More than 40 security software technologists and anti-malware testers from around the world recently met in Bilbao, Spain to formalize the charter of the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization, or AMTSO. The formation of AMTSO has been driven by industry-wide concern about the increasing mismatch between what anti-malware technologies actually do, and the testing methodologies used to evaluate them. As anti-malware solutions become more complex, many existing tests are unable to evaluate product effectiveness properly, resulting in product reviews that are sometimes incomplete, inaccurate and misleading.AMTSO is focused on addressing the global need for improvement in the objectivity, quality and relevance of testing methodologies. The organization also aims to promulgate universally adopted standards and guidelines for anti-malware testing. The vision for AMTSO was formed in May 2007 during the International Antivirus Testing Workshop in Reykjavik, Iceland, and developed further during the Antivirus Asia Researchers Conference in Seoul, South Korea last December. Pursuant to its preliminary charter, AMTSO will:

• Provide a forum for discussions related to the testing of anti-malware and related products;
• Develop and publicize objective standards and best practices for testing of anti-malware and related products;
• Promote education and awareness of issues related to the testing of anti-malware and related products;
• Provide tools and resources to aid standards-based testing methodologies; and,
• Provide analysis and review of current and future testing of anti-malware and related products.
  

Hosted by Panda Security, the meeting in Bilbao included representatives from the industry’s leading companies and testing organizations, including:

• ALWIL Software
• AV-Comparatives
• AV-Test.org
• AVG Technologies
• Avira GmbH
• Bit9
• BitDefender
• Dr. Web, Ltd.
• ESET
• F-Secure Corporation
• G DATA Software
• Hispasec Sistemas
• International Business Machines Corporation
• Kaspersky Lab
• McAfee, Inc.
• Microsoft Corp.
• Norman ASA
• Panda Security
• PC Tools
• Sana Security
• Secure Computing
• Sophos Plc
• Symantec Corporation
• Trend Micro Incorporated
• Virusbuster Ltd.
  

About the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO)
AMTSO is dedicated to helping improve the objectivity, quality and relevance of anti-malware technology testing. AMTSO membership is open to industry-wide academics, reviewers, testers and vendors, subject to guidelines determined by AMTSO. Additional information regarding the organization, including charter documents, membership and educational materials are available on the AMTSO website at www.amtso.org. ###All company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

AVG Technologies
Consumers and companies alike place significant reliance on third-party testing and certification methodologies when selecting malware protection for their homes and businesses. Because today’s malware is so complex, and its distribution driven to a large extent by professional criminals, it is incumbent upon us as an industry to step up to the plate and provide the level of testing that users can trust to protect their digital assets.