CyberSoft Product Testing

CyberSoft Testing

To deliver to our customers the best in Unix, Linux, and Mac OS X security solutions, CyberSoft products are tested against the highest industry standards, utilizing a multi-layered testing strategy. We test for detection ability of actual threats to our global customers (viruses in the wild), as well as viruses that are not yet a threat (existing only as a proof of concept in a controlled laboratory setting), and then we test to make sure that the software runs correctly as part of a security toolkit.

The first layer of internal testing determines that each individual VDL (Virus Signature) detects the actual virus that it is supposed to detect. Our next round of tests ensures that the newly created VDL does not falsely identify legitimate files as infected files, which could interfere with the operations of our customers. Parallel to this test is what we call a "trigger count", which is a speed test, making sure that the VDL is specific enough to trigger only the files it is meant to catch. We then run an aggregate (combined) test, where the new VDL is combined with all other VDLs to make sure that they interact properly with existing VDLs as part of a toolkit. Once these tests are completed successfully, the VDL is posted to our update server, where an automated test guarantees that there are no errors in the VDL library, and that there are no duplicates in what is posted to the update server.

Third-party Testing

In addition to our own quality assurance, we have third-party testing organizations carry out further tests to make sure that we are supplying the best quality security products to our customers.

German-based AV-Test is an independant recognized authority in the field of antivirus testing. They do a significant portion of antivirus testing for Europe, and their work is frequently featured in tech magazines. They perform a full-scale test of our antivirus system, testing our products every two weeks, something unheard of in the computer security industry.

West Cost Labs is an independant organization based in the United Kingdom that tests information security products - these tests are carried out four times per year at random intervals and without warning. To this extent, West Coast Labs has developed the Checkmark Certification System, recognized the world over as a reliable testing platform for information security products. For a product to be certified Anti-Virus Checkmark Level One, it must be able to detect all viruses which are "in the wild". This gives clear and unbiased notice to our customers that we can be relied on to protect their data.

This is a difficult standard to reach, especially on a consistant basis. By joining the Checkmark Certification System and achieving Anti-Virus Level 1, CyberSoft has demonstrated it's commitment to providing a high-quality security solution.

West Coast Labs is part of West Coast Publishing Limited, which also owns SC Magazine, the largest circulation information security magazine in the world.