Bitdefender Says Windows Defender is Better Than Nothing

[Asrokhel]

Windows 8 prone to infection by leading malware threats, controlled test shows. 15 per cent of most common malware threats bypass Windows Defender to infect Windows 8.

SYDNEY/AUCKLAND, Nov. 9, 2012 ? Newly launched Window 8 is prone to infection by some 15 per cent of the 100 malware families most used by cyber criminals this year, even with Windows Defender activated, Bitdefender testing revealed.

Windows 8, with Windows Defender running, was infected by 61 malware threats of 385 of the most popular malware samples in a controlled test carried by leading virus researchers over the past week. Another sample bypassed Windows Defender but crashed on execution, and another one ran but was blocked by User Account Control, so no payload was delivered.

?As a means of protecting a computer from viruses, data theft and other type of malware, Windows Defender is better than nothing,? said Bitdefender Chief Security Strategist Catalin Cosoi. ?But it?s not a whole lot better. Most of the popular antivirus can do better. The conclusion is clear: Using your PC without a security solution is extremely risky.?

The malicious sample set consisted of the families of malware detected most frequently in the past six months by the Bitdefender Real-Time Virus Reporting System. A The malware that successfully bypassed Windows Defender was capable of granting backdoor access to the system, intercepting keystrokes, stealing online games credentials, and more.

When tested without Windows Defender activated, the results were worse. Of the 385 samples, 234 ran successfully. Another 138 samples could not be started on the machine on various reasons, six e-threats executed but then crashed, and seven others launched but had their payload was blocked by UAC.

?Even if the new operating system boasts a major overhaul in terms of visuals with the introduction of the Advanced UI, Windows 8 with the default antivirus solution activated registers alarming detections rates similar to the one registered by Windows 7,?said Bitdefender Chief Security Researcher Alexandru Balan.

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About Bitdefender?

Bitdefender is the creator of one of the world's fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified internet security software. Since 2001, the company has been an industry pioneer, introducing and developing award-winning protection. Today, Bitdefender technology secures the digital experience of around 400 million home and corporate users across the globe.

Recently, Bitdefender won a series of important awards and accolades in the global security industry, including ?Editor?s Choice? by PC Mag for Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2013 and the ?GoldAward? by TopTenREVIEWS that confirmed the software?s top spot among 25 tested security products. Bitdefender antivirus technology has also finished top in leading industry tests from both AV Test and AV-Comparatives. More information about Bitdefender's antivirus products is available from the company's security solutions press room. Additionally, Bitdefender publishes the HOTforSecurity blog, a sizzling blend of steamy computer security stories and stimulating visuals that spotlights the seedy underworld of internet fraud, scams, malicious software ? and gossip.

http://prwire.com.au/pr/33196/windows-8-prone-to-infection-by-leading-malware-threats-controlled-test-shows

[Copernic Reporter]

Bitdefender is good but I have my doubts about the love affair between Catalin Cosoi and Windows Defender since BD and MS already made some money in the past.

[bjoswald]

Who cares? If you use your brain, get a decent hosts file, and stay away from Captain Stabbin,' you're fine (obvious sarcasm is obvious?). The security market is full of overpriced, overblown AV software to bait clueless people. Time to put some of these guys out of business (and re-invent protection while we're at it).

[Anibal P]

MS doesn't make Windows Defender anymore, I can see how that might be a security risk

[ahhell]

So maker of anitmalware software bashes Win8's included software. NO WAY!!

WTF is this news?

[spaceelf]

So maker of anitmalware software bashes Win8's included software. NO WAY!!

WTF is this news?

It's 'news' and by 'news' I mean spoon-fed PR.

If it actually makes it to the front page I'll sigh.

[+BudMan MVC]

"to infection by leading malware threats"

So are these drive by threats, threats where user download files and runs it local - follows a specific link?

Where can you find the details of these infection method of these 385 different threats?

How many of them are java based? Flashed based - on what version of flash/java was tested? Current?

Where are the actual details of these sorts of tests that would allow you to actually understand if they are worth anything?

For all we know these are exe the user run and gave admin rights too?? Without knowing the method of infection of these 61 threats this number is meaningless to anyone.

[Shane Nokes]

MS doesn't make Windows Defender anymore, I can see how that might be a security risk

... ... ...

Did you really just post that? Windows Defender is the built-in AV/AM product for Windows 8.

[dead.cell]

Wait, does this have anything to do with the news that was put out the other day, claiming Windows 8 stopped 85% of malware out of the box? Because if so, then this 15% would make sense.

Then I guess it's all a matter of how you spin it? I dunno. :ermm:

[Growled Member]

I'd like to see an independent study done on this please.