Emsisoft Anti-Malware Earns VB100 Certification with Grade A Detection

The VB100 certification remains the security industry’s long-standing measure of fundamental competence. In the September 2025 evaluation, Emsisoft Anti-Malware again demonstrated its proficiency, achieving a Grade A detection rating. The product identified 97.80% of in-the-wild malware while correctly clearing 100,000 clean files without a single false alarm.

The VB100 certification and its importance in cybersecurity

Since its inception in 1998, the VB100 benchmark has served a specific, critical purpose. It cuts through marketing claims to answer two questions. Can the software spot real malware? Can it do so without mistakenly flagging safe programs?

Performance is graded on a scale. An A+ requires near-perfect 99.5% detection or higher. The A grade, which Emsisoft earned, demands at least 97%. Scores descend through B, C, and D tiers. The grading system provides nuance beyond a simple pass/fail, showing just how well a product performed.

Virus Bulletin conducts these tests under the AMTSO Standard. Ensuring methodologies are transparent, fair, and replicable.

September 2025 test methodology and requirements

The September test followed VB100 methodology version 1.7 on a Windows 11 Pro platform. The threat landscape was represented by 2,002 recent malware samples, predominantly Windows PE files sourced from Virus Bulletin’s own intelligence and vetted external feeds. These were active threats circulating near the test date.

The clean set was equally massive: 100,000 legitimate files. This collection included common applications, system utilities, and document types. A true cross-section of what users encounter daily. The testing process itself simulates a multi-stage attack. Each sample is downloaded and saved to disk. For compatible executables, a suspended process is launched. Finally, an on-demand scan cleans up any remaining files.

A product’s first intervention point defines the result. Whether it blocks a download, prevents file execution, or removes a file during the scan, the initial action is what counts. This method evaluates the solution’s most immediate and decisive response to a threat.

Emsisoft’s performance highlights

Emsisoft Anti-Malware detected 97.80% of threats. This translates to 1,958 blocked samples out of 2,002. Zero false positives across 100,000 legitimate files.

Key Results:

• Detection Rate: 97.80% (Grade A)
• False Positives: 0/100,000
• Threats Missed: 44

Read the full report here.

Independent verification builds trust in security solutions

VB100 certification provides objective validation. Emsisoft’s consistent performance in these tests demonstrates engineering discipline. In a landscape filled with exaggerated claims, third-party verification remains invaluable. Emsisoft Anti-Malware delivers results that provide confidence through measurable performance.