 98% of widespread and prevalent malware discovered in the past four weeks, although it was still below the industry average of 100%.
For comparisons sake, F-Secures Client Security 10 and Kasperskys Endpoint Security 10.1 both led the protection charts with 6.0 scores, followed by Fortinets FortiClient 5.0 (5.5), Symantecs Endpoint Protection 12.1 (5.0), Webroots SecureAnywhere Endpoint Protection 8.0 (5.0), Sophos Endpoint Security and Control 10.2 (5.0), McAfees VirusScan Enterprise with EPO 8.8 (5.0) and Trend Micros Office Scan 10.6 (4.5).
Microsofts System Center Endpoint Protection did, however, perform relatively well in the two other categories assessed by AV-Test: performance (5.0) and usability (6.0).
On the consumer front, meanwhile, Microsofts Windows Defender 4 -- known as Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) with previous versions of Windows -- was also certified for use by AV-Test, but likewise placed last in the protection rankings, making Microsofts offering again the baseline for the comparison test of 26 different consumer antivirus products. The software scored well in both performance (3.5) and usability (6.0), though.
The Microsoft endpoint security product test results represented an improvement for the companys software, which previously failed to pass muster with AV-Test. In November 2012, the testing firm
pulled its seal of approval for Microsoft Security Essentials
when the products zero-day attack blocking rate dropped to 64%, compared with an industry average of 89%, and its detection rate for malware thats a few months old dropped to 90%, compared with an industry average of 97%.
Another positive aspect of Microsofts Windows 8 security software -- known as Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) in previous version of Windows -- is thats its free. In Windows 8, furthermore, the software does come
enabled by default
for all users, unless other endpoint security software has been installed by an OEM, or user install their own endpoint security software. In other words, although Microsofts free security software might not top the corporate or consumer protection charts, AV-Test CEO Andreas Marx has said that its literally
better than nothing
.
Protect the most fragile part of your IT infrastructure -- the endpoints and the unpredictable users who control them. Also in the new, all-digital
How To Sharpen Endpoint Security
special issue of Dark Reading: Some say the focus should be on education to deal with the endpoint security conundrum; some say technology. But its not a binary choice. (Free with registration.)

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Microsoft Windows 8 Security Software Lacks Teeth