Windows Live OneCare Failed VB100 Test

In a report by BetaNews, it was indicated that a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that Windows Live OneCare antivirus failed a test conducted by Virus Bulletin. Windows Vista Business Edition was the operating system used in the test. The BetaNews report confirms the report I read by F-Secure a couple of days ago that also stated Microsoft Live OneCare for Vista did not get the VB100.

This is the statement from Microsoft Representative as quoted from BetaNews:

"We are looking closely at the methodology and results of the test to ensure that Windows Live OneCare performs better in future tests," the Microsoft spokesperson told us, "and, most importantly, 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. As we have more information to share from our review of this particular test moving forward, we will keep you updated via our anti-malware blog." {bold added}

I have a problem with that statement by the Microsoft spokesperson. Over the past year, communications by Microsoft staff have been on a rapid incline and, I might add, very appreciated. There is one area that I follow, however, where there has been a distinct lack of communication. That is the Anti-Malware Blog. As of this posting, the most recent entry in that blog is October 30, 2006. That gives me the feeling that we won't be seeing much information sharing in the near future.

On a positive note, there were a number of anti-virus software programs that did pass the test by being able to positively detect a series of known viruses without a false positive, in as many as three trials on two separate machines. The combined list from the BetaNews and F-Secure reports of products that passed the test includes:

• Avast
• AVG
• CA's Home and eTrust (enterprise) products
• Fortinet's FortiClient
• F-Secure Anti-Virus
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0
• NOD32
• Quick Heal
• Sophos Anti-Virus 6.5
• Symantec AntiVirus 10.2

Two other failures were McAfee's VirusScan Enterprise 8.1 and the Norman Virus Control. There are plenty of options to select from if you are looking for a new antivirus software for Vista.

I have to say that I agree the lack of communications is hurting them.  A/V is one area where transparcey is a neccesity and they are not doing a good job.  I also think that One Care has taken a nose dive as of late....they really need to right this ship quickly or I won't be recommending it to anyone.

I agree. 

As I recall, OneCare still isn't certified for 64bit.

I am afraid I have to agree, OneCare is just not ready for prime time. In fact, I had to uninstall OneCare just to save my XP computer from certain damnation. So I installed the latest Norton 360 beta on Vista x86 and scanned my XP partition, which removed numerous Viruses and Spyware programs from the system. Malicous software which Live OneCare failed to find, regardless it's a suite of AV, AntiSpyware and backup, it just did not offer the level of security I was anticipating. I would preferrably stick with well known and well tested solutions from third party vendors such as Symantec and eTrust 7.

Looks like OneCare is getting some attention with the February updates:

• One Microsoft Security Bulletin affecting Windows Live OneCare, Microsoft Antigen, Microsoft Windows Defender, and Microsoft ForeFront.
The highest Maximum Severity rating for these is Critical. These products provide built-in mechanisms for automatic detection and deployment of updates. Some of these updates may require a restart.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/advance.mspx

Corrine:

Looks like OneCare is getting some attention with the February updates:

• One Microsoft Security Bulletin affecting Windows Live OneCare, Microsoft Antigen, Microsoft Windows Defender, and Microsoft ForeFront.
The highest Maximum Severity rating for these is Critical. These products provide built-in mechanisms for automatic detection and deployment of updates. Some of these updates may require a restart.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/advance.mspx

In my case its a bit too late, I am using Symantec AV 10.2. Hopefully in a future release I will reconsider depending on the reviews. Also, the lack of 64-bit Vista support is another turn off.