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AV-Comparatives Publishes 2024 Phishing Test Results

In a recent announcement made by AV-Comparatives, an esteemed independent organization specializing in IT security assessments, the results of their exhaustive 2024 phishing protection tests have been unveiled. Throughout the year, the organization meticulously evaluated 1,000 phishing URLs across four quarterly assessments to gauge the effectiveness of various antivirus programs and web browsers in combatting phishing attacks.

Top Performers

Avast and McAfee emerged as the standout performers in this year’s evaluation, both attaining an impressive detection rate of 95%. However, it’s important to note that McAfee also exhibited a higher frequency of false positives than its competitor, Avast.

During these tests, the evaluation process involved the utilization of the latest versions of antivirus software installed on standard computing systems to assess their capabilities in identifying phishing websites while minimizing erroneous alerts for legitimate sites. The products under scrutiny included:

• - Antivirus Software: Avast Free Antivirus, Bitdefender Total Security, ESET HOME Security Essential, F-Secure Internet Security, G Data Total Security, Kaspersky Standard, Malwarebytes Premium, McAfee Total Protection, Microsoft Defender, and Trend Micro Internet Security.
• - Web Browsers: Avast Secure Browser, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera.

Detailed Results

In the final quarterly test utilizing 250 phishing URLs, Avast distinguished itself by achieving the highest detection rate of 95%. Other strong contenders included Bitdefender, Kaspersky, McAfee, and Trend Micro, all demonstrating robust anti-phishing capabilities. Over the year, both Avast and McAfee maintained consistent performance, each attaining an overall detection rate of 95%. G Data and Kaspersky also showed commendable results, exceeding 90% in their detection rates.

Nevertheless, McAfee’s recognition came with the caveat of a higher false positive rate compared to the other top performers, an aspect that may raise concerns among users.

The Implications of Phishing Threats

Phishing remains one of the most prevalent cyber threats, leveraging deceitful websites to acquire sensitive information, including passwords, financial credentials, and personal data. Such attacks can lead to severe consequences like significant financial losses, identity theft, and malware infections, making user awareness paramount in mitigating these risks.

The insights gained from AV-Comparatives’ phishing protection tests serve as invaluable resources for consumers and businesses alike, guiding their selection of reliable cybersecurity solutions to effectively diminish the risks associated with phishing.

For a comprehensive look at the findings from the 2024 tests, you can view the detailed report here.

About AV-Comparatives

AV-Comparatives is recognized globally as a trusted source of information within the cybersecurity sector. The organization provides independent evaluations of antivirus software, internet security suites, and additional cybersecurity products focusing on performance, protection, and usability. Being ISO-certified enhances its reliability, ensuring users receive credible assessments.

For additional insights and resources, visit AV-Comparatives.

It's also worth noting that Gen Digital Inc. supported the tests conducted by AV-Comparatives. The selection process for the products was executed independently, ensuring fairness and clarity throughout the evaluation phase. No vendor, including Gen or any other products tested, received prior information regarding the test schedules or methodologies, thereby eliminating any potential biases in the results.