'Unknown' antivirus tool tops independent tests

German independent testing institute AV Test has released the results of its latest test of Windows home user antivirus programs.

In a surprise result, Kaspersky Internet Security shares first place in the test with relative unknown AhnLab V3 Internet Security. Both achieved an 18/18 rating, the only two programs in the test to do so.

Kaspersky just shades the detailed test scores with its 100 percent detection rating (opposed to 99.9 percent for AhnLab's product), and zero false positives (as opposed to one). Looking at previous tests AhnLab has had good ratings for a while but this is the first time it's taken a top slot.

You can be forgiven for not having heard of AhnLab. The South Korean company's products are not widely available and are not listed on Amazon and other major stores. Its V3 Mobile Security product also put in a strong showing in AV Test's September test of Android tools.

Other products taking awards in the test are Avira Antivirus Pro, BitDefender Internet Security, McAfee Internet Security and Norton Security. Windows Defender didn't fare terribly well in the tests with only three products getting worse scores. Bottom of the pile is Qihoo 360 Total Security (Default Engine) which scored only one out of six in the protection test.

You can see the full test scores along with results from previous tests on the AV Test website.

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