Several products make use of cloud technologies, which require an active Internet connection. Our
tests are performed using an active Internet connection. Users should be aware that detection rates
may in some cases be drastically lower if the scan is performed while offline (or when the cloud
service is unreachable for various reasons). The cloud should be considered as an additional
benefit/feature to increase detection rates (as well as response times and false alarm suppression),
and not as a full replacement for local offline detections. Vendors should make sure that users are
appropriately warned in the event that the connectivity to the cloud is lost, which may considerably
affect the protection provided, and e.g. make an initiated scan useless. While in our test we check
whether the cloud services of the respective security vendors are reachable, users should be aware
that being online does not necessarily mean that the cloud service of the products they use is
reachable/working properly. In fact, sometimes products with cloud functionality have various
network issues due to which no cloud security is provided, but the user is not warned. AMTSO4 has a
rudimentary test to verify the proper functionality of cloud-supported products.
The