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Windows Vista Antivirus You Would Do Better to Avoid

There is a thin line between protection and a successful attack

Feb 23, 2007 13:51 GMT  ·  By
  

Security solutions for Windows Vista that you would do better to avoid? Well yes. There are many facets to a security solution that will recommend it for deployment. Always look for the balance between features, resource consumption, updates frequency performance and, if the financial aspect is an issue, then price too. In the context of performance there are four security solutions that have failed to deliver their best on Windows Vista according to the VB100 test performed by Virus Bulletin.

These are G DATA AntiVirusKit 2007 v. 17.0.6353, McAfee VirusScan Enterprise version 8.1i, Microsoft Windows Live OneCare 1.5 and Norman Virus Control v.5.90. Additional information has become available about the products delivered by McAfee and Microsoft.

Without a doubt both McAfee and Microsoft are two names that users would not expect to find among the security solutions that have failed any test. The fact of the matter is that both products have barely failed, but failed nonetheless.

McAfee VirusScan Enterprise version 8.1i was unsuccessful in detecting all the malware out of a sample containing malicious code currently in the wild due to issues related to the interaction of Windows Vista's User Account Control. Due to the UAC interaction problems McAfee VirusScan failed to update its virus signatures, and therefore failed the test. However, completely updated McAfee VirusScan passed the test. The bottom line here is that users should let McAfee properly prepare its security solutions for Windows Vista before deploying them on the operating system. A security product that is not fully compatible with the operating system it is designed to protect is not the best solution you have available.

Microsoft's Windows Live OneCare 1.5 for Windows Vista has had no updating issues. However, it did fail to detect one of the malicious items thrown at the operating system. But one piece of malware can very well be the difference between protection and a successful attack. Microsoft is not exactly a brand easily associated with security, and the Redmond Company has a long way to go before they will establish themselves as a household name in the industry.