14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft’s very own Security Essentials anti-virus suite is one of the three security products that failed AV-Test’s certification test for December 2012, after scoring only 10 points out of a maximum of 18.
In order to receive the certification, the tested anti-virus products must get a score of at least 11 points. Beside Microsoft Security Essentials, the other two products that failed the test are AhnLab and PC Tools Internet Security with a final score of 8.5 and 10 points, respectively.
Security Essentials has received only 1.5 points out of 6 for the protection it provides to users, with a terrible score in the test against 0-day malware attacks, inclusive of web and email-threats. Microsoft’s software solution detected only 78 percent of the malware, while the industry average is 92 percent.
Microsoft Security Essentials excels in usability, as it was rewarded with 5.5 points out of 6.
If you were wondering, Bitdefender Internet Security 2013 snatched the first place once again with 16.5 points, followed by Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Norton Anti-Virus, each with 16 points.