AV-Test just published the results of their most recent antimalware vendor testing, and they didn't grant Microsoft Security Essentials and Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection their "AV-Test Certified" status.

In antimalware testing against a range of products, AV-TEST did not certify AhnLab V3 Internet Security 8.0, Microsoft Security Essentials 4.1, and PC Tools Internet Security 2012.

Microsoft's anti-virus software failed to adequately protect against 0-day malware attacks, inclusive of web and e-mail threats, scoring an average of 71 percent vs. the industry average of 92 percent. Microsoft's software scored higher in the "Cleaning and repair of a malware-infected computer" test, wher ethe software detected the 91% of the of actively running widespread malware (including Rootkits and stealth malware.)

"Our review showed that 0.0033 percent of our Microsoft Security Essentials and Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection customers were impacted by malware samples not detected during the test. In addition, 94 percent of the malware samples not detected during the test didn't impact our customers," said Joe Blackbird, program manager at Microsoft Malware Protection Center.

"It is also difficult for independent antimalware testing organizations to devise tests that are consistent with the real-world conditions that customers live in," Blackbird added.

"We continually evaluate and look at ways to improve our processes. We know from feedback from customers that industry testing is valuable, and their tests do help us improve. We're committed to reducing our 0.0033 percent margin to zero."