Despite their business differences, computer security companies are coming together to standardize testing for anti-malware products and services. In Bilbao, Spain, on Monday, more than 40 security researchers and anti-malware testers convened to formalize the charter of a new Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization.

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.

Last year, developers of antivirus software called into question a batch of antivirus tests conducted by independent organizations when showed their products failing to detect many security threats. At a meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland, last May, representatives of F-Secure, Panda Software and Symantec decided to design a new testing plan.

The organisation’s aims include providing a forum for discussions related to the testing of anti-malware products, and developing and publicising standards and best practices for such tests.