Real-World Threats Demand Real Results

INNSBRUCK, Austria, June 15 -- AV-Comparatives, the world's leading independent cybersecurity testing organization, has published the results of its Real-World Protection Test covering the period from February to May 2026. The evaluation assessed 20 consumer security products under conditions that reflect the threats home users encounter daily, including malicious URLs.     Key findings at a glance: 20 home-user security products evaluated against real-world internet threats under controlled test conditions Seven products achieved the highest award level, ADVANCED+, demonstrating consistent and reliable protection The complete test report is freely available at av-comparatives.org, without registration or fees Why is independent consumer security testing more relevant than ever? The threat landscape facing home users has shifted considerably. Earlier in 2026, researchers at AV-Comparatives found MEL/Vacphage.A, a Python-based worm embedded in Autodesk Maya Binary files distributed through Epic Games' Fab.com, a widely used creative asset marketplace trusted by professionals and hobbyists alike. The finding was disclosed responsibly to the Epic Games security team before publication. This discovery reflects a broader and increasingly common pattern: attackers are embedding malware in files shared through platforms that users have every reason to trust. "Our Fab.com discovery is a reminder that malware does not always arrive via suspicious links or shady downloads," said Andreas Clementi, Founder and CEO of AV-Comparatives. "It can come from a platform a professional or enthusiast visits every day. The Real-World Protection Test is designed precisely to evaluate how security software performs when the unexpected happens." How was the Real-World Protection Test conducted? The test ran from February to May 2026 and covered 20 widely used home security products. Each product was evaluated against a curated set of real-world internet threats, with the primary criterion being whether a given threat was able to alter the test system. All products also underwent a false-positives test, assessing their ability to correctly identify legitimate files without generating unnecessary alerts. Products with elevated false alarm rates had their award levels adjusted accordingly. The 20 products evaluated were: Avast One Free Antivirus, AVG AntiVirus Free, Bitdefender Total Security, ESET HOME Security Essential, F-Secure Internet Security, Fortect PC Suite, G DATA Total Security, K7 Total Security, Kaspersky Premium, Malwarebytes Premium, McAfee Total Protection, Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Norton Antivirus Plus, Panda Free Antivirus, Quick Heal Total Security, Sophos Home Premium, Total Defense Essential Anti-Virus, TotalAV Premium, Trend Micro Internet Security, and VIPRE Advanced Security. Which products achieved the highest award level? Seven products earned the ADVANCED+ award, the highest designation in the AV-Comparatives consumer testing framework. Listed alphabetically by vendor, these are: Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Microsoft, Norton, and TotalAV. Frequently Asked Questions Is the test report available to the public? Yes. AV-Comparatives provides open access to all test reports without requiring registration or payment. The full Real-World Protection Test report for February to May 2026 is available at av-comparatives.org. What does the ADVANCED+ award indicate? ADVANCED+ is the highest award level in the AV-Comparatives consumer testing framework. It is awarded to products that demonstrate consistently high protection against real-world threats while maintaining low false alarm rates. How often does AV-Comparatives publish Real-World Protection Test results? The Real-World Protection Test is part of the ongoing Consumer Main-Test Series and runs throughout the year. This report covers the first half of 2026. Read the Full Report The complete Real-World Protection Test report for February to May 2026 is available free of charge, without registration: https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/real-world-protection-test-february-may-2026/ About AV-Comparatives AV-Comparatives is the leading independent cybersecurity testing organization, evaluating security solutions that have evolved far beyond traditional antivirus software. Our systematic testing assesses modern endpoint protection, threat detection, and mobile security across PC, Mac, Android, and IoT devices. Using one of the world's most relevant and sophisticated threat collections, we create real-world testing environments for comprehensive evaluation. Test results are freely accessible worldwide, and AV-Comparatives certification provides a globally recognized seal of approval for proven cybersecurity performance. -- PRNewswire -- Source: AV-Comparatives

INNSBRUCK, Austria, June 15 — AV-Comparatives, the world’s leading independent cybersecurity testing organization, has published the results of its Real-World Protection Test covering the period from February to May 2026. The evaluation assessed 20 consumer security products under conditions that reflect the threats home users encounter daily, including malicious URLs. Key findings at a glance: 20 […]

GIGABYTE Showcases Industry-leading CQDIMM Performance and Ecosystem Expansion at COMPUTEX 2026

TAIPEI, June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GIGABYTE, the world's leading computer brand, showcases its CQDIMM-enabled Z890 Plus series motherboards at COMPUTEX 2026, led by the Z890 AORUS TACHYON DUO X ICE. Designed for mainstream gamers and performance-focused users, the lineup supports full-capacity 256GB dual-DIMM DDR5 configurations and industry-leading memory speeds up to 10,400 MT/s through GIGABYTE's exclusive D5 DUO X Technology. At COMPUTEX 2026, GIGABYTE further strengthens the CQDIMM ecosystem through collaborations with leading memory partners, demonstrating the evolution of high-capacity, high-frequency DDR5 platforms. At the core of the showcase is CQDIMM Technology, enabling full 256GB capacity with two 128GB CQDIMM modules for uncompromising performance without tradeoffs between capacity and speed. To fully unlock this capability, GIGABYTE integrates its exclusive D5 DUO X Technology, combining optimized motherboard circuit design and advanced BIOS tuning. The refined circuit design reduces memory channel loading and enhances signal integrity, while BIOS tuning intelligently manages timing, signal synchronization, and voltage behavior to ensure stable high-frequency operation. Supported models include the Z890 AORUS TACHYON DUO X ICE, Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X, and Z890M FORCE DUO X WIFI7. To further enhance system performance, GIGABYTE introduces AI-enhanced platform optimization technologies across the Z890 Plus series. Ultra Turbo Mode intelligently optimizes CPU and memory frequencies with a single click, boosting performance by up to 40% while enabling DDR5 overclocking up to 10,400 MT/s. Multiple presets are available for different usage scenarios, including Intel 200S Boost for instant gaming performance improvements, Turbo Mode for higher FPS gains, and Extreme Mode for supreme performance tuning. Combined with AI-enhanced BIOS optimization and EZ-DIY innovations, the platform delivers a more accessible and user-friendly experience for gamers and PC builders. GIGABYTE also expands the CQDIMM ecosystem through close collaboration with leading memory brands, including BIWIN, CORSAIR, G.SKILL, KINGSTON, TeamGroup, V-COLOR, and XPG. These partnerships help validate high-frequency DDR5 performance across various memory modules, broaden ecosystem compatibility, and strengthen platform readiness for AI computing, gaming, content creation, and multitasking workloads. Experience the CQDIMM showcase at the GIGABYTE Consumer Booth #M0520 during COMPUTEX 2026. For more information, please visit the official GIGABYTE website: https://bit.ly/COMPUTEX_2026_GIGABYTE_Consumer_ww_cqdimm_ecosystem Source: GIGABYTE

TAIPEI, June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GIGABYTE, the world’s leading computer brand, showcases its CQDIMM-enabled Z890 Plus series motherboards at COMPUTEX 2026, led by the Z890 AORUS TACHYON DUO X ICE. Designed for mainstream gamers and performance-focused users, the lineup supports full-capacity 256GB dual-DIMM DDR5 configurations and industry-leading memory speeds up to 10,400 MT/s through […]