Checkmark Certified

One of the oldest, continually running, IT security certification bodies in the world, the Checkmark logo has adorned the boxes, websites, and interfaces of many of the leading security solutions.

Recognition of Excellence in Malware Detection

The Checkmark Certified program evaluates consumer security products against real-world malware threats using West Coast Labs' extensive testing methodology. Products are tested monthly and awarded certification tiers based on their detection capabilities against our curated threat database. This certification focuses exclusively on detection rates—the ability to identify and flag malicious files before they can harm your system.

All products tested in the Checkmark Certified program are evaluated in their free or basic configurations, ensuring consumers can make informed decisions about security solutions accessible to everyone. Testing is conducted in controlled laboratory conditions using identical threat sets to ensure fair and comparable results across all vendors.

Monthly testing against current malware samples
Detection-only testing (no false positive analysis)
Free/basic product versions only
Independent, vendor-neutral testing
Three-tier certification: Gold (90%+), Silver (85%+), Bronze (80%+)

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GOLD
90%+

SILVER
85%+

BRONZE
80%+

Vendor name

Product name

Current Rating:

Bronze

Version:

v1.1.1

Last Tested:

12/06/2025

Valid To:

12/07/2025

12/06/2025

Test Month:

Rating:

Testing Methodology

Our Checkmark Certified testing employs a rigorous, standardized approach to evaluate security products fairly and consistently:

Threat Collection: Each month, we compile a diverse set of malware samples representing current threats in the wild, including viruses, trojans, ransomware, and other malicious software. Our threat intelligence team sources samples from multiple feeds to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Testing Environment: Products are installed on clean Windows systems with default configurations. We test the free or basic version of each product as it would be experienced by typical home users—no enterprise features, no premium add-ons.

Detection Assessment: Each product is exposed to the same threat set under identical conditions. We measure the percentage of threats correctly identified by each product's scanning engine. Products that detect 90% or more earn Gold certification, 85-89% earn Silver, and 80-84% earn Bronze.

Important Notes

What This Test Measures: This certification evaluates detection capability only—the ability to identify known malware threats. A high detection rate indicates strong protection against established threats.

What This Test Does Not Measure:

False positive rates (legitimate files incorrectly flagged as threats)
System performance impact
Real-time protection effectiveness
Behavioral analysis or heuristic detection
Additional features (firewall, VPN, parental controls)
Removal or remediation capabilities