Elastic recorded the highest malware protection rate in AV-Comparatives’ March 2026 enterprise test, at 100%; K7 recorded the lowest, at 96.0%. The comparison covered 16 tested configurations on Microsoft Windows and 1,000 recent malware samples. Those are results under the lab’s stated conditions—not a guarantee of how any product will perform in a particular organization.
What AV-Comparatives measured
The test assessed whether endpoint security software stopped malicious files from infecting a Windows system before, during, or after execution. AV-Comparatives first used on-access scanning where available. Samples that got past that stage were run on the test system with internet and cloud access, allowing behavioral protections to respond. Updates and cloud connectivity were allowed during the test.
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A sample counted as a miss if the product did not prevent or reverse all changes the malware made within the allotted time. AV-Comparatives describes the test as an enhancement of its earlier File Detection Test, adding execution of samples missed by on-access scanning so behavioral features can be assessed. See the Malware Protection Tests Archive for the test-series description.
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The test period was March 2026. AV-Comparatives published the report on May 15, 2026, with a listed revision date of May 7, 2026. The results appear in an excerpt from its Business Security Test March–April 2026 factsheet. The protection rates below are the report’s figures for that test.
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Enterprise malware protection results
AV-Comparatives reported the following protection rates for the 16 configurations tested:
| Protection rate | Products |
|---|---|
| 100% | Elastic Security 9.3 |
| 99.8% | Avast Ultimate Business Security 26.1; Norton Small Business 26.2 |
| 99.7% | CrowdStrike Falcon Enterprise 7.33 |
| 99.6% | Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business (Select, with KSC) 12.12; ManageEngine Endpoint Central with Malware Protection 11.5 |
| 99.5% | Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Premium 8.26 |
| 99.3% | G Data Endpoint Protection Business 15.8; Microsoft Defender Antivirus with Microsoft Endpoint Manager 4.18; VIPRE Endpoint Security 13.2 |
| 99.2% | ESET PROTECT Entry with ESET PROTECT Cloud 12.1 |
| 99.0% | Cisco Secure Client 8.5 |
| 98.2% | SenseOn Platform with EPP 6.11 |
| 97.5% | Trellix Endpoint Security (ENS) 10.7 |
| 96.6% | Sophos Intercept X Advanced 2025.2 |
| 96.0% | K7 On-Premises Enterprise Security Advanced 14.2 |
Elastic had the highest reported rate in this comparison, while K7 had the lowest. A lab ranking does not by itself establish which product is the best choice for a given organization: the test does not measure organization-specific application compatibility, deployment needs, or total cost.
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False alarms: common business software versus uncommon files
Every tested product had zero false alarms on common business software. That finding applies to that software set; it does not mean the products never flag legitimate files. AV-Comparatives separately assessed non-business software and uncommon files, with these category ratings:
| False-alarm category | Products |
|---|---|
| Very Low | Bitdefender, G Data, Kaspersky, Microsoft, VIPRE |
| Low | Avast, Norton, SenseOn |
| Medium/Average | Cisco, CrowdStrike, ESET, K7, Sophos |
| High | Elastic, ManageEngine, Trellix |
The report says vendors promptly fixed the false alarms found. It also notes that organizations relying on uncommon or internally developed software may want to weigh these findings when evaluating products. The report does not establish how a product will classify a particular organization’s applications.
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What the Trellix note means
AV-Comparatives reports that an issue during testing caused additional misses for Trellix. The report says the issue had been resolved by publication; it should not be read as a statement that the problem remains unresolved.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to use these results
- Compare the exact configuration and version tested with the product edition you are considering; the table identifies the report’s tested versions.
- Read protection rates alongside the separate false-alarm category, especially if your organization uses uncommon or self-developed software.
- Treat the results as evidence from one Windows test period, not as a substitute for checking compatibility with your applications, operating environment, and deployment requirements.
The full AV-Comparatives March 2026 enterprise Malware Protection Test report contains the test results and further context.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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