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AV-Comparatives Releases New Cybersecurity Performance Insights

Overview

On October 21, 2025, AV-Comparatives, a globally recognized authority in cybersecurity testing, announced the results of its latest security evaluations aimed at enterprises and consumers alike. These independent assessments serve as a crucial guide, assisting businesses and users in making informed decisions backed by real-world testing and scientific data. This article delves into the specifics of these evaluations, highlighting key findings and providing insights into the ongoing initiatives by AV-Comparatives, including the CARO Workshop 2026.

Enterprise Security Testing

The Enterprise Main-Test, conducted from August to September 2025, focused on assessing endpoint protection solutions for businesses under realistic attack conditions. The evaluations covered two main categories: real-world protection and malware blocking, all carried out on Windows 11 Pro systems.

Notable participants in this testing series included:

• - Avast (Ultimate Business Security)
• - Bitdefender (GravityZone Business Security Premium)
• - Cisco (Secure Endpoint Essentials)
• - CrowdStrike (Falcon Pro)
• - Kaspersky (Endpoint Security for Business)
• - Microsoft (Defender Antivirus via Endpoint Manager)
• - Sophos (Intercept X Advanced)
• - VIPRE (Endpoint Detection and Response)

The results of these tests yield valuable insights for IT teams and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), helping them select business-grade protections that meet real-world demands.

Consumer Security Testing

In parallel, consumer security tests conducted in September 2025 evaluated significant aspects, including:

• - Real-world protection against threats
• - Malware detection, highlighting false positives
• - Impact on system performance

These tests were also executed on Windows 11 systems involving genuine threats, allowing for a thorough evaluation of protection strength, speed, and precision. The consumer products included:

• - Avast (Free Antivirus)
• - Bitdefender (Total Security)
• - Kaspersky (Premium)
• - McAfee (Total Protection)
• - Norton (Antivirus Plus)

The outcomes enable consumers and equipment manufacturers to choose products that deliver robust security while optimizing system performance and user experience.

CARO Workshop 2026 Announcement

In addition to the release of test results, AV-Comparatives proudly announced the CARO Workshop 2026, co-organized to take place in Innsbruck from February 25 to 27, 2026, following the AV-Comparatives Cybersecurity Summit. The event theme - "Cybercrime Without Borders: Tracking Global Underground Activities" - aims to gather leading researchers and analysts for advanced presentations, expert panels, and unique social events, including a summit gathering at an altitude of 2,200 meters. Registration is now open, limited to 120 participants.

For those interested, complete details can be found at www.caro2026.org.

Importance of Independent Testing

In a landscape rife with cybersecurity threats, choosing the right solution is paramount for both businesses and individual users. AV-Comparatives' independent testing delivers objective, science-based information that transcends marketing claims, enhancing the overall cybersecurity landscape.

Final Thoughts

Andreas Clementi, CEO and co-founder of AV-Comparatives states, "Our enterprise tests provide concrete insights that guide CISOs towards trustworthy solutions. Our consumer assessments reveal antivirus products that strike the ideal balance between protection and everyday usability."

With such rigorous evaluations underway, AV-Comparatives continues to set a gold standard in cybersecurity testing, ensuring that users have the knowledge they need to protect themselves effectively.