Microsoft Security Essentials Flunks AV-TEST, Loses Certification

[[Coi] Mr.CLuBBeR]

Microsoft Security Essentials has done it again. For the second time since its inception, the free antivirus software from Microsoft finds itself without German security and antivirus research outfit AV-TEST’s seal of approval, having failed in the latest of the firm’s bimonthly certification tests.
To add insult to injury, MSE was the only antivirus to not make the cut, even though the German firm put as many as 24 products through their paces in its latest test, for which it used a Windows 7-based testbed — AV-TEST alternates between Windows 7 and Windows XP.
The firm awards its “AV-TEST Certified” seal of approval based on three parameters:"protection", "repair" and "usability". There are a maximum of six points up for grabs for each attribute. In order for a home-use antivirus product to be certified, a minimum of 11 points are required. Security Essentials managed 10.5, missing out by a whisker. MSE got 1.5 points for protection (the lowest among all products), 3.5 points for repair and 5.5 for usability.
Here’s how the rest of them fared:

• Bitdefender: Internet Security 2013: 17/18
• F-Secure: Internet Security 2012 & 2013: 15.5
• Symantec: Norton Internet Security 2013: 15/18
• Kaspersky: Internet Security 2013: 15/18
• Trend Micro: Titanium Maximum Security 2013: 14.5/18
• G Data: InternetSecurity 2013: 14.5/18
• Check Point: ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall 10.2: 14.5/18
• Avast: Free AntiVirus 7.0: 14/18
• AVG: Internet Security 2012 & 2013: 13.5/18
• Qihoo: 360 Antivirus 3.0: 13/18
• BullGuard: Internet Security 12.0 & 13.0: 13/18
• Webroot: SecureAnywhere Complete 8.0: 12.5/18
• AVG: Anti-Virus Free Edition 2012 & 2013: 12.5/18
• Lavasoft: Ad-Aware Pro Security 10.2 & 10.3: 12.5/18
• Avira: Internet Security 2012 & 2013: 12/18
• GFI: VIPRE Internet Security 2012 & 2013: 12/18
• PC Tools: Internet Security 2012: 11.5/18
• Panda Security: Cloud Antivirus FREE 2.0:11/18
• McAfee: Internet Security 2013: 11/18
• Norman: Security Suite Pro 9.0: 11/18
• Fortinet: FortiClient Lite 4.3:11/18
• ESET: Smart Security 5.2: 11.5/18
• AhnLab: V3 Internet Security 8.0: 11/18

More...