ONECARE DEAD!!!!

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Last Updated: Monday, 5 March 2007, 13:04 GMT

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Windows fails second virus test

The OneCare software has failed two independent tests
Microsoft's Live OneCare security software has failed tests which check how
well it spots and stops malicious programs designed to attack Windows.
OneCare was the only failure among 17 anti-virus programs tested by the AV
Comparatives organisation.

Microsoft's software only spotted 82.4% of the 500,000 viruses that the
independent group subjected it to.

The test is the second in less than a month that Microsoft's anti-virus
software has failed.

Minimum standard

Live OneCare is Microsoft's flagship security program that, like many other
anti-virus products, is designed to help PC users keep their machine clear of
malicious software.

Austria-based AV Comparatives carries out quarterly tests of top anti-virus
programs to find out if they have kept up with the growing mass of viruses
circulating online.

The tests see if anti-virus software can spot a variety of malicious
programs including macro and script viruses, worms, backdoors and trojans.

The majority of programs tested, 14, got an advanced pass or better from AV
Comparatives; two got a standard rating and OneCare failed.

OneCare fared particularly badly against so-called polymorphic viruses which
regularly change their configuration in a bid to fool security software.

"Microsoft OneCare performed very low in the test, and did not reach the
minimum requirements for participation," wrote Andreas Clementi, senior
tester at AV Comparatives, in the report about the tests.

A Microsoft spokesman said: " We are looking closely at the methodology and
results of the test to ensure that Windows Live OneCare performs better in
future tests."

He added that Microsoft was trying to: "determine whether any learnings from
these tests can be used to improve our services as part of our ongoing work
to continually enhance Windows Live OneCare to ensure the highest level of
protection and service that we can provide our customers."

The spokesman also pointed out that Windows OneCare had been certified by
ICSA Labs and the West Point Checkpoint system.

In early February, security magazine Virus Bulletin revealed that OneCare
failed to spot all the viruses it tested the software against.





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SEE ALSO
Windows 'fails' active virus test
06 Feb 07 | Technology
Virus writers set sights on Vista
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Keeping Vista safe and secure
01 Dec 06 | Technology
Windows virus bites Apple iPods
18 Oct 06 | Technology
Criminals 'may overwhelm the web'
25 Jan 07 | Business
Microsoft fixes 20 security holes
14 Feb 07 | Technology


RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Microsoft
Windows Live OneCare
AV Comparatives
AV Comparatives anti-virus test (PDF)
ICSA Labs
Virus Bulletin
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites


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