[ O T ] Consumer Reports Tests Security Software.

[1PW]

In the May 2010 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine, they have a two page
"Security Software" spread with ratings. In previous years, I thought
similar articles were an embarrassment to themselves.

This year's article perhaps has taken baby steps in the right direction,
but still has a long way to go before they could seriously attract some
approval from real computer security professionals.

The article is painfully too brief and many of us would find it quite
lacking. However, one must consider their target reader.

Still, I thought some might like to read it. The /ratings/ half is only
readable through subscription, magazine purchase, or at your local
library. However, the below URL will show the complete article sans
ratings page.

<http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...omputers/security-software/overview/index.htm>

 

[gene]

In the May 2010 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine, they have a two
page "Security Software" spread with ratings. In previous years, I
thought similar articles were an embarrassment to themselves.

I agree. There are a number of areas that CR is not competent in and
ends up playing to the lowest common denominator. Here are the ratings
scores:

Free Anti-malware:
Avira Personal - 65 (rec'd Best Buy)
MSE - 54 (rec'd Best Buy)
AVG - 51
Avast - 48

Free Security Suites:
Comodo -39
Fortinet - 25

Paid Security Suites:
NIS - 67 (rec'd)
Bit Defender - 65 (rec'd)
Kapersky - 64
G Data - 58
Eset - 58
F-Secure - 57
AVG - 55
McAfee - 49
Trend Micro - 49
Checkpoint - 49
Panda - 39
Norman - 34

 

[1PW]

I agree. There are a number of areas that CR is not competent in and
ends up playing to the lowest common denominator. Here are the ratings
scores:

Snip, snip...

I didn't want in any way to infringe on Consumer Reports' copyright
protections by showing the ratings half of their article.

In the case of the free top four, technically, Avira AntiVir Personal
10, avast! Free AV 5 and AVG A-V Free 9 best fit in an antivirus *only*
classification. MSE best fits in the antimalware classification. The
latter turns off, and replaces, Windows Defender services. This fine
distinction seems to be easily lost on the less experienced computer
users and hence we see the occasional postings in m.p.s.s.general about
loss of WD.

All remaining products in the article's ratings offer at least a modicum
of spyware protection.

In this same article, the exclusion of more payware antimalware suites
(no matter how poorly they perform) draws further attention to the
general incompleteness of the article. I have heard of users being
drawn to otherwise poor products because of attractive advertising or
exaggerated, false and paid for claims in publications experts know to
distrust.

One should also take careful note that no distinction was made between
Microsoft operating systems where one product may not perform well with
one or more Windows versions.

Pity.

@ConsumerReports.org Come back when you've done true due diligence. CR
Editors: Please consider giving the authors more pages for your next
effort in hopes of a more thorough report.