Independent Lab Tests Show that McAfee Stops Malware Dead in Its Tracks | McAfee Blog

Concerned about ransomware? McAfee stops it dead in its tracks. 

Newly published findings from the independent labs at AV-TEST show that McAfee’s antivirus technology performs best. In recent tests, it detected and blocked top forms of ransomware sooner than the entire field of nine other antivirus technologies. 

In their lab setting, AV-TEST used emails loaded with ransomware attachments to test the defenses of computers. Ransomware is a type of malware that infects a network or a device and then typically encrypts the files, data, and apps stored on it, digitally scrambling them so the proper owners can’t access them, often using sophisticated methods of cryptography that are nearly impossible to undo. AV-TEST used ten different forms of ransomware, each one employing the latest techniques. Only McAfee detected and blocked ransomware at its earliest stage—right when it first arrived by email. 

Put in practical terms, McAfee eliminated the ransomware threat the moment it spotted it. 

Other antivirus software wasn’t so quick. They only detected the ransomware when the user clicked and activated the ransomware. Some antivirus allowed one or two attacks to fully succeed—encrypting files with ransomware as a result. 

McAfee earned a perfect score of 30/30 points possible in this battery of ransomware tests, earning it the distinction of AV-Test’s “Advanced Certified” certificate. 

This follows earlier recognition where McAfee was awarded “Best Protection” by AV-Test in March of this year. 

Note that while AV-Test used McAfee Total Protection in its tests, McAfee uses the same antivirus technology across all our online protection software. That includes all our McAfee+ products, McAfee Total Protection, McAfee LiveSafe, McAfee Internet Security, McAfee AntiVirus Plus, and McAfee Small Business Security. 

For more about ransomware, what it looks like, how it acts, and how you can protect yourself from it, check out our Ransomware Security Guide. It’s part of our broader Security Series, which covers topics from safer online shopping to your privacy on social media and more. 

Learn more about our award-winning antivirus here—plus even more features that can protect your privacy and identity as well. 

Introducing McAfee+

Identity theft protection and privacy for your digital life

Download McAfee+ Now