AV-Comparatives has released the results of its 2025 Advanced Threat Protection Test. Eight consumer antivirus products and six enterprise endpoint-security programs for Windows were put through their paces. 

AV-Comparatives Unveils Results of Its 2025 Advanced Threat Protection Tests

AV-Comparatives, a renowned authority in antivirus and security software testing, is excited to release the results from its 2025 Advanced Threat Protection Tests. In this thorough evaluation, seven consumer antivirus products and six enterprise endpoint-security solutions for Windows were rigorously tested for their ability to defend against sophisticated, targeted threats.

The Advanced Threat Protection Test from AV-Comparatives employs a wide range of attack scenarios, pushing the tested security solutions to the limit in their ability to block advanced threats. These threats encompass techniques aimed at bypassing detection, including fileless attacks, code obfuscation, and the misuse of legitimate operating-system tools. Cybercriminals increasingly disguise malicious code and exploit legitimate system programs, making detection more challenging and enabling them to operate without triggering alarms.

AV-Comparatives’ Advanced Threat Protection Tests integrate hacking and penetration techniques that simulate real-world attacks, allowing unauthorized access to internal systems. These tests are based on a subset of the Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK® framework. In addition, a false alarm assessment ensures that the tested products don’t overwhelm users with unnecessary notifications.

The enterprise security solutions tested in 2025 are: Avast Ultimate Business Security, Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Premium, CrowdStrike Falcon Pro, ESET PROTECT Entry with ESET PROTECT Cloud, Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business – Select, with KSC, and NetSecurity ThreatResponder. Notably, all six enterprise products successfully blocked at least eight out of fifteen advanced attacks, earning AV-Comparatives’ prestigious ATP Enterprise Certification.

Link to the enterprise report: https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/advanced-threat-protection-test-2025-enterprise/

The consumer antivirus programs evaluated were: Avast Free Antivirus, AVG AntiVirus Free, Avira Free Security, Bitdefender Total Security, ESET HOME Security Essential, G DATA Total Security, Kaspersky Premium, and Norton Antivirus Plus. Among the consumer products, all but one achieved the  “ADVANCED+” rating.

Link to the consumer report: https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/advanced-threat-protection-test-2025-consumer/

Overview of the Advanced Threat Protection Test

The Advanced Threat Protection Test evaluates each product’s capacity to defend against targeted, sophisticated attacks, also known as advanced persistent threats (APTs). These attacks, often multi-faceted and multi-stage, typically target specific individuals or organizations. While many APTs are directed at enterprise networks, they often begin by targeting personal devices used by staff members. Cybercriminals may also launch targeted attacks for other reasons, making it crucial for both consumer and enterprise security solutions to protect against such threats.

All the tested products, both for consumers and enterprises, were challenged to defend against 15 distinct, complex targeted attacks.

AV-Comparatives remains dedicated to providing comprehensive, unbiased insights to help users make informed decisions about their security solutions.