Kaspersky Lab Receives Highest Score for Malware Removal in AV-Comparatives Testing

Woburn, MA – November 9, 2018 –Kaspersky Lab solutions were commended by independent IT security testing institute AV-Comparatives in the latest malware removal assessments. Kaspersky Internet Security received the highest marks among all products tested for its effectiveness in removing malware threats from an infected machine.

Being able to successfully remove malware from a device is as important as preventing it. Many malware samples are able to dig deep into the operating system, and consequently, even small pieces of malware left on a machine after attempted removal can disturb the user and make the device unstable. Therefore, effective malware removal is a vital component of consumer security solutions. 

The AV-Comparatives malware removal test rated Kaspersky Internet Security as the highest performing solution among competitors, praising both its ability to remove active infections and prevent them from causing damage to user devices. The product received three stars and the Advanced+ award, as well as the best score in the test among competitors – achieving an average of 99 points out of a total of 100 for all malware samples that the products were tested against. In comparison, the closest competitors scored 94 points.

Kaspersky Internet Security was one of 10 products evaluated. To conduct the tests, machines were infected with 40 different kinds of malware, one sample at a time. For each type of malware, product testers attempted to remove the threat by installing a security solution on the infected device, running an antivirus scan and following the instructions when malware was detected – similar to how a consumer would do so on their personal device. The machines were then checked for malware remnants, to determine if the threat had completely been removed by the product. Products which left remnants, such as malicious processes, files associated with the malware or autorun programs and balloons, were given lower scores.

Once the test was completed, the products were then rated by how well they removed the malware and how convenient the process was for the user. For example, products that could remove malware without putting the operating system into safe mode, or requiring Rescue Disk or other manual actions from the user for the threat deletion process, received higher scores. 

Kaspersky Internet Security was found to meet both criteria, by successfully removing the malware and its remnants, and doing so at the convenience of the user.

“This is a welcome accolade and testament to the hard work our researchers do in ensuring Kaspersky Internet Security remains one of the most effective and recommended products on the market,” said Timur Biyachuev, vice president of threat research at Kaspersky Lab. “We appreciate AV-Comparatives running this test, as these kinds of assessments are very important to show which products are reliable in the security industry. As threat actors become more sophisticated with their attacks, and malware threats continue to rise, it is important for users to have a trusted and endorsed solution to keep their devices secure. Our experts analyze extensive threat intelligence data and great technological advances, and this allows our product to detect and remove both recognized and unfamiliar malware.”

AV-Comparatives also recognized Kaspersky Lab as one of only a few vendors in the industry to offer a free malware removal service, Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool. 

Further information about the AV-Comparatives Awards and malware removal test can be found here: https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/malware-removal-test-2018/.

Information on awards from various independent testers received by Kaspersky Lab can be found here: https://www.kaspersky.com/top3.

About Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Lab is a global cybersecurity company which has been operating in the market for over 20 years. Kaspersky Lab’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into next generation security solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection and a number of specialized security solutions and services to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky Lab technologies and we help 270,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.

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Meghan Rimol
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meghan.rimol@kaspersky.com