Android Smartphone Security Software Put to the Test; Uncovers Major Differences in Protection Quality
WOBURN, MA – March 13, 2012 - It’s easy for mobile device users to be blinded by the huge number of options for protecting their Android smartphones and tablets – but new tests show that Kaspersky Lab is leading the way. A recent independent study from AV-Test.org picked out Kaspersky Mobile Securityas one of only two security applications – out of 41 tested products - which successfully protected against all malicious programs. Most of the so-called competition failed miserably to provide even basic protection against an ever-growing number of malicious apps targeting mobile devices. The evaluation by AV-Test.org, which was conducted in early 2012, has given the ‘green light’ to just seven security offerings of the 41 tested. To illustrate the sharp decline in protection quality, AV-Test.org discovered 18 of the tested products detected less than 40% of malware samples. Six of which failed to block a single attack, and instead, let every malicious test program install on the device.
Recently, AV-Test.org evaluated free solutions in tests against Kaspersky Lab and another vendor. The tests found that skimping on security proved “almost useless” compared with investing in online safety. This follow-up evaluation saw experts analyze as many products as possible. To provide the most accurate results, more than 600 malicious apps were chosen from 20 different malware ‘families’, all of them widespread and prevalent.
The results of these two tests show that just because a security app costs money, doesn’t mean it provides effective protection. These tests clearly show many free and paid-for products - from both little-known and popular vendors alike - appear to be useless in real life, missing a large number of malware samples. Alarmingly, most programs blocked fewer than half, or even zero malicious apps. Kaspersky Mobile Security was one of only two products to manage a 100% detection rate.
The detailed results of evaluating Android security solutions are available at AV-Test.org’s website: http://www.av-test.org/fileadmin/pdf/avtest_2012-02_android_anti-malware_report_english.pdf
Quote:
Victor Dronov, Senior Product Manager,
Kaspersky Lab
“Recently the number of mobile malware samples in our database has exceeded 10,000. That is why we believe it’s essential to have a security solution on your Android smartphone. We are pleased with the results of independent testing by AV-Test.org – they confirm the efficiency of our product as a whole, and endorse our recently introduced combination of traditional and cloud-based security technologies in particular. These results also clearly demonstrate that our product is a market leader, among both free and paid-for products.”
About Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Lab is the world's largest privately-held Internet Security company, providing comprehensive protection against all forms of IT threats such as viruses, spyware, hackers and spam. The company's products provide in-depth computer defense for more than 400 million systems around the globe, including home and mobile users, small and medium sized businesses and large enterprises. Kaspersky technology is also incorporated inside the products and services of nearly 100 of industry leading IT, networking, communications and applications solution vendors.
For further information about the company, please visit http://www.kaspersky.com/.
For the latest in-depth information on security threat issues and trends, please visit http://www.securelist.com/. Follow @Securelist on Twitter. For the most up-to-date world security news, visit http://www.threatpost.com/.
Contact Information
Greg Sabey
Kaspersky Lab
781-503-2654
greg.sabey@kaspersky.com
