AV-TEST Product Review and Certification Report – Nov-Dec/2021
During November and December 2021 we continuously evaluated 20 home user security products using their default settings. We always used the most current publicly-available version of all products for the testing. They were allowed to update themselves at any time and query their in-the-cloud services. We focused on realistic test scenarios and challenged the products against real-world threats. Products had to demonstrate their capabilities using all components and protection layers.
Defender Antivirus (Consumer)
Version | 4.18 |
Platform | Windows 10 Professional (English), (64-Bit) |
Report | 211616 |
Date | Nov-Dec/2021 |
Protection
Protection against malware infections
(such as viruses, worms or Trojan horses)
More information
Industry average | November | December | |
Protection against 0-day malware attacks, inclusive of web and e-mail threats (Real-World Testing) 330 samples used | 99.4% | 99.5% | 100% |
Detection of widespread and prevalent malware discovered in the last 4 weeks (the AV-TEST reference set) 18,870 samples used | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Protection Score | 6.0/6.0 |
Performance
Average influence of the product on computer speed in daily usage
More information
Industry average | Standard PC | Industry average | High end PC | |
Slowing-down when launching popular websites 50 websites visited | 20% | 7% | 16% | 4% |
Slower download of frequently-used applications 20 downloaded files | 2% | 3% | 1% | 0% |
Slower launch of standard software applications 30 test cases applied | 8% | 6% | 7% | 8% |
Slower installation of frequently-used applications 20 installed applications | 17% | 24% | 12% | 18% |
Slower copying of files, locally and in a network 10,154 files copied | 2% | 1% | 3% | 2% |
Performance Score | 6.0/6.0 |
Usability
Impact of the security software on the usability of the whole computer
(lower values indicate better results)
More information
Industry average | November | December | |
False warnings or blockages when visiting websites 500 samples used | 0 | 0 | 0 |
False detections of legitimate software as malware during a system scan 2,135,862 samples used | 2 | 0 | 0 |
False warnings concerning certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software 19 samples used | 0 | 1 | |
False blockages of certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software 19 samples used | 0 | 0 | |
Usability Score | 6.0/6.0 |
Evaluation based on a point system
All products can achieve a maximum of 6 points each in the three categories of protection, performance and usability. This means 18 points are the best possible test result.
At 10 points or higher, a product is awarded the AV-TEST seal of approval.
At 17.5 points or higher, AV-TEST also issues the "TOP PRODUCT" award. Additional details ›
outstanding | satisfactory | insufficient | certificates |
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